When I first started thinking about redesigning my space, I was overwhelmed by the idea of creating a room that looked as polished and cohesive as those I’d seen in magazines. The rooms designed by interior designers always seemed so effortlessly stylish, and I wondered how I could achieve the same result. Over time, I realized that designing a room like an interior designer isn’t as mysterious or out of reach as it seems—it’s all about following key principles and having a plan.
In this article, I’ll share how I approached designing a room in my own home and offer practical tips on how you can design your space like an interior designer. From choosing the right colors to layering textures, these steps helped me create a space that feels professionally designed, functional, and personalized.
Step 1: Start with a Vision and Inspiration
The first step to designing a room like an interior designer is to establish a clear vision. When I started, I knew the style I wanted—something modern yet cozy—but I wasn’t sure how to tie it all together. I turned to inspiration boards and online resources like Pinterest and design blogs to get a better sense of what I liked and what worked well together.
As an interior designer would, I looked for a few common themes in my inspirations—colors, furniture styles, and specific elements that spoke to me. The key is to collect a variety of images and ideas, and then narrow it down to the ones that truly resonate with your vision for the room.
Tip: Use Pinterest to create mood boards. Collect images of rooms that appeal to you and start identifying patterns in color schemes, furniture, and decor.
Step 2: Understand the Room’s Function
An interior designer always designs with functionality in mind, so before making any decisions, I took a moment to think about how I actually use the room. Will it be for relaxing, working, or entertaining? In my case, the room was a combination of a living area and home office, so it needed to feel cozy but also organized and conducive to productivity.
Designing with purpose helps you make decisions that are both aesthetic and practical. I made sure that every piece of furniture or decor I added to the room would serve a function, whether it was a comfortable chair for reading or a desk with ample storage.
Tip: Always keep the room’s purpose at the forefront. Consider how the room needs to work for your lifestyle before diving into the aesthetics.
Step 3: Choose a Color Palette
The next step is to select a color palette, which is one of the most important aspects of designing like an interior designer. The right color scheme sets the tone for the entire space. I decided to go with a neutral base for the walls—soft greys and whites—because it allowed me to incorporate various accent colors that could be easily changed over time.
Incorporating accents of color through furniture, accessories, and artwork helped create visual interest. I opted for muted tones like forest green, mustard yellow, and a bit of deep navy to add depth and warmth without overwhelming the space.
Tip: Stick to a main neutral color for the walls, and then use accent colors for furniture and decor to create harmony. Three to four colors are ideal to keep things balanced.
Step 4: Layering Textures and Fabrics
One of the signature tricks that interior designers use is layering textures to create depth and interest. I was careful to mix different textures in my room—smooth leather for the couch, soft velvet throw pillows, a wool rug, and a wooden coffee table. These materials added tactile contrast and made the room feel cozy, inviting, and layered in a way that was visually appealing.
When layering textures, I also made sure to include a variety of finishes, like matte, glossy, and natural wood, to ensure the room didn’t feel too uniform or flat.
Tip: Mix different textures (e.g., fabric, leather, wood, metal, glass) to create a rich, tactile experience. The variety adds dimension and visual appeal to the room.
Step 5: Balance Scale and Proportions
An interior designer always considers scale and proportion when selecting furniture and accessories for a room. It’s essential to balance the size of your furniture with the size of your space. When I selected my furniture, I made sure that each piece was appropriately sized for the room. A giant sectional would have overwhelmed the space, while too many small pieces would have made the room feel crowded.
One trick I used was to create a focal point, such as a large statement art piece above the sofa, and balance it with smaller accessories around the room, like side tables and lamps. This created harmony while also making the room feel complete.
Tip: Choose furniture that suits the scale of the room. Large pieces should be balanced with smaller elements, and always leave enough space to move around comfortably.
Step 6: Don’t Forget Lighting
Lighting is often one of the most overlooked aspects of room design, but it’s crucial to achieving that “designer” look. I was intentional about layering ambient, task, and accent lighting to create the right mood. I included recessed lighting for general illumination, a statement chandelier for elegance, and table lamps for softer, more focused light.
Interior designers often suggest using multiple light sources at different levels, and I couldn’t agree more. A well-lit room can completely transform a space by adding warmth and making it feel more inviting.
Tip: Use a mix of light sources—overhead lights, table lamps, floor lamps, and task lighting—to create layers of illumination and adjust the mood of the room.
Step 7: Add Personal Touches
While interior designers create beautiful spaces, they also add personal touches that reflect the homeowner’s unique style. For me, this meant incorporating a few meaningful items into the design, such as family photos, vintage finds, and souvenirs from my travels. These personal pieces not only added character but also made the room feel more lived-in and comfortable.
Adding artwork, plants, or even bookshelves filled with your favorite reads will make your space feel like it truly belongs to you.
Tip: Personalize your space with items that speak to you—whether it’s art, plants, or family heirlooms. These items make the room feel unique and reflective of your style.
Step 8: Pay Attention to the Details
The final touch in designing like an interior designer is all about the details. It’s the small things that really elevate a space, like the perfect throw blanket, an elegant vase, or stylish decor pieces. I spent time carefully choosing items that complemented the overall theme and added extra charm without overwhelming the room.
I also made sure that all my furniture was in the right place, with enough space for flow and movement. A well-designed room feels effortless, but it’s often the small details that make it stand out.
Tip: Pay attention to the little things—pillows, art, decor items, and how furniture is arranged. These details bring the entire design together.
Final Thoughts: Designing Like an Interior Designer
Designing a room like an interior designer is all about combining function, style, and personal flair. By following these key steps—from establishing a clear vision and choosing a color palette to layering textures and paying attention to the details—I was able to create a room that feels stylish, welcoming, and uniquely mine.
Remember, the goal is not to copy a designer’s work, but to take inspiration from their principles and apply them to your space in a way that fits your personality and needs. With a little planning and a focus on balance and detail, you can design a room that feels both sophisticated and comfortable, just like a professionally-designed space.