Rejuvenating your home for the long, lazy days of summer can be as simple as switching up the colour palette on your couch cushions, but for interior design that makes a big splash this summer, try breaking these 6 rules – and have fun.
Windows Must Have Treatments
Summer is all about natural light and to make the most of yours, it might be time to get rid of those boring window treatments. If over-sized windows are a stunning feature of your property, consider showcasing them, instead of hiding them away this summer.
Think classic Scandi-style, with bare windows and clean lines. If there is a beautiful view to enjoy beyond the glass – even better. By making the outside environment your artwork to display, you help create a friendly flow between indoors and outdoors.
Never Mix Patterns
It’s a well-known directive but for a fresh, funky feel to your home this summer season, it’s also a great one to break. Mixing patterns is a fun way to add new life to a dull room. That doesn’t mean you can make anything work, of course. Try limiting you colour pallette to three colours and play around with scale and angles. Cushions, rugs, curtains and artwork can all be part of your experimentation to add a touch of summer fun to your living space.
Don’t Combine Eras
The idea of sticking to just one era of interior design is limiting and the truth is that, with some careful consideration, different eras can be represented in the one space – with stunning style. Classic, much-loved antiques can sit side-by-side with contemporary pieces and can add a curated touch to your space – the perfect way to show-off individual taste and personality. Just be careful not to overdo it. By ensuring there is one common connection between cross-generational items, you can make it work.
Plain Ceilings
When it comes to painting ceilings, the usual choice is between white and neutrals. This summer, though, incorporating patterns (imagine adding stripes to a playful living space) can transform your room with unique style. Choosing a pop of bright colour to paint your ceiling with can also add some fun. Just think carefully, though. Any painting is a time-consuming and costly job and not one you’ll want to redo in a hurry. Choose a colour that compliments key furniture/artwork/soft furnishings to add new life, without refurbishing every aspect of your interior design.
Reduce clutter
Less might be more but sometimes more is just more interesting.
Finding lovely ways to show off items that are meaningful for you – including travel mementos, photos and other sentimental souvenirs – adds life to your home. Look for commonality between different items, either with colour, materials, or theme and get playful.
Too much clutter is not what we’re advocating (and who wants to dust too many things?) but having multiple items on display in key areas or your home can have a big impact and add a personal touch to your property.
Small Rooms Should Never be Painted in Dark/Bright Colours
The old advice has always been that light colours make small rooms appear bigger.
That might be true in general terms but, depending on natural light and orientation, pale colours can make rooms feel unwelcoming and cold.
Selecting brighter or darker shades can be a positive decision for your small space. Think carefully before settling – but be prepared to have fun with it. If it really is a small space, re-doing it a couple of years from now won’t be too much hassle and that small room of yours might even be the perfect place for regular season spruce-ups that add a fresh excitement to your space.
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