Living on Capitol Hill, you may be challenged by the small rooms or odd-shaped configurations that many of the area’s homes present. Despite this challenge, there are ways to create a well designed and aesthetically pleasant home, no matter what you budget.

Interior designers all use the same basic design principles when working a project. Mastering them isn’t easy. Most designers have many years of education and experience to rely on along with an innate ability, but with a little patience and contemplation, you can work to become your own design star. When all else fails, call a professional, who will be more than happy to provide guidance along the way.

Scale and Proportion
Your biggest challenge probably will be in relation to the size and layout of the room. Many Capitol Hill houses have long narrow rooms with doors and windows in places that aren’t conducive to functional furniture placement. I have found that sometimes I have to ignore a window or door in lieu of creating a seating arrangement that really works, then find furniture that won’t overpower the room. Some furniture stores offer their furniture in a variety of sizes (sofa in several preset lengths), and some even can customize a sofa by the inch. These options sometimes cost a bit more, but when you are creating a space which you intend to use often and for many years, it’s an investment that really pays off.

After creating your furniture layout, anchor the space with an area rug. Use one large enough so that at least the front legs of your upholstered pieces sit on it; a smaller rug could end up making the room feel smaller and choppy. If your space is an open concept plan, the large area rug will delineate the room’s function and help it feel cozy.

Color
Choose an inspiration piece, and use two of the colors in it as your accent colors. Then choose a neutral color from the piece as a foundation like beige, taupe or gold. Next, select your larger pieces of furniture using that neutral color. This way you can change your accent colors without changing your sofa. If you do want a sofa with color, use one of the accent colors and a pair of matching chairs in a neutral. Then add a pillow on the chairs in the same color as the sofa. An area rug with all the colors can be used to anchor the entire grouping. The rug could also be one of your neutral color choices if it has an interesting texture such as leather shag.

Paint
Your Hill home may also present the challenge of limited light due to small windows or large trees in front of the house. This doesn’t mean that you have to limit your paint choices to white or beige. Lighter shades of colors can be used, accented with one wall of the same color but in a darker hue. This will add a lot of character and drama to your room. When choosing a paint color, I suggest waiting until you have chosen the fabrics for the room. There are a million colors of paint, but each furniture manufacturer has a limited selection of colors and fabrics. It’s easier to match paint to a fabric than it is to match fabric to paint.

Texture
When choosing upholstery for your furniture, think about materials with varying textures. Combining a leather sofa with chairs that are of a nubby chenille fabric will create visual interest in the room and add character. In addition, the tables and other hard surfaces should vary. Try using a wood or painted coffee table matched with a pair of metal and glass end tables. Finish the textural composition by using a stone or faux stone pedestal to display a sculpture or plant.

Accessories
My biggest pet peeve has to do with accessories. So many times I see homes filled with too many small accessories and collectibles spread throughout the space. There’s nothing wrong with displaying your collections; the trick is to group them together so that they are highlighted. Also, place some of them on risers (perhaps a stack of books) so that the pieces in the back are more easily seen. Clear away the multitude of framed photos and select two special ones to display in a grouping with another accessory such as an ivy arrangement or cherished ceramic bowl. Large accessories, such as obelisks of varying heights (18 inches to 24 inches tall), can be used on the mantel or console table. On the other end, place a large plate on a stand for visual balance. Other accessories that can be used are decorative boxes on a coffee table or bookcase and decorative spheres in a bowl or on pedestals. Keep in mind when grouping accessories that working in groups of three or five is suggested.

Something Unexpected
Try something unexpected in your room to add a little punch. Maybe a zebra skin rug in a mostly traditional room. Just don’t forget to bring a similar color palette and pattern into the room in another way, like a pillow or vase, to make it feel like it belongs and like you planned it.

I hope these tips help you get those “You did that?” compliments that we all like to receive. If you want to tap further into your own inner design star, go stylishly to your phone and give me a call at 202-368-9200 or send an e-mail to designer@spaceliftstaging.com. You can also visit my website at www.spaceliftstaging.com.