"What are the styles of rooms?" I am often asked. When I first moved into my home, several years ago, my husband and I sat and thought about that for quite a while. We finally came up with a bunch of different styles and rooms that we have in our home, which we have decorated to varying degrees. Here is what we considered the most common American style rooms:
The Dining Room: This is a room that has become the bane of many people's lives, in more ways than one. First, there is the issue of eating! While this is absolutely necessary for any diet, some feel a paucity of space makes it difficult to cook healthy meals. A good solution to this problem is to buy a simple buffet table and build a kitchen island around it for the convenience of not having to clean up after your family meal.
The Living Room: This is where the entertainment occurs for many people. So it must be comfortable. There is a lot to be said for a large picture window with a comfortable sofa. Another option for extra seating is a love seat that also reclines, making for two very comfortable options for viewing movies. Also consider how you want to decorate this area: do you want to go with an easy, natural wood color such as cherry or pine, or do you want to create a theme that matches the rest of the house?
The Bedroom: This is the ultimate in luxury design. If you have enough money to renovate, then by all means, go for it. If you are limited financially, however, don't go overboard and spend a fortune repainting, adding hardwood floors and a brand-new wing. Simple floors and a large window with a view are the basics when it comes to designing a bedroom.
The Den: Perhaps this is the most forgotten room of all. Yes, the den is the smallest room, but it can make the most impression on visitors. This room does not have to be cluttered; indeed, if you want to keep it simple, then this is the room for you. It does not have to be decorated, but if you choose a contemporary look, this will look perfect. Black and white walls with accents of reds, oranges and yellows will work well, especially if your design goal is to create a feeling of warmth.
The Office: Who hires someone to work at home? A lot of people, actually. Today, an office in the home can look very much like a traditional office. Many offices use a desk, computer table and white or black cabinets. When you are thinking of how to design an office, think about ergonomics and making the most of the space you have.
Bedroom: Perhaps the most important room of all! Think about the bed you would love to have and then design the rest of the room around that. You might want to try having a sofa, daybed, futon or high chair in this room. This will give you the ultimate in comfort, but still allow you the freedom to design the rest of the living room around the bed. If you have children, you may want to decorate with their interests in mind, such as a small nook for a board game.
These are just some examples of the styles of rooms, but hopefully this gives you some direction to go in. The best way to learn more is to visit your local interior designer who will be able to take you through a tour and show you the different styles. If you are feeling overwhelmed, there are many books and magazines devoted to interior design, as well as websites you can visit for even more inspiration. If you want to get started, start by asking yourself, "What are the styles of rooms?"
