5 Decorating Secrets You Should Learn ASAP

You might assume that interior designers are “all-knowing” when it comes to making decorative changes to your home or apartment.

You also might think that an interior designer is your only option if you don’t have much of an artistic eye.

But that’s not true!

There are actually tons of decorating secrets that are both easy and affordable. You just have to put in the time and effort to learn a little bit about them.

Now, let’s review the five decorating secrets that you should learn ASAP!

1. Maximize Your Floor Space

It doesn’t matter whether you live in a 600 square foot apartment or a 2,000 square foot home — there’s always a desire to maximize your space.

More space means less clutter.

It also means a lot more storage space and the perfect amount of room to entertain your guests.

How To Make Your Home Feel Bigger

What makes this one a “decorating secret” is that it breaks some of the significant “rules” of interior design.

That is — pushing your furniture against the walls.

There’s no need for a pathway behind your couches or around your bed. In a tiny apartment or a townhouse, sliding your furniture against the walls can save several square feet per room.

Choosing the right furniture is also a good idea.

You need to consider how much space you have to work with. As much as you want a comfy living room, you wouldn’t buy a massive sectional that takes up 75% of the place.

Be realistic about what can fit and how much room it actually leaves you.

2. Be Creative With Storage

You probably have some sort of storage system in your home already.

Maybe you’ve invested in a large bookshelf or shelving unit in the living room. Or perhaps you just chuck things into the closet when they don’t hold a purpose.

This “secret” is about disguising your storage.

The Best At-Home Storage Solutions

It’s time to stop using cardboard boxes and plastic totes to store items.

DIY projects are an absolute necessity for your storage needs. The good news is that there are so many viable options for your home.

You can create your own farmhouse-style shelving unit to store tiny knick-knacks and blankets.

Or maybe you’d rather invest in sleek wicker or metal baskets to slip into your bookshelf as secret storage baskets.

The most creative way?

Try making a hollow ottoman that has just enough space to store your living room items. That includes any books you’re reading, controllers for your gaming system, and even small pieces of decor you’re not currently using.

The goal is to make even your storage solutions look attractive and fit in.

3. Go Vertical

If the walls of your home are currently bare, you’ve got a lot of work to do.

A lack of wall decor always appears as if your home is just a temporary residence. And at a certain point, you run out of floor and surface space to put your decorations and accent pieces.

For this secret, it’s time to build up and not out.

Adding Some Style To Your Walls

The term “vertical space” can refer to anything along your walls.

It’s time to leave those posters and wall quotes behind!

To give your home a sophisticated appearance, you might want to hang up some artwork or have your favorite photos printed and framed.

Music lovers can hang up their favorite albums or records.

Athletes might frame their favorite jerseys. Or install levels of shelving to display their sports memorabilia.

And if storage space is low — think about adding shelving pieces. It’s a good idea to experiment with different heights to make your room more unique.

4. Match Your Furniture & Walls

Just about every renovated home in 2020 boasts all grey everything. Other homes are absolutely bare with white walls and plain beige carpeting.

Sneaking a little color into your rooms can add some flair. And you don’t need to stick to a consistent theme or style from one end of your home to the other.

This secret is about keeping your home pleasing to the eye.

Being Strategic With Your Stylings

We know it’s a good idea to have your furniture match. That includes having all wood in the same room be of the same type of tree and couches be similar in coloring and style.

But variety is also great.

For example, you don’t want your couches to be the exact same color as your walls. This gives off an extremely bland feeling and will be overwhelming after a while.

You need to learn how to match!

There are some guidelines for matching that you might want to take a look at.

Just be sure that you’re not using colors that visibly clash, strain your eyes, or draw negative attention.

It’s up to you whether you buy new furniture or simply paint the walls to achieve the look you’re going for. Repainting is the more affordable choice and gives you a lot more freedom.

5. Find Your Focal Point

Most people buy decor and furniture because it’s practical.

For example, you buy a couch to sit and watch TV in the living room. And you buy a dining room table to share meals with your family.

One thing you definitely need in each room is at least one focal point. A “focal point” is the first thing in an area that catches your attention.

This secret is about design consistency.

Building Around Your Focal Point

Your focal point might be a piece of furniture like a couch, a small piece of artwork above the TV, or even a clock that’s hung on the wall.

Either way, your room will revolve around this piece.

So it’s all about being strategic and not just randomly throwing furniture into a room and hoping it fits. Find your focal point and center all your furniture and decor around it.

Some rooms naturally have their own focal point (like the fireplace). If that’s the case, you have to work with what you have and make the most of it.

If you’re completely unsure of your room’s focal point, walk into your room and see where your eyes go first. Then, be sure to design around this piece.

Conclusion

Decorating the interior of your home isn’t all that difficult. You just have to spend a little time learning about the key interior design concepts.

Each of these hacks can make your home more visually appealing, seem much larger, and be much more functional.

Try out any of the tips above and see how it looks!

Author Bio

Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Arch at Bloomington to help them with their online marketing.