Interior Design Rules to Break
Blue and green should never been seen, or should they? We’ve seen this classic fashion faux pas, as well as many others like it repeatedly broken by the fashion industry. And just like in fashion, interior design is full of “rules” that can be outdated, or dare I say, a little boring. I mean, aren’t rules meant to be broken (unless we’re talking double denim. I’m still not on board with this one #sorrynotsorry).
So what are some of the classic interior design rules that you should consider breaking? Read on for my top 5!
Mixing Timber Colours
No longer do you need to pick just one timber colour and stick with that throughout your entire home. In fact, I would encourage you not to. A bit of variety in timber tones is what will add depth to your space and prevent your home from looking flat and matchy-matchy. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say you should mix ALL the wood colours, I would encourage you to pick up to 2 to 3 complimentary toned timbers to play with. This could look like blonde timber flooring paired with a deep, ashy stained dining table and bleached driftwood dining chairs. Or maybe walnut cabinetry paired with light oak timber flooring. Even a more subtle mix of similar wood tones like American oak and blackbutt can create interest in a very cohesive way.
So how do you know what are complimentary toned timbers? Finding timbers that pair well together is easier than you think when you follow a few steps.
Step 1: Identify what the dominant wood tone is in your space.
This will generally be found in one of your significant finishes like flooring, cabinetry or the largest piece of timber furniture in the room.
Step 2: Identify the undertones.
Just like pairing paint colours, timbers with matching undertones often pair together beautifully. Once you have identified the dominant wood tone in your space, take a closer look and determine what the undertone is. Is it a warm, neutral or cool undertone?
Step 3: Pair your supplementary pieces with timbers within this undertone family.
Once you have established the dominant undertone, pairing other timber items, such as coffee tables, dining chairs and décor with the same undertone, will ensure your space remains visually interesting and cohesive.
Matching Furniture Suites
While I’m not one to judge if you’ve found a furniture suite you love and decided to buy every piece from it (we’ve all been there. Yes, even I have fallen victim to this long, long ago), but having every piece of furniture in a room that is the same colour, material and style is, well, boring. This much matching creates a space that lacks personality or variety and can make your home feel more like a furniture showroom (and not the good kind).
Instead choosing pieces that differ but still complement each other through small moments of similarity, such as tone, shape or style, is one of the best ways to create harmony in a space. Be sure to have an overarching style throughout a space but leave room to mix up your furniture pieces.
Mixing Metal Colours
Just as with timber, metal colours can also be mixed. I personally love mixing metal colours throughout a home and often even within the same room. Metals are like jewellery for your space that can be used to enhance the look of other finishes, draw attention to design features or simply be the feature themselves. While certain spaces call for matching metals and a more streamlined look, I also love to mix metals to create dimension and interest. So what is the best way to mix metals in your space?
Step 1: Select your primary and accent metal colours.
Firstly, it is best to limit the number of different metals used to two or three. Be sure to nominate one as the primary colour and any others to be used as accent colours only. Just like in colour theory, you want metals to be applied in a ratio of approx. 70-30 or 60-30-10, if using three.
Step 2: Contrast your undertones.
Yep, you read that right! Forget what you just learnt about timber and experiment with pairing warm and cool toned metals. Unlike when mixing timber colours, pairing warm and cool undertones, such as brass and nickel, can actually create a sense of balance and richness. When incorporating a third metal colour to a space ensure you use a neutral colour, such as black or white to avoid a competition for attention. Alternatively, use a third colour to bridge the gap between two very different metals (such as polished chrome and aged copper) with a finish that is somewhere in the middle (such as brushed chrome).
Step 3: Contrast the finishes of your chosen metals.
Contrasting soft with shiny adds interest and depth, for example, mixing a brushed or matt finish with satin or polished. In particular, try to avoid mixing two polished finishes like polished brass with polished chrome as they can compete for attention, look blingy or even look like a mistake. Instead choose finishes that contrast, such as brushed brass and polished nickel or matt black and polished chrome etc.
Avoiding Dark Colours in Small Spaces
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know that I am a fan of a moody space and there are a few locations that just scream to be darkened even when your overall style is a little lighter. Areas such as powder rooms, office nooks or butler’s pantries can make a big statement when a dark tone is applied. In fact, these rooms can often be most impactful when deliberately created to be a special design moment.
Often people are afraid to use dark colours in small spaces as they think this will make the room feel smaller when actually, dark colours can blur boundaries and conceal corners, making the room appear larger while creating the perception of depth. When done right, a deep, rich colour can make a small space incredibly dramatic and sophisticated in ways that an airy, bright colour never could. To create extra drama and impact, select lighter timbers and fittings that will pop against the darker wall.
Clashing Patterns
A variety of patterns doesn’t have to mean a busy, unpolished space. It can actually give a room movement and character and can be achieved by simply incorporating a few cushions or a throw with contrasting patterns. Mixing different patterns can also provide the opportunity to try out various styles you might not have traditionally combined, and because mixing patterns can be done easily through soft furnishing and décor pieces, you can continually experiment with new styles and patterns without breaking the bank. The secret to making sure mismatched decor doesn't feel too messy or jarring is to keep patterns in the same colour family and vary the scales. A large scale and smaller scale print will complement each other nicely, whereas two large scale prints can compete for attention.
I hope you are now feeling inspired to break a few rules but if instead you are feeling unsure where to even start on your renovation or new build planning, then get in touch to book in for a free discovery phone call to discuss how we can help you with your project.