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Some Idea's
Here’s her sure-fire 4 step method for creating a color scheme:
Pro2Pro Tip: If you find yourself paralyzed at the paint store, unable to choose your color sample cards, Krims offers this tip: Look at the darkest color at the bottom of the strip. “If you can live with the one at the bottom, you know you’ll like the middle and top, but if you choose by looking at the top, lightest colors, all the cards in that category start to look the same.”
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Start by selecting three colors from an existing object in your home. “Take a pillow from the family-room sofa, your favorite tie or scarf, or a painting—anything that conveys comfort or has an emotional connection for you—and take that object to the paint store,” says Krims. “Find three sample strips with those colors, and you instantly have 15 to 18 colors you can use, since each sample strip typically contains six paint colors.”
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The next step is to choose one of the three paint colors as your wall color and to save the other two to be used around the room in fabric or furnishings.
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To choose the colors for adjacent rooms, take the same original three color sample strips and select another color.
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Finally, choose a fourth color that can be used as an accent: “Splash a little of that color into every room of the house—by way of a pillow or plate or artwork. It makes a connection between the spaces,” Krims says.
How to Arrange Furniture in a Bedroom
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, so arranging its furniture is not only a practical task, it also establishes your room’s mood. Follow these tips to create your bedroom space:
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1. Make space around your bed. No matter your furniture arrangement, you’ll want to have room to the left, right, and front of your bed. You will be getting in and out of your bed every day, so keep that space clear of other furniture.
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2. Consider your lighting preferences. Some people enjoy morning rays to wake them up, and others prefer to sleep in total darkness. Your choice will determine what direction your bed should face.
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3. Add a nightstand. A side table is an excellent place for a book or glass of water, and it can even enliven your space. This bedroom essential can be more than just functional, and if you want to get creative, nightstands are easy to paint.
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4. Differentiate seating areas in multi-use bedrooms. Some bedrooms double as a home office. For flow and differentiation of space, it’s essential to distinguish between the sleeping area and the working area. Use a rug as a divide, and decorate the area around your desk to establish its vibe. If your room is large enough to have a mini-living space, add in some chairs, so you have somewhere to sit other than the bed.
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5. Decorate with shelving. Bedrooms are personal spaces and, as such, can host some beloved trinkets, books, and photographs. The side of the room is an excellent place for bookshelves or other installed shelving units. Adorn them with favorite keepsakes and items to add a personal flair to your space.
How to Arrange Furniture in a Living Room
Living rooms come in all different shapes and sizes, but their primary purpose remains the same: to provide a space to relax, converse, and entertain. With that in mind, follow these steps to lay out your living room furniture:
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1. Start with a blank slate. Open your mind to new possibilities and imagine what your living room layout could look like, even if you already have furniture in place. Imagine an empty room, or even clear yours out if space in the rest of your home permits.
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2. Pick a focal point. Decide what the main attraction of your living room design will be. It could be a TV, a coffee table, or even a sectional sofa. This item might fall in the middle of the room, inviting guests in and providing a clear focus for the room’s intent.
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3. Consider your furniture’s relationship to the walls. It may be hard to have your couch or end tables anywhere but up against the wall in small spaces. Walls give a natural structure and shape to a room, and it can be unnatural to place them elsewhere in small living rooms. In larger rooms, you may be able to keep furniture pieces away from the wall. This will give your room an airier, more open feel.
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4. Add vibrancy with a rug. If you have a hardwood floor, consider adding an accent area rug to create contrast in tone, color, or pattern in your room. Smaller rugs can go beneath a coffee table; oversized area rugs can adorn the entire room and dictate its borders in an open-concept home.
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5. Vary the furniture size. Your living room arrangement can feature a large sectional sofa alongside a smaller loveseat or a welcoming chaise. As a space for entertaining, a living room can offer various places to sit and rest throughout the room. Varied furniture—in size and pattern—creates more dynamic spaces and seating arrangements.
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6. Rely on the space’s architecture. If your room has any architectural quirks, such as a built-in bookcase or window seat, adorn them thoughtfully. Keep them visible and make space around them to encourage use.
