The interior design industry is similar to the fashion industry in many ways. Catwalks and showrooms prepare us for the new season, with new collections, colors and the rise and fall of trends.
Just like in fashion, big changes can happen. From swapping high heels for trainers at work to opting for wide-leg jeans after years of wearing skinnies, some changes aren’t just fleeting trends, they’re era-defining design choices.
Important changes are occurring in the world of interior design trends. And we feel they will determine how we decorate for years to come.
We spoke to interior designers and industry experts to uncover the long-standing core design rules they’re currently breaking. And how this will pave the way for a new era of design…
1. Make every room as bright as possible
(Image credit: Little Green)
For a long time, we’ve been given uniform advice to make every room as open and airy as possible, making it as open and airy as possible. While this is a great idea for many rooms, some spaces will benefit more from embracing the dark side.
“A general rule you often see when it comes to painting your home is to avoid using dark shades in small rooms. While that may be true sometimes, this is one rule I wish more homeowners would break. ,” says Emily. said Kuntz, Sherwin-Williams Color Marketing Manager.
“One of the most common misconceptions is that you need bright, bright colors to make a small, dark space seem larger and more open,” says Jenna, one of the founders of Studio QD. Quinn says. “Contrary to this idea, using rich, deep hues to lean into the natural coziness of a dark space can actually create a more inviting and luxurious environment.”
“Dark walls and accents add depth and sophistication, turning what was considered a restriction into an opportunity for warmth and luxury,” adds Jena. “Instead of fighting the darkness, embrace it and see how the whole room uplifts.”
“Even in a small room, dark colors can actually create a beautiful and dramatic space if used wisely,” says Emily. “I love using bold, dark colors in guest bathrooms. It’s a safe room to experiment and allows guests to glimpse a more dramatic personality without affecting the rest of the home. .”
2. Furniture must match
(Image provided by Studio QD)
While it used to be advised that choosing perfectly matching furniture sets was the best way to a luxurious and purposefully designed space, this is no longer the case.
“It’s a myth that only matching sets will create a cohesive look. Spaces benefit from variety and individuality,” says Victoria Fletcher, senior buyer at Garden Trading.
“Clients are often nervous about furniture combinations and may choose the wrong sofa or matching armchair just to be on the safe side,” says Caroline Milnes, head of interior design at Zulufish. “Yet, the room feels more dynamic when the eye can perceive each piece as an individual moment.”
“This doesn’t mean each piece has to be a wildly different pattern or color; just mixing textures and vintages can create a distinctive space with pared-down tones.” continues Caroline. “Pairing vintage finds with contemporary pieces is a great way to convey aesthetic appeal.”
“For me, a room should tell a story and be visually appealing. Carefully selected furniture, artwork, and accessories are essential to providing a cozy and interesting space.” Caroline adds.
In this living room, a green buttoned sofa is paired with a patterned cream armchair, each piece having its own presence in the room, complementing each other and creating a focal point.
3. Choose one style and stick to it
(Image credit: Fenwick & Tilbrook)
Once upon a time, the idea of a “Scandinavian bedroom,” “midcentury living room,” or “industrial kitchen” was considered a starting point when designing a floor plan. This will ensure that all selected items will fit inside this. theme. This is a very good rule to break now, as decoration and styling has become more fluid and carefree.
“Don’t be afraid to mix old and new styles. Blending vintage and antique items with modern elements can add depth and interest to a space,” says Joe Plant, head of design at Pooky. I say.
In this space, Victorian-style cast iron column radiators sit beneath contemporary geometric art prints, creating a clear contrast of eclectic and fun style.
4. Be consistent in scale
(Image credit: Artteriors)
The basic principle of design is to match scale. This means keeping all the proportions of each part the same and proportional to each other.
However, playing with scale in interior design can help create a focal point, draw attention to certain features, and create a sense of luxury.
“The general advice is not to play with scale, but it’s another opportunity to make a room even better. Larger pieces can actually make a small space seem larger. In open-plan areas , oversized lighting helps define the space,” says Joe.
Here, an oversized architectural pendant lamp and an oversized table lamp bring definition to this living area, making it feel sophisticated and curated.
“Using a pared back tone allows you to create personality simply by mixing the scales of the pieces,” says Caroline.
In the monochrome scheme above, a large table lamp is placed on a relatively small side table, which looks almost like a statue, adding a sense of grandeur and elegance to the room.
5. Hang your artwork at eye level
(Image credit: Neptune)
Many of us, consciously or unconsciously, are imprinted with the idea that works of art must be placed at eye level when we are standing. Breaking this rule is an easy way to create a more fun and contemporary feel to your space.
“It’s an outdated concept that artwork should always be hung at eye level,” says Lauren Gilbert Thorpe, creative director of Lauren Gilbert Thorpe Interiors. “Why not have some fun and play with height?” Arranging art at different levels can create a more dynamic and visually interesting gallery wall. Alternatively, leaning a large piece against a wall or displaying it on a shelf can add a relaxed yet curated feel to your space,” adds Lauren.
Think about where you are most likely to be when looking at the artwork. If it’s on your dining table, could you lower the gallery wall so you and your guests can see your favorite piece up close while sitting down to dinner? Or make the most of your high ceilings? Can I use it to display artwork all the way to the top of the wall?
This is a great way to form a more creative and experimental home that is unique and individual.
6. Avoid using wallpaper in the kitchen
(Image credit: Shani Core, Matt Horton)
It has long been considered that wallpaper cannot be used in the kitchen. The main reason for this is that there is a risk of paper splatters and irreversible stains.
But thanks to modern technology, this is a rule that designers are willing to break. “Wallpaper is back in a big way, and one of my favorite design rules to break is ‘no wallpaper in the kitchen,'” says Shani Core of Shani Core Interiors.
“New wallpaper manufacturing techniques using washable materials mean wallpaper can be used in any room and can be used as a backsplash, as I did here, instead of typical tile or stone.” she says.
The kitchen above feels more like a comfortable room to relax than just a place to cook, thanks to the wallpaper. If you have already selected the wallpaper and it is not specially formulated for the kitchen, just apply a protective sealant over the design and you are ready to go.
In interior design, rules are made to be broken. In fact, some of the best spaces are probably created by ignoring the old school rules that everyone intuitively follows. Do what’s best for you and your space, even if it means going against the safety net.
