Where to start when designing solo

Where to start when designing solo

As an interior designer, I get asked a lot how our designs evolve and how do we begin when we are designing a new space. I thought I’d give some guidance to anyone who is designing their home solo! 

I think it goes without saying that the first thing you need when designing a space is a floorplan with accurate dimensions. That way you at least know the size of the different types of pieces you will be looking for. The technical part is always a lot easier for most people than the creative part so get out your measuring tape, draw it all to scale or utilize a free computer program to draw out the floor plan.  

It’s always easier to begin designing when you have a jumping off point to build around. That could be a fabric with a great pattern or a specific rug that you know you want to use. 

Choosing a rug and building around that is probably the best way to start because there are only so many rugs and there are almost infinite amounts of fabric out there that you can select to coordinate with that rug. In other words, it’s more difficult to select a rug to coordinate with existing fabrics than fabrics to go with an existing rug. 

Keep in mind not everything in your space has to be the focal point so if you start with an amazing printed fabric, opt to keep the rug neutral so they don’t compete!