What Are the Best Tips for DIY Interior Design?

The best tips for do-it-yourself (DIY) interior design include starting with a clear, well-researched plan and getting advice or help from professionals if it's needed. Reading interior design magazines and books can help do-it-yourselfers get ideas as well as help prevent potential decorating or renovating disasters. Understanding design basics such as color, lighting and furniture layout is important before starting interior projects. Reading product labels and instructions carefully, such as directions for a wood floor snap together kit, can result in successful DIY interior design.

Many do-it-yourself home improvement products list the skill level required on the packaging. Not going beyond one's capabilities on renovating or other home DIY interior design projects is a crucial tip to remember to avoid unsatisfactory work. Product warranties for refund or replacement purposes may be invalid if the items are improperly installed or the packaging instructions weren't followed. Another important thing for homeowners to keep in mind is to check with their city's zoning laws and building codes before making major design changes that affect structure. For example, add-on rooms may not only be required to include windows, but ones of a certain size.

Adequate time should always be spent in the research and planning stages of do-it-yourself interior design projects. Books and magazines relating to interior design can provide both inspiration and information for homeowners who want to improve the look of their home. Once the projects and overall designs are selected, researching the exact products and "how-tos" required should be the next step in DIY interior design. When a whole room or home is undergoing a DIY redesign, it's often helpful for homeowners to first consider furniture and layout, then lighting, color and texture. Considering many different color and texture options by viewing decor publications and visiting paint stores as well as product showrooms can often help do-it-yourselfers narrow their choices into ones they love.

When considering the layout of a room, the best starting tip is to think about what will be done and what will be needed in the area. For example, if a den is going to be used as both a home office and a guest room, lists of items for both functions should be compiled. Space-saving solutions for everything on the list can then be incorporated into the DIY interior design so that the room works for both functions. Sometimes, hiring a professional contractor to create built-in storage units can be the best option for homeowners to utilize floor to ceiling space in their DIY interior design.