DO:
Use light or neutral colors. Light colors will automatically help open up a space.
Create a floor plan. This should be done before one ever heads out to shop.
Choose furniture of the appropriate size and scale. Selections that are sleek, paired down and minimal tend to work well in urban environments.
Blend cool and warm colors. Soothing grays and warm taupes can work really well together.
Start off with a few key pieces and then shop and add as you go. It’s OK to not purchase everything at once.
DON’T:
Overstuff a room. Editing can be helpful in creating an appealing space.
Dismiss the power of creating zones. For example, creating a living, dining and sleep zone may be helpful in creatively using and maximizing your space.
Forget the opportunity to design vertically. From partitions to bookshelves, these items can help display beautiful items and help define a space.
Forget to mix materials. In general, opaque surfaces visually take up space, while transparent surfaces do the opposite.
Purchase the set. In smaller spaces, buying sets that include multiple furniture pieces tends to be too much furniture. Often less is more.
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Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at www.cathyhobbs.com .
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