Designing a room can be a daunting task. Many of my clients don’t know where to start. There are so many elements that need to be addressed. So I put together a list of what I consider to be necessary. The do’s and don’t of good design.

Lack of Cohesion: This room has way too many colors. It’s not pulling the room together. The lack of an area rug gives it the feeling that this room is not anchored.



Overdone symmetry:
 Becomes redundant and uninteresting. You don’t need to have two of everything. The only exception may be in the master bedroom.



The color went wrong: Understand the saturation of color. Saturation is the purest form of the color, the highest level. Don’t mix cool and warm colors. The cool color will make the warm color seem “dirty” or “murky”.

Harmony: The way the rooms flows together. Does it tell a story, or is it fragmented? What story does this room tell? Too much going on!!

Scale: The way things relate to the room. Example – is the lamp too large for the table? Is the table too small for the room? I think it’s too large.




Balance: Have you achieved balance? Color? Texture? Metal? Vertically? Horizontally? This room is well-balanced; the color hits all three zones. Metals co-ordinate, and there are different textures displayed in the room.


Proportion: The way things relate to one another. Example – are the accessories the best ratio for the fireplace? How about the centerpiece? All the elements & accessories are the right proportion in this room design.




Style: Does it have flair and have you honored what it is you are trying to achieve? Does it pull al the elements together?  Round lamp, round table. Centerpiece right proportion for the table. Color in all three zones. The room has achieved all the design elements.




Color: Does it hit the three zones? Function Zone 0″ – 36″. Power Zone 36″ – 78″. Skyline Zone 78″ to the ceiling. Color hits all three zones.

Making sure your space has all the essential elements will help you achieve a good design room. Use these tips as a guideline. And if you need help pulling the room together, consider hiring Abella Home Staging & Redesign. Hiring a professional will save you money in the long room by avoiding costly mistakes!!