There are hundreds of things to keep in mind while designing your home – from furniture to lighting and from paint swatches to artwork. Interior designers have seen hundreds of great and mediocre homes in their careers – and their dwellings often have a selection of well-thought-out ideas brought to life.
Here are some things you will never find in an interior designer’s own homes, let alone their clients!
Most people have a thing or two in their homes that have been around for generations. But good designers suggest starting with a clean slate and encouraging clients to part with as many items as possible. It is perfectly acceptable to hold on to heirloom pieces or antiques, which, often, most Goan homes possess. However, being attached to a bedside lamp from your college days or a rug gifted by a best friend that doesn’t match the aesthetics of your new space is a no-no.
Very few things can bring warmth and a sense of comfort to a room as a rug can – and there’s a lot that can go wrong with choosing a small rug. When you pick a rug for your space, try and get one that adds texture and colour to your room in the largest size possible. Small rugs tend to make your space look cramped, especially if your furniture cannot sit comfortably on it.
So, what can be done if you are absolutely in love with a rug that’s too small for the room? Well, layer it on top of the larger rug! Layering not only works in fashion but is a smart hack when it comes to interior designing too.
An accent wall (a wall painted a different colour) is an easy and stylish way to add colour to your home, but more can go wrong than right when taking on such an endeavour. It takes away from the room’s timeless appeal, especially if the homeowner possesses a classic, contemporary style preference. Remember, that there’s more to an accent wall than just paint – consider tiles, wallpaper, shelves, and other kinds of focal points such as artwork. The secret lies in choosing a colour that allows for decorative flexibility. Going metallic is a bold statement that interior designers love to experiment with. Take into consideration the shade of the other three walls of the room, the natural light, and room aesthetics before narrowing down on a colour.
Gone are the days when one’s furniture was part of a set – and the tables, chairs, sofas, and shelves looked identical in colour and texture. Interior designers experiment with furniture made from different kinds of wood, wrought iron, and more, in finishes such as leather, upholstery, and blends. A mix of different styles from different eras brings the room together beautifully. Here’s a trick that interior designers wouldn’t tell you – choose a limited colour palette so that while each piece looks like a standalone one, they all come together, unified by colour and consistency.
Lighting is an important part of the design process and while it may seem obvious, it is often neglected. In an interior designer’s home, one would never find only one source of light as this can be harsh and unflattering. Have a plethora of light sources and options to dim or brighten them – think floor lamps and table lamps, overhead bulbs, and natural light sources to make a space seem more inviting.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to designing your home. It pays to know a few do’s and don’ts when you’re getting your house redesigned, but at the same time, encourage your interior designer to test solutions and refine the options to find the right balance.
