Welcome to part two of the Home Decor for Beginners series! In the first part of the series, we talked about deciding on a vision or style for your home. Embracing your lifestyle in how to design a home and interior design tips on making your home decor livable. With that in mind, it’s time to take the next step: decorating with colors!
How to Design a Home #2
After part one of the Home Decor for Beginners series, you probably have a better idea of what style you prefer, and what attracts your eye. And I’m willing to bet, that color plays a huge part in your personal style or design.
If you missed the first part of this series, you can check it out HERE.
Think back on all the inspiration you sorted through in part one. This time, intentionally pay attention to the colors that stand out to you. If you have magazine clippings or a Pinterest board full of inspiring home decor images, see if there are color trends that keep coming up. What are you naturally drawn to? What combinations do you prefer? Once you’ve found the colors you want, it’s time to talk about how to design a home around them.
Decorating with Colors
Here’s the thing I love about home decor, it tells a story about the person who designed it. Each of us see and respond to the world from a different perspective. And the same is true for how we choose to decorate the space we call home. Our home decor tends to reflect our personalities and share pieces of ourselves. I like to think of my home as my heart on display for others to enjoy. And decorating with colors is one way we express ourselves through home decor.
Finding “You” in Your Home Decor
Any time I’m asked about how to design a home, I usually start with something similar to what I just said above. And that is typically followed by their question of, “okay, but how do I do that?” In other words, they’re wondering how to look at design elements (like decorating with colors) or pieces and know if it’s right for them.
So, for this Home Decor for Beginners series, I’ve put together a two question survey to help find the “you” in your home decor. These questions will be a guide to filter decisions on how to design a home. And will show up frequently throughout the series!
Ask Yourself? How to Design a Home
As someone who spends the majority of her time at home, I’m always looking around and assessing my home and it’s decor. So (after much practice and many failures) I’ve discovered the two most important aspects of home decor: How it makes you feel, and How it represents you!
How does this make me FEEL?
If you’re standing in a store contemplating whether or not that ceramic lama needs to come home with you, ask yourself, “How does this make me feel?” If your subconscious is telling you it’s a really nice piece for a decent price and it seems like it meets all the trendy current styles……put it back on the shelf and don’t look back! BUT if you’re holding that lama like it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to home decor and you just couldn’t imagine your home without it, then you’re on the right track!
Out of all the square footage on the planet, the few that we call home are supposed to be all about us. They’re supposed to elicit happiness and joy in our lives as a place to rest and rejuvenate. If you walk through your door and your mind immediately jumps to negative thoughts or feelings about your decor, it’s time to redesign!
Let’s bring it back to decorating with colors now. It’s no secret that colors impact us emotionally. So choosing the right colors is extremely important for how to design a home. Start with how you want to feel when you walk into your home, and then find a color that elicits that emotion from you.
My Feelings
I’m going to let you in on one of my secrets. While red is an extremely popular color choice for interior design, there is just something about it that disturbs me… It’s not something I’ve ever been able to explain, it’s just a feeling.
Many designers do an amazing job with red home decor, but having it in my own home has never sat well with me. But grey, tan, and white walls…BE STILL MY HEART!!! And that’s how its supposed to be! (If red is the color that does that for you, then bust out the paint brushes and I’ll be right over!)
How does this REFLECT my personality?
Alright, so now you’ve determined that the ceramic lama makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. But that doesn’t mean you should head to the checkout isle with it yet. The next question on the Home Decor for Beginners survey is “How does it reflect my personality?” What about that lama speaks to your personality? If you can explain what part of it’s nature reflects your own, it’s a winner!
So how does this part of the survey relate to decorating with colors? We’ve already talked about how we respond to colors emotionally. Closely related to that, is how colors communicate. Artists have been using colors to communicate different messages throughout all of history. As a designer, your home is the blank canvas you are using to communicate your story to those who view it. So what do you want your interior design story to tell others?
My Reflection
As a fairly introverted person, my design choices for decorating with colors are more reserved. I prefer “quieter” colors rather than loud or bright ones. (My issues with bold red colors have been explained!). My go to’s for decorating with colors are white, tan, wood (it totally counts as a color), green, black, and brass (or gold). I’m not a super energetic person and prefer to be surrounded by calm neutral colors. Rather than flashy decor with glitter or shiny surfaces, I usually choose matte finish pieces.
Take a look around at your home decor, and try to determine what those pieces say about you. Does it match your personality?
Time to Focus
When it comes to home decor, the most basic job of color is to draw attention. You use colors to create a focal point, or frame your focus. They direct your eye where to go, and help speak the message the homeowner or designer is trying to send. Here are some great interior design tips to get you started on decorating with colors and inspire you!
Interior Design Tips
Wide vs. Narrow
The first of my interior design tips for decorating with colors is to choose between a wide or narrow focus. If colors draw the eye, then you’ll have to decide what you want eyes drawn to.
Wide
A wider focus spreads the eye across the room, like creating a wall mural or painting your walls an interesting or unexpected color. This is usually balanced by minimal decor pieces.
Narrow
A narrow focus uses neutral wall colors paired with colorful decor pieces that pop. The goal is for your eye to stop and focus on several smaller areas of the room. Furniture is an easy way to incorporate colors in interior design. Another great option is to arrange colorful smaller pieces like shelf decor, curtains, or wall art.
Similar Shades
Next for my interior design tips, is to stay in the same shade family. This tip isn’t about limiting yourself to only a few colors. I’ve seen many interior designs that use MANY different colors. The important thing is to keep them complimentary. Mixing light pastels with dark gem tones is a little mismatched and can send a chaotic message.
Are You Ready to Start Decorating with Colors?!
If there’s one thing I want to emphasize throughout this home decor for beginners series, it’s that home decor is all about you! Our homes are such an important part of our lives, and decorating with colors is a big part of making them perfect for us.
If you’re excited to get started decorating with colors, but still aren’t sure what colors you want to work with, check out some of my color palette posts for some inspiration!
Or keep reading with my other post:
Home Decor for Beginner: Interior Design Tips
Home Decor for Beginners: How to Choose a Color Palette
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I think it is important to choose colors that look great when combined. Great blog by the way. Keep sharing.
Yes! Some people prefer more colors while others prefer less. Both are great when the colors work well together. Thank you!! There will be some new posts soon! I appreciate you reading and commenting.