If you’re a creative person, you know that you’re bound to run into dead ends from time to time. What’s the interior design version of a writer’s block? Design block? Either way, not being able to come up with ideas when trying to decorate your home can be annoying. That’s why I’ve come up with this list of ways to help you work through any creative blocks you may have and to help get those juices flowing.
Here are 6 solutions if you’re feeling stuck.
1) The Vision
Start with a vision of your home or a vision of each room. Do you have a dream in mind that you’ve always wanted? Now is the time to bring that dream to life. Even if your vision is out of budget, get creative and figure out ways you can achieve the look for less. Start collecting images of colors, furniture pieces, and styles that you want to bring into your home. This creative process is super fun and an image will slowly start to form. Use this inspiration to begin finding pieces and designing your rooms. My favorite trick? All things Pinterest!
2) Color
Play around with color. Don’t limit yourself to your current color palette or what’s on-trend. Give yourself the creative freedom to go for whatever colors your heart desires. Changing up the color in a room makes a huge difference and it’s pretty inexpensive since you can do it slowly.
An easy way to do this is to pick one bold color and choose complementary shades to use as accents. Remember to go for patterns as well if you want to bring that into the room.
Don’t underestimate the power of paint! One can of paint can transform a room by adding a feature wall or lightening or darkening the ceiling to visually transform the height of the room. Paint can make the room appear wider or slightly smaller and cozier. There are many ways you can use paint to completely transform a room without doing anything else to it.
3) Move Furniture
Don’t be afraid to move furniture around in a room if things aren’t working out for you. Changing up the furniture can change the whole energy in a room and make it seem like a bigger and brighter space. Maybe you could have your sofa or bed floating instead of up against the wall as is custom. Breaking away from traditional design plans can break you out of your design rut.
4) Detailing
It is all in the details. Consider adding paneling or trim to enhance the space and add character. You can do these things pretty inexpensively and achieve a chic put-together look. Paneling can be done yourself, all you need is some prep time. Draw on your inspiration images and find a way you can bring in these elements yourself.
One of the oldest tricks in the book is to add mirrors. Adding mirrors helps to give the illusion of a bigger space. Mirrors, especially when placed opposite a natural source of light, will provide a brighter look to the room. Furthermore, the mirror itself can be used as a central decor piece. Opt for a mirror that ties in with the room’s theme and enhances the vision.
5) Plants and Pets
Plants are all the rage these days. And rightfully so. Besides the fact that they can be incredibly stunning, they also provide a whole host of health benefits. Research suggests that you should have a plant in every room in the house.
You can even add a fish tank or home aquarium to create a relaxing ambiance and vibrant addition to the room. The folks over at AquariumStoreDepot.com suggest different tanks for different spaces and usages. The addition of a fish tank and plants to your home can make a huge difference, and bringing the outdoors indoors is great for both your mind and your environment.
6) Storage
Get creative with storage solutions, not just for organizational benefits but because less clutter improves the look of a room instantly. Have a good clean-out session and get rid of unnecessary things you no longer need. Once you’re done, invest in some clever storage solutions such as hanging baskets or adding extra storage to the end of your bed. This can seamlessly transition into a great decor piece as well as having great practical benefits.
Whatever the current look of your home, you certainly don’t have to keep it that way. You can change it up at any time, you just need to get creative and think outside the box. Designing your home doesn’t always need to break the bank either, just ensure that you are utilizing the space available and playing around with stuff to see what works for you. And most of all, have fun doing it!
