Room Design 101: 5 Simple Steps to Making the Most of Your Home

how to master room design with these simple tips and tricks

When creating any room design there are many things to consider. Function, practicality, aesthetics, and budget are among the top priorities. Whether you are designing one room or an entire houseful of rooms it’s important to follow a plan. To help you in this process we are sharing these five simple steps to room design so you can make the most of your home. This system is simple. The more you use these steps the easier and more natural it will become to incorporate this process into all your room design projects. Be sure to check out the Better Homes & Gardens blog post for more fabulous ideas on this topic.

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Jodie and I are honored to be part of The Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart Influencer Network. We love representing a brand that provides quality style at affordable prices. We receive compensation for our time and efforts in creating this post. Our convenient shopping links help support our blog work but add no additional expense for you.  All our opinions are authentically our own, and as always we hope you enjoy.

farmhouse coffee table and media console and green fern

 

Step 1 – Room Design 101: Create a Floor Plan

Many people skip this step, but it can help you from making purchasing mistakes, so we say it’s worth your time.

mulit purpose room design

The Old-Fashioned Method: Pencil & Paper

You can use regular paper, but using grid paper will make it easier. This is your room outline. I suggest making photo copies of this to enable you to create multiple options for furniture layouts.

To begin, measure:

  1. walls
  2. doors
  3. windows
  4. closets

modern industrial wood desk

 

The High Tech Method: Apps

There are many apps that can allow you to skip the paper when creating a room design and even some that allow you to skip the measuring. Some give a 3-D visual that help you if you have trouble imagining a space.

  1. Magic Plan
  2. Room Scan Pro
  3. Floor Plan Creator
  4. Amikasa

budget modern neutral cozy decor

Step 2 – Room Design 101: Create Your Furniture Layout

Next, let’s get to the furniture placement. Now is when you need to get thinking. Ask yourself:

  • What do you want to be able to do in this space?
  • Who needs to be able to use it?
  • Are there multiple functions? Decide if they can coexist. If not, now is the time to prioritize.
  • Consider how your furniture will effect traffic flow in, out and through the space.
  • What is the focal point?
  • What is the largest necessary piece of furniture?

Once you have answered all of the above questions begin to imagine the possibilities of your room design. If you are not good at visualizing I recommend using an app that provides 3-D visual.

Shop this room:

room design budget modern industrial desk

My Room Design

Redoing this extra large bedroom has been an on-going project ever since we moved into our home over 4 years ago. It started off as a catch-all for re-purposed furniture. The room functioned but nothing matched. The style was all over the place.

I created a layout that included a study area, a tv/conversation area, a dressing area, and a sleeping area. I made a plan to replace the old furniture over time, which is exactly what I did. Every new piece has come from the Better Homes & Gardens collection available at Walmart.

Sleek New Desk

Most recently I replaced the old, worn out desk with this beautiful wood and metal desk. The quality is wonderful. The wood top is a solid, heavy gorgeous grain wood, and the legs are a very cool industrial metal. The style is exactly what I wanted for my son’s space. He loves the look and the large surface area. He said, “Mom, this is cool!” High praise indeed!

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Are you decorating an apartment or on a budget? Be sure to read, “How to Decorate A Chic Modern Apartment On A Budget” for great budget-friendly decorating ideas.

Our Tips for Best Furniture Layout

  1. Decide on your focal point. This can be a piece of art, a fireplace, or in a bedroom it would be the bed.
  2. Don’t get too fancy. Layout design needs to be practical and make sense. Keep it simple.
  3. Define your areas, even if they are small. Use area rugs to help with this.
  4. Identify traffic patterns. Make sure there is a flow to the space and traffic isn’t blocked.
  5. Identify sight lines and avoid blocking windows and avenues of sight to doors and hallways.

 

room design tips muliti purpose functional room decor

Step 3 – Room Design 101: Create a Budget

  • Now that you have your plan, it’s time to set your budget allowance.
  • Determine what pieces you already have and what you need to shop for.
  • Prioritize your purchases.
  • If necessary, plan it out on a calendar what you can afford to replace and create your room design over time.

 

gray chair room design

 

Step 4 – Room Design 101: Shop

  • Jodie & I love to shop Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart because they have the style, affordability and value we love.
  • We love the convenience and huge selection they have online at walmart.com.
  • Choose a brand you know and trust for always providing value like Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart. Jodie and I have been shopping and showcasing their home and furniture line for over a year, and we are continually amazed and excited by the value of everything we buy.

gray modern cozy chairs room design tips

New Chairs

These two modern gray upholstered chairs are another new addition to this room. They replaced two worn out off-white chairs that I had owned for 20 years. The off-white color didn’t match the mood of the room. These new chairs from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart are sleek and modern. They are also solid to handle teenage boys. The chairs pass the all-important comfort test my family really appreciates.

 

Looking for more ideas for room design? Be sure to read our post, “How to Create Budget Farmhouse Room Transformations.” Jodie shares her tips and thought process so you too can create amazing room transformations on a budget.

room design tips farmhouse coffee table fern basket

This table is also from the Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart collection. It is part of the farmhouse furniture collection that I added to the room last year. The top lifts up so there is storage inside.

Step 5 – Room Design 101:  Add Creative Accessories & Color

  • Give your room character with fun, affordable accessories.
  • Add pops of color with finishing touches.
  • Use the rule of threes: Three colors make for an interesting room, with the balance being 60% of your main color, 30% for your secondary color and 10% for your accent color.
  • If you prefer to keep your palette neutral use the rule of threes for texture.
  • If you want to add trendy character do it with these affordable finishes. That way when the trends change you will not have to break the bank to update your room.

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room design 101

To create a space that my son loved I chose to use neutrals and focus on texture and pattern.

  • The rustic wood of the farmhouse-style furniture
  • the nubby texture of the pillows
  • the softness of the pompom throw
  • the cozy fullness of the shag carpet
  • the woven detail of the baskets
  • the shine of the gold lamps

Shop the Post

Shop the beautiful Better Homes & Gardens items I used in my room all available exclusively at Walmart below:

 

gray poof neutral decor room design

Whether you are designing an over-sized bedroom, like I did here, or your room design involves making the most of a tiny space the principles of room design are the same. Take your time, work with a plan and a budget, and let the purpose of the room guide your decisions. Begin your room design with a focal point and end with fun details. And when you take your time and shop for value like we do with Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart, you’ll be able to stay on budget and have a space you’re proud to call home.

jodie & julie

BHG Live Better Influencer Network

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Room Design 101: 5 Simple Steps to Making the Most of Your Home
Article Name
Room Design 101: 5 Simple Steps to Making the Most of Your Home
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Here are 5 simple steps to room design to help you make the most of every room in your house! We share designer top tips to creating beautiful rooms with function & practicality, while staying on budget.
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The Design Twins
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  1. L says:

    Where can I find the desk chair posted in room 101:5

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      I’m sorry I don’t have a source for the leather chair. I have had it for years, bought it at a boutique and don’t know the brand or anything. Wish I did. It looks good but actually it’s not really quality. It is not wearing well, so maybe you aren’t missing out too much…I agree it still looks good, but thee back is not sturdy. Thank you for coming to our blog. We hope you continue to enjoy. ~ Julie & Jodie

  2. Sharon LaMountain says:

    I love what you have chosen for this room. I look at every detail.
    I have a Wal-Mart near me in Leicester, MA which has a better selection.
    The rug (is it black and white or blue and white)? I am assuming black.
    It came up at $98 not $9.86.
    Also, do you go to Wal-Mart.com or Better Homes and Gardens at Wal-Mart?
    I just closed down your Christmas blog which I loved.
    I kept going through the red door.
    Thanks for a nice trip. Sharon

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Hi Sharon,
      So glad you are enjoying our blog. The rug is black and white. The difference in the pricing on the rug is that the rug comes in a variety of sizes. $9.86 is for the smallest size (which was a default price on the item). Sorry for the confusion. I always shop walmart.com because I don’t have a local Walmart that sells a good selection and even my closest one is pretty far away. Jodie shops at both walmart.com and her local store. We sure hope you continue to enjoy our blog. Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  3. Camille McAuley says:

    On this post from Jan 30th you showed a great wooden desk from the Walmart collection. It has a great leather chair with it. Can you provide details on that chair to go with that table. I love it with the table and want both

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Hi Camille,
      I am glad you love the desk and chair ensemble. Unfortunately I bought this leather chair years ago and have no source for it. I’m so sorry I can’t be of more help. While the chair still looks good I wouldn’t actually recommend it as the back is not wearing well. I wish you luck on your hunt for a quality chair. All the best, Julie

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Thanks Susan, so glad you found this post and our design tips helpful. We are happy you found our blog and hope you continue to visit and enjoy. All the best, Julie & Jodie

  4. Amie Freling says:

    Love this room Ladies! And the furniture is so chic. Great tips. Sending you a great big hug. xo

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Amie, You are so sweet! We are so happy to hear from you. We really are loving the furniture too. XO ~ Julie & Jodie

  5. jjdesigntwins says:

    Thank you sweet Loi! It’s so nice to hear from you. We love that you made time to visit our blog. Your kindness is always such a gift. Blessings to you always, Julie & Jodie

  6. What a great room! I love the design and items you chose!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Kim,
      Aw thank you my friend! Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart does it again. Just when I think I’ve seen all they have to offer I am so wrong. Their wide selection is seemingly endless. These furniture pieces may be my favorites yet! So excited. XO ~ Julie & Jodie

  7. Bobbi says:

    Fantastic Ideas and that Space is just beautiful! I have not checked out Better Homes and Gardens at Walmart. I must go check them out!
    Thanks for the Great Info!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Bobbi, Yes, we have been partnering with Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart for several years now, and we are continually amazed by the quality and value and style we find. There’s no need to overspend! We love sharing these great resources with our followers and showing people how a stylish home is attainable on a budget. Thanks for your kind reply. Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  8. Laurel says:

    Always inspiring!
    Thanks for this site and so happy I signed up for your emails!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Laurel,
      Thank you for the kind words on this post! You are so sweet. We are so happy to hear that!
      Lots of love,
      Jodie & Julie

  9. Got Omnia says:

    I love articles on topics like this.

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