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Erikka Fogleman

Do you find yourself struggling to pull together a room in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing?  

Do you think that interior design is all art and no science?  

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Do you find yourself struggling to pull together a room in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing?  

Do you think that interior design is all art and no science?  

If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, then this is the class for you.  In this course, you will learn that you can actually use an easy, systematic approach for creating beautiful and functional designs for the primary rooms  in your home, primarily focusing on family and living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.  (Please note that this class does not cover kitchen or bath design).  This course is primarily lecture based, but does contain activities along the way to help you immediately apply what you've learned, as well as a quiz at the end. 

By the end of this beginner course, you will be able to completely design a room end-to-end using a simple 10-step approach.  Specifically, you will learn how to:

  • Measure a room to maximize the use of your space and select appropriately sized furniture

  • Create your ideal floor plan (various sample floor plans are provided)

  • Identify your preferred interior design style(s)

  • Create a cohesive interior design color scheme

  • Select the appropriate sized rug and furniture for a room

  • Efficiently shop for furniture online

  • Create a layered lighting scheme

  • Learn the secret for making off-the-shelf drapes look custom

The ideal student for this course is a person who is interested in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing rooms in their home, but does not already have a lot of knowledge in interior design. 

  I would start with "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" because most of my other courses are in-depth classes of the concepts touched on in this 10 step class.  Following the 10 Step Course, I suggest moving on to "How to Use Color Like a Pro", followed by "How to Work with Interior Design Styles Like a Pro", then "How to Use Lighting Design to Transform your Home", and finally "Design is in the Details". 

  • My other five courses, "How to Use Minimalist Interior Design to Live your Best Life",  "Use Eco-friendly, Sustainable Design to Improve Your Life", "How to Design Your Dream Kitchen", "How to Design Your Dream Bathroom", and "Everything Small Home Design" are all stand alone classes on specialty topics within interior design, and therefore, can be taken in any order.

  • Please be aware that this course, or any of my courses, is not intended to provide all of the knowledge needed to become a professional interior designer.  As with any professional field, there is a significant amount of education and/or experience that is needed to achieve competency in this field.  My intention with these courses is to provide some solid foundational knowledge to assist either those individuals interested in "DIY" interior design to work on their own projects more effectively, or to provide supplemental education to both interior design students and professionals.

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    What's inside

    Learning objectives

    • Design/decorate nearly any room well using a systematic 10-step method.
    • Identify the best places to buy furnishings for a room.
    • Identify different interior design styles and select your own style for decorating.
    • Create different room layout options for family rooms, living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
    • Create a personalized color scheme that will look great.
    • Create a layered lighting scheme that is both functional and dramatic.

    Syllabus

    Students will understand exactly what willl be covered in this course.

    Welcome to this course!  The introduction will provide you with an overview of what will be covered in this course.

    Read more

    This lecture will outline the specific 10 Steps that are discussed in this training.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    In this short lecture, you will learn how adding 3 simple elements to your room will take it from good to great!

    Students will learn how and why to measure a room and will learn the importance of identifying what key activities will be taking place in the room.

    In this lecture, you will learn how to measure a room correctly in 1/2 inch scale (or 1:20 scale using the metric system) and why it's so important to do so. Please note that there are 2 additional resources available in this lecture - one for those measuring rooms using the imperial system and one for those measuring rooms using the metric system.

    You will have the opportunity to practice what you've learned in the previous section by measuring one of your own rooms and recording it in 1/2 inch (or 1:20) scale.

    You will learn how to think about the functionality of a room you are decorating and why it's so important to do so.

    You will have the opportunity to practice what you've learned in the previous lecture by recording the specific key activities for your room.

    Students will learn how to create the perfect mood in a room through picking a unique style and creating the perfect color scheme.

    You will learn about all of the major interior design styles and how to easily choose a style for your own room.

    You will get to use what you learned in the previous lecture and will be asked to choose a style for your room.

    In this lecture, you will learn how to create a great color scheme for your room with a simple to use formula.  I will also be reviewing what analogous and complementary color schemes entail.

    In this lecture you will be asked to choose a color scheme for your room based on what you learned in the previous lecture.

    Students will learn how to pick the right furnishings for their room including a rug, furniture, wall art, lighting, window coverings, accessories and greenery.

    In this lecture, you will learn how to choose the right rug for your room based on size, color, and material.  You will also receive recommendations on where you can purchase great rugs.

    In this lecture, you will determine the ideal size rug for your room, as well as the ideal colors and material for your space.  

    In this lecture, you will choose how to choose the right furniture based on size, function and style.  You will also be provided with a variety of different floor layouts for family/living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms that you can use in your own home, and you will receive guidelines on appropriate measurements throughout a room.  You will also receive great recommendations on where to find furniture at all price points.

    In this lecture, first you will determine what furniture pieces you need for your room, and then you will draw in those pieces on your floor plan.  

    In this lecture, you will learn about the different types of wall art / wall décor, and how you should choose the right art/décor for your room.  You will also receive recommendations on where you can find great wall art and wall décor.

    In this activity, you will select your wall art / wall decor for your room.

    In this lecture, you will learn about the different types of lighting and how to create a beautiful and dramatic layered lighting scheme.  You will also learn about key measurements for lighting, and will receive some recommendations on where to purchase lighting at all price points.

    In this activity, you will determine what type of lighting you need for your room.

    In this lecture, you will learn about the different types of window coverings, and learn how to make your windows appear larger using a common interior design technique.  You will also receive recommendations on where to purchase great window coverings.

    In this activity, you will determine what type of window coverings you need for your room.

    In this lecture, you will learn about the different types of accessories you can use in a room and why including greenery in a room is so important.

    In this final activity, you will determine what type of accessories and greenery you need for your space!

    Watch me pull together a beautiful room design using the 10-Step Method!

    Advanced Topics/Additional Techniques
    Use Focal Points to Take Your Design to the Next Level
    Open Floor Plans – Considerations and Challenges
    How/When to Use Wallpaper in your Design
    Common Design Challenges
    Brightening Rooms with no Windows/Little Natural Light
    Child and/or Pet Friendly Design Choices
    Design Techniques for Hot/Humid Areas
    Radiators and Window Treatments
    How to Make a Large Room Feel Cozy
    Design Techniques for Irregular Shaped Rooms
    Students will receive a quick overview of the 10 Steps

    Quiz to review all course material

    This lecture will recap the 10 Steps one more time for you.

    Bonus Lecture - Do You Love Interior Design?

    Good to know

    Know what's good
    , what to watch for
    , and possible dealbreakers
    Focuses on the core foundational knowledge needed to be a proficient interior designer, decorator, or design enthusiast
    Appropriate for those with little to no experience in interior design
    Leverages a step-by-step, easy-to-follow approach to designing and decorating rooms
    Covers key aspects of interior design, including measuring spaces, creating floor plans, selecting furniture, lighting, and accessories
    Provides practical guidance on navigating different interior design styles and creating cohesive color schemes
    Includes resources and recommendations for purchasing furniture and home furnishings

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    Reviews summary

    Comprehensive room design guide for beginners

    Learners say this course provides a comprehensive guide for beginners who wish to learn about room design. According to students, the course covers all key aspects of the topic in 10 easy-to-follow steps and includes useful pictorial representations and additional study materials to support the learning process.
    In addition to the course content, learners also have access to additional study materials.
    "The additional study materials are extremely helpful."
    Course content is easy to follow and understand
    "Concise yet very informative."
    "All the aspects covered in 10 simplified steps with awesome pictorial representations."

    Activities

    Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps with these activities:
    Create an Inspiration Board
    Creating an inspiration board will help you choose a style and color scheme for your room.
    Show steps
    • Decide on the style you want for the room
    • Find images of rooms that reflect the style you have chosen
    • Create an inspiration board with your images
    • Use your inspiration board when making design decisions
    Practice Drawing 3D Room Layouts
    Drawing 3D room layouts will help you visualize the relationship between furniture pieces and the actual size of the room.
    Show steps
    • Watch a YouTube video on 'How to Draw a 3D Floor Plan'.
    • Download a free 3D floor planner software
    • Draw a 3D floor plan of the room you are redecorating
    Learn How to Use Paint Color Wheel
    Understanding how to use the Pant Color Wheel will help you select the ideal color scheme for your room.
    Show steps
    • Watch the YouTube tutorial on 'How to Use a Color Wheel'.
    • Read the blog post 'Color Theory for Beginners' on the Better Homes & Gardens website
    • Practice using the Color Wheel to come up with color combinations for two rooms in your house
    Six other activities
    Expand to see all activities and additional details
    Show all nine activities
    Learn How to Plan a Floor Layout
    Creating a floor plan will help you create a space that is functional and aesthetically pleasing.
    Browse courses on Interior Design
    Show steps
    • Watch a YouTube video on the basics of how to measure and plan a room
    • Read an article about how to choose the right furniture for your room
    • Draw a floor plan of a room in your home
    • Shop for furniture to put in your floor plan
    Learn How to Achieve the Best Lighting
    Creating the perfect lighting scheme will help add drama and functionality to your room.
    Browse courses on Lighting
    Show steps
    • Find three articles online about layered lighting
    • Come up with a plan for how to create a layered lighting scheme for a room in your house
    Design a Room
    Designing a room from start to finish will help you put all the lesson together to create one cohesive design.
    Show steps
    • Choose a room in your house to design
    • Create an inspiration board for the room
    • Draw a floor plan of the room
    • Select furniture and décor for the room
    • Put together a shopping list for the items you need
    • Purchase the items on your shopping list
    • Assemble and arrange the furniture and décor in the room
    Document Your Design Process
    Documenting your design process will help you learn from your experience and improve your design skills.
    Browse courses on Documentation
    Show steps
    • Take photos of the room before you start redecorating
    • Keep a journal of your design process
    • Write a blog post about your design process
    Design a room in your home using the 10-step method
    This will allow you to apply the concepts that you have learned in the course and to see how they work in practice.
    Show steps
    • Choose a room in your home to design.
    • Measure the room and create a floor plan.
    • Choose a design style and color scheme.
    • Select furniture and accessories.
    • Create a lighting plan.
    • Implement your design.
    Learn How to Make Your Home More Sustainable
    Incorporating sustainable design into your home will make for a more beautiful and eco-friendly room.
    Browse courses on Sustainable Design
    Show steps
    • Read an article about the benefits of sustainable design
    • Find three ways to incorporate sustainable design into your own home

    Career center

    Learners who complete How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
    Interior designer
    Interior designers have expertise in space planning and developing concepts for interior environments. They are responsible for selecting and coordinating design features, materials, and furnishings. This course, "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps", provides students with foundational knowledge in these areas and can be particularly useful for interior designers who want to understand the basics of room design.
    Architect
    Architects create and design buildings and other structures. They consider factors such as aesthetics, functionality, and cost when developing plans. Learning about the principles of interior design, as described in "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps", can be relevant knowledge for architects who want to be able to create interiors with consideration for the building itself.
    Furniture Designer
    Furniture designers create and design furniture pieces. They consider factors such as ergonomics, aesthetics, and functionality when developing their designs. Taking "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" would be a great opportunity for aspiring furniture designers to learn more about design principles as they relate to furniture and interior spaces.
    Home Stager
    Home stagers prepare homes for sale by arranging furniture, accessories, and other items to make them more appealing to potential buyers. Understanding the principles of design and how to create visually appealing spaces is essential for this role, making the knowledge gained through courses like "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" valuable for home stagers.
    Event Planner
    Event planners organize and coordinate special events, such as weddings, conferences, and parties. They need to have a strong understanding of event design and be able to create spaces that are both functional and visually appealing. "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" can help event planners build a foundation in design principles and develop their creative and planning skills.
    Property Stylist
    Property stylists prepare properties for photography and marketing, ensuring they are visually appealing and attractive to potential buyers or tenants. Understanding staging and interior design principles is essential for this role, making the knowledge gained through courses like "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" valuable for property stylists.
    Lighting Designer
    Lighting designers create and design lighting systems for various spaces, including interiors, exteriors, and landscapes. They need to have a strong understanding of lighting techniques and principles to create effective and visually appealing lighting schemes. "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" can help lighting designers build a foundation in design principles and develop their skills in creating lighting schemes.
    Set Designer
    Set designers create and design sets for stage productions, including plays, movies, and television shows. They work closely with directors and other members of the creative team to develop a concept for the set and then bring it to life. "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" can help set designers build a foundation in design principles and develop their skills in creating visually appealing spaces.
    Space Planner
    Space planners are responsible for planning and designing the layout of interior spaces, including offices, retail stores, and hospitals. They need to have a strong understanding of how people use space and how to create efficient and functional layouts. "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" can help space planners build a foundation in design principles and develop their skills in space planning.
    Real Estate Agent
    Real estate agents help people buy, sell, and rent properties. They need to have knowledge of the real estate market, as well as strong communication and negotiation skills. Having a basic understanding of interior design, as outlined in "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps", can be helpful for agents who want to be able to advise their clients on staging and presentation.
    Teacher
    Teachers educate and instruct students at various levels. They may specialize in a particular subject, such as art, science, or history. Teachers who teach art or design may find "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" to be useful, as it provides a foundation in design principles and can help them develop their skills in teaching design concepts.
    Visual Merchandiser
    Visual merchandisers create and design displays for retail stores. They need to have a strong understanding of visual merchandising techniques and principles to create displays that are visually appealing and encourage customers to make purchases. "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" can help visual merchandisers build a foundation in design principles and develop their skills in creating visually appealing displays.
    Craft Artist
    Craft artists create and sell handmade items, such as pottery, jewelry, and textiles. They may sell their work through online marketplaces, craft fairs, or their own studios. "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" can help craft artists build a foundation in design principles and develop their skills in creating visually appealing items and displays.
    Interior Decorator
    Interior decorators work with clients to create and design interior spaces. They may specialize in a particular style or type of interior, such as residential or commercial. While "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" may be somewhat basic for experienced interior decorators, it can provide a foundation in design principles and may be useful for beginners or those looking to refresh their knowledge.
    Photographer
    Photographers take pictures for a variety of purposes, such as journalism, advertising, and fine art. They may specialize in a particular type of photography, such as portraiture or landscape photography. "How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps" may be useful for photographers who want to learn more about composition and design principles, as these principles can be applied to photography as well.

    Reading list

    We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Design a Room in 10 Easy Steps.
    Classic in the field of interior design. It covers all aspects of the design process, from planning to implementation. It's a great reference for both beginners and experienced designers.
    Beautiful and inspiring look at the art of interior design. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of interior design and how to create beautiful spaces.
    Comprehensive guide to interior design for homeowners. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to decorate their home.
    Provides a comprehensive overview of the essential elements of interior design. It's a great resource for beginners who want to learn more about the basics of interior design.
    Great introduction to interior design for beginners. It covers all the basics, from choosing a style to creating a floor plan.
    Is full of practical tips on how to improve your home. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to make their home more beautiful and functional.
    Provides a comprehensive overview of the visual communication aspects of interior design. It's a great resource for designers who want to learn more about how to communicate their design ideas.
    Is full of practical advice on how to decorate your home. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to create a beautiful and functional space.
    This classic book on writing can be applied to interior design as well. It provides timeless advice on how to write clearly and concisely, which is essential for communicating your design ideas.

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