Why You Should Ignore Interior Design ‘Rules’
| An excellent decorator understands that ignoring the ‘generic’ rules of interior design can help create interiors that are personalized, welcoming, creative, and unique. It is said that interior design is about breaking typical design rules, in order to create ‘trends. What is the best way to establish your interior decorating style? Well, the “Style & Error” technique is a fundamental method of solving problems, especially in design and interior decorating. “Style & Error” means consistent application and varied attempts, until you find a style that is just right. You must not expect this to be a finite or static thing either… the “Style & Error” operation will continue to develop and be implemented throughout your life. Each new phase in life or new property will force your hand to reinvent your ideas on style. This is the ridiculously fun part so embrace it! For interior designers, there is no set of rules to follow. Indeed, violating rules of interior design can create depth, character, a sense of novelty and a mix of traditions. Decor Aid, an interior designer, says that if you break a certain rule of interior design, you can find a pattern that works best for you and your space. Depending on the circumstances, it might seem you have an open palette to decorate with. Do you want your living room to look like a room you’ve seen in magazines or like a collection of your favorite Pinterest pictures? The truth is that perfect interior design is created by a set of rules that create interesting, memorable and fascinating interiors. Basic elements such as proportions, deciding on the best furniture size for your room and colour choices are crucial before you start decorating your home. In today’s world of social media, we are used to seeing reams of photos from renovation magazines, Pinterest and Instagram, and although it looks simple, there are a lot of thoughts and steps that make a room both ‘functional’ and ‘aesthetically pleasing’. Colour can be the hardest part of a room to get right, and interior design fans are right. Regardless of what your personal aesthetic looks like and what your room should look like, you can use the 60 / 30 / 10 rule to ensure that your color palette stays in balance. This is a classic decor rule that helps create a color palette for a space. It reinforces that 60% of the room should be a dominant color, 30% should be the secondary color or texture and the last 10% should be an accent. You don’t have to go to a fancy school of interior design to learn that bright colors create the illusion of space, but rules for interior design are the reason why there are several white and light gray painted rooms in the world. We generally intend to make a room look ‘bigger’ or to at least allow it to be reflective of its spaciousness. Mirrors provide light and depth, making a room appear longer by enlarging the space and reflecting the view. They not only bring light, depth and space, but also reflect the gaze, which is the ‘hero’ of any room, whilst also increasing practicality, especially for bathrooms and bedrooms. Remember that black flooring or walls can make a room look smaller. Carpets, rugs and curtains help anchor a room, and they are a great way to add color, texture and softness. Remember that carpet should not be tapestries and should never be placed against walls or windows. Take curtains up the entire wall to give the room a softness and a sense of space. While this particular rule of interior design is not set in stone, the problem is that some designers are afraid to be ‘too bold’. For example, combine an Argyle rug with an animal-themed sofa. In this case, it is best to do without the carpet altogether and get something white, for example. Throw the interior design out the window and opt for an unexpected choice. Be different. The idea is to mix textures throughout the room to create an eclectic feel that varies with each piece of furniture. Continue these themes throughout your home or space. The living room could be painted blue, with a touch of blue in the hallway and with blue ergonomic office chairs in the study. Take with you your measurements when you go shopping for furniture and take into consideration the size of each item in relation to each other and the size of the room. Use of different materials is also something to consider. For example, if you have a timber facade you may also look to purchase some wood carvings or statues to match. It is important you don’t neglect your backyard, if you have a lot of wooden furniture throughout your home, consider a timber feature wall in the garden. Keeping your timber looking youthful can also make a difference, products like a timber oil or protector can ensure your timber preserves its value, so that you can take it along with you to the next home you design or sell it. The size of the furniture in a small space has the potential to create a cozy, homely effect in a room. You can fill a very small room with only small pieces of furniture, but that only makes the room smaller. Rounded corner elements such as rounded carpets and shelves, rounded corners and rounded furniture such as office stools can help soften the sharp edges of a room. Every room must have at least one statement or heroic piece that surprises people and has an impact on the room, explains interior design expert, Heal. This can be an oversized piece of furniture, a bold colour, a fabulous carpet or a piece of art on the wall that guests comment on as they enter the room. A statement piece could be a piece of furniture in a bold colour, a remarkable carpet or a work of art. Ultimately, design with your heart, not your mind or with any pre-conceived judgments on what makes a design right or wrong. Be unapologetically, YOU. |