Whether you’re choosing the perfect paint color for your new home, selecting furniture, or just adding some finishing touches, these design tips will help you create a home with the perfect amount of function and flair.
1. Paint Colors Look Cooler on North-Facing Walls
You may already know that paint colors can be quite the chameleon when dealing with different light and surroundings. But did you know that the direction your windows face can change how your paint looks too? In rooms with north-facing windows, paint colors tend to appear cooler, while south-facing windows bring in light that enhances warmth in colors. To ensure you choose the right shade, paint a piece of cardboard or drywall and move it around the room at different times of the day. This provides a better sense of how the color will truly appear than trying to envision a tiny paint sample on the walls.
2. Hit the Paint Deck
Want to create a cohesive look throughout your home without using the same color in every room? Grab a strip from the paint deck. Each strip contains different shades in the same family, allowing you to vary colors subtly from room to room while maintaining a harmonious design.
3. Avoid this TV Stand Mistake
A common interior design mistake is using a TV stand that is way too small for the TV, resulting in a top heavy upside-down triangular look.
Always choose a furniture piece larger than your TV that has at least 8 inches of space on each side of the the TV. This will create a nice grounding point for your TV and create an upwards triangular effect.
4. Two Furniture Rules that Should be Broken
Function Specific Pieces
Many designers will use alternative pieces as opposed to traditional furniture built for a specific function. Just because dressers are built to hold clothing doesn’t mean you can’t use it for a TV stand. Or, if you’re in need of a new coffee table, why not look for a bench, ottoman or trunk?
Matching Furniture Sets
The last thing you want to do is buy an entire bedroom set from one store. Your space needs some creativity and it should look as though it evolved over time. Curate your own look by mixing pieces creatively for a more personal touch. Breaking these traditional rules allows you to express your personality and create a more eclectic, visually interesting space.
5. Have a Focal Point
Every well-designed space needs a focal point. Whether it’s a statement piece of art, a bold accent wall, or a fireplace, having one main feature helps anchor the space and makes the design feel intentional and cohesive. A well-placed focal point draws the eye and provides a sense of structure to the overall layout, preventing a cluttered or disorganized appearance.
6. Who Knew Your TV Could Double as Decor?
Tired of that big black box ruining your decor? Turn your TV into wall art when you’re not using it. Find screensavers on YouTube that match your style—whether it’s serene nature scenes or trendy digital art. Just remember to go for darker tones; lighter ones can be hard to see and reflect too much light.
7. Cleverly Conceal Boring Fixtures
There’s nothing worse than wall outlets, thermostats and other small fixtures interrupting your design flow. Instead of just dealing with these eyesores, you can strategically hide them with decor. Don’t like the outlets in your kitchen? Simply lean some small framed art on the counter to hide those unwanted details.
8. Turn Wallpaper into Wall Art
If you’re looking for a low-commitment, high-impact way to add style and introduce patterns and textures, wallpaper might be the answer – but not just on the walls. Frame patterns or textures for unique and stylish wall art tailored to your decor. It’s super easy to to and wallet friendly, but the end result will look like you splurged on some trendy new pieces.
Michigan Mortgage Lender, Julie Krumholz from Superior National Bank
With over 35 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Julie Krumholz from Superior National Bank is a trusted resource and friend to homebuyers. Julie has worked in processing, closing, loan origination, underwriting, and QC auditing and has even co-owned a mortgage brokerage firm. Julie applies her knowledge to help first-time and seasoned homebuyers with a seamless homebuying experience.
