Interior designers know better than anyone that it is the small touches that add up to big results. Regardless of the space or the vibe you are seeking to cultivate, certain rules remain steadfast across the board. And interior designers know these tips and tricks to really make their rooms pop.
Here are seven interior design secrets that make a big impact.
Curved Edges
The overwhelming dominance of the mid-century modern aesthetic has all but banished curved edges to the netherworld. However, groovy trends reminiscent of the 70’s and even 80’s are increasingly popular for livening up stodgy interior spaces.
The best part about curved edges is that you can use them with a light hand. You don’t need to run out and purchase a funky couch or spiral staircase to fit in.
For example, you can easily spice up a standard living room mirror by opting for a completely circular piece as opposed to your standard square or rectangle shapes. It’s as easy as that to add intrigue to a room.
Coffee tables, arm chairs, and lamps are great candidates for funkification, too. Use your imagination, and don’t be afraid to go vintage for these pieces.
Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are not exactly a “secret” but they are grossly underutilized in the grand scheme of making spaces feel unique. They are often thrown in as space fillers or just something to distract the eye, but they can be as bold and as eye catching as your imagination allows.
And do not limit yourself to the traditional conception of a “throw pillow,” either. There are plenty of beautiful body pillows that can span the length of a couch or loveseat while simultaneously providing aesthetic appeal and lumbar support!
Blinds
Blinds are another underutilized element of interior design. While they might not have a dramatic impact at initial glance, blinds affect the way filters throughout the entirety of your room. They can be powerful tools to your advantage—or your detriment if neglected.
Classic white, stodgy old blinds can elicit images of sanitary hospitals or overly scrubbed hotel rooms, so at the very least you should replace them with something more reflective of your design philosophy.
Backlights
Lighting can obviously draw attention to features of a room, but we do not often think of the lights in our home in a decorative sense. Most lights are geared for a functional purpose, and that is where their purpose ends.
However, you can use tinier, more strategically placed lights to draw attention both to and away from focal points in the room. If you feel as though one portion of your room is too dimly lit or, on the flipside, is drawing too much attention, there are tiny removable lights you can position to your liking and light certain segments of your room more strategically.
Clutter
You can use clutter as a sort of 3D texture. Provided it is intentional and carefully curated, clutter can bring life and warmth to a room that might otherwise look a little too “staged.”
To avoid looking just looking plain old messy, you can choose to display something you have already put the work into curating. For example, a collection of vintage clocks would make a stunning centerpiece when intentionally placed on a wall.
Terrariums
Terrariums can take many forms, as intricate looking or as simple as you would like, but the truth is that they are very easy to make yourself. The best part about terrariums is that they are actually fun to make and the end product is actually cute! What DIY project have YOU done lately that got it right on both counts?
Succulents and other low maintenance plants are great options for terrariums and indoor greenhouses if that is the route you choose to go down. There are few spaces that would not benefit from the presence of more plant life and greenery.
Plus, indoor plants make us happy as humans. Adding more plantlife into a room is essentially a cheat code to feel better immediately when you are in it.
Temporary Wall Paper
Temporary wall paper is a powerful tool which allows for the fulfilment of a myriad of other interior design goals. You are able to change your room’s entire look at the drop of a hat, but you really will not want to.
Removable wall paper and removable murals have come so far that you can get full blown art pieces installed in your home at a fraction of the cost of a traditional mural or wallpapering.