You have good taste, right. You really like the furniture & artwork you’ve selected for your home so far. But something is a weeeee bit off. You just can’t figure it out, can you? It’s as if you’re moving through your home like a malfunctioning robot. Bumping around from room to room without a clear path to move freely.

So what is it that you just can’t put your finger on? You thought you had it when you found the perfect pillows for your sofa. But no, still not right. Then you found some lamps in just the right finish. That’s it, right? Nope, wrong again.

What is it that creates continuity?

The secret to creating an interior design that flows is what professional interior designers have mastered. They haven’t necessarily learned it from formal training. It’s something that they have curated through experience. It’s the ability to pick up on all the elements within a space & not just match them up, but to tweak them to work together cohesively.

My goal is to guide you in creating a design flow that has you moving through your home like a Prima Ballerina. Dancing, prancing, spinning & whatever else Ballerinas do.

Here are 7 ideas to create an interior design that flows…

1.color

Designer, Eleanor McMillen Brown, founder of the oldest Interior Design firm in the United States, believed that every room should have a touch of yellow. It was part of her branded look. It could be a vase of flowers in the living room, chair cushions in the dining room & a tea towel in the kitchen. That’s all it took. By doing this she was not only creating her branded look….she was creating an interior design flowed.

It doesn’t matter that you might not see these pieces together in your sight line. What matters is that your mind picks up on the repetition of the color which makes you feel comfortable as you move about your home.

Whatever color you choose, it should be one that lifts your spirit & provides comfort to your soul. Whether you use this special color on the wall or not doesn’t really matter. Pick a color & dot it around your home. Don’t overdo it. Let it be natural & cohesive.

When you’re shopping online or in a store turn on your radar to spot your color. You’ll find yourself fine tuning your ability to create the flow.

Pretty soon you’ll be your own design curator.

Own it!

2. pattern

When creating an interior design that flows, pattern is a much different animal than color. This is one that trips up the DIYer. This is where you want to mix it up but in a tactful way. Some of you already have the knack for this. I can see it in the way you dress. But, many of you stick with solids & textures. That’s okay…we will talk about this next. However, I want to challenge you to be a bold.

I happen to love floral patterns because they really make it easy to create flow. Take the floral pillow in the photo. In an adjacent 4 season room we were able to pick up on the blue in a very tailored way. We repainted the brown rattan furniture in a solid navy. We added a natural blue ticking stripe on the cushions. We accented with seasonal plants bringing out the green & the red.

In the nearby dining room we used a burgundy & cream diamond pattern that has a sophisticated but not overly formal look. In the kitchen we used a small ivory & green floral for the valances.

We created a smooth transition from room to room. By using the floral pattern for inspiration we were able to create a smooth interior design flow that my client loves.

If you have been shying away from pattern open your mind to it. Once you find a pattern that speaks to you it’s any opportunity to have fun & create flow.

3. texture

Texture comes from an assortment of elements. Fabrics, carpet, area rugs & walls make up most of it. If I can give you one tip to remember on how to select & mix textures it’s this…

Choose textures that have a similar fiber content or sheen.

Cotton gets along with cotton, wool & linen. When selecting leather use one with more texture & less sheen with natural fibers. This gives you a more casual, relaxed feeling creating a cohesive look that flows.

Silk gets along with silk, satin & metallic. Select leather with a sheen for more glamorous fabrics.

You can always refer back to the way you dress. Denim goes with a cotton shirt.

A sparkly top looks more appropriate with gaberdine trousers. I know you can mix it up too…but if you’re looking for the flow, trust me on this one.

4. Finishes

Finishes like wood & metal play a large role in creating flow in your interior design. My rule of thumb is be consistent with your finishes in the same sight line.

Using light wood tones from room to room can give you a light & airy flow. Whereas dark wood tones can create a more dramatic flow. You don’t want it to be overly matched so if your wood is mostly natural periodically mix in a warmer wood . Darker woods can be complimented by mixing in medium tones. Mahogany with walnut is a nice mix. The key is to mix in a few pieces intermittently so that nothing jumps out & says don’t mind me. Each wood piece & fixed element should compliment it’s neighbor.

Cabinet hardware, door hardware, light fixtures & faucets should compliment each other. Builders tend to make everything the exact same finish. This is the easy route. Not necessarily good or bad. But feel free to change it up. For instance, black iron with satin brass can be a beautiful look. Bronze & brushed nickel can be equally nice. It’s not about matching , it’s about blending.

5. shape

Repeating shapes throughout your home can contribute to your design flow. Arched openings with curved furniture. Linear architect with streamline furniture. Circular table with curved chairs. Carrying these lines throughout in the style of your kitchen cabinets, mirrors, furnishings & even area rugs gives you a natural flow that is pleasing & feels good. This is intuitive to the professional & can be for you too.

6. Art

Using art that has a consistent theme throughout your home is a pleasing way to add flow.

Mike & I are collectors of French posters. We find them very pleasing. Maybe its the bold colors & large elements. Whatever it is, they create a mood, a style & a color palette that gives a natural flow and carries from room to room in our open 1893 Farmhouse. It’s aesthetically pleasing to us & our guests.

For you it might be landscapes. Or it could be your favorite quotes framed & hung in each room. Maybe it’s black & white photography. Whatever it is, carry it out throughout your spaces & you’ll create an interior design that flows.

7. objects

There is a Bed & Breakfast Mike & I like to stay in St. Joseph, Michigan called the Turtle Inn. Strategically throughout, they have placed a collection of turtles. A variety of sizes, mix of materials, not necessarily all green, but each one a treasure in it’s own right. It’s very pleasing to the vibe of this quaint place. It creates a theme with a flow.

For you it could be a collection of Crystals, Vases, Birds, Metal Sculptures…whatever it is it should be something that makes you smile. Makes you happy. Almost like a treasure hunt it will carry you through your home in a smooth transition. Don’t overdo it. Less is more, but make it consistent. Have fun with it.

For more on this subject check out my earlier post How to Decorate Your Bookshelves with Intention.

You don’t have to implement all of these ideas. Choose the ones that feel right. Mix & match. Add & take away. Just keep working at it until you create an interior that flows & feels right to you. You’ll know it’s right when you’re prancing & dancing through your home like a Prima Ballerina…Gracefully. Enjoy!

If you need more direction on getting started consider my Local or Online Design Services! I’m here to guide you!