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Modern Interior Design Tips | San Francisco Design | Furniture Store in Park City & Salt Lake City, Utah

Expert Interior Design Tips

By Interior Design Tips, Interior Design Trends

Beginning the design process can feel a little overwhelming. After all, there are so many design styles and beautiful items to decorate with; how do you create a relaxing and cohesive space that’s not too overwhelming? We’ve got a few expert interior design tips to share about the basics of creating a well-designed space. These designer tips are easy to follow and can be applied to almost any room of the house.

Use of Natural Color Scheme in Contemporary Interior Design Style

Start with a Natural Color

No matter which room you are designing or remodeling, make sure that you start with a neutral base. All of the colors ranging from cream to beige fit perfectly on the neutrality scale. A naturally-colored base gives you a lot of room to work with. Also, it opens up any space by reflecting the natural light pouring in from doors and windows. Conversely, darker colors can make a room appear smaller and limit your design later on down the road.

Use Varied Textures | Design Experts | San Francisco Design in Utah

Mix In Texture

Keep things interesting by adding different textures, patterns, fabrics, and finishes. This is one of our favorite interior design tips because you begin your design with a neutral color base, and you can play around with various accessories and other decorating elements. All good interior decorators will tell you that accent fabrics and accessories are a great way to add visually-compelling pieces that you can easily switch on when the trends change.

Modern Interior Design Tips | San Francisco Design | Furniture Store in Park City & Salt Lake City, Utah

Add Contrast and Depth

If you have ever been in a room that feels overwhelming, you know precisely why depth is crucial to professional interior design. However, it’s not only small spaces that need a sense of depth. Make your space more complex by adding contrasting elements, including contrasting hues, mirrors, layered fabrics, a different paint color, and minimalistic décor.

Increase Natural Sunlight | Expert Interior Design Tips | San Fran Design Luxury Furniture Store in Utah

Increase Natural Sunlight

While you might think shutting the blinds is the fastest way to a calm space, increasing natural light has more benefits than artificial light. Many homeowners close their curtains and switch on their lights. Do better by opening your blinds and windows more often. It will help you relax and get your body into its natural rhythm.

Use Plants & Greenery To Your Contemporary Office | Designer Tips | San Fran Design

Add Some Greenery

Greenery is a stylistic option for those wanting to increase positive energy in their homes. Not only can it help your mental space and productivity, but it enables you to breathe easier. Fortunately, some options work well for beginners who want a plant that is easy to maintain. For years, homeowners have added a plant and fresh flowers here and there, but nowadays, people are loading up on the home greenery. By adding a small collection into your space, you will get added style points and breathe a bit easier.

Basic Principles of Feng Shui |

Rearrange Your Feng Shui

Here’s a simple expert interior design tip: sometimes, you need just a simple furniture rearrangement to make things look and feel better. One of the classic methods of getting calm energy into your home is rearranging your pieces of furniture, such as sofas and coffee tables, using the Feng Shui method. While you don’t need to use the technical practice of Feng Shui, rearranging your furniture can give you more open space than before. By having less in one area, you will automatically feel more relaxed. Plus, extra clutter can keep your mind racing with thoughts of cleaning. Give your space the Feng Shui makeover and free up your space. It could be the key to unlocking your stress-free environment.

Create a Focal Point with Levels of Shelving | Contemporary & Modern Interior Design Tips from San Francisco Design

Create a Focal Point

Creating a focal point in any room is a key point of any interior home styling. Packing a space with a variety of wow items is a temptation, but it is also a risk. Not only does a well-put-together mantel provide you with the perfect place to play around with different pieces, but it creates an awe-inspiring focal point.

But creating a contemporary mantel can be tricky. If you overload it with accessories, it can quickly look overstuffed and challenge the eye. Keep it too plain, and a mantel could seem boring. That’s why bringing together the perfect balance of simplicity and uniqueness is how our interior designers style their professionally-crafted mantel designs. Here are a few of our tips for creating a jaw-dropping mantel:

TIP #1: FOCUS ON A WOW ITEM

The best way to start styling your mantel is by finding an item to focus on in your design. Whether it’s your favorite piece of artwork, a mirror, or a television, choosing one larger piece to center your design will make any mantel look professionally put-together. It is also great to include artwork that is special to you, even if you have had it for years. Adding it to your freshly-styled mantel will make the piece look brand new.

TIP #2: ADD A FEW CONTAINERS

Smaller containers that fit on a mantel help add complexity to the design. Containers work well standing on their own, but are even better when filled with greenery or fresh flowers. You can also find a variety of small containers like patterned boxes and stack them on top of each other. These will add some complexity that every professionally-designed area needs.

TIP #3: CREATE LEVELS

Another element of a beautifully-styled mantel is creating levels to the design. Pick items that feature different heights and layers. If you use accessories that are one height, your mantel will look simple, no matter how many things you use. Use books, candles, vases, and mirrors that vary in size, shape, and height. Together, it will give them plenty to look at, so it stays interesting no matter how long you look at it.

TIP #4: ADD IN SMALLER ACCESSORIES

No mantel is complete without a collection of unique accessories. Our designers suggest leaving this tip for the last step of your design. That way, you can find the spaces in your mantel that need something extra. You should also opt for special items, whether picture frames, keepsakes collected on memorable trips, or accessories that match your personality. We suggest keeping your mantel accessories to a minimum. The more you add, the more eclectic your mantel will look. Our interior designers use contemporary design rules and only suggest featuring 2-3 smaller items.

For More Expert Design Advice, Trust San Francisco Design

Need more interior design help? At San Francisco Design, we’re here for any design questions you may have. Whether you’re designing a new house, redoing a house, or simply switching a few pieces out from a room, we can help you tackle it. Reach out to our interior design experts team today to get started.

Design Tips | Salt Lake City Furniture Store | San Francisco Design
Throw Pillows for a Contemporary Sofa

How to Choose Throw Pillows for Your Modern Sofa

By Interior Design Tips

Throw Pillows for a Contemporary Sofa

Throw pillows are one of the most versatile items of interior design. Switching your old pillows for new ones can breathe life back into a tired space. It can even help upgrade a room from one style to another, whether you are taking your home to traditional, contemporary, modern, or other décor. 

No matter which interior design style you prefer, accessorizing with throw pillows will enhance the aesthetic of any space. The challenge for many homeowners is knowing how to design their space with throw pillows the right way.

There are a lot of ways to mix and match throw pillows, especially in modern styling. It can take some practice choosing patterns and styles that compliment your sofa. To capture the perfect look, here are a few basic tips that you can follow.

Take a look at the formula our interior designers use when choosing throw pillows for modern sofas.

The Guide To Perfect Throw Pillows for Modern Sofas

Brown leather sofa with colored throw pillows

Choose a Color Palette

The first factor you should consider when picking throw pillows for your modern sofa is your color palette. To bring your room’s design together, pull different colors from other sources in the space, such as the curtains, the wall color, rugs, or bedding. By focusing on a complementary color scheme, you will create more of an impact. 

Color theory can also guide your choice of throw pillows. There are twelve main shades on the color wheel broken down into primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

  • Primary Colors

The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. They are the parent colors that cannot be made by mixing other colors.

  • Secondary Colors

These colors are formed by combining any of the three primary colors. These include orange, purple, and green. These are also known as the color’s pure form or hue. 

  • Tertiary Colors

You create tertiary colors by mixing a primary color with its secondary color. For example, the secondary color of red is purple. If you combine the two, you make magenta, which is a tertiary color.

These basic color combinations will help you narrow down your choices of the primary shade of your room As you consider various hues, shades, tints, and tones, realize that color also has a “temperature.” Bright, vibrant colors such as red and orange are considered ‘warm’ while blues and greens are considered ‘cool.’ The temperature of the colors you choose can affect the mood of the space you’re decorating. 

Once you choose your primary shade and the temperature of the space that you’re going for, then you can decorate your room with throw pillows that fit your color scheme, whether you choose a simple complementary, a split-complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic, or square color scheme.

By following some of the basic concepts of color theory when selecting throw pillows, you will implement a color scheme that has a professional touch.

Find Symmetry

White Modern Leather Sofa for a Contemporary Living Room

One of the main characteristics of modern design is simplicity. Professional interior designers will use symmetrical throw pillow arrangements to create a minimalistic look. You can create this symmetrical look by mirroring the look on both sides of your sofa.

Get started by choosing throw pillows in a set of two. Then, you can arrange the pillows symmetrically in the exact proportions on both sides of the couch.

Blend Patterns

Another factor you will need to consider is patterns. Finding a combination of different throw pillows gets complicated when working with different prints. A basic formula that professional interior designers use when styling modern sofas is combining one small print, one big print, and one solid.

These throw pillows shouldn’t be the same size, either. Instead, your largest pillow should include either the largest print or a solid color. The large print will set the tone for your arrangement, so take care when finding one that matches the style you are hoping to accomplish.

Arrange Large to Small

Modern Leather with small to large throw pillows

Speaking of size, when it comes time to arrange your throw pillows, arrange them from the largest to smallest. Placing your largest pillows on the far corners and the smaller pillows on the inside creates an optical illusion that draws the eye towards the middle of the couch. It also entices you to sit on the sofa.

Along with the visual appeal, this arrangement also increases comfort. Larger 22 or 24″ throw pillows won’t get in the way, and small 12×20″ pillows won’t take up too much space. It is the ideal arrangement for any couch dweller.

Mix Textures

Using different patterns and colors is important, but so is texture. Play with the contrast of different textures. Think of smooth and rough, soft, and fuzzy fabrics when selecting throw pillows, such as faux fur, velvet, linen, knit wools, and tasseled accents. These textures will draw visual interest, as well as stimulate tactile senses.

Emphasize Comfort

Modern Sectional Sofa with Throw Pillows Interior DesignAlthough throw pillows add visual appeal to any interior space, they should also add comfort. It can be easy to go overboard with too many throw pillows, making it more of a hassle than it is worth. This is not the arrangement you want to place on your living room furniture.

Simplicity is key. Pick six to nine pillows for your modern sofa, depending on its size. Remember that if you have to ask yourself if you have too many, you probably do.

Modern Interior Design at San Francisco Design

how to clean a modern sofa by San Francisco Design

Now that you understand the basics of throw pillow arrangements, it is time to select a set of throw pillows! The interior designers at San Francisco Design will help you find the perfect arrangement of modern throw pillows for your sofa. Together, we will create a design that compliments your space. Contact us or visit one of our Utah locations to get started.

You can also shop our collection of modern sofas that go with any throw pillows online at San Francisco Design.

Contemporary home furnishings at San Francisco Design modern furniture stores in Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah

How to Choose the Best Interior Designer for Your Home

By Interior Design Tips, Salt Lake City

contemporary home furnishingsAn interior designer is much more than just a home decorator. When you hire the right interior designer, they will handle every step of your home’s design process, from inspiration and design to paint colors and finishing touches. An interior decorator might recommend a few places to hang a painting, but an interior designer knows every inch of your space, down to the smallest detail. When you hire an interior designer, you guarantee a space that is well thought out, carefully designed, and beautifully built.

Not only are interior designers useful to have as you’re planning your new home or remodeling your current home, interior designers are trained & certified experts in determining optimal room sizes, color schemes, traffic flow, lighting, paint finishes, and much more. They work closely with contractors and other vendors to make each project a success.

Across Salt Lake City and throughout Utah itself, there are many interior designers to choose from, specializing in styles & spaces from A to Z. However, it can be difficult to know which interior designer is best for your particular project. Luckily for you, the experts at San Francisco Design have developed a guide to help you choose the perfect designer for your Salt Lake City home. Follow these steps when you’re partnering with an interior designer:

 

Step 1: Determine Your Unique Interior Design Style

The best way to begin your search for the perfect Utah interior designer is by deciding on a design style. Many homeowners today throughout Utah are choosing a more contemporary style to outfit their home, complete with modern home furnishings and décor. Modern interior design is beloved by homeowners for its sleek lines, minimalism, and timeless nature. Salt Lake interior designers in particular elect for modern designs in many homes because of the unique, breathtaking results in every project.

No matter what style you decide on, this is an essential step before choosing an interior designer for your home project. Not only will the right interior designer have the perfect eye for your unique style, having a basic design style in mind will make many of the small decisions easy to settle on.

Modern Salt Lake City Interior Design

Step 2: Set a Budget

Before you can hire an interior designer, it’s important to determine a budget for your project. Having a budget in mind can quickly narrow down your search, and choosing a designer that frequently works with budgets like your own can lead to a better project. To see how much an interior designer costs, click here. [link to “Cost to Hire an Interior Designer” blog post]

When it comes to interior design, keep in mind that cost and quality generally go hand in hand. The best interior designers can’t be found on a shoestring. If you want an interior designer that will deliver the top results, plan on spending more than the average Joe.

Our opinion? You’ll never regret falling in love with your home design. Choosing a cheaper or less reputable interior designer won’t just leave you with cheap furniture and a short-lived design, it will leave you unhappy with your home altogether.

Think of your home’s interior design as an investment. More often than not, a greater interior design “investment” results in a higher-quality space that you can enjoy for many years to come. In fact, spending money on a high-end interior designer can actually help you to save in the long run, as they know where to find the best products & furniture for the best prices.

Interior Design Budget for SLC interior design project

Step 3: Be Prepared

We can’t say it enough: prepare before you meet with an interior designer. Preparation allows you and your designer to start off on the right foot, having clear communication and a course of action. Start your preparation through the following:

Get inspired. Gather all of your inspiration from floorplans, to Pinterest boards, to your wildest imagination. While a designer can’t do everything, they can bring many innovative ideas to life to give you the home you’ve always dreamed of.

Study. Read through interior design and architectural magazines to see what professionals in the industry are currently doing so you can understand the current trends.

Visit model homes. One of the best ways to discover the perfect home design is to see it in person. We recommend stopping by some model homes or attending the Salt Lake Parade of Homes to get a good idea of what styles and designs you like most.

Gather a list of questions. Here are the top 10 questions we recommend you ask when meeting with an interior designer.

  • Is there a certain style that you specialize in?
  • How many projects do you work on at a given time?
  • Who can I expect to work with throughout this project?
  • What is your expectation for client involvement? Do you prefer for your clients to be hands-off?
  • How do you prioritize items on a budget?
  • What is your timeline and how long do you anticipate for this project to be completed?
  • What is your project management style?
  • How do you resolve problems throughout the course of a project?
  • What do your fees include?
  • Can I have a client reference?

 

Step 4: Meet With Your Designer and Make a Plan

It’s important to meet with your designer face-to-face to get familiar with their process, confirm that your vision is aligned, and discover how acquainted they are with vendors in your particular area. Select local interior designers may even have inside access to Salt Lake furniture stores and can help you save big on home furnishings.

Working with your designer, develop a plan for your project. Communicate clearly on how you would like to see the project come to fruition, as well as your likes and dislikes. Having a plan of action from the beginning ensures that both parties are on the same page.

Step 5: Work Together

Don’t be afraid to speak up. After all, it’s your home! Take the time to understand your designer’s process, but be ready to voice your opinion often throughout the design project. There will likely be multiple instances when you may not agree with your designer, but clear communication is always the best route.

 

Interior Design at San Francisco Design

Looking for an interior designer in Salt Lake City that will mesh with you to create the home you’ve always dreamed of? Look no further than the experts at San Fran. Not only are our professionals leading the interior design world with their creativity and innovation, they have access to the top modern furniture store Utah has to offer – San Francisco Design! Learn more about our interior design process on our website or contact us today to get started on your own interior design project.

How Much Does an Interior Decorator Cost?

How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Interior Designer?

By Interior Design Tips, Interior Design Trends

How Much Does an Interior Decorator Cost?

You’re not alone if you’ve ever wanted a total home refresh. Every homeowner wants a comfortable and chic space, but few people have the eye for interior design that accomplishes both of those goals successfully. Enter professional interior designers. Not only are interior designers trained on the ins and outs of design styles, but they are also intimately familiar with color theory, virtual design, and project management.

When you’re on the hunt for the right interior designer, there are several factors to consider before you make a decision. Which styles do they specialize in? What is the lead time for a project? Do they have connections with furniture companies?

These questions are all important, but we are willing to bet your biggest question is “How much does an interior designer cost?”. After all, an interior design can only go as far as your wallet can. However, many people forget that you’re not paying for throw pillows and paint swatches when you hire an interior designer. When you hire an interior designer, you’re paying for convenience, total project management, peace of mind, and years of experience & schooling to back it up. An interior designer is worth much more than their price tag.

How Much Does an Interior Decorator Cost?

What to Know When Hiring an Interior Designer - SFDHere are some of the most common ways interior designers charge for their services and some fees you may not have considered. They include consultation fees, interior designer cost per hour, and project fees.

Consultation Fee

Some designers charge a fee for an initial consultation to review your tastes, likes & dislikes, and budget. An interior design consultation typically lasts about an hour, and interior decorators generally charge accordingly. An initial consultation can cost between $50 and $250, depending on the hourly rate. Some designers, however, don’t charge a consultation fee at all—though it’s rare. As with hiring an interior designer, research before sitting down for a consultation.

Color Swatches and Paint Colors for Interior DesignPay-by-Hour

Most interior designers charge by the hour for their services. Typically, you can expect an hourly fee of around $150, but a designer’s rate can range between $50 and $500 per hour. Considered the simplest way to pay an interior designer, the pay-by-hour method doesn’t include furniture or additional materials.

Pay-by-Project

Depending on the needs and scope of your home project, your interior designer may charge a flat fee for their services. The contract or interior designer should list exactly what is included in this fee.

Array of Leather Colors Used by Interior DesignersBy the Square Foot

In this option, your space’s square footage determines your interior designer’s cost. Larger spaces will cost more, and smaller spaces will cost less. Paying by square foot is a common practice for commercial interior design.

Complimentary Design

Hold on. Did we just say “complimentary interior design”? That’s right! At San Francisco Design, we don’t charge for our interior design services when a customer purchases. When you buy furniture for your home’s design or remodel, the interior design is on us! We provide everything from the initial consultation & design planning to project coordination & execution, free of charge. We don’t stop there, however. When you book a whole home design process with our designers, we provide a discount on our furniture. What could be better than that?

Neutral Colored Patterned Fabrics for Interior Design

What to Consider Before Meeting With an Interior Designer

Before you meet with an interior designer, there are a few things you need to know about yourself and your home. Consider these things before meeting with a designer:

what to consider before meeting with an interior designer - SFDYour Budget

One of the most important things you should know before starting a project with an interior designer is how much you can spend. Interior design projects, in particular, need to have a very clear-cut budget before jumping in. Whatever your budget, make sure to give yourself some room to breathe just in case you run into unexpected expenses.

Your Style

Before you meet with anyone about designing your home, you should have a good idea of the overall style you’re looking for. Now, you don’t need to know everything about your style, but saying “I like a lot of things” isn’t going to cut it. Don’t be afraid to be picky when you talk to your designer; make it very clear what you’d like to have in your home.

On the flip side, you should clearly know what you don’t like when you meet with your designer. There’s nothing wrong with having a list of things that you’re definitely NOT looking for. After all, you’re the one who will see it every day!

Interior designer with Leather samples and home design blueprintsInterior Design at San Francisco Design

No matter your style, your budget, or the scope of the project, San Francisco Design has the expertise to transform your home’s interior. Our Utah-based interior designers are professionals who are incredibly skilled at what they do. If you want the space of your dreams, hire us to do it for you! Contact us today to get started on your next project and get all the info on our interior designer costs & hourly rates.