How Interior Designers Keep Track of Every Client Project

Professional interior designers don't rely on memory or loose notes to manage their client projects; they use a structured system consisting of a set of documents that records the project brief, captures the design concept, logs the project requirements, and keeps everything in one tidy place, from the first consultation to the final delivery.

For designers who want that system in a physical, printable format, the Interior Design Project Worksheets is a 14-page printable template that covers every stage of a design project, from start to finish. 

It's available as a digital download on Gumroad. Just download a set once, and print out for every project you take on, whether five or a hundred. 

View it here, on Gumroad

The 15% Rule: The Designer Secret to a More Stylish Home

There is a reason some rooms feel genuinely alive while others, though perfectly decorated, feel flat. The furniture is nice, the colours work, and everything coordinates, yet something is missing. Designers have a name for what is missing, and they put a number on it.

The 15% rule says that roughly fifteen per cent of a room should feel like it does not quite belong, like something out of place. Not clashing or messy, just unexpected. One element that breaks the logic of the chosen scheme just enough to add some personality, tension, and life.

Notice the single vintage leopard-print ottoman in front of the blue sofa.

What the 15% Rule Means

Think of a room that is beautifully composed: dark wood, leather, rich paint, modern bookshelves. Now picture a leopard-print stool sitting in the middle of it. That stool is the 15%. It is the thing that makes you look twice and think that someone with a unique point of view put this room together.

The rule is not about introducing oddities but about avoiding the look of a room so perfectly laid out that it feels like a showroom. When every element matches without a surprise, the space loses warmth. It looks perfectly designed, rather than lived in. The 15% is the human element. It is what makes a home feel like it belongs to someone and not just for display.

Why Interior Designers Swear By It

Professional designers understand that contrast creates interest. The eye needs somewhere to land, something to question, a moment of visual tension before it can fully relax into the rest of the room.

A room styled entirely within its own logic gives the eye nothing to do. The 15% gives it a small puzzle to solve, and that puzzle is exactly what makes a space memorable.

This is why:

• Antiques work so well in contemporary interiors.
• Rough raw materials sit beautifully against polished surfaces.
• A bold pattern on an accent chair can liven an otherwise neutral room from feeling anonymous.

How to Apply this Concept in Your Home

You do not need a large budget or a designer’s eye to use this rule. All you need is one deliberate choice that stands out from whatever theme your room is created around.

If your living room is neutral and soft, the 15% might be a richly patterned cushion, a single piece of boldly coloured wall art, or a side table in a material that does not match anything else. 

If your bedroom is maximalist and layered, the 15% might be a single clean, bare wall that gives the eye a moment to breathe.

The keyword is “deliberate”. The 15% should feel intentional and not as an afterthought. There is a clear difference between a room that is slightly chaotic and a room that has one carefully placed element of surprise.

A Few Simple Starting Points

1. Swap one soft furnishing, a cushion, a throw, or a lampshade for something in a colour or pattern that you would never normally consider “safe” for that room.

2. Introduce one piece from a different era. It can be a vintage find in a modern space, or a sleek contemporary lamp in a room full of traditional furniture, that creates exactly the kind of feel the rule calls for.

3. Use scale unexpectedly. For example, an oversized mirror, an unusually large piece of art, or a very small accent piece in an otherwise grand setting all qualify as that 15% disruption.

4. Introduce a material that does not appear anywhere else: rattan, natural stone, hammered metal, or aged brass, against a scheme built entirely on painted surfaces and soft fabric.

The Bigger Idea Behind the Rule

The rule is about confidence. It takes a certain boldness to put something in a room that does not obviously belong there and trust that it will work. That is precisely the quality that separates spaces that feel designed by a professional from spaces that feel assembled from a mood board.

The rooms you remember, the ones that stop you flipping through a magazine, or stay with you after a house visit, always possess that element. You might not be able to name it immediately. But you will feel it.

Start with 15%. That's what it takes to create a signature style.

Why Moody Wall Art Makes a Home Feel Layered, Beautiful, and Timeless

Moody illustration art is artwork with a darker, emotional, and atmospheric feel. Instead of bright colours and playful designs, this style focuses on depth, shadow, texture, and quiet drama. It is the kind of art that instantly makes a room feel more sophisticated and collected with time.

Rather than screaming for attention, moody wall art creates a calm and quietly powerful presence.

Misty mountains and stormy waters (AI-generated image).

What Makes Art Feel “Moody”?

Moody illustrations usually include:

1. Deep or muted colours.
2. Soft shadows and dim lighting.
3. Vintage-inspired details.
4. Textured, painterly effects.
5. Mysterious or romantic themes.

The overall aesthetic is often emotional, nostalgic, dramatic, or slightly gothic, like:

• Candlelight instead of sunshine.
• Stormy skies instead of tropical beaches.
• Old libraries, antique frames, and faded oil paintings.

Common Types of Moody Illustration Art

There are many styles of moody artwork, but some of the more popular examples are:

Dark Florals

Rich roses, wilted flowers, or dramatic botanical prints with deep reds, blacks, and earthy greens.

Stormy Landscapes

Rainy forests, foggy mountains, cloudy coastlines, or dark countryside scenes.

Antique Botanical Sketches

Vintage plant drawings, with faded paper textures and old-world charm.

Ravens and Crows

Bird illustrations are common in moody art because they add mystery and a gothic feel.

Faded Portraits

Vintage-style portraits with soft shadows and muted tones create a timeless feeling.

Candlelit Scenes

Warm, glowing flame-lights set against dark backgrounds that instantly add atmosphere.

Why Moody Art Works So Well in Interior Design

Moody illustration art does more than decorate a wall; it instantly changes the feeling of a room. This style of art helps interiors feel:

Warm

Cozy

Layered

Sophisticated

Dramatic

Personal

Collected over time

Even a modern room can feel warmer and more interesting with darker, moody artwork, and that's why they work beautifully in:

• Bedrooms
• Libraries
• Home offices
• Dining rooms
• Reading corners
• Vintage-inspired interiors

The Secret Behind Moody Interiors

The best moody interiors are not loud or overwhelming. Rather, they feel noiseless and dramatic. Instead of using bright colours everywhere, these interior spaces rely more on texture, shadow, depth, and contrast to create beauty. 

Moody illustration art plays a huge role in that atmosphere. For instance, a single dark floral print or stormy landscape can completely change the theme and personality of a room.

How to Style Moody Illustration Art

If you want to try this, look in your own home, start small. You can do that by:

• Adding one large dark art print above a sofa or bed.
• Mixing vintage frames with modern furniture.
• Layering darker artwork with warm lighting.
• Combining moody prints with candles, books, and textured fabrics.

The goal is not to make a room gloomy but to create warmth, depth, and character.

Moody illustration art proves that darker artwork can still feel beautiful, elegant, and inviting, because it brings emotion, atmosphere, and timeless charm into a space in a way that bright, playful art often cannot.

If you love interiors that feel cosy, dramatic, artistic, and layered, moody illustration art may be exactly the style your walls have been missing.

For a beautiful curated collection of moody art paintings and illustrations, visit my listing: Dark Landscape Art with Old-World Charm

Other Articles of interest 

5 Home Decor Pieces That Look Designer But Cost Almost Nothing

Peel and Stick Wall Decals That Look Like Expensive Wallpaper

Peel and Stick Wall Decals That Look Like Expensive Wallpaper

Most people think transforming a wall means painting, papering, stuccoing, or spending lots of money on a decorator. It doesn’t. 

Peel-and-stick wall decals have come a long way, and the best ones genuinely look like something a professional picked out and installed. They go up in minutes, come off without damaging your walls, and cost a fraction of what real wallpaper would. Here are five picks that prove it.

Cherry Blossom Branch Decals

This is the one that stops people in their tracks. A large-scale nature scene with delicate cherry blossom branches, colourful birds, and hanging birdcages applied directly to your wall looks like a hand-painted mural. The kind you’d see in a boutique hotel lobby, or a carefully styled sitting room. It is self-adhesive, easy to reposition, and costs nowhere near what a mural artist would charge.

Boho Gold Leaf Decals

Rich dark tones with gold botanical detailing. When these are applied to a feature wall, most people assume it’s expensive wallpaper. The gold leaf styling gives it that luxurious, high-end feel that works especially well in a bedroom or dining area. If you want one decal that makes the biggest visual impact, this is the one.

Large Winter Tree Decals

These dramatic bare-branch tree decals create an incredible atmosphere, especially styled alongside a fireplace or a reading corner. The large scale is what makes them work. Small decals add a touch; large ones transform the entire mood of a room. This set does exactly that, and can be up in minutes.

Terracotta Double Arch Decals

Arched shapes are one of the biggest trends in interior design right now, and this set brings that look to any plain wall, without any builder's work. The warm terracotta tones work beautifully behind a desk, a bed, or a sofa. It gives the impression of an architectural detail, the kind that looks like it was always part of the room.

Wildflower Botanical Stickers

These neutral, meadow-inspired wildflower decals look like hand-painted wallpaper. The soft, organic shapes and muted tones make them incredibly versatile. They work in bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways, and nurseries. Up close, they look artisan, and from across the room, they look like wallpaper that costs a lot of money.

The Rule That Makes Them Work

The difference between a decal that looks cheap and one that looks expensive usually boils down to placement and scale. Choose a single focal wall rather than covering the four walls of the room. Pick a style or theme that matches your room’s existing colours and mood. Do those three things and almost any quality decal will look intentional and considered.

See All the Picks

I’ve curated the full collection, including every decal mentioned here plus framed printable art options, in one easy browsing list.

Browse the full Wall Art & Decals list on Benable

5 Home Decor Pieces That Look Designer But Cost Almost Nothing

You’ve walked into someone’s home and thought, “How does it look so put-together?” Chances are, it wasn’t money. It was placing the right pieces in the right places, and the good news is you can do the same thing, get the same effect, and spend very little doing it.

 

Here are 5 home decor pieces that look far more expensive than they are.

 

1. A Sculptural Table Lamp

Lighting is the fastest way to make a room feel designed. A lamp with an interesting shape (think hand-painted glass, terrazzo, or a carved base) adds warmth and a creative touch that feels intentional. It is the kind of piece that makes guests ask, “Where did you get that?” You can find stunning options on Wayfair for under $60. One standout pick is on my Benable list: a hand-painted aqua & cream teardrop lamp with a gold base that looks like it belongs in a boutique hotel.

 

2. A Statement Decorative Mirror

A good mirror does three things at the same time. It adds light, makes a room feel bigger, and acts as wall art. An organically shaped mirror in mango wood, or a round mirror with a scalloped walnut frame, gives you that designer-curated look for a fraction of what you’d pay in a home store. Hang it above a console, a dresser, or a sofa, and watch the whole room shift in aesthetics.

 

3. A Decorative Cushion Cover in Velvet or Embroidery

This is the easiest swap you can make. Pull off your plain cushion covers and replace them with velvet, embroidered, or printed ones. Your sofa will instantly look completely different.

• Rich jewel tones
• Forest green
• Burgundy
• Teal

These are colours that instantly add depth. An embroidered floral design on natural cotton looks artisan and considered. You’re spending a few pounds on a cover, but the result looks like you spent a lot more.

 

4. A Vintage-Style Decorative Mirror

Yes, mirrors get two spots on this list because they are that good. A small oval antique gold mirror, handcrafted using a traditional sand-casting method, looks like a genuine flea-market find. It brings character, texture, and old-world charm to a gallery wall or over a small entryway shelf. Pieces like this are what make a home feel curated rather than just furnished.

 

5. A Bold Printed Cushion Cover

A maximalist cushion, like a peacock print on velvet with fringe trim, or a painterly horse design in cobalt blue, works as a statement piece all on its own. You don’t need to redecorate. You only need one cushion that draws the eye and changes the energy of the room. That’s what designers do. They pick one bold thing and let everything else stay calm around it.

 

Where to Find All Five

I’ve pulled together my favorite picks for each of these in one place. You can browse the full list, including specific product links, right here: Home Decor Items That Look Expensive But Aren’t (one of my Benable lists). Every piece was chosen because it genuinely looks more expensive than it is.

 

Articles of interest:

Building Your First Home? Plan Ahead with This Free Simple Budget Planner Tool

7 Ways to Change Your Living Room from Drab to Uplifting

How Decorative Accents Transform Rooms, Without Changing Furniture

What Kind of Home Upgrade Project Do You Really Need? (Take the Quiz)

You notice something is off about a room. Maybe it feels dated, or cluttered, or just not-quite-right, but you can’t put your finger on what it is, or what needs to be changed. That uncertainty is where most home upgrade or renovation projects go wrong before they even begin.

The most common mistake homeowners make is jumping straight to solutions. Browsing sofas online, picking paint colours, filling carts with whatnots, before identifying what kind of work they need to do.

A room that feels tired doesn’t have the same problem as a room that does not function efficiently. A silently frustrating interior layout is not solved by buying new throw cushions or changing the window blinds.

To get on the right track, use the free interactive tool below to find out exactly what kind of interior work you need done. Answer five quick questions, and you will get a clarified project type, a realistic budget range, and a plain checklist of what your project involves. So, stop guessing and start with a clear picture.

There are six possible outcomes, ranging from a simple Soft Refresh to a Full Room Renovation. Most users land somewhere in the middle, and that result alone is often enough to shift how they approach the interior upgrade, room enhancement, or total renovation project.

To use this tool, there is no sign-up, no email address required, and nothing to download. Just answer the questions and get your result in a couple of minutes.

Simple Interior Concepts — Free Tool

What Kind of Home Project Do You Actually Have?

Before you open a paint tin or start pinning furniture, take two minutes to answer a few simple questions. You'll get a clear project type, a checklist of what you actually need, and a realistic budget range — so you can stop guessing and start planning.

1

Answer 5 quick questions

2

Get your project type

3

See exactly what's involved

Question 1 of 5

Which best describes what's bothering you about your space right now?

Go with your gut — there's no wrong answer here.

Question 2 of 5

How would you describe your current colour scheme?

Think walls, soft furnishings, accessories.

Question 2 of 5

Is your furniture staying, or are you open to replacing it?

Be honest — budget matters here.

Question 2 of 5

Will any of this work need a tradesperson or contractor?

Anything involving plumbing, electrics, or fitting counts as yes.

Question 2 of 5

Does your vision involve changing anything structural?

Think walls, flooring, fitted furniture, lighting positions.

Question 3 of 5

Are you willing to repaint walls to make the change?

Paint is one of the most cost-effective transformations in any room.

Question 3 of 5

How much would you estimate you've spent on accessories in the past — and are you happy to replace most of them?

Replacing accessories is often less expensive than people think.

Question 3 of 5

Have you ever tried moving your furniture around to test a new layout?

Sometimes the fix is simpler than you think.

Question 3 of 5

Are you replacing one or two key pieces, or starting the whole room again?

This makes a big difference to both budget and planning time.

Question 3 of 5

Are you confident doing the work yourself?

Honestly — some projects are straightforward, others really aren't.

Question 3 of 5

Is this work confined to one room, or does it affect multiple areas?

Multi-room work with trades involved is a significant project.

Question 3 of 5

Do you have a style direction in mind, or are you still figuring that out?

Both are completely fine — they just mean different starting points.

Question 3 of 5

Will you be living in the space while the work is carried out?

This affects planning significantly — especially with tradespeople involved.

Question 4 of 5

What's your approximate budget for this project?

Be realistic — it helps you get a more useful result.

Question 4 of 5

What's your approximate budget for this project?

Be realistic — it helps you get a more useful result.

Question 4 of 5

What's your approximate budget for this project?

Larger projects have wider budget ranges — this helps narrow things down.

🌿 Your Project Type

A Soft Refresh

"It doesn't need tearing apart — it needs editing."

Your room has a good foundation. What it needs is a focused edit: updating the accessories, introducing a better colour palette, or adding a few well-chosen pieces that give the space a sense of intention. This is one of the most satisfying types of project because the results feel immediate and the process is low-stress.

What this project typically involves

• New cushions, throws, and soft furnishings in a coherent palette
• Updated lighting — a new lamp changes a room dramatically
• Swapping out or adding artwork and mirrors
• Introducing plants or natural textures
• Possibly a fresh coat of paint on one wall or all four
• Editing out clutter and pieces that no longer fit the look

💷

Typical Budget Range £200 – £1,500 / $250 – $1,800

Simple Tip Start with a colour palette of three tones and only buy accessories that fit within it. Impulse purchases from different colour families are what make rooms look disjointed — and that's usually the real problem, not the room itself.

🎨 Your Project Type

A Style Refresh

"You know what you have — now you need a clear direction."

You have the basics in place and a reasonable budget to work with, but the room lacks a coherent identity. A Style Refresh means deciding on a clear aesthetic direction — whether that's calm and neutral, warm and layered, or bold and graphic — and then aligning everything in the room to that vision. Paint, accessories, and one or two new pieces will take you a long way.

What this project typically involves

• Choosing a defined design style or mood as your anchor
• Repainting walls (often the single biggest transformation)
• Replacing accessories that don't fit the new direction
• Possibly one new statement piece — a rug, a light fitting, or artwork
• Reviewing and editing furniture arrangement for better flow
• Creating a simple mood board before you buy anything

💷

Typical Budget Range £800 – £3,000 / $1,000 – $3,600

Simple Tip Choose your paint colour last, not first. Build a mood board of furniture and accessories you love, then find a paint colour that ties them together. Most people do it the other way round and end up with a room that fights itself.

📐 Your Project Type

A Space Rethink

"The room isn't the problem — the layout is."

Your issue is spatial, not stylistic. The furniture you have might be perfectly good, but the way the room is arranged is stopping it from functioning the way you want. A Space Rethink focuses on traffic flow, focal points, and how people move through and use the room — before any money is spent on new things.

What this project typically involves

• Drawing a rough floor plan and noting traffic routes
• Identifying the room's natural focal point (window, fireplace, TV wall)
• Experimenting with furniture placement — on paper first
• Considering whether the room is being used for the right purpose
• Possibly removing one or two pieces that are taking up space without earning it
• Reviewing lighting — a poorly lit layout always feels wrong

💷

Typical Budget Range £0 – £2,000 / $0 – $2,500

Simple Tip Before moving a single piece of furniture, tape out the room on the floor with masking tape and mark where each item currently sits. Then try a new arrangement on paper. Moving heavy furniture twice is exhausting — a little planning saves a lot of effort.

🛋️ Your Project Type

A Full Redecoration

"You're not just refreshing — you're starting the room over."

This is a proper project. You're looking at new furniture, new finishes, and a completely reconsidered room. No structural work is involved, but everything that sits within the room — the colour scheme, the furniture, the layout, the lighting, and the accessories — is up for review. Done well, a full redecoration transforms a home. Done without a plan, it becomes expensive and overwhelming.

What this project typically involves

• A detailed brief or mood board before any purchasing begins
• A clear budget broken down by category (furniture, paint, lighting, soft furnishings)
• A floor plan with scaled furniture to avoid costly mistakes
• A phased shopping list — not everything at once
• Decisions on paint, flooring finish, and window treatments early
• Patience — good rooms take time to come together

💷

Typical Budget Range £3,000 – £10,000 / $3,600 – $12,000

Simple Tip Set aside 10–15% of your total budget as a contingency before you start spending. There is always something you didn't account for — a longer lead time on a sofa, a lamp that doesn't work in the space, a paint colour that reads completely differently on the wall. The contingency saves you from having to compromise on the final 20% of the room.

🔨 Your Project Type

A Partial Renovation

"You're changing the fabric of the room, not just what's in it."

A Partial Renovation means altering the room itself — new flooring, a new fitted kitchen or bathroom, a built-in wardrobe, replastered walls, or repositioned lighting. Tradespeople are involved. This is where most homeowners underestimate both cost and time, and where having a clear specification before any work starts becomes genuinely important.

What this project typically involves

• Getting two or three quotes from tradespeople before committing
• A written specification of what work is included — and what isn't
• Deciding on all materials and finishes before work begins (not during)
• A realistic timeline with buffer for delays
• A contingency budget of at least 15–20%
• A decoration plan for after the trades have finished

💷

Typical Budget Range £5,000 – £20,000 / $6,000 – $24,000

Simple Tip Never make decisions under pressure on site. Tradespeople often ask about materials, finishes, or changes when they're already in the middle of the work. Have everything decided and ordered in advance wherever possible — decisions made quickly on site are almost always the ones you regret.

🏗️ Your Project Type

A Full Room Renovation

"This is a significant project — and it deserves a proper plan."

You are undertaking a full renovation: structural changes, multiple tradespeople, significant budget, and a timeline that will stretch beyond what most people anticipate. This type of project is incredibly rewarding when managed well — and deeply stressful when it isn't. The single biggest predictor of a successful renovation is how thoroughly it was planned before anyone picked up a tool.

What this project typically involves

• A full brief covering every room or area affected
• Architectural drawings if walls or structure are involved
• A main contractor or a carefully coordinated set of trades
• All materials, finishes, and fittings specified before work begins
• A contingency budget of no less than 20%
• A realistic timeline — and then adding four to six weeks to it
• A decoration and furnishing plan ready to implement once work is complete

💷

Typical Budget Range £15,000+ / $18,000+

Simple Tip Consider whether your project scope warrants bringing in an interior designer, even if only for the planning phase. The cost of a few hours of professional advice is almost always recovered in avoided mistakes, better trade relationships, and a more coherent end result. Many designers offer a one-off consultation for exactly this stage.

Not sure where to go next?

Whichever project type you landed on, the principles stay the same: plan before you spend, set a realistic budget with contingency built in, and make all decisions on paper before anything goes in a basket or gets painted on a wall.

Simple Interior Concepts covers every stage of the home decorating journey — from finding your style to managing a full room overhaul — in plain, practical language designed for real homes and real budgets.

Simple Interior Concepts · simpleinteriorconcepts.blogspot.com

Once you know your project type, you will find posts across this blog, Simple Interior Concepts, that speak directly to your situation, from finding your decorating style to managing tradespeople, working out a realistic budget, hanging curtains the right way, choosing colour palettes, and making a small room feel bigger.

Start with what the tool tells you and then go from there. And if you want to try other options, just click the "START AGAIN" button to return to the beginning.

Article of interest:

Your Complete Guide to Beautiful, Functional Living Spaces

Building Your First Home? Plan Ahead With This Free Simple Budget Planner Tool

The Only DIY Area Rug Cleaning Guide You’ll Ever Need

Cleaning an area rug at home sounds straightforward until you shrink a wool rug, bleed the dye into the backing, or end up with a musty smell in the room that just doesn’t seem to go away. These seven steps will help you get it right at the first try.

Seven Steps. Do Them in Order

1. Know your rug material before you do anything.

Wool and silk need cold water and a gentle detergent. Synthetics like polyester and nylon can handle a little more. Getting this wrong is the fastest way to cause permanent damage, so check the label or look up the rug before you start.

2. Vacuum both sides first.

Flip the rug over and vacuum the back before you touch the front. This dislodges embedded dirt and grit so it falls away rather than getting pushed deeper into the fibres when water is applied. Then vacuum the front.

3. Test for colourfastness.

Find a hidden corner, dab it with your cleaning solution, and blot with a white cloth. If any colour transfers, put the cleaning supplies away and call a professional. Some rugs are not safe to clean with water at home.

4. Use the right cleaning solution.

A small amount of mild dish soap diluted in cold water works for most rugs, but a dedicated rug shampoo is even better. Avoid bleach, hot water, and anything with a high alkaline content, particularly on wool.

5. Scrub with the pile, not against it!

The fibres in your rug lie in one direction. Work your soft brush along that direction, never against it. Scrubbing the wrong way causes fuzzing, pulls fibres out of place, and leaves the rug looking worn.

6. Rinse until the water runs clear.

Soap residue left in the fibres is one of the main reasons rugs get dirty again quickly. Rinse thoroughly, then rinse again. The water coming off the rug should be completely clear before you stop.

7. Dry flat, and completely too.

Never put a damp rug back down on the floor. Lay it flat where there is good airflow, or better still, hang it over a railing. A rug that is even slightly damp when returned to a hard floor will develop mildew within a day or two. And on carpet, it develops even faster. Give it the full drying time it needs.

Clean and Smelling Fresh 

Follow these steps and your rug will come out clean, undamaged, and smelling fresh without those professional cleaning bills.

Related

How to Clean Honeycomb Window Blinds

How to Clean Bamboo Window Shades

How to Clean Bamboo Wood Floors the Right Way (Without Ruining Them)

How Interior Designers Organise Their Project Ideas (And the Journal They Use)

Have you ever wondered how interior designers keep track of all their ideas? The colour swatches, the fabric samples, the supplier contacts, the mood images, all across multiple projects at once?

The answer, for many professionals and design students, is a physical portfolio organiser journal. A dedicated book where every project has its own structured space: mood pages, concept notes, and supplier records, all in one place.

Mood Board Pages for Interior Designers is exactly that. A 177-page journal created by a professional interior designer, designed to be used in real design practice. It is also the kind of tool that works beautifully for serious home decorating projects, renovation planning, and anyone who wants to organise their design ideas properly.

Available on Amazon in paperback ($14.75) and hardcover ($22.99). Rated 4.4 stars.

Others Articles:

Your Complete Guide to Beautiful Functional Living Spaces 

Interior Design Task-Specific Books: Workbooks, Planners, Vision Boards, Sketchbooks, and Journals

Building your First Home? Plan Ahead with This Free Simple Budget Planner Tool

Tired of Your Bedroom Style? Here Are 10 Ways to Make it Charming

You want a new look for your bedroom because you’ve gotten tired of its current style. Great idea, right? But you want something inexpensive. Something nice but affordable without wrecking your savings.

How can you achieve this?

Here are ten ways to upgrade your bedroom design using what you already have, but enhancing the space with other elements and features to give it a near-brand-new look.

(Image used under license from 123rf.com)

 

Ten Ways to Up Your Bedroom Style

1. Paint

A new coat of paint does wonders for an interior space. Choose a relaxing colour scheme that evokes a calm or vibrant mood. Use charming colours that arouse high-spirited feelings. Set the mood of the room by painting the focal wall a different colour from the other three.

2. Headboard

If you don’t have a headboard or just have an okay one, change it to something stylishly different. Use a creative headboard idea that will make the wall it’s placed against the focal point of the room. From a gallery of framed pictures to large wall art, the focal wall you create sets a good starting point for decoration.

3. Wall Decal

If you don’t have (or don’t want) a headboard, use an elaborate wall sticker (wall decal). Decals used in place of headboards make a good statement. They are bold and attractive enough to draw instant attention to the bedroom.

4. Bed Cover/ Bedspread

Add some drama to your bedroom with this feature. Choose a vibrant and colourful ethnic blanket, a plush red quilted velvet with a contrasting pile of throw pillows, or a wide damask throw, neatly laid or stylishly thrown across the bed (looks great on platform beds without side panels).

5. Bedside lamps

Beautiful bedside table lamps are enhancing. Their shades come in numerous styles, shapes, and sizes. The styles and materials you choose must be unusual, especially if you plan to create something extraordinary. Add figurines, mementoes, framed pictures (small), a table clock (vintage-inspired or digital), etc. and the like on the table and around the lamp.

6. Footboard bench

These make great additions to the bed and will effortlessly make the room look stylish and make the bed look dignified. Whether you choose an Ottoman bench, a simple bench with a cushioned seat, or a carved wooden storage chest that you picked up at a garden sale.

7. Window treatment

Lovely drapery, wooden blinds, and bamboo shades are transformative, but you should choose based on your bedroom décor. For example, a traditional theme calls for classic window coverings: drapery, brass rods, padded period pelmets, swags, and valances. A modern setting works best with wooden blinds and shades, fabric sliding panels, or decorative vinyl window stickers.

8. Area rug

Placing a runner rug on each side of your bed is a picker-upper for a drab room. Make sure it’s nice and colourful so that it conspicuously stands out against the floor finish (or covering).

9. Artwork

Wall art in all forms can tie every feature and theme in the room together. It can be a colourful painting that ties in with a couple of colours in the bedroom, vintage-inspired black and white hand-drawn artwork, a wall-hung tapestry (faux is fine), or a cluster of framed pictures and illustrations.

Stylish bedroom in a modern theme. (Image used under license from 123rf.com)

10. Accent furniture

Make your bedroom beautiful and versatile; add accent furniture. An occasional chair and a round-top side table will do the trick of raising the bar in the bedroom. You can relax and read a book without lying down or sitting on the edge of the bed.

(Image created by author, on Polyvore)

 

Let Your Bedroom Décor Reflect Your Personality

Remember. Only add décor items that reflect your personality. Make them aesthetically pleasing things that make you feel comfortable in your surroundings. Let your stylishness show through your choice of bedroom accents: unusual bedside lamps, wall hangings, vases, throw cushions, a rag rug, chairs, and bed cabinets. You can find unusual pieces from Estate sales, car booths, and garage sales.

If you can comfortably afford it, you can also upgrade the bedroom style using many of the above-mentioned upgrade ideas. All the items need not be bought at high-end stores. Expensive doesn’t necessarily translate to stylish. It’s the way they are all put together that creates the aesthetics and makes the statement you desire.

(This blog post was originally published by the author on 9/1/2015)

Browse more posts in Room Solutions for more room solutions and improvement ideas.

Articles of interest

7 Ways to Change Your Living Room from Drab to Uplifting
9 Eclectic Style Mistakes to Avoid