How to Decorate Like a Pro: Secrets to Creating a Drool-Worthy Home

After experiencing a dose of interior design inspiration, your confidence kicks in, and you begin to feel like you too can decorate like a pro. After all, the pros made it look so easy. You paint the walls, gather your decor, and begin creating the chic space that lived in your mind for too long.

However, once your space is complete and you step back to take that final look, you realize it’s missing something. So you buy more art, add another lamp and voila – nothing. Something isn’t quite right. No matter what you do, the room just doesn’t feel pulled together.

The interior designs that originally provided inspiration made it seem so easy, however this is anything but!

It’s okay. You’re not crazy. Professionally decorated spaces have a way of making you feel like you can decorate like a pro too. They make it look easy because they’re suppose to. A few years ago, I felt the same way you do. I loved decorating but somehow kept missing that professional “stamp” that pulls everything together.

Well after some studying, practice, and lots of interior inspiration perusing, I’ve discovered a few secrets and tips on how it’s done. Let’s get into How to Decorate Like a Pro: Secrets to Creating a Drool-Worthy Home.

Style

Determine your room’s interior style. Will it be mid-century modern, bohemian, or french country? You may not want to put your creativity into a box, but guess what? There’s a box for that too. It’s called, eclectic. So just do it.  Discover the interior style your space is geared towards, and narrow it down to one or two.

If you can’t pen down a particular style, creating a theme may help. Is it a sleep oasis or a whimsical escape? Below is the “Modern Eclectic Safari” mood board I created for my sister-in-law’s bedroom.

Take a look at the designs that speak to you most. You will notice each room is geared towards a particular style or theme. Do the same for your design. You will thank yourself later for giving your vision focus.

Color Scheme

Choosing a color scheme is the next important step. I discussed color schemes in a previous post on no fail color combos. There may be many colors out there that make you swoon. However, not all shades and hues look well together. This is another area where you will need to provide yourself with a little design focus.

I like to use the Sherwin Williams ColorSnap tool to narrow down my colors and give my room collage focus.

If you are aiming for an eclectic design with many colors, your design will still benefit from a little color combo research. A pastel pink couch may not complement a room with many primary colors like true red, blue, and yellow.

Color repetition is also important when considering multiple colors in your space. If your walls, furniture, and fabric do not share shades, consider adding a large piece of art that incorporates 2 – 3 of your colors. Light fixtures, and wood workings also serve this purpose and have a way of tying together the busiest designs.

Focal Point

Next, determine which piece of furniture, decor, or area you would like the eye to immediately gravitate to upon entering the room. What’s the star of your show? This can be a large headboard, a velvet couch, or even an plush rug. Upon entering the room, the eye should go on a journey, but you have to tell it where to begin.

The room below uses and accent wall as the focal point.

Lisanne van de Klift

A space that gives direction is a pleasing and calming room to occupy. Once the focal point is determined, all other designs begin to fall into place. You will begin to see where more intricate or simple designs are needed, and what items will complement the focal point.

Layout

Your room’s layout is also an important aspect of the overall design. Smaller rooms make layout a bit easier to determine because of the limited options. The layout in larger rooms can be harder to determine, especially when you’re prone to pushing furniture against the wall.

Don’t be afraid to create areas of function by pulling furniture away from the walls and organizing multiple spaces with various pieces. For example, pulling a couch closer to a fireplace in a lateral position, facing two accent chairs and a coffee table sets up an area for conversation or lounging.

This is where you will want to explore. Take a look at rooms with similar construction, such as windows and sizing, for inspiration. A great design always considers layout, which not only leads the eye on a journey, but the body.

Bold Feature or Detail

Professional designs aren’t afraid to go bold. Whether it’s a bold wall color, tiling option, or piece of furniture. Pick one aspect or color of your room to make a bold statement. I’m not suggesting you paint your entire room red, but I am suggesting that you choose one item or design that you would like to be remembered in your space.

Have you ever left someone’s home and could not stop thinking about their velvet couch or bathroom tile? Those are the bold options that will begin to put that designer “stamp” on your space.

Texture

Don’t forget texture. This is where you get to have a little fun. Texture is the exciting pop of excitement, aside from your color choice, that makes you and your guests feel at home. Pillows, rugs, lighting and throw blankets are a great way to add texture into the mix, and create an inviting atmosphere.

Diamond Loop Pillow

Enchant Black Area Rug

Jute Macramé Chandelier

Fixtures

Fixtures are one of my favorite design elements. They are the details that allow you to get lost in a sea of sparkle. I’m exaggerating, but fixtures can easily prompt an obsession. Once you discover the sea of options for your particular design, you’ll be hooked on exploring the possibilities. Wall Lamps, knobs, handles, and faucets all have an alluring energy that suck you in.

Misroute Wall Lamp

Lowes

Lowes

Lowes

For some, fixtures are also an easily neglected aspect, put off until the very end when your brain hurts from making decisions. This detail should be given as much attention as the other components in your space.

Fixtures in a professionally decorated space are intentional and fluid with overall style or theme of a room. Forgotten fixtures look forgotten, and will throw off all of the hard work put into other areas of your space.

With these tips, your quest to decorate like a pro should be accomplished with ease. Start by nailing down your intended style, color scheme, and focal point, and the remaining steps will begin to fall into place. Also, don’t be afraid to go a little bold. A little bold goes a long way. Finally, don’t forget about the details because, as they say, “it’s the little things.”