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: Use a Busy Paint Scheme - If you look at homes designed in the 80s and 90s, you will likely notice the tendency to use bold, dark colors, often varying the paint scheme from room to room. This trend has all but died in modern times, and for good reason. Bold walls can be overly distracting, and changing the color scheme between rooms can make for jarring transitions.
Do: Go For More Subtle Colors - A home is almost always easier on the eyes when it has a soft, comfortable color scheme. Subtle, earthy grays and beiges are very popular modern choices. Walls with subtle colors are able to fade into the background, drawing the attention to the main decorations. Unassuming, consistent colors will complement the main elements instead of taking the spotlight away from them.
Don't: Think Everything has to Match Exactly - While maintaining a consistent tone and theme is a good idea, not everything has to be exactly the same color or style. That can make a room blend together too much, becoming a blob of wood, or white, or what have you. Lack of variety in a design scheme can be just as bad as one that is too inconsistent.
Do: Accent and Compliment Your Design Scheme - Variety is what makes life interesting. While you should be careful not to let the color scheme and styles go out of control, you should also not be afraid to add some splashes of accent and color. The materials should work together, but not match absolutely. Try using colored cushions and curtains to accent your furniture and windows, and use different, but compatible, styles of furniture instead of thinking you have to buy the whole matching set.
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: Use Tacky Decor - Your home should reflect your personality and history, but there comes a point where certain design trends should be left in the decade they came from. Some older items might have sentimental value, but there are some things that are just plain tacky in this day and age. I'm looking at you, lava lamp.
Do: Make it Personal - The key is balance. There is a line between tacky and personal. There may be a need for some trial and error to discover what works together and what does not. But if you have items that fall into the category of tacky that you simply cannot bear to part with, at least refrain from displaying them in a prominent position. For instance, if you have to hang that mounted trophy buck somewhere, it would be better off in your den than it would be over the dinner table.
Don't: Use a Busy Paint Scheme - If you look at homes designed in the 80s and 90s, you will likely notice the tendency to use bold, dark colors, often varying the paint scheme from room to room. This trend has all but died in modern times, and for good reason. Bold walls can be overly distracting, and changing the color scheme between rooms can make for jarring transitions.
Do: Go For More Subtle Colors - A home is almost always easier on the eyes when it has a soft, comfortable color scheme. Subtle, earthy grays and beiges are very popular modern choices. Walls with subtle colors are able to fade into the background, drawing the attention to the main decorations. Unassuming, consistent colors will complement the main elements instead of taking the spotlight away from them.
Don't: Think Everything has to Match Exactly - While maintaining a consistent tone and theme is a good idea, not everything has to be exactly the same color or style. That can make a room blend together too much, becoming a blob of wood, or white, or what have you. Lack of variety in a design scheme can be just as bad as one that is too inconsistent.
Do: Accent and Compliment Your Design Scheme - Variety is what makes life interesting. While you should be careful not to let the color scheme and styles go out of control, you should also not be afraid to add some splashes of accent and color. The materials should work together, but not match absolutely. Try using colored cushions and curtains to accent your furniture and windows, and use different, but compatible, styles of furniture instead of thinking you have to buy the whole matching set.
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: Use Tacky Decor - Your home should reflect your personality and history, but there comes a point where certain design trends should be left in the decade they came from. Some older items might have sentimental value, but there are some things that are just plain tacky in this day and age. I'm looking at you, lava lamp.
Do: Make it Personal - The key is balance. There is a line between tacky and personal. There may be a need for some trial and error to discover what works together and what does not. But if you have items that fall into the category of tacky that you simply cannot bear to part with, at least refrain from displaying them in a prominent position. For instance, if you have to hang that mounted trophy buck somewhere, it would be better off in your den than it would be over the dinner table.
About the Author:
It's much simpler to come up with a great design if you have a gorgeous home to start with. And a brand new home can be a clean slate. For new homes in Washington, be sure to stop by SeaPacHomes.com.
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