The festive season is round the corner and many of us would like to get a home makeover done before Diwali. An interior space is a reflection of your individuality. You can break all the rules, but at the end of the day what really matters is whether the space has a striking personality and enduring appeal.

The first step is to visualise the big picture and assess all the things that you would like to achieve or transform. Get a sense of the entire space. This helps in ensuring that different areas of a house merge seamlessly into one another. It should not seem like a randomly put together compilation of thoughts. It is imperative to budget for all the various expenses right at the outset. Once your costs are clearly outlined, you would also have a fair idea if you need to plan the project in phases, without compromising on the design. You are less likely to buy things on impulse when you have both design and financials in place. Budgeting should not and does not prevent a project from being well planned.

When you have the basic plot in place, you could start collecting your thoughts (and money). Think about the layout, the kind of cabinetry and furniture, colour schemes as well as the art/accessories you would like to display. Every aspect needs attention. Take some advice, either from a professional, or friends and family. A design board, with colour, fabrics, furniture and design ideas would help you keep the details in place. Here you could also pin a list of the functional needs for a specific area. Take pictures of things that inspire you and then see whether it works with your conceptualisation.

Placement and layout are the next step. You could also think of additional architectural elements. It is almost mandatory to figure out what the focal point of the room is. Without focus there will be no structure and form. This focal point could be an interesting piece of furniture, such as the bed, a dramatic view or even art. This will determine everything from layout to accessories. It is also where you can think out of the box and move away from the conventional. Be inspired by everything you have read or seen, but let your space tell you where it finds its heart. You need to open your own mind to the possibilities. If your sofas are screaming to get away from the walls, think about it.

The theme that you choose for the entire space will also help you find its own vocabulary. For example, if FabIndia is the look you identify with, I don’t mean that you will end up shopping for everything there. But essentially you would know your colour palettes, be partial to motifs and ethnic lines, want the woodwork to be simple with a rustic appeal and probably collect a lot of traditional artefacts. So when you plan the space makeover, you would have a fair idea of the things that would fit the picture. It will allow you to introduce an element of the contemporary but you would have a distinct visual.

Balance, scale and proportion are imperative for good design. Balance does not necessarily mean symmetry. Sometimes, asymmetry is used to create the drama in a space. Scale and proportion would be applied to all the various elements and enable you to figure out what the dimensions of various pieces should be.

Design need not be subservient to practical use. Try to get them to lock their hands together. That’s when magic happens. Innovative storage ideas and a keen eye for scale will enable you to cater to your needs without detracting from the visual appeal. It is also important that you understand your comfort zone.

Rhythm gives your space its flow. There are various ways to achieve this, including the use of pattern, line, shape or elemental repetition. Use colour effectively, play with contrast, maintain a flow using size or shape and enhance every space with the little details.

If something seems out of place, take a step back and reassess. Find a solution that works even if it means going back to the drawing board. Mistakes are part of the process, but once you see one, don’t leave it uncorrected.

As you near completion, it is likely that you feel frustrated. This is where the tendency to just ‘get it over and done with’ can bulldoze the entire aesthetic. Finish the project down to the last details. Otherwise, those unattended details hang like cobwebs in your space.

The writer is a Delhi-based interior designer feedback AT outlookmoney DOT com