Now that many of us have been housebound for weeks (months!), you’re probably looking around your home and thinking you’d like to make some changes but not sure where to start. “Where to start” is probably the number question I get asked by folks.
Often homeowners have NO idea how to begin their decor project. They KNOW they don’t like a particular room (or multiple spaces) in their home, but they’re not sure where to begin the process of fixing it. There are two schools of thought: Build the room via inspiration or follow the first rule of good design: Form follows function. Let’s review both:
Design Starting Point Option One: Form Follows Function
Perhaps you’ve heard the term “form follows function”. What is the functionality of your room (space)? In some spaces, the function is obvious. THAT creates your starting point.
- A kitchen is for preparing your meals. Therefore a good kitchen layout, appliance that meet your specific needs and surfaces that perform according to your needs is where you begin.
- A bedroom is (primarily) for sleeping. The first selection is the bed! Is it big enough, comfy enough, dressed with bedding that is appropriate to the occupant, the critters insist on the prime spot, the kids that curl up, or the spouse that kicks off the covers. Do you watch the morning news in bed or the Late Show at night?
- A TV room, for viewing tv – think comfort, light control sound dampening.
- A home office for getting work done – an ergonomically configured desk, headset for the phone, convenient paper/supply access.
You get the picture. ALWAYS start with the functionality of the room. Moving on….
Design Starting Point Option Two: Kick off your design with an inspiration.
Your design inspiration can be anything! When I was in design school, for our final project we were given an area rug (well, a PICTURE of an area rug) along with our ‘clients’ family members, a few basic must haves and little else. From that single rug and client description, we designed a complete room. (Also see this little gem I recently shared with a client and thought might be a good fit for the blog!)
Your inspiration could be anything. Examples:
- A fabulous piece of art! This could be something you snagged on a trip with your bestie or a piece made for you by someone you care about or an investment piece you couldn’t pass up at your local gallery.
- An inherited piece of furniture. Maybe you’ve got something fabulous in your home. A true showpiece or maybe just something unique that needs to be showcased. Why not wrap an entire room around it?
- Or maybe you have that great rug that my first “clients” had.
- Or maybe you came across an absolutely fabulous room that motivated the entire project you’re about to kick off.
Bring your vacation home..had a wonderful time touring Italy sampling wines? Emulate the mood that created by designing Italian style.
Work stresses you out, but the ocean relaxes you? Decorate your home office with the colors from the beach and artwork of the ocean. Maybe blow up and incorporate your favorite beach pics!
You and your significant other found love in Paris? Give your bedroom a little boudoir flair!
Beachy Accessories, cool sandy neutrals and sea blue and green allow you to reminisce while you work.
It doesn’t matter what it is but pick something you love, something that’s special and start your design project there.
