8 Tips for a Beautiful Interior

Have you ever entered a room and thought,”Wow this place looks great!”. Of course you have. But what makes it good, excellent, or even great? There are many factors that contribute to good interior design and surprise – and it’s relatively simple. Anyone can train and learn how to create beautiful interiors, you just need to understand the basics of how to make a special room and then you can start creating your own stunning interiors. I’m not going to lie …… If you weren’t born with the “decorating gene” like some of us, it may take you a little longer to practice, but it’s not impossible.

My point is: you don’t need an architecture or design degree to create fabulous interiors. You don’t need to be a “natural person”. But you do need to check out the 8 “musts” I’ve listed below…

Plan and Prioritize

Before embarking on any interior design project, it’s important to plan and prioritize your goals and needs. Consider factors such as functionality, aesthetics, budget, and timeline, and create a plan to address each element. I would say that out of all these considerations, budget and room architecture are always the most important considerations, because if you can’t remove the walls, or if you have to keep the floors (because you’re a tenant), you’re going to need to make changes to some of your ideas. Budgeting is undoubtedly the “make-or-break” of any interior project, though. Most of my clients have to make some pretty big sacrifices to afford their dream room, while others have to understand what’s worth it and what they can do without.

Consider the Environment

Good interior design should consider the context of the space, including factors such as architecture, location, and natural light. Understanding your surroundings can help you make design choices that enhance the space and create a cohesive, harmonious environment. For example, you need to know which direction the room is facing, as it will directly affect the choice of color in the space – partly the wall paint. Location is equally important. If you decorate a country house 500 miles from the coast in a typical coastal style, it will feel out of context and out of tune with its surroundings. This disconnect affects everything. For example, if you have a country house somewhere in the world that is dark and cold for half the year, blue and white striped linen curtains and white blinds on the windows, as well as white linen bedding and rattan lighting may not only look “off”, but it won’t satisfy your needs. To stay warm in cold climates, you need to rely on warm and comfortable soft furnishings, seersucker, clear linen and woven bamboo curtains can’t keep the heat in your home. It’s not just about aesthetics – it’s also about being practical and meaningful.

Focus on Functionality

Aesthetics are important, but functionality should be a top priority for any interior design project. Consider how the space will be used and make design choices that support its intended purpose. I recently spoke with a well-known German furniture designer who revealed that his designs are increasingly focused on comfort rather than just aesthetics, and have won awards for their pleasing curves and perfect lines. He points out that a lot of Danish furniture is very beautiful, but you can’t snuggle up with your dog on it, and the chairs are mostly very strict and upright, and they are not suitable for lingering for a few hours at dinner. When designing a room, comfort and functionality must be the focus. You want to stay on the couch, you need to enjoy a seat in the restaurant, you want your office chair to be ergonomic so that your back health is not adversely affected. I see a lot of Instagram influencers showing off their home office space, and I have to laugh because who can sit in an iconic medieval chair for 8 hours a day? Who can sit in a hardwood chair and bang on a computer 5 days a week? You need padding, you need a seat that is height-adjustable, you need a depth adjustable to support the depth of your thighs, and fully adjustable armrests.

Create Balance and Harmony

Good interior design should create a sense of balance and harmony in the space. This can be achieved through a variety of design choices, such as color palettes, furniture placement, and lighting. If the room is harmonious, the home will feel better – there is flow, there is energy.

Attention to Detail

Details are an important part of good interior design, and they can make a big difference to the overall look and feel of a space. From choosing the right hardware and accessories to choosing the perfect pillow, attention to detail helps create a cohesive and elegant look. It’s especially important to combine something that feels good with texture.

Willing to Edit

When it comes to interior design, sometimes less is more. Be willing to edit and simplify your design choices to create a more streamlined and focused space. I have a friend who has just spent a lot of money renovating a part of her home, making meticulous and expensive design choices. The results are fantastic! That’s when it’s best to stop and think it’s done. The problem is, a lot of people feel the need to add, add, add… to constantly fill the space, or they are so tired of waiting for the project to be completed that their final choice (rugs, cushions) is cheap and mainstream. There is a saying in the world of photography: “Your portfolio is only as strong as your weakest photo”. This applies to everything visual, even interior decoration. If the sink cabinet is particleboard from a cheap retailer, then no one will see handmade tiles from Morocco in the bathroom. If the pillow looks cheap and the pillow is ordinary, the sofa you spent five figures on will disappear. In this case, it is best not to use throw pillows and pillows until you find one that fits the sofa.

Stay True to Your Personal Style

While it’s important to consider the context and function of the space, it’s also important to stay true to your personal style and preferences. Your interior design should reflect your personality and tastes, creating a space where you feel authentic and comfortable – not just you, but your partner as well. When designing a children’s room, once they reach a certain age, their personality and tastes also need to be taken into account. You can find your personal style by taking classes, reading books, making mood boards, and practice, practice, and practice!

Know What’s Popular and What’s Classic

This is key because if you don’t know the difference between what’s trendy and what’s left behind (classics), then you can easily put all your money into a room with too many trendy items, and within a year, the space will look outdated and dusty. It’s best to keep the basics classic, which is why the most popular accessories in bathrooms and kitchens (bathtubs, sinks, etc.) are usually neutral or plain white. The reason is that when you are fundamentally neutral, the most expensive or hardest to exchange/replace elements can remain for many years, perhaps decades. It’s a sustainable approach to design. If you want to add personality and style with “layered” elements, then you can show your personality here without having to re-lay the bathroom tiles. You can use shower curtains, towels, accessories, rugs, wallpaper, or paint to decorate your bathroom and bring it to life.

I hope some of my thoughts will be helpful to you today when you are thinking about design and interior design.