There was a time when the world of interior design was the stomping ground of the chosen few, those with years of training and hours upon hours of practical, hands-on experience. These days, however, anyone can successfully tackle a home design project with stellar results. This article offers great advice for getting started. If you are planning an interior design project you should decide on all of your textures and colors before you begin. If you do not plan it all out in advance you can find that you end up straying from your original plan. This is not good, as you want an organized looking outcome. If you want to paint the walls of your house but are unsure of what color to use, painting different color swatches on the walls will help you decide. Make sure the swatches are large enough to be able to compare with one another. Furthermore, make sure you let the paint dry before you decide so you can gauge the correct color of the paint. One of the easiest steps in interior design involves painting a room. Paint gives a room a fresh look, and it can completely change the feeling in the space. Paint allows you to put a dash of your individual style in the space, and it is an inexpensive way to begin redesigning your home. Do not neglect your basement when you are planning an interior-design project. If you have a basement that is even only semi-finished, it can be transformed into a great space to entertain, play or relax. If you are ready to start designing your home and have a basement you should think about what you can do to make it a place that you can enjoy. Every room needs a focal point. A focal point adds a highlight to any space and serves as the basis for all other design decisions in the room. Any other features, furnishings and accent pieces in the room should draw attention or enhance the focal point, not compete with it in any way. If you are designing a new kitchen in your house, it is beneficial to contact a professional contractor. Your ideas might involve electrical and plumbing work that is beyond your scope of expertise. By contacting a professional, they can help you to outline the exact project so it is done right and within budget. You can never go wrong by adding a little greenery to whichever room your are designing. Plants make wonderful additions to any room as they give your room a refreshing and lively look. A few strategically placed plants will greatly improve the decor of your room so long as you remember to water them! Don’t be afraid of color! So many people keep white walls in their home simply because they are unsure what colors would work for them. You don’t have to go crazy with color–even painting one wall a vibrant color will change the feel of a room. If you are afraid to paint, start with throw pillows in bright colors and see what you think. Everyone has a small room at home which can benefit from a more spacious look. To make small rooms look bigger, try painting the walls using light colors. Dark colors will make a small room appear smaller than it normally is. Make sure that you determine the theme of your living room before you begin the project. You can choose to have a very playful living room with an entertainment system and toys if you have kids or a peaceful living room with a fireplace if you are a newly married couple. Don’t forget to consider lighting when you’re designing a room. You don’t want things to be too dark and hard to see or else you risk eye strain. You can put in nice lights that will compliment your room, or you can use natural light. Mirrors are great at reflecting light from windows, so strategic placement of a mirror can help lighten a room with natural sunlight. If your living and dining areas are in the same room and you would like to redesign the space to separate them, consider different flooring options. A carpet in one room and wood in another will really distinguish the two rooms with elegance. Also, a tall, free-standing screen can make a very stylish room divider in this area. When you are choosing the paint to use in your child’s bedroom, consider pastel colors. These colors include yellow, blue, green and different shades of lavender. Pastel colors are great for a child’s room as they are very serene and can help to put your child to bed in the nighttime. Now that you are armed with some fantastic advice and a whole lot of great tips and useful tricks, you can feel completely confident getting started on your own home design projects. Use the advice you have been given, and turn your dreams into reality within your very own home. Share