Looking through the glossy pages of a home decorating magazine can make you wonder if you could ever put a room together as well as an interior decorator. Once you understand a few basic design principles, you should have no trouble putting together a professional-looking room all by yourself!

Form must follow function

One of the most important concepts of modern interior design is that form must follow function. A room can only be called a success if it is a functional space for whatever the intended use might be. Decide what the room will be used for, and ensure that the furnishing, colour and lighting add to the functionality of the room. Think about the traffic flow in a room and make sure your furniture placement won’t interfere with walkways, doors or other furnishings.

In a child’s room, the shelves should be at a certain height to make it accessible to a child. You might opt for bright and lively hues to inspire creativity or to match the child’s personality. In a study, you would ensure that the bookcases offer sufficient space, that the desk area is large enough and you might make use of more subdued colours when serenity is the goal.

Balance and Harmony

A well-designed room should have a balance of line, form, texture and colour for a harmonious atmosphere. A balanced room needs a mixture of horizontal and vertical lines, a good mix of textures and a contrast of colours in both light and dark shades. Too many hard surfaces can make a room feel cold and sterile. White or light-coloured furnishings and accessories in excess can make a room look washed out. Draw attention to your room’s details with smooth accent surfaces in glass or wood.

Creativity with textures and patterns is a great way to update the look of a room. Add texture with features such as wood ceiling beams, ceiling tiles, faux painting techniques like colour washing or veneer surfaces like faux stone or brick. Use a mixture of textures on upholstery and accessories, keeping the room’s style in mind when choosing fabrics. For example, silk, satin and velvet are typically used in formal settings. Cotton, linen and twill are more common in casual settings. Try to keep furniture placement aesthetically pleasing without interrupting traffic flow. Don’t position too many heavy pieces of furniture on one side of the room. Mix airy, light furniture with legs and space underneath with solid, heavier pieces. Offset tall furniture with short furniture.

Unity and Scale

The room should have a cohesive appearance with furnishings and décor that looked deliberately placed together. You can unify decor with similar colour schemes, shapes or styles. Also keep proper scale in mind. For example, use large furnishings in great rooms to help fill the space. Low-profile furnishings like Japanese style tables work better in small spaces like apartments or small homes. To help better fit furniture pieces into smaller spaces, look for more functional items that serve many different needs.

Colour

Colour can have a big impact on the walls and ceiling in a room. Warm colours can energise the room while cool colours have a calming, relaxing effect. A light-coloured ceiling appears higher which is preferable. Use colour to emphasise or detract from the architectural features of ceilings and walls. Anchor a seating arrangement with a rug that incorporates the colours in the room.

Personality

 A good designer will always include an aspect of the client’s personality into the design, so make sure to include a part of yourself in the design. Don’t be afraid to include a bit of whimsy or the unexpected for a room that is truly personal. Just be realistic and don’t pick loud or overly trendy designs. You will have to live with your choices for years. If you ever plan to sell your home, your outlandish decor may drive away potential buyers. By making sure overly personal touches are easily replaceable, you can preserve your home’s resale value.

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