I have always had a eye for design. It took training and practice to learn and implement functional, beautiful interior design into our home. In today’s post, I share nine design fundamentals created by Kelley Carter, which will help you create interior spaces that feel finished, welcoming and uniquely you! Follow these tips to ensure your space is interesting and inviting.
Inviter
Your goal is to draw your guests forward into your space. The gallery wall shown here catches your eye as soon as you enter the front door. The organic shape of the gallery wall gives our space a casual feel. The collected art and objects add interest, movement and color.
Cosifer
Adding comfortable seating, cozy rugs, blankets and pillows makes you and your guests want to stay in the room. The rug helps define the space, plus the pillows and blanket add more color to the space. Having a coffee and/or end tables gives folks a spot to put down their cup.
Eye Lifter
Installing the wood slat wall from floor to ceiling on our fireplace makes a huge impact. It draws your eye up making the ceiling height feel taller and helps draw attention to it and the entire room. You could also use a chandelier or a large potted plant to achieve this goal.
The “Wow” Factor
The fireplace is the obvious focal point in this space, but the multiple windows looking out at the trees run a close second. If you don’t have a fireplace, your focal point can be a stunning view or a large piece of art. The sectional sofa is the perfect piece to take in the fireplace, watch TV or enjoy the views outside.
The Quirky Thing
South Florida gets enough rain to make this pretty umbrella stand functional. Its unique style adds a bit of quirky personality to the room. You can also use a collection of artefacts, a prized heirloom, or something you’ve made yourself.
The Personalizers
You will want to include items in your home that are distinctively you. They may be family photos, souvenirs, and personal objects that tell your story. We had some of our favorite vacation photographs printed on acrylic glass by a local 60 Minute Photo store.
The Natural Element
Be sure to add elements that impart a feeling of life and texture to your space. There are many benefits to potted plants, including helping to clean indoor air. You can also add natural elements with cut flowers, natural materials (rattan and bamboo) and objects with an organic shape.
The Finishing Touches
These are pieces that fill in blank spaces to complete your interior and add life to the furnishings. The wooden coat/hat hooks and leather pouches are from Etsy. You can also use magazines, stacked books or a beautiful bowl to help finish your space.
Signs of Life
Very few people feel comfortable in a sterile room, so these last details are necessary to help a room feel like someone actually lives there. Although Instagram is filled with beautiful, perfectly staged interiors, most folks prefer a warm, cozy space. You’ll see our work-out gear and bikes in the photo below. Storing this stuff here makes for easy access and it tells you that we prioritize fitness in our lives. We might not be the fastest, but we certainly enjoy the ride!
Pro Tip: When designing your space make sure you vary the height of objects around the room. Notice in all of the above pictures how artwork, lighting and objects are placed so that your eye moves up and down as you look around the space.
What is your favorite Wow moment in your home? Share your moment or any questions you may have about your interior design dilemmas in the comments section. I share lots of helpful tips and tricks in the 60+ posts on this blog, but to ensure you never miss an update, be sure to subscribe below:
Design, Garden, & Travel by Majestic Meadows 
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