Whether you are a solo dweller living in an open-plan studio or a family occupying a house and lot in Bacolod City, you can create a home that you will love. From using functional home decor to incorporating compact home furniture into your space, there are clever solutions for any unit type.

If you aren’t working with a professional interior designer, do not worry. You can still put together an inspired space on your own. Below, we share expert tips and resources that you can use to design your home.

Determine Your Interior Design Style

Before sprucing up your space, plan accordingly. The first thing to ask yourself: What style suits me best? 

Begin by doing your research. Inspiration can come from a variety of sources. You can browse through interior design and architecture books and magazines. Design blogs and Instagram are also rich sources for ideas. If there are interior designers whose aesthetic you admire, their social media accounts can provide a visual mood board to guide you, whether you love the colorful, “happy chic” look of Jonathan Adler or the intricately designed works of Filipino designer, Ito Kish.

For more extensive moodboards, look no further than Pinterest. Streamline your search by using keywords and hashtags. The more specific the keyword, the more accurate the results. For example, “Midcentury Modern Furniture,” “Brutalist Home Office,” or “Cottage Core Living Room.”

However, do not limit yourself to traditional design resources. Film, fashion, and art can also be sources of design inspiration. Do you have  a favorite piece of modern art that features lines and colors you love? Is there a runway gown that appeals to your personal style? Or perhaps, a film that features a fictional home you can imagine yourself living in? Give careful thought to the aesthetic that appeals to you, so you can best determine an interior style that suits your personal aesthetic

Need more help in determining your interior style? Try answering a design quiz from reputable websites like Apartment Therapy or Houzz.

Organize Your Home Decor Ideas In A Mood Board

Your research may have resulted in several ideas for choice colors, design motifs, furniture pegs, and so on and so forth. All that can get fairly overwhelming. However, creating a mood board can help organize your ideas into a more streamlined visual guide.

Pinterest comes in handy once again as one of the most popular ways to create a moodboard. Alternatively, you can consider other platforms such as GoMoodboard and Morpholio.

On the other hand, you can also create what renowned interior designer, Kelly Wearstler, calls a “vibe tray.” A vibe tray is a tactile, physical version of a mood board. It usually contains fabric and paint swatches and various materials from granite to wood. The idea is to be able to see and feel actual colors and textures coming together.

Plan Your Layout

Now it’s time to carefully lay out the placement of the furniture pieces and smaller items you intend to use. This ensures that however big—or small—your unit is, there will be a place for everything, and everything will be in the right place once you begin decorating. 

If this may sound daunting at first, you can employ a user-friendly design app for your planning. No interior design degree required. Here are some platforms to try: Magicplan, Room Creator, Amikasa, and Home Design 3D.

Using these tools can help you virtually visualize your space. Moreover, this is an opportunity to adjust as needed before the actual items are laid out. Ultimately, you want a home that is not cluttered and has good visual flow, regardless of its floor area.

Curate the Items You Need

Armed with your mood board and room plan in hand, you can begin finding the best home decor pieces for your home. Thoughtfully choosing these pieces relies on various factors: budget, the size of the space, and the specific needs of the home dwellers. 

If space is limited, consider multifunctional or compact furniture. The furniture market has begun to offer more compact options to choose from, which is especially useful as individuals and families continue to use their home for remote work and distance learning. These include expandable dining tables, bunk beds with a built-in study table underneath, or ottomans with storage.

That said, it is vital to find items that fit. Avoid surprises such as a refrigerator that’s wider than the allotted space. So, carefully measure all spaces before making a purchase.

While you may be shopping for new items, don’t forget to personalize it with pieces that you already have. Framed family photos. Artwork created by your kids. Decorative souvenirs from your travels. Personal collections. All these will go a long way in turning your condo unit into a personal space with a unique story to tell.

Lastly, consider quality above all. There’s a careful balance to tow between price and build. But at the end of the day, well-built pieces that marry form and function will go a long way in creating a safe and visually pleasing space.

A well-appointed home is the perfect canvas for your design vision. Whatever your space requirements are, you can find a generous-sized home at Nara Residences. Nara Residences is Rockwell’s pioneer high-end residential development in Bacolod City, which is famed for its rich history and cultural heritage.

Choose from a variety of unit cuts, from studios that start at 36 square meters to three-bedroom units that measure a generous 104 square meters. All units also feature a signature 3-meter ceiling height.  So you and your family have ample space to grow and thrive. 

And when you need to venture out for some rest and relaxation, look no further than the amenity space which includes a clubhouse with a fitness gym, function room, and swimming pool, among other features.

Remember a home that is well suited to your needs will serve as the perfect backdrop for your design vision.

To learn more and find a home that suits you and your family best, contact Rockwell Land.