12 Interior Design Tips for Your Luxury Raleigh Home

Raleigh is a diverse, vibrant, and historically charming community. With gorgeous luxury houses in various architectural styles, interior design is essential for highlighting a home's unique features while also reflecting the lifestyle and personalities of the individuals living there.

 

Whether you just moved into your house, are preparing for the move, or just realized you are ready for an interior overhaul in your current home, there are many things to consider. Are you ready to take your Raleigh real estate to the next level? Here are 12 interior design tips for your luxury Raleigh home that can help you get started.

You don't want to immediately dive into a remodeling or design project without taking some time to analyze your space. One of the critical factors in decorating a room is traffic flow. You won't want a large piece of furniture where you naturally walk every day.

 

If you just moved in, living in the space with minimal furniture and decor is okay while you figure out how your lifestyle affects the room's function. What changes will make it more appealing if you have been in the home for a while? Do you want to change the entire layout or just the decor? Are you transforming the room to use for a different purpose? Try not to begin a project too quickly or buy everything at once. Sometimes you may change your mind, or your ideas will evolve, so give your vision time to fall into place, and you will end up loving the final product.

Sometimes it can be hard to find art that naturally integrates into existing decor. Starting from scratch, you can change that narrative by beginning with your artwork. You may start with a piece that inspires you to be the focal point of a room. A large piece can make a bold statement. You may decide to use the colors from your statement piece as inspiration for your room's color palette. If you end up with several smaller pieces, try out frames in different styles but the same color for a cohesive look that does not feel forced.

 

Taking advantage of natural light is eco-friendly, and sunlight is known to reduce stress. Consider a room's natural lighting when choosing the furniture layout and window treatments. Sit in the room at different types of day to determine if the sun's position affects how you enjoy the space. If a room is smaller or darker than you prefer, you can make it look larger and brighter by choosing the right luxury lighting fixtures. Give yourself different ambient options by layering light sources throughout the room — an overhead light and various height lamps, wall sconces, or even under-counter lighting give you various lighting options throughout the day.

You fell in love with your Raleigh home for a reason. Does it have interesting features? Sometimes you can play up these features. For example, extravagantly long hallways are a great place to hang all the beautiful artwork that did not make it into other rooms. Also, consider how you can incorporate odd spaces into your design. You may put a lovely vase with fresh seasonal flowers into a wall cutout in the foyer. An oddly shaped alcove may fit a cozy chair and side table with a gorgeous lamp for reading. When spaces are used wisely, it makes the entire room feel more functional.

It is essential to keep functionality in mind when decorating a room. You may decide that a bench seat is ideal for storing throws when company arrives because it provides a little extra seating. A lovely decorative basket can keep entryways tidy by holding keys, wallets, and other trinkets. Investing in beautiful, high-quality pieces that serve multiple functions will last longer, help keep your rooms more organized, and add aesthetic value without clutter.

Custom furniture and decor are among the best ways to personalize your home. If you have an office or library, custom-built bookshelves ensure they fit your home's architectural style and will maximize space. Custom furniture or window treatments are a great option when you can't find exactly what you want or need in a store. Ultimately, your home reflects your personality and style, so investing in custom pieces is an excellent way to get the look you envision.

After choosing or custom-ordering your furniture, you will want to add layers and depth for visual interest. You cannot go wrong with soft, luxurious throws if you are going for a cozy, relaxing feeling. You may want pillows to add more character or complement your color palette.

Rugs are another way to add layers to a room, and they serve so many purposes. Practically, rugs add a layer of insulation for warmth and sound absorption. If unsure about your new flooring, you can use a rug in the interim. Aesthetically, rugs add visual distinction when used to divide multi-use rooms, so they work well in open floor plans. They can also anchor a room, pulling together your design scheme and color palette. Because rugs come in so many styles and colors, you can add a little personal flair and even change them out seasonally or when you want a slight change in a room. It is much easier to swap out a rug than it is to change the flooring.

 

A room full of different textures is an exciting room. One interior designer says there is a “poetry in the tension of combining art, antiques, craft, [color], pattern, and texture; the careful layering brings character and feeling to a home.”

 

Do not be afraid to experiment with unique textures like leather, silk, velvet, or metals. You can incorporate various textures through furniture or in more minor ways like artwork, the throw pillows you choose, or a gorgeous tapestry. Bold colors can make a statement; if it is a statement you love, go for it! Play around with color and texture combinations until you find something that is uniquely you.

Updating a bathroom will make it more modern, but if you want a spa-like experience, invest in luxury upgrades. You might have a premium showerhead installed in the guest bathroom, but for your master, you may consider a soaking tub or steam shower. Steam showers with steam generators, aromatherapy oils, and mood lighting can help you relax and rejuvenate after a long day. Focus on calming colors for your color palette. A plant or two will keep the spa theme going. To keep it bright, light, and airy, remember to choose light fixtures that maximize light.

Storage is always at a premium. If you have a smaller room, you can use empty wall space to install custom shelves and create your storage. Whether you choose floor-to-ceiling or floating shelves, it is a unique way to add storage and visual interest without adding furniture. You can display attractive decor, plants, books, or other personal items. To maintain a minimalist look, use small multi-functional storage baskets to tuck away smaller items.

Trends come and go. Your tastes may change over time, but your personality will always influence your underlying style preferences. Some people love bold colors even when neutrals are in style. Others love filling every space with art, and still others prefer a minimalist approach. You can seek outside inspiration, but the style boards of other homes will not fit your space. Experiment. Break the rules. Make the house a home you love. Trust yourself through the process. When you focus your interior design around your personal preferences, it will stay in style, and you will continue to enjoy it because it is your style and it is suited for you.

If you still aren't sure where to start, an interior designer can help pull your ideas together into a cohesive, unified theme. Don't have an interior designer yet? You can often get recommendations from your real estate agent, who has extensive professional networks and can recommend the best local professionals.

If you are interested in buying or selling Raleigh real estate, contact Shonda Draughn today. A premier realtor in Raleigh, Shonda has the experience, knowledge, and drive you should expect from your agent to bring you successful results. She loves the Triangle community and loves sharing it with others. Shonda's attention to detail and tenacity mean you have a fierce advocate by your side every step of the way.