4 Designer Tips For Home Decorating

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 some expert interior designers 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 four best designer tips for home decorating and giving it a fresh new look.

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 in Nashville and Birmingham.  After getting married and having 3 kids (all boys) in 3 years, I then became a stay-at-home Mom.  While at home I discovered my true passion:  Hospitality, Entertaining, Cooking (really Baking!) and especially making every space beautiful!  I decided to return to school, with my husband’s blessing and support (which is key!), for my second degree, this time in the creative world of Interior Design.  

I absolutely loved Interior Design school – I savored everything about it and enjoyed being around college kids again (even though I could have probably been their mother!).  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 four modern home decorating tips and ideas to help you refresh your home.

Update Paint Colors 

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 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

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.  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.  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.  And lastly, simplify and organize.  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!”  Which were your favorite home decor tips and ideas?

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