One of the most asked questions in interior design is “Where do I start?”. This is a simple question with a complex answer that really depends upon where you want to end up. If you don’t know what you want your end result to be or have numerous looks in mind an interior designer is a great guide to ensure you stay on track, in budget and have a tailored end result. If you want to try your own hand at designing your home or you do have a vision of what you want your space to look like, there can be a simple starting point. Your closet. It may not seem like the most inspiring place to start but your closet full of your clothes actually holds some basic design elements you use everyday.

“I always feel that if you’re gonna be uncomfortable and unhappy in something, just because you think it’s in or it’s chic, I would advise you to be happy rather than well-dressed. It’s better to be happy.” — Iris Apfel

The first step is to decide what you are going to be doing. Just like with clothing, your room has to fit the activities. What are you using the room for? Will there be entertainment, work, lounging, holiday dinners or will the space have multiple functions? Are there children or pets involved? Will there be food, bleach, computer ink, piles of shoes dragging in snow, mud and everything else you step in? The purpose of the room determines what you put into it and what can be left out. Consider the feeling of your room as you would with an outfit. Casual allows for comfort and easy conversation while formal lends an air of polish and class. Either way, you wear it with confidence and that is how you should design your room. Consider also those times you dress in layers for the weather or multiple events. In your home these are the occasions you need to be prepared for that happen intermittently such as holidays and event parties. Invest in pieces that have multiple functions and can be flexible with the number of people and the type of activities. Don’t underestimate clever ways for storage to be incorporated. A purse or large pockets can carry everything you might need so create those handy options with your space. Ottomans that can be used as a coffee table, extra seating and storage are great buys as well as decluttering. As often as you
clean out your pockets, ensure your room gets all those items back where they belong. Not only does this make your space look better, but it can extend the life of your furniture. Dust can wreak havoc on wood and fabric as well as the uv rays from sunlight. Ensure you rotate your furniture just as you rotate out seasonal clothing.