Design Tips for Chic & Stylish Interiors
Designing a stylish interior can be a tough but rewarding journey. Whether you’re an interior design veteran or a newbie looking for tips, the journey to shaping your space is unique and subjective.
These professional tips, trialled and used, will help you create a balanced, cohesive space that exudes personality and chicness.
A Tonal Approach
Depending on your taste and how new you are to colour theory, it would be advisable to go with colours that match the mood you want the space to exude.
Warmer tones invite comfort, and darker hues inspire a more centred space like a study—perfect for rainy-day ruminations.
A discernible colour palette is an easy way of combining a space’s many components and elements, grounding it with a family of tones.
Mix-N-Match
When executed well, the juxtaposition of contemporary and traditional furniture can shape a space to make it feel agelessly chic and fresh.
Browsing antique furniture stores is a sure way of finding remarkable pieces for a small fraction of the price. Some great finds can accent even the most contemporary of interiors. If you’re fortunate, you may even stumble upon a Persian rug or an aged-leather Chesterfield.
Dare to be bold
Of course, there’s style in boldness. A palette doesn’t necessarily have to dance along the same spectrum of colours to present cohesion and pleasantness to the eye. Bold, striking, vibrant prints that clash and seemingly argue can make a space feel multidimensional and layered.
When patchwork textiles, bright ceramics and disagreeing wood grains meet, the space can constantly teeter on the balance of loudness. This power struggle can create depth and movement.
For those who find balance in all these varying components, their space could be seen as a work of art to those who get to share it.
Make it Feel Like You
The very essence of style stems from personality. A space that lacks personality will lack substance, soul, and style.
Incorporate personal items, whether the ceramic fruit bowl from your summer vacation in Sicily or the patinated elephant with the soft blue-green hue that reminds you of Southeast Asia.
Never underestimate the value of the personal touch when decorating; it’s what makes a space feel like home.
Style With Clutter
I think it’s fair to say that going down the minimalist route is arguably easier than filling a space with hoards of vases, plants, throws, cushions, candle holders, lampshades, bookcases and hundreds of other possible display pieces.
However, by knowing your space, understanding its dimensions and having the patience to carefully angle, adjust and jig, you can very well create styled order from cluttery chaos.
For example, a teak wood coffee table could be adorned by a triplet of books detailing Venetian art, centred by a blue and white ming vase sitting next to a pot of white orchids. Patterned drapes, geometric rugs and a sofa with a cashmere throw – all in neural, muted tones – can assist in grounding the room. Accents of brights, such as oranges, yellows and cobalt blues, can be dotted about the space in the form of lampshades, books, striped cushion covers and framed canvas wall art.
Asymmetrical Movement
Although the human eye indeed finds symmetry pleasing, it’s also true that asymmetrical spaces, when styled correctly, are equally as appreciated. By manipulating abstract curves and shapes, a space can be given an almost free-flowing rhythm to its interior dimensions, allowing those within it to float through the room.
Designing your interior to be asymmetrical is an excellent way of adopting stylish organic patterns and natural forms.
Get the Lighting Right
Understanding how lighting can create balance within a space is necessary for getting the most out of it. Each type of lighting serves its purpose in ensuring harmony.
There’s usually a conscious design choice when installing certain fixtures, lampshades and lightbulbs. All lighting aspects, whether artificial or natural, should consider functionality and stylistic preferences.
A well-lit room can assist in creating focal points and guide eyes to points of interest, such as antique oil paintings or statement piece sculptures.
To Wrap Things Up
As we’ve explored, there are countless ways to create a chic interior. One approach may favour the bold clashing of varying colours and prints, another the asymmetry mimicking the organic forms of nature. Your personal tastes may lead to creating balance, having your space adopt the sensibilities of harmonious hues and tones.
Whatever school of design you believe is stylish, however you choose to pair traditional and contemporary furniture, the key tip to take away is that personality and subjective tastes, when incorporated with reason and creative philosophy, can help create an inspiringly stylish space.
