LiveMARYLAND: Homestyling Tips

Interior design can be overwhelming — especially if you don’t have a knack for it. How do you make your space look its best while reflecting your personal sense of style?

To help, here are a few home styling tips from top designers, so you don't have to figure it out all on your own.

• The Power Of 3

Here's a little secret from top designers:  The rule of three — a design principle used in every room:  from a triangular layout, groupings of objects in size and shape, and the flow of a room.  It's a way in which you can lead the viewer through an experience — odd numbers are appealing. Our eyes move around more and it creates energy.  Think about groupings of candles, vases, pillows, artwork, and plants.  If a grouping of 3 doesn’t work, play around and try 5 or 7!

• Create Height and Dimension

Instantly make a room feel more open by mounting curtains higher above the window to create the feeling of more space.  Pro Tip:  do not allow the curtain to drag on the floor as it may defeat the purpose, and give off a heavy feeling.  

• Bounce Light

Position mirrors across from windows to reflect the natural light and give the illusion of another window to carry it throughout the space.  

• Layered Lighting

No room is complete without a light fixture. In fact, according to many designers, no room is complete without at least three light fixtures, at 3 heights - overhead (high), ambient (mid), and task (low). This set-up should give you plenty of ambiance options, and you can make it even more flexible by adding dimmers to your lights in order to create a specific mood/vibe. Smart bulbs like GE’s CYNC and Phillips’ Hue can be set to different colors and be controlled right from your phone.

• Put a Focal Point in Every Room

Statement-making pieces can take a home from simple to striking, but snag too many, and you may overwhelm your space. One rule of thumb to follow? Put a single showstopper in every room: a dramatic light fixture, a captivating piece of art, a large piece of furniture, or a towering houseplant. Have fun with it and lead the viewer to experience a certain space.

The McIntyre Team of Keller Williams Integrity

Direct: (443) 870-4268 | (443) 574-1600