I just love beautiful homes and spaces. I aspire to use home decor tips and ideas to create my “dream home” in my own house. My home decor tab is also a very popular section of this blog so I decided to seek out an expert interior designer to share their best home decorating tips with us. In today’s post, I am featuring the talented Kim Costner of Kmpact Design, LLC and her five best designer tips for home decorating and achieving a fresh new look. Decorating your home involves personal taste and style preferences, but here are some general steps and tips for how to decorate your home.
Interior Designer Kim Costner Shares Her Expertise
Happy New Year!! My name is Kim Costner, an Interior Designer in the Nashville area. I absolutely love designing Interior spaces! To tell you a little about me and my Interior Design practice in a quick nutshell: I grew up in Nashville, graduated from Samford and worked as a Paralegal for about 10 years. After getting married and having 3 kids in 3 years, I then became a stay-at-home Mom. While at home I discovered my true passion: Hospitality, Entertaining, and especially making every space beautiful! I decided to return to school for my second degree, this time in the creative world of Interior Design.
I absolutely loved Interior Design school. Being a Mom of 3 small boys, I took school very slowly, working in the classes where I could while still keeping my family first. A huge turning point was when I interned at an Architecture & Design firm while in school and the Principal Architect hired me to assist him with his home’s remodel, pushing me out of my comfort zone and into the real world. That experience launched my interior design business.
When I graduated I had several Interior design clients, specializing in Residential Interiors. A natural side business quickly became teaching, speaking, and mentoring on home, hospitality and entertaining in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. I was also consistently asked to prepare Tablescapes and decorations for Women’s Dinners, open houses, private parties and Christmas events. The fun thing about Interior Design is it is different each and every day!
Hopefully this brief Bio will encourage you to never be afraid to try something new, start over, or make a change to do what you are passionate about – I know I’m so glad I took a chance on a new home decorating career!
Designer Home Decorating Tips And Ideas You Will Love
January is the perfect time to give your home a fresh look. It’s cold outside so you can do several things inside to make a magnificent difference. As you take down all the greenery, lights and Christmas decorations, look at your home with fresh eyes. Here are five modern home decorating tips and ideas to help you refresh your home.
Declutter and Organize
Before decorating, declutter and organize your space. Decide on the style or theme you want for your home. Whether it’s modern, traditional, minimalistic, eclectic, Scandinavian, etc., having a theme in mind will streamline your decisions. Look for inspiration from interior design magazines, websites, social media platforms like Pinterest or Instagram, or even by visiting furniture stores to get ideas and see what resonates with you. Get rid of unnecessary items to make room for new decorations and furniture.
Update Paint Colors
Choose a color scheme that complements your style and preferences. Consider using a primary color with one or two complementary colors for each room. A coat of paint is the least expensive endeavor and it makes a huge impact, affecting your mood and setting the tone. Color is very emotional, stirring passion, hunger, calmness or rest. Each room should be dissected to see whether or not it is giving off the desired emotion. Don’t worry about the paint color trends; fill your home with colors that evoke happiness and pleasure in you. Several clients ask for restful colors so their home can be an escape from the crazy world we are living in now.
Let There Be Light
Lighting can significantly affect the ambiance of a room. In the cold of winter, lighting seems to be even more important. With days being shorter, darkness envelops us quickly at night while days can be filled with gray and cold. Sometimes changing out your lamps with brighter bulbs is enough. Other times you may need to add a few more lamps or even invest in additional can lights in your ceiling. Experiment with different lighting options such as overhead lights, lamps, or natural light to create the desired atmosphere. Remember to have good overall lighting (with dimmers), some mood lighting and then task lights. Once you have the proper lighting you can sit back, light the fire, add some candles, and curl up with those you love. Your mood will drastically improve!
Rearrange Your Furniture
The space plan in each room is vital for function. For example, the living room should be comfortable and inviting, with the space between your seating either sparking conversation or isolation. When the furniture is too far apart you cannot have intimate conversation and it feels cold and sterile. Invest in essential furniture pieces that align with your chosen style. Consider the size of the room and how the sofa will fit and function within the space. Make sure you have good lighting, several tables and a place to put your feet up. A rug is a good way to add warmth, provide sound absorption and define the space.
Be True To Yourself
I absolutely love my clients and my favorite thing is encouraging them to make their house represent them: their past, present, and even the future and what they may be dreaming. By adding art, photographs, memorabilia … anything that represents who they are and what they love, should be a part of the home. I want their home to look like them, not their designer or favorite store. Texture can be added in forms of flooring, ceiling and wall treatments; wall coverings have made a huge comeback and can be a stunning and creative application. Add decorative items like throw pillows, rugs, curtains, vases, or artwork that complement your chosen theme or style. Mix textures and patterns for visual interest. Lastly, simplify and organize again. Get rid of things that have no meaning or purpose and only surround yourself with what you love.
I hope you find these designer tips for home decorating useful for creating the look you want. Whether or not you think your home is perfect or not, invite friends over and share a pot of soup or pizza and enjoy some good conversation! Laughter is good medicine! Set the tone by being relaxed and comfortable, and all who enter will feel the same. As I always say, “Refresh others and you yourself will be refreshed!”
Conclusion
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different arrangements, color schemes, and decor elements. Interior decorating is a process, so feel free to make adjustments based on what feels right for you. From using lighting wisely to adding personal touches, there are many ways to decorate your space and make it feel fresh and new. Remember, the key to decorating your home is to create a space that reflects your personality, style, and comfort preferences. Experimentation and your favorite accent colors will help in achieving a space that feels uniquely yours. Which were your favorite home decor tips and ideas?
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Annie Marks says
I love you ideas for adding decor to your home! I am always looking for new ways to make my home fun and different. I like that you suggested creating themes for your room, so that your style stays pretty consistent. I will have to try you decor methods in my next room makeover project! Thank you for sharing!
Camille Moore says
Great ideas Kim! Right now we’re working on changing paint colors. You’re right, wall colors really do improve the rooms and make a big impact on the overall mood of the room!! I’m looking forward to trying more of your tips, thanks!!
claudia morton says
Hey Kim,
That’s a great job you did, hope to see more from you and have a nice day Kim. I have decided that decorating a home is not a race. Take your time to find the right pieces and create a space that you truly love and feel comfortable in. I think a gallery wall makes a big impact on the entire space. Window treatments in the right color palette are a small change that can make a big difference.
Tip's Mom says
Great ideas!
I love boho style so I have to buy a lot of fabrics and lights. Thanks for sharing!
Brooke McAvoy says
I really like the way that classic designs and modern styles are combined in your first picture. It is true that lighting is really important, and it can have a big effect on the atmosphere in your home. Do you have any tips for buying and styling more modern-looking furniture? Thank you for such a helpful article and for all of the visuals!
Jessica says
These ideas are so simple to implement. I liked your tip to ensure that your decor and furniture not only look good but also serve their purpose and provide comfort. Rearranging my furniture has done wonders for my place to balance aesthetics with functionality.
Alex Wood says
Kim Costner’s design tips are a game-changer for home decor enthusiasts! From creating cohesive color palettes to incorporating personalized elements, her insights make decorating a home an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Following these tips will undoubtedly transform any space into a stylish and welcoming haven. Kudos to Kim for sharing such valuable design wisdom!
Video Editor says
I’m all for decluttering and organizing to refresh my space. Rearranging furniture and adding personal touches truly make a house feel like a home. Thanks for the inspiration, Kim Costner
Kulwant Singh says
Hi Kim Costner
Your article on being true to oneself in home decorating resonates deeply with me. I love how you emphasize the importance of making a home truly reflective of its inhabitants—past, present, and future aspirations.
Encouraging clients to infuse their homes with personal elements such as art, photographs, and memorabilia is a wonderful approach. It not only adds character but also transforms the space into a unique representation of their individuality. Your advice on avoiding a generic designer or store look is refreshing and promotes authenticity.
The mention of using textures in flooring, ceiling, and wall treatments, as well as the resurgence of wall coverings, adds a rich layer of creativity to the design process. The idea of incorporating decorative items like throw pillows, rugs, and artwork complements the chosen theme, allowing for a harmonious and visually appealing space.
I particularly appreciate your emphasis on simplifying and organizing, creating a home filled only with meaningful and purposeful items. The invitation to share one’s space with friends, accompanied by good food and conversation, underscores the idea that a home is more than just its physical elements—it’s a place for connection and laughter.
Your closing words about experimentation and personal touches being key to achieving a space that feels uniquely yours are spot-on. Decorating, after all, is a dynamic and evolving process that should reflect the individual’s personality and comfort preferences.
Thank you for sharing these insightful designer tips for home decorating. I’ll certainly keep them in mind as I continue to create a space that feels authentic and welcoming.
Best regards
Kulwant Singh
HFC Real Estates & Financial Service
Emy says
Fantastic insights on modern home decorating! The tips and ideas shared in this article are both inspiring and practical.