A bold interior design can express your personality and make your home truly unique. Getting started with a vibrant and interesting interior design can be overwhelming. There are many facets of the design to consider when you're trying to put together a cohesive and functional home interior. Interior design trends have also changed in the last several years, so if you're trying to update an interior space, it's hard to know what to prioritize as you move forward.
Working with a licensed Connecticut contractor to help with your project is key to ensuring that your home remodel will be professional and beautiful. As you get started with your project, knowing how to choose colors, textures and a focal point in your room is important. Following the tips below can help.
Choose an Intentional Color Palette
The feeling and mood of the room you're standing in is dramatically affected by the colors. Probably most people have read about the psychology of color - cool colors create a calming, peaceful feeling, while warm colors excite passion.
There's more to choosing a color palette, and establishing an ambiance, than deciding whether to use warm or cool colors. Most homeowners will select a color palette made up of two or more neutrals, plus one or two accent colors to create a statement.
Making a color palette can be complicated. You can use an online palette generator, or work with an interior designer to choose the color palette that's most appropriate for your home. Some tips:
- Paint samples. Always paint a sample on your walls before making the final color selection. Sometimes swatches at the paint store look very different from the actual paint that you apply to your walls.
- Consider room size and natural light. Whether to use dark or light colors depends on the size of the room, how much natural light the room is exposed to and other variables. Darker colors are a better fit for larger rooms, while lighter colors can help make small rooms feel more airy.
- Pay attention to room layers. While you can certainly choose different colors for each room of the house, it's important to consider that from some vantage points, you'll be able to see multiple rooms through open doorways. Avoid combining colors that clash across multiple rooms.
Consider Texture
Texture is just as important as color. Varying textures from one surface to another helps keep the eye moving around the room, and can also establish the mood of the space. The materials that you use in your home will greatly impact texture. Natural textures including stone and wood help create a laid-back, timeless quality, while smooth, glossy textures add to a sleek, modern appearance.
Use a Statement Piece
A statement piece is one piece that's inserted into a space to stand out and draw the eye. Some interior designers may call the statement piece the "focal point." A statement piece can be a colorful rug, a piece of art, or even a couch or chair.
Some general tips when incorporating a statement piece into a room:
- Include only one statement piece.
- Incorporate the statement piece into the holistic vision for the space. Coordinate the statement piece with the room's color palette and textures to ensure that the piece both stands out and also is a part of a larger overall design.
- Consider a piece that is timeless. Since the whole room design will likely be built around the statement piece, it's important to avoid installing a statement piece that is too trendy, or you may find yourself replacing the piece (and other things within the room) on a regular basis.
Create Contrast for Maximum Impact
High contrast creates drama and visual interest to make your interior space more compelling. There are many ways to create high contrast in a space. Consider installing dark hardwood floors that contrast against light walls, or dark floors and walls that contrast with light furnishings. These conspicuous pairings can make a big impact in your space.
Embrace Maximalism
"Maximalism" is a word that you hear from time to time if you're paying attention to interior design trends. Maximalism is very much what it sounds like: it's the opposite of minimalism. Maximalist designs often feature a chaotic and even messy combination of patterns, colors, textures and objects. This type of design can give your space a cozy, lived-in quality that contrasts sharply with the austerity of minimalism.
Going full-on maximalist may not be something that you're prepared to do, but you can still take a page from the maximalist book to incorporate clashing patterns and colors that create a surprising visual landscape.
Maximalism is a way of letting loose, bringing together items that you like and want to see in your interior spaces. Interior spaces don't have to be perfect, they need to express your personality. Sometimes, the best way to do that is by making some messy, unruly design choices.
Explore Interesting Fixtures and Finishes
Consider out of the ordinary light fixtures and interesting hardware choices to give your room an artful quality. Copper finishes, for example, add warmth and elegance to your kitchen space while a unique pendant light hung above your kitchen island may offer a glimpse into your unique personality.
Hire the Right Design Team for Your Upcoming Connecticut Remodel
A quality remodel with bold interior designs needs the right design team. If a unique design is very important, you may need to work with an architect or interior designer to get the look just right. You'll also need the right contractor for the job. To find a contractor for your upcoming remodel, take a look at the Litchfield Builder's guide to hiring the right Connecticut contractor for the job.
