Principales of Design

Simplicity, suitability, and proportion are the three guiding principles of interior design.

• Simplicity means less is more. Keep clutter to a minimum. Don't go over the top. A few objects on a tabletop are fine, but too many are distracting.
• Suitability means considering how appropriate things are for their use. If you are upholstering a sofa, use a fabric that is strong enough for the job, not a delicate fabric better suited for sheer curtains. Suitability also applies to the stylistic or historic context. It wouldn't be suitable to put a modern chrome and glass coffee table into a Victorian-style living room, for example.
• Proportions are all about scale. Furniture and objects should be proportional to the room they are in and to each other. You don't want to fill a small room with large armoires and oversized chairs, nor do you want to put a small crown molding into a large room with high ceilings. Save the upholstery fabric with the big, bold print for the big piece of furniture.