The design basics are your home stripped back to its naked form. Flooring, windows, walls, natural light, and color. Let’s take a look at each of these design basics and see how you can achieve the perfect home before you start accessorizing it.

The 4 Design Basics

The 4 Design Basics

The Floor

People don’t put enough thought into this part of their home. We tend to build up the other elements of design before deciding what type of flooring we want. It is important to think about how you are going to use each room and choose a floor solution not just for its appearance but also because of the function. A beautiful wooden floor is great, but maybe a tiled floor would have been better if you have children and pets running all over it. Laminate can also start to lift if it gets too much water on it, so maybe having laminate flooring in your kitchen is a bad idea. The best thing you can do to choose the right flooring is talking to a professional such as Empire Floors. They can walk around your space with you and help you decide the best solutions based around your family.

The Lights

Lighting is another area that is often overlooked. We can become a little confused by it and make mistakes in the way we place it. It’s easy to highlight areas that can create the wrong atmosphere and oversee areas that give the appearance of more space. Lighting is something that looks amazing if you layer it. To do this, use lots of different styles in one space, from accent lighting to feature lighting and ambient room lights. Create a real feel of indulgence by using multi lighting techniques together. Speak to a lighting designer who will be able to give you some great ideas about the latest lighting technology.

The Windows

You might not be able to easily add more natural light to your house, but you can rethink the way you dress your windows. When we strip everything back to the basics it is easy to see what we are doing wrong. For example, if you’re using large curtains on a rail, your window might look better with a blind or window shutters for a more contemporary look. If you have room in your budget, then you could add more windows. A great idea is integrating velux windows or replacing a wall with some large patio doors. You could even use windows to replace a wall to the rear of your home, giving you an incredibly open feel that brings your outside, indoors.

The Color

The color is such an important part of the design process. However, it should be the last thing you choose after everything else we have covered. Lighting can change the shading of a color choice and the flooring may clash with certain tones you have in the paint. Choosing your color will also depend on which room you are designing. Different colors can provoke different emotions in people and set a tone for the room. Make sure to choose colors appropriately.

Get back to the design basics and make your home perfect for you!

Images Courtesy of Canva.

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About the Author: Patricia Davis Brown

Patricia, like her blog, is not a one-dimensional designer, which is evident in her accolades of 17 national design awards. Over a 38-year career in the industry, she has carved a niche in several areas of design. Licensed in interior design and certified in kitchen and bath design, she offers a full menu of design services ranging from whole house interior design, kitchen and bath design, lighting design, full remodels, commercial design and universal (ADA) design. Patricia is a sought-after speaker in the industry and has been published in many publications as seen on her interior design firm’s website, https://www.patriciadavisbrowndesigns.com/. She writes for such publications as QuinStreetinc, Relaxed Remodeler, and eHow.com talent offering design tips.