Your Top Interior Design Questions—Answered!

How to Furnish and Decorate with Confidence

When it comes to furnishing your home, it’s common to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and decisions to make. Between balancing your budget (check out our complimentary furniture investment workbook) and narrowing down endless choices, it's easy to get stuck. Where should you begin? How can you prioritize your needs? And what’s the best way to solve those pesky decorating dilemmas?

At Malinda O’Hara Interiors, we want you to love your home. That’s why we’re giving you a roadmap to start your next project and tackling the most common interior design questions today!

Getting Started: Function Before Style

Beautiful design always begins with functionality. Even the most stunning furniture won’t feel right if it doesn’t suit your practical needs. Whether you’re outfitting a living room, dining area, or bedroom, it’s crucial to prioritize how you want your space to function before diving into the style elements. To help you get started, we’re offering you a complimentary Measuring and Floor Plan Creation Guide.

Measure Your Space: Accurate dimensions are key to a well-designed room. It’s important to know the layout of your space and measure any furniture pieces you plan to keep. Make sure you’re clear on the size and scale of both the room and the items that will go into it.

Create a Furniture Plan: Once you have your measurements, sketch your ideas on graph paper to map out how everything will fit together. This step will help you visualize how different pieces work with each other and ensure your layout is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Designing with Your Home’s Style in Mind

When it comes to interior design, it’s essential to start with the style of your home. Your home’s architecture and location can guide your design choices, creating a more harmonious and integrated space. While your personal style matters, embracing your home’s unique features will help the space feel cohesive and authentic.

For example, if you live in a mid-century modern ranch, you’ll want to choose furniture with sleek lines, natural woods, and subtle curves. Think of iconic pieces like low-profile sofas with wooden legs and simple, geometric patterns. On the other hand, if your home is a Georgian-style property, classic antiques and traditional elements will complement the space. Adding touches like rich wood furniture, classic patterns like stripes and florals, and timeless pieces such as a grand mirror or vintage art will enhance the elegance of the architecture.

Color Tip: The natural surroundings around your home can also influence your color choices. For example, coastal homes often look great with soft pastels like seafoam greens and soft blues, while wooded settings thrive with deep, earthy tones like moss green, terracotta, and charcoal. These colors not only complement the architecture but also help you create a mood that feels natural and connected to the environment.

Organizing Your Design Inspiration

Scrolling through Pinterest can be fun—but it can also lead to decision fatigue. To avoid overwhelm, follow this strategy:

1. Pin 7–12 Images: Be selective and stick to a small collection. As you refine your board, replace older images with newer ones you love more. This will keep your vision focused.

2. Look for Patterns: Once you’ve narrowed down your collection to 7-12 images, take a step back and observe the recurring elements within those images. These could include color schemes, furniture styles, textures, materials, or patterns. Write down these repeated features, as they will form the foundation of your mood board and the key design elements to incorporate into your space.

Interior Design Aesthetic Styles to Explore on Houzz or Pinterest

Choosing your interior design style can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to blend your personal tastes with your home’s unique features. Here are a few popular aesthetics along with Pinterest search ideas to inspire you:

1. Modern Farmhouse: Inspired by rustic charm and comfort, modern farmhouse style blends traditional farmhouse elements with clean, modern lines. Search "Modern Farmhouse Interiors" on Pinterest to see how to incorporate warm woods, neutral tones, and a mix of vintage and contemporary elements into your space.

2. Industrial Chic: This style embraces raw materials and urban vibes, often using exposed brick, steel, and reclaimed wood. If you love the idea of a loft-style apartment or a modern rustic look, search "Industrial Chic Interiors" on Pinterest for ideas on how to balance rough textures with polished finishes.

3. Bohemian: If you’re someone who loves eclectic, colorful, and vibrant spaces, the Bohemian style might be for you. With its laid-back feel, this style incorporates rich textiles, layered rugs, plants, and artistic touches. Look for "Boho Chic Interiors" on Pinterest to see how to mix patterns, colors, and textures.

4. Minimalist: If you prefer simplicity and clean lines, minimalist style is all about function over form. This aesthetic focuses on clutter-free spaces and neutral tones, with an emphasis on quality over quantity. Try searching "Minimalist Interiors" on Pinterest to get ideas for calming, functional spaces with simple yet beautiful designs.

5. Mid-Century Modern: This style is characterized by sleek lines, organic shapes, and a connection to nature. Think wood furniture, bold colors, and graphic patterns. To get inspiration, search "Mid-Century Modern Interiors" on Pinterest for ideas on how to mix vintage and modern elements in a seamless way.

6. Transitional: A perfect blend of traditional and contemporary styles, transitional interiors feature timeless pieces with clean lines and updated materials. If you want a sophisticated yet cozy feel, try searching "Transitional Interior Design" to get a sense of how to balance the old and the new.

7. Coastal: Inspired by the sea, this style emphasizes light, airy spaces with soft blues, whites, and sandy neutrals. Elements like natural fibers, linen, and driftwood are key. Search “Coastal Interiors” for a breezy, relaxed vibe.

8. Traditional: Rooted in European sensibilities, traditional design features classic furniture, symmetry, and rich, warm tones. Think tufted sofas, Persian rugs, and elegant drapery. Search “Traditional Interior Design” for timeless and formal inspiration.

Creating a Mood Board

A mood board is one of the best tools in interior design because it brings your ideas and inspirations to life in a visual form. After identifying the key elements from your carefully curated images, the next step is to create your mood board. You can either do this digitally using apps like Canva or Pinterest, or go old-school by cutting out images and pasting them on a physical board. The goal is to visually capture the atmosphere you want to create in your space.

Start by arranging the images to reflect the colors, textures, and furnishings that speak to you most. Focus on the vibe you want for the room—whether it's calming, energetic, sophisticated, or playful. A well-organized mood board helps you understand how different elements will work together and provides a clear direction for the design process. It can serve as your guide when making final decisions on furniture, paint colors, fabrics, and accessories. This visual reference ensures that your design stays cohesive, and it helps you stay true to the style you’re aiming for throughout the process.

Now that you have a solid foundation for starting your design, let’s dive into some of the most frequently asked design questions from our clients.

Common Interior Design Questions: Detailed Answers for Decorating Success

1. Furniture Placement

What is the best way to arrange furniture in a small room?
Arranging furniture in a small room requires precision and creativity. Begin by measuring every inch of your space and creating a scale drawing or using an online room planner. Focus on pieces that serve multiple functions, such as a sofa bed or an ottoman with storage. Avoid overloading the space with too many small pieces; instead, opt for a few well-scaled items to create the illusion of openness.

Pro Tip: Use mirrors strategically to reflect light and make the room feel larger. Place them opposite windows or behind light sources to maximize brightness.

What is the best way to arrange furniture in a large room?
In large rooms, the key is to divide the space into functional zones. For instance, create a cozy seating area with a sofa and armchairs, a reading nook with a chair and floor lamp, or a game table setup. Use rugs to delineate these zones and provide a visual anchor. For continuity, ensure the zones are cohesive by repeating materials, colors, or styles throughout the room.

Pro Tip: Add tall plants or bookshelves to fill vertical space and prevent the room from feeling cavernous.

2. Color Schemes

How can I choose the right color palette for my space?
Start with a base of neutral colors for large surfaces (walls, flooring, or large furniture). Then, introduce an accent color inspired by a piece of art, a fabric, or even nature. Use the 60-30-10 rule:

• 60% dominant color (walls or large furniture)

• 30% secondary color (curtains, rugs, or accent chairs)

• 10% accent color (throw pillows, vases, or artwork)

Pro Tip: Test paint colors at different times of the day in your space, as natural and artificial lighting can dramatically change how they look. Companies like Samplize offer peel-and-stick paint samples that can be delivered overnight. These samples won't damage your surfaces and can be moved around to see how the colors appear in different lighting conditions.

What colors work well together?
Harmonious combinations can be created using the color wheel. Pair complementary colors like blue and orange for bold energy, or analogous colors like green and blue for a serene vibe. Earth tones like terracotta and olive green work beautifully for a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

3. Storage Solutions

How do I maximize storage in a small space?
Get creative with dual-purpose furniture and vertical storage solutions. For instance:

• Use bed frames with built-in drawers for hidden storage.

• Install floating shelves to keep floor space clear.

• Add hooks or racks behind doors for coats, bags, or towels.

• Ottomans or coffee tables with hidden storage or stools for seating.

Pro Tip: Decorative baskets or stylish storage bins can be used to corral clutter while doubling as decor.

4. Lighting

How can I improve the lighting in a dark room?
Layer your lighting:

• Ambient Lighting: Overhead fixtures like chandeliers or recessed lights to illuminate the entire room.

• Task Lighting: Desk lamps, under-cabinet lighting, or reading lamps for specific tasks.

• Accent Lighting: Wall sconces or LED strips to highlight art or architectural details.

Use lighter paint colors and sheer window treatments to maximize natural light. Place mirrors strategically to amplify light and make the room feel larger.

Pro Tip: Opt for bulbs with adjustable brightness or warm tones to create a cozy ambiance.

5. Budget-Friendly Tips

How can I update my home decor on a budget?
Start with high-impact, low-cost changes, such as:

• Swapping out throw pillows or adding a new area rug.

• Painting an accent wall or refreshing trim and baseboards.

• Switching hardware on cabinets or replacing outdated light fixtures.

Pro Tip: Scour thrift stores or online marketplaces for unique, affordable pieces. If you are near the Kansas City area check out Couches to Curious, one of our favorite local home decor consignment shops. Repurposing vintage furniture with a fresh coat of paint or new upholstery can give your space a custom look.

6. Rugs and Flooring

How do I choose the right rug size?
In living rooms, ensure the front legs of furniture sit on the rug to unify the seating area. For dining rooms, choose a rug large enough so chairs remain on the rug even when pulled out.

Pro Tip: A larger rug can make a small room feel bigger, while a smaller rug can create coziness in a large space.

Incorporating these tips into your next design project will give you the polished, cohesive look you’ve admired in beautifully designed spaces and help transform your home into one you truly love.