A well-designed room has numerous benefits, ranging from improved sleep quality to a more cheerful mood. Choosing the right furniture, fabrics and accessories is important, but there are also a number of smaller details to consider to make the space truly comfortable and welcoming.
One of the most important considerations is creating clear pathways in the space. No one wants to stub their toe or get stuck between pieces of furniture. And if you’re planning on including a TV in the room, plan for a wall mount or media unit that can accommodate it, as well as a route for cords that won’t become an eyesore.
Most virtual room design apps allow you to create a dimensionally accurate digital layout of a space and then play around with different ideas, like how to arrange furniture or what color to paint the walls. Most are super simple to use once you get the hang of them, and most don’t cost anything (though some do require a one-time purchase or monthly subscription).
The best online room design tools are easy to navigate and offer plenty of options. Floorplanner, for example, is free and offers tutorial videos to help you when you’re stuck. It has a huge selection of flooring, wall coverings, furniture and objects, making it fun to build rooms and houses for either realistic or fantasy purposes. It can also be used to create 3D walkthroughs of spaces.
A good starting point is to look at inspirational images and determine the general vibe you’re going for. For instance, a more formal space might benefit from a symmetrical layout, such as a sofa and coffee table centered in front of a fireplace with matching armchairs on each side. A more casual room could work better with an asymmetrical arrangement, such as a sectional and sofa that sit side by side.
Once you have a rough idea of the layout, it’s time to start adding furniture and decor. If you’re going for a neutral or minimalist feel, white and gray are your friends. They’re calming, and they pair well with just about any color or material.
Brown, meanwhile, is a warm and comforting color that pairs well with many other shades. It’s also a good choice for wood furniture or cabinets. However, if you have too much brown in a room, it can cause the space to feel heavy or unimaginative.
Finally, accessorizing the room is a fun way to add personality and make the space feel completely your own. Studying the way your inspiration images are accessorized can be helpful — for example, do they contain a mix of trays and baskets, or do they feature a single, symmetrical artwork on a gallery wall? Keeping these tips in mind, you can start to design rooms that make your home a happier, healthier place.