Friday, September 5, 2014

Dos And Don'ts Of Interior Design

By Joanne Jones


It is true that interior design is a matter of taste. What looks good to one person might not be appealing to another. Most people want their home to be stylish, providing a pleasant atmosphere for both the residents and visitors. Your home decor should be a reflection of your personality, but there are certain design techniques that are flat out bad choices. This article will discuss some of the techniques you should not use, as well as some more appealing alternatives.

Don't: Draw Too Much Attention to the Paint - The homes of the 80s and 90s had a very distinct style of using dark, bold colors for the walls. In many cases, the paint scheme would differ in each room. Thankfully, in modern times, this trend has been all but done away with. Boldly-colored walls can be a distraction, drawing more attention than they should. And homes with drastically-shifting paint schemes can make moving from room to room jarring.

Do: Use Subtle, Natural Shades - Instead of bold colors, you will likely be pleased with lighter, earthy shades that coordinate throughout the house. The walls are there to serve as a backdrop to the main decorations, not steal the spotlight. Light shades of gray and beige are some of the most commonly-found modern colors. They can have a relaxing effect on the eye, and will not draw more attention than they deserve.

Don't: Make Everything Match Too Much - While it is important that an interior design scheme maintains a level of consistency, there is also a point where it becomes too much. If you use just one color or material, it can quickly make the room become bland. For instance, just because the coffee table is one type of wood does not mean that the shelving has to match it exactly. An overly-focused scheme can be as bad as an unfocused one.

Do: Add Color and Accent - The key is balancing variety with compatibility. While you want to keep the number of materials and colors in check, do not hesitate to accent the room with flourishes of color and personality. Try adding brighter accents with the secondary elements of the room. The couch might be one color, but you can spice it up with brighter cushions. And do not think that you have to buy the whole set of furniture. If you find that chairs from a different set work with your couch, by all means, go for it.

Don't: Use Carpet in the Bathroom - This is design 101. Carpet in the bathroom is widely agreed upon to be a bad idea. Anywhere there is running water, there is the chance of leaks, and that can lead to a very expensive disaster. Carpets can absorb and retain a lot of water, which can quickly lead to rot and mildew problems if you are regularly stepping on it getting out of the shower.

Do: Use Easy to Clean Surfaces - Tile is the most popular type of bathroom flooring for good reason. It is durable and easy to clean. The choice of tile is up to you. Some types are more water-resistant and easier to install than others, but they each have their advantages.

Don't: Make Things Tacky - There is plenty of room for variety, irony, and personality in a design scheme. But there is also a line of tackiness that you should take care not to cross. Some items went out of style long ago and do not work in modern designs. Other items have been tacky from the get-go. If you have to question a decision, it is probably the wrong one.

Do: Add Some Personality - The line between personalized and cheesy is a fine one. You might have to go through a process of trial and error to find the perfect balance of decorations. If you are going to display items of questionable style, you at least do not want them in one of the main areas of the house. For example, that mounted trophy buck is better suited to your home office or den than it would be over the dinner table, staring at an uncomfortable guest just trying to enjoy a meal.




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