Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of being able to decorate like an interior designer. I’ve never wanted to be an interior designer but I do want to live in a space that looks like it has been decorated by one. I used to daydream about taking on my own grand design and building a home that I would decorate throughout. In hindsight, I now know that this would cause me immense stress. So the new dream is to work with professionals to organise the whole thing for me.
However, after writing this multi-award-winning interior design blog for a decade and a half, I have certainly learnt a thing or two about the principles that interior designers use to decorate a home that makes it successful. So if you want your home to look like those houses that appear in glossy magazines and which thousands of people now drool over when scrolling Instagram and Pinterest then you either need to hire an interior designer (and itโs totally worth it if you can)โฆor you could use some of their tricks to create an amazing space of your own. So let me share some tips to help you decorate like an interior designer.
12 Tips to Decorate Like an Interior Designer
1. Plan Like a Pro
Start with a plan, not a panic. Every seasoned interior designer knows that good design is all about preparation. Sketch out your room layout or use one of those nifty online room planners. This will help you visualise the space and decide where each piece of furniture should strut its stuff.
2. Use Zones to Break Up the Space
Use a DIY Plant Room Divider to zone your space. Image c/o Furniture And Choice
To decorate like an interior designer you need to think about zones. This will help you to create functional areas within a room. A reading nook here, a work area there – define each zone with rugs, lighting, screens or a shift in colour scheme. Itโs like creating little ‘rooms within a room’, and it’s mega effective.
3. Create Contrast by Mixing
Cricket 3 seater sofa in Weave Mix Grey from Sofology
Now, letโs talk mixing. Not cocktails, sadly, but styles and textures. Velvet with rattan? Yes, please! Modern with antique? Go for it! The trick is to balance contrasts in a way that feels intentional, not chaotic. Think of it as a culinary fusion that delights the palateโor in this case, the eye. This is a surefire way to get people thinking that you decorate like an interior designer.
4. Use Colour Cleverly
Decorate like an interior designer by getting colour confident. Image c/o Wayfair
Nail your colour scheme. Interior designers often opt for neutral walls as a backdrop to dramatic furnishings and art. But hey, if youโre bold enough, a statement wall in sunflower yellow or with a bold wallpaper could be smashing too. Just remember, the colour wheel is your friend; wield it wisely. To decorate like an interior designer balance is key.
5. Layer the Lighting
Layered lighting in an open plan space. Image c/o John Cullen
Lighting is the secret weapon in your interior design arsenal. Layer different light sources across your roomโambient, task and accent. A well-placed lamp or a strategically hung pendant can do wonders for mood and functionality. It’s literally about seeing your space in the best possible light.
6. Create Interest With Artwork
Decorate like an interior designer by adding a gallery wall to create a focal point. Image c/o Desenio
Art isn’t just for galleries. It personalises a space and can be a focal point or a conversation starter. You donโt need a Picassoโjust something that speaks to you. Hang it at eye level, which in designer lingo, is about 145 cm from the floor to the centre of the art. Itโs like the roomโs looking you straight in the eye.
7. Accessorise Wisely
Choose accessories wisely to decorate like an interior designer. Image c/o sofa.com
Accessories are the jewellery of the room. Cushions, vases, books, and quirky collectables bring character and life to your space. But donโt go overboard. Remember, itโs a home, not a bric-a-brac shop. Choose items that mean something to youโeach piece should have its story, much like a good dinner party guest.
8. Pay Attention to Detail
Window treatments are an important stage of your design decisions. Made-to-measure curtains by Tori Murphy
Now, the piรจce de rรฉsistanceโattention to detail. Those final touches that might seem minor but add up to something spectacular. Think elegant door handles, plush throws, and even the way your curtains drape. These small elements are the final polish on your design masterpiece.
9. Function Before Form
Comfort and functionality should still be a priority when you decorate like an interior designer. Image c/o Loaf
Always prioritise function. Itโs all well and good having a chair that looks like a sculptural masterpiece, but if itโs agony to sit on, whatโs the point? Make sure your space is livable and comfortable. After all, even the most beautiful room needs to feel like home.
10. Play with Patterns
A light sprinkling of pattern can really enhance a room. Image c/o Walls and Floors.
Don’t shy away from patterns; embrace them to add depth and interest to your interiors. Whether it’s a striped rug, polka dot cushions, or geometric wallpaper, patterns can animate a room. The key is balanceโcombine bold patterns with solid to avoid a visual overload. Remember, in the world of interior design, patterns are like spices: just the right amount will enrich the dish, too much, and you’ll overpower everything else.
11. Incorporate Greenery
Plants bring many benefits into the home so make sure you use them to decorate like an interior designer. Image c/o Furniture and Choice
Plants are more than just beautifulโthey’re also natural air purifiers. Adding a mix of tall standing plants and smaller greenery can bring energy and serenity to your space. Choose varieties that thrive indoors and complement your roomโs aesthetic. Whether itโs a lofty palm tree or a modest succulent, greenery can breathe life into your design and make any room feel fresh and vibrant.
12. Create a Signature Scent
A diffuser allows you to add delicate aromas and scents to your home.
Once you have the decor down, itโs never a bad idea to try and come up with a signature scent for your home. Think about all of those expensive hotel lobbies youโve been in that smell amazing – they elevated the experience of being there, right? You can do that right there in your home by using essential oil diffusers and scented candles to create an expensive mood with smell. So, give it a go.
Hereโs to a home that turns heads in all of the right ways!