There’s no reason why you can’t design your home the way you want it. Modern tools and external sources provide all the help you need. Your dream home is just a mouse click away. But where do you begin? Don’t worry. Most people have trouble starting from the first time. So, from choosing a style to layered lighting, here are some valuable ideas.
Use Visualization Methods
It’s far easier to manifest the house you want when you know how it will look. A vision is a powerful thing and all projects begin as thought. However, visualization also keeps you on track and keeps you excited for the eventual outcome. Today, visualizing what you want is easier than ever and you can even create immersive displays with 3D print CAD models. Of course, artistic sketches and floor plans are where most people begin, drawing inspiration from Pinterest.
Design Your Home Around a Style
Just deciding to renovate can be a big decision because it costs a lot of money and takes a chunk of time. However, it is recommended that you renovate around once every 15 to 20 years. Before you begin, it helps to decide on a specific style, so you have a guide for your project. There are many styles to choose from, and the architectural style of your home typically guides your decision. Popular choices include Missionary, Country Chic, and Minimalist.
Keep the Colors Simple
Even with the most eclectic of styles, color plays a vital role in a renovation or home interior design project. This is something that sets interior designers apart from most people. Interior designers are experts at understanding the role color plays in a home, including how it affects your emotions. Typically, colors are kept to a minimum, usually three; a primary color, an accent color, and a feature color. Also, using color theory will help you find complementary colors.
Find the Balance Between Function and Style
You can have the best looking home, but it’s pretty useless if it doesn’t provide what you need. There is always something of a battle between form and functionality when it comes to design. Any renovation project should improve your home and make it easier to live in, without compromising on the quality of the surroundings. Think of the rooms you use, such as electrical needs, and the storage requirements of your life. Space is a premium, so ensure you use it well!
Design Your Home with Design Software
It can be a challenge to renovate a basement or other room without a solid understanding of the work to be done. Architects are a considerable advantage, but only around 15% of homeowners consult an architect when renovating. If you want to try it, here are some apps to consider:
- Floorplanner is a free tool for creating floor plans with furniture in 2D and 3D.
- Planner 5D is excellent for visualizing and designing home and commercial interiors.
- SmartDraw offers room customization with built-in templates and furniture symbols.
- SketchUp is a surprisingly powerful free CAD app for sketching and refining designs.
- Cedreo comes with a vast library of customizable objects for creating 3D renders.
- HomeStyler is a powerful yet beginner-friendly free online 3D app for interiors.
- If all else fails, you can even use The Sims 3 or 4 to play around with design ideas.
Even a rudimentary app that provides 2D-floor plans offers a far better insight into the design than mere thought. With a plan, no matter how simple, you can stay on track and observe requirements. Of course, 3D apps and games like The Sims offer fun and engaging design.
Test Various Layouts and Arrangements
The space in a room is finite, and as such, you must make the most of it. After the initial decorating, it is time to move furniture into the space. But what’s the best way of doing this? It’s somewhat subjective, but there are some design rules that most people follow. The first is beginning with large furniture items. These will take up the most space, so placement is critical. Play around with furniture in different places until you are satisfied with the layout of the room.
Think About the Personal Touches
Once furniture has been placed, it is time to make a house feel like a home. Even the most minimalist among us have personal items that we treasure. These include family photos, artwork, and appliances we need. However, like furniture placement, you can make better use of space and keep a room functional by thinking about the aesthetics of placement. For example, grouping in threes, symmetrical placement, and keeping things within easy reach.
Design Your Home with Layered Lighting
For all your efforts in designing your home, you want somewhere safe and comfortable. Designing your space for comfort is a privilege since a UK survey found that around 10.7 million British homes would be considered uncomfortable. But what actually makes a home comfy? Of course, this is subjective, but lighting plays a crucial role. Layered lighting (various types at different levels) helps to strike a good balance between design aesthetics and functionality.
Take It Room by Room
Once bitten by the design bug it can be hard to stop. You may want to go through the whole house and change everything. But take it one step at a time or you will be overwhelmed. Design your renovation room by room. This helps keep costs down and doesn’t give you too much work. If you become overwhelmed, you run the risk of getting tired or even bored with renovation, which can cause you to rush a project and make costly mistakes with the design.
Summary
Visualization methods such as 3D printing are an excellent aid when you design your home. There are various apps and software that can help with 2D and 3D floor plans, including games like The Sims 3 and 4! When renovating your home, it helps to take it one room at a time.
Whole Earth Home 