How to start planning for your next dream home interior design

by Ann Hayward 05/15/2023

Green image with figures of furniture and text

Decorating your space can make all the difference when transforming a house into a home. You may be searching for the right design style to fit your needs, so here are some great ideas to guide you in creating your dream home interior. 

Start with your vision

First, start with what you envision the space. Think about the ambiance you wish to create, as well as the room’s function. Utilizing a notepad or the notes on your phone can help tremendously. This allows you to bring all of your great ideas together in a place you can organize and rearrange. 

For example, you may be planning to decorate a playroom for kids. You may want the space to be lighthearted with a fun aesthetic, yet safe. Perhaps you would like to add kid safe furniture with pictures of their favorite characters. Writing this down can help you pull the design together. 

Fill the room strategically

When shopping for furniture and decorative items, you may find many individual pieces you like. However, it’s important to plan adding things to the room. Too many decorative pieces with different aesthetics may leave the space feeling cluttered. 

You may be decorating a primary bedroom. When considering different spaces within the room, appraise how you wish to utilize the area. Too much furniture and decor items can leave the area feeling confined. With proper planning, the space may feel more open and airy. 

Pull from styles that inspire you

Using your own likes and interests can help when planning your next home design. This is a key ingredient for making your space feel more like a home. 

For example, if you love nature, add natural themes into the space. Find photos of animals or use color schemes befitting a natural outdoor environment. 

Ready to start creating your dream home? Remember to plan out your vision, strategize the room layout, and create a style from what inspires you. If you would like a consultation for your next home design project, a local home designer near you can help!

About the Author
Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]