You should be aware that there are numerous regulations governing practically every area of interior design while discussing it. There simply seems to be a tonne of dos and don’ts you need to be mindful of, from colour combinations to furniture location and size. But, what the heck? When it comes to decorating, don’t be afraid to go with your instinct and follow your heart because only then will you be able to create a room that truly feels like it belongs to you.
Now let’s look at some of the most prevalent interior design guidelines and the justifications for breaking them.
Observe the colours
When choosing colours, the most popular advise is to keep them neutral, especially if we’re talking about the walls and flooring, especially when designing a tiny space. This rule’s rationale is that a space will appear and feel much larger if its dominating colours are lighter, more neutral tones. While this may be partially accurate, it’s vital to keep in mind that the space will still be the same size, so in essence, all you’ll be doing is deceiving yourself.
Choose the colour (or colours) you choose instead of rigidly adhering to this rule. Bright, warm hues, for instance, can instantly make the space feel cosier and more domestic, while bold, dark walls, particularly when paired with light-colored furniture, will add a feeling of richness and sophistication.
Eliminate clutter
Decluttering is the second most popular decorating guideline. While getting rid of unneeded items can undoubtedly provide the impression that the area is cleaner, you must first choose the design you want to achieve. It becomes evident why this rule is not universal and why some people find too bland and uninspiring homes with too little decoration.
The quantity of decorative items you choose to include in your interior won’t matter if you have good organisational abilities as long as you can keep that “chaos” feeling natural and orderly. As a result, make an effort to develop a theme and highlight it with as many minor details as you like. There is nothing that should prevent you from breaching this interior design rule, even if this area will need extra upkeep and frequent dusting.
Aware of the materials
Carpets and rugs belong in the living room and bedroom, while wood and laminate floors have no place in the bathroom. Tiles belong in the kitchen or bathroom. We could go on and on listing to these ridiculous restrictions, but since we’re such rebels, we’ll instead tell you how to disregard them.
If you want to design a room that looks just stunning, you should go beyond the box when it comes to materials. Actually, you shouldn’t even keep the box; you won’t need it at all. Consider replacing the standard tile backsplash in your kitchen with washable vinyl wallpaper as an example. Replace your bathroom’s tile floors with hardwood flooring next, and for a truly fashionable and unexpected finishing touch, look through lovely hand-braided round rugs that will complement your bathroom’s design and give it a modern-rustic feel. If you want to add some fun and dynamic to the design of your home, you can also try layering carpets of various styles. So, regardless of what the guidelines indicate, feel free to use a given material if you think it will look well in a space.
Everything should be consistent
You’ll hear this advice frequently: choose matching furniture items to create a lovely atmosphere. Again, we can only disagree. While a space with coordinated furniture can look fantastic, it can occasionally seem lifeless.
Hence, if you dislike traditional style and enjoy breaking the norms, equip your home with mismatched furniture. Consider choosing chairs with varied heights and colours for the dining area; fabric-covered armchairs and couches for the living room; and different nightstands for the bedroom. You will create a cosy, domestic atmosphere by fusing the objects that appear to be at odds with one another, making everyone feel welcome.
The absence of norms would result in an unruly world. Yet, the one rule you should go by when creating and embellishing your own personal heaven is your heart.