Basic Design Principles that will Make Your Home Pop

We see design mistakes all the time. We also see homes that seem extra special when it comes to design. Sometimes, it’s hard to define exactly what about a home gives it a special warmth and style. Most of the time, however, when a home stands out from rest, it’s because homeowners have followed these basic design principles:

1. Keep furniture scaled to the environment. Small environments usually require smaller-scaled furniture. On the other hand, delicate silhouettes can get overwhelmed in a room with cathedral ceilings. Keep the scale of each piece you buy in proportion with other pieces already in your home. Measure your space at home before you shop, and bring a tape measure with you to be sure a new furniture piece will fit.

2. Mix and match eras. Homes decorated entirely in one style often feel static and date quickly. A mix of old and new, contemporary and antique, can lend your home more interest than if decorated entirely in one style.

3. Shop a variety of sources. Similar to the advice above, you can personalize your space by casting your net far and wide when it comes to making furniture purchases. If everything you own comes from West Elm, your place will look… well, like a West Elm catalog.

4. Look for original art and hang it at eye level. There is no substitute for original art. It can catapult a home from the mundane to the magical. The ideal height for hanging art is at eye level, or about five to five and a half feet from the floor. This applies even when you are hanging in a room with cathedral ceilings. This rule can be broken, of course, for whimsical salon-style art installations. For maximum impact, go for large paintings. When you use small pieces, group them together for a cohesive visual presentation.

5. Don’t rush to buy everything all at once. Your home will take on an eclectic collector’s feel if you allow it to evolve over time. Avoid the temptation to match everything and stay away from “sets” like matching sofas, love seats and recliners. Matched sets appear generic and boring.

6. Less is more. Many tiny collectibles scattered about a room look like clutter. Collect fewer and larger items for more impact. When possible, group them together into pleasing design vignettes. The same applies to houseplants and furniture. Less is usually better.