Interior Design Choices - Practical vs Impractical
We all want a comfortable, functional, beautifully designed home, and this is often a difficult balance to achieve. While some may prefer practicality over aesthetic, it is possible to go too far, culminating in a functional yet cold and unwelcoming environment. Conversely, a highly stylish home can be unsuitable for busy family life - some design choices may look stunning but are highly unsuitable for some settings. In light of this, here are some designs to avoid and some to consider for your home.
Avoid - Wallpaper In Bathrooms
Although wallpaper is a fantastic way to add personality and texture to a space, one room of the house it shouldn’t be used in is the bathroom. Regardless of how high-quality your wallpaper and paste are, bathrooms are typically moist, steamy rooms. Due to these damp conditions, moisture will become trapped behind your wallpaper, allowing mould, mildew and bacteria to thrive.
Consider - Feature Walls
Speaking of personality and texture, a feature wall can truly liven up an otherwise neutral room. Whether you opt for a pop of contrasting colour with paint or wallpaper, or a gallery wall with artwork and photographs, a feature wall can define the atmosphere of any room. The beauty of this design choice is when you fancy a change, you won’t need to redecorate the entire room.
Avoid - Extreme Maximalism
Many of us are rejecting the simplicity of minimalism in favour of eclectic maximalism. While this style of interior design is bursting with colour, history and character, it can be highly impractical. For those who despise dusting, hoards of trinkets and oddities become a burden rather than an interesting talking point. If you do enjoy having your curios visible, consider a display cabinet.
Consider - Floating Furniture
Despite what you might think, pushing your living room furniture against the walls to make a space appear larger could have the opposite effect. Living rooms should be designed with socialisation in mind, so moving your furniture away from the wall could create a more convivial atmosphere. Floating furniture allows for better traffic flow and creates a cosy conversation area, perfect for hosting guests and quality family time.
Avoid - All-White Decor
When done right, all-white decor can look exceptionally chic and sophisticated. Crisp white bedsheets are excellent for making you feel as though you’re staying in a high-end hotel, and white walls provide, quite literally, a blank canvas for whatever decoration you like. That said, white is easily stained and quickly becomes discoloured, making your bright, spotless interior appear dull and dated.
Consider - Space-Saving Furniture
Small environments can be challenging in terms of functionality. While we’d all love a spacious home, large properties invariably come with a hefty price tag. However, there are numerous innovative items of furniture you can consider to make the most of the space you have. For instance, extending dining tables, nesting coffee tables and fold-out desks are excellent solutions for bijoux homes.
Avoid - Floating Staircases
The sleek, contemporary design of a floating staircase may look impressive, but they may not be suitable for a family home or for those with decreased mobility or visual impairments. While floating staircases do comply with UK building regulations, you may want to reconsider if you have small children around the house.
Consider - Soft Lighting
Harsh, overhead lighting can play havoc with those susceptible to migraines and eye strain. Not only that, but harsh lighting can cheapen an environment and create unsightly shadows. To avoid this, opt for multiple smaller light sources, such as lamps and candles, for a relaxing, warm atmosphere with overlapping pools of soft light.
Avoid - Theme Rooms
Your kids may be begging you for a themed room - perhaps their favourite movie or video game. However, as much as they love it right now, in a few months' time, it could be a completely different story. This doesn’t just apply to children - if you’re prone to ever-changing tastes and preferences, steer clear of themed interiors.
Consider - Colour Theory
To create beautiful, coherent interiors, you may want to do some research on colour theory. Your desired aesthetic and atmosphere can be achieved by selecting the right colour palette featuring hues that evoke different emotions. For example, if you want your office area to feel like a productive and creative environment, consider navy blues and deep forest greens.