For anyone new to the interior design world, it can be easy to stay loyal to the conservative “rules” of design. There’s nothing wrong with sticking with a traditional look, however, bending and even breaking rules allows you to express yourself through the decor of your home. At the end of the day, interior design is all about being able to find pieces you love and incorporate them into your home. Focus on this, and by the end of this article you will be ready to mix your brass and chrome kitchen finishes and layer prints like a pro.
1. Mixing metals. Just because you have stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, doesn’t mean you should be scared of mixing metals. There is nothing wrong with pairing chrome sink hardware with stainless steel appliances. This adds a cool modern vibe and can take your kitchen to the next level.
2. Don’t place big furniture in a small room. It may seem a little odd to place big furniture in a tiny room, but having extra small furniture in a small room won’t make your space feel larger. I suggest incorporating one or two bigger pieces like a large sofa and a large accent mirror. A large sofa is comfy and inviting while an oversized accent mirror reflects light and gives the illusion of a bigger, more open space.
3. Hang your art. This is a rule that should definitely be broken! Leaning art against a wall or layering it on a floating shelf is a great way to bring a bohemian vibe into your space! It can be very chic—you just have to trust in your vision! Take it a step further and bring in unique statues or other forms of standing art.
4. Don’t paint the ceiling. This is one tip I break in almost every project. I love painted or wallpapered ceilings because it makes any space feel bold and stylish. If you go for a print, choose one what matches the scale of the room. Since adding color or texture to the ceiling is already a bold statement, I suggest sticking to a simple color or soft pattern to keep the room from getting too busy.
5. Furniture styles should always match. Having a completely matching furniture set is a thing of the past! Forgetting this rule gives you the ultimate flexibility when buying furniture. Go ahead, mix a traditional dining table with funky, modern chairs! The key here is to make sure your furniture still has some common ground. Your furniture can all be a similar shape or you can tie them together with identical throw pillows or a beautiful table runner.
