Life, style

Nov 25, 2015

We’ve checked in with a host of interior designers to see what’s trending and put together an edit of their top tips for turning your home into a contemporary style sanctuary.

Harness the power of 3 – three is most definitely a magic number when it comes to design – as are odd numbers in general. Grouping odd numbers of items – flowers in a vase, candles or framed pictures – invites the eye to move around the display, creating a level of visual interest that even-numbered arrangements can’t compete with.

Celebrate your ceiling – ironically, ceilings are often overlooked. Plain old white with a touch of detail on the cornicing is usually about as exciting as it gets. Creating a statement ceiling by painting, papering or even adding a mural can give a room an instant lift. If you’ve got a large space, painting the ceiling in a dark colour can make it feel more intimate, while metallic paints or faux tin tiles conjure an art deco look.

Hand-finished wallpaper – for the ultimate in luxe decorative papering, why not do a feature wall in something hand-painted on silk. It can be more expensive by the roll, but one wall will be enough to give the wow-factor. If you’re on a budget, try using regular wallpaper in unexpected places – to line shelving and drawers for example. This is a subtler, cheaper way to introduce a statement pattern into your scheme.

Two-tone walls – if you live in a new-build, chances are your home may not have many architectural features. Why not try painting some in? You could go for a two-tone wall that changes colour at dado rail height, as shown here, or have a different colour starting at picture rail height and continue onto the ceiling to add height.

70/30 split – this ratio is a handy trick for getting your proportions right and balancing different styles within the same space. Give a room character by decorating around 70% of it in a particular style, then do the last 30% in a contrasting style. Give your contemporary room a little more depth by introducing some wonderful antique pieces, or vice versa.

 

Fresh inspiration for 2020

Bold monochromatics Swap faux plants for real
Dark painted doors European inspired furniture
Earth tones Mix old & new décor
Rattan & wicker chairs Use darker colours on walls
Fun bathroom designs – patterned wallpaper Mix your metals
Swap chairs for benches