10 Interior Design Rules Worth Breaking
Ignoring convention and tearing up the ‘classic’ interior design rule sheet can sometimes work wonders. Rebel with these 10 rule breakers
Subverting mainstream norms and tossing aside oversimplified dos and dont’s can be just the thing to unlock your design concept and make it original. At the very least, you’ll get the design you want, not the design someone else says you should have. Anti-rule No 1: Sometimes wrong is just so very right.
Rules to Break No 2: Pink is for kids’ rooms
This gorgeously knocked-back kitchen proves rustic doesn’t need to mean pared-down colourwise. The vintage armoire has been painted in a gorgeous baby pink and it looks amazing and quite unexpected in this context. A powder blue or rosemary dusky green would have been so much more predictable.
The warm grey limestone flooring and well-worn wooden furniture perfectly stop the blush pink from feeling too sweet.
This gorgeously knocked-back kitchen proves rustic doesn’t need to mean pared-down colourwise. The vintage armoire has been painted in a gorgeous baby pink and it looks amazing and quite unexpected in this context. A powder blue or rosemary dusky green would have been so much more predictable.
The warm grey limestone flooring and well-worn wooden furniture perfectly stop the blush pink from feeling too sweet.
Rules to Break No 3: You shouldn’t go overboard with just one paint shade
Well maybe you’re allowed to do that with white. But we’re often told to ‘layer’ a monochrome palette in slightly varying shades of the same hue to stop it feeling too ‘flat’ and samey.
This lovely, timber-clad hallway, however, flies in the face of that standard advice and just goes for it with a wonderful inky blue splashed generously across the walls, woodwork, storage, ceiling and beam. The colourful wellies and raincoats zing out from this singularly blue backdrop, providing all the contrast required through moveable accessories.
Shop hallway products on Houzz.
Well maybe you’re allowed to do that with white. But we’re often told to ‘layer’ a monochrome palette in slightly varying shades of the same hue to stop it feeling too ‘flat’ and samey.
This lovely, timber-clad hallway, however, flies in the face of that standard advice and just goes for it with a wonderful inky blue splashed generously across the walls, woodwork, storage, ceiling and beam. The colourful wellies and raincoats zing out from this singularly blue backdrop, providing all the contrast required through moveable accessories.
Shop hallway products on Houzz.
Rules to Break No 4: Sofas should be neutral
Can’t decide which colour sofa to buy? Wondering whether to play it safe and get something neutral that will go with everything, then spice it up with colourful cushions? That’s what a lot of us would have running through our minds when parting with the small fortune it can cost to invest in a statement sofa.
But why limit yourself to something timeless (and potentially a bit bland)? Don’t decide between a few colours you’ve whittled it down to – choose all of them! Consider upholstering (or, indeed, reupholstering) a modular sofa in multiple fabrics; this allows you to create your own combination of colours. You could also play with clashing patterns to make an edgy style statement.
Can’t decide which colour sofa to buy? Wondering whether to play it safe and get something neutral that will go with everything, then spice it up with colourful cushions? That’s what a lot of us would have running through our minds when parting with the small fortune it can cost to invest in a statement sofa.
But why limit yourself to something timeless (and potentially a bit bland)? Don’t decide between a few colours you’ve whittled it down to – choose all of them! Consider upholstering (or, indeed, reupholstering) a modular sofa in multiple fabrics; this allows you to create your own combination of colours. You could also play with clashing patterns to make an edgy style statement.
Rules to Break No 5: Scale and balance should be used to curate your accessories
We are so accustomed to props and accessories being arranged in a tasteful and perfect arrangement; just the right-size picture frames and just the right number of different vases or candles, ordered with military precision but designed to look effortless.
Alternatively, throw the usual rules about scale out of the window, as seen here. The flower arrangement is strictly way too big for the teeny tiny table. But who cares? It looks great and adds a playfulness to the overall mood.
We are so accustomed to props and accessories being arranged in a tasteful and perfect arrangement; just the right-size picture frames and just the right number of different vases or candles, ordered with military precision but designed to look effortless.
Alternatively, throw the usual rules about scale out of the window, as seen here. The flower arrangement is strictly way too big for the teeny tiny table. But who cares? It looks great and adds a playfulness to the overall mood.
Rules to Break No 6: Skirting boards must be lighter than walls
Really? Well this room’s colour scheme proves the opposite. The wooden floorboards are a gorgeous crisp white, but the walls and skirting board have been painted in exactly the same shade as each other. And it looks fabulous.
The clashing red books on the stool add a modern edge; a red armchair or standard lamp would do the same. A flash of neon pink would also add a quirky note to the dusky pink.
I wouldn’t, however, suggest breaking the rules on all skirting boards in the house – save the idea for a room where it really works. But consider connecting other spaces, such as hallways and landings, with a lighter or similar shade to ‘draw the eye up’ the length of stairs and around corners. A paler skirting in dark hallways can also help people navigate around, so it’s best not to make it super-dark.
Really? Well this room’s colour scheme proves the opposite. The wooden floorboards are a gorgeous crisp white, but the walls and skirting board have been painted in exactly the same shade as each other. And it looks fabulous.
The clashing red books on the stool add a modern edge; a red armchair or standard lamp would do the same. A flash of neon pink would also add a quirky note to the dusky pink.
I wouldn’t, however, suggest breaking the rules on all skirting boards in the house – save the idea for a room where it really works. But consider connecting other spaces, such as hallways and landings, with a lighter or similar shade to ‘draw the eye up’ the length of stairs and around corners. A paler skirting in dark hallways can also help people navigate around, so it’s best not to make it super-dark.
Rules to Break No 7: Wallpaper must never be used in the bathroom
It will peel and bubble and look awful in three months’ time. Well, that’s the worry, but this bathroom, along with many more we’ve designed, proves this isn’t necessarily true.
This lovely Victorian cottage has a bold, Suzy Hoodless wallpaper flanking the roll-top bath that’s stood the test of time as well as any tiles would have (and with less discolouration than you’d get with grout). I certainly wouldn’t recommend wallpaper in a shower cubicle, but don’t let people persuade you not to use it around a bath that you might not use all the time; most wallpaper is wipeable to a degree. Just take a bit of care when washing your hair or shampooing the poodle!
Discover 8 creative alternatives to standard bathroom storage.
It will peel and bubble and look awful in three months’ time. Well, that’s the worry, but this bathroom, along with many more we’ve designed, proves this isn’t necessarily true.
This lovely Victorian cottage has a bold, Suzy Hoodless wallpaper flanking the roll-top bath that’s stood the test of time as well as any tiles would have (and with less discolouration than you’d get with grout). I certainly wouldn’t recommend wallpaper in a shower cubicle, but don’t let people persuade you not to use it around a bath that you might not use all the time; most wallpaper is wipeable to a degree. Just take a bit of care when washing your hair or shampooing the poodle!
Discover 8 creative alternatives to standard bathroom storage.
Rules to Break No 8: Kitchen cupboard interiors should be white or oak
Most kitchens, whether high street or bespoke, seem to come with either white or oak cabinet interiors. Lovely – but perhaps a little predictable. So why not break out and have the inside of your cabinets in a different shade of wood?
This lovely kitchen offers an unexpected surprise when the doors to one of the overhead cabinets are flung open. Inside we see a wonderfully rich shade of walnut, which makes the white crockery inside really stand out.
Why not go one step further and customise the inside of your cabinets with wallpaper? Adding your own touch to the back of glazed overhead cabinets would transform the kitchen from standard issue to a personal style statement.
Most kitchens, whether high street or bespoke, seem to come with either white or oak cabinet interiors. Lovely – but perhaps a little predictable. So why not break out and have the inside of your cabinets in a different shade of wood?
This lovely kitchen offers an unexpected surprise when the doors to one of the overhead cabinets are flung open. Inside we see a wonderfully rich shade of walnut, which makes the white crockery inside really stand out.
Why not go one step further and customise the inside of your cabinets with wallpaper? Adding your own touch to the back of glazed overhead cabinets would transform the kitchen from standard issue to a personal style statement.
Rules to Break No 9: It’s unwise to mix eras
Space Age-style dining chairs might not have been the obvious choice to partner an antique wooden dining table, but they create a great talking point in this characterful room. The chairs – which are vintage Burke tulip chairs – are the table’s polar opposites, but the contrast is exactly what makes the scheme feel exciting.
Because the furniture choices are so extreme, the homeowner has kept the colour palette relatively calm and serene, a mix of crisp white and rich wood. The soft pink blossom on the table adds a lovely focal point. I wonder what delights will be chalked up on the blackboard for dinner later?
Space Age-style dining chairs might not have been the obvious choice to partner an antique wooden dining table, but they create a great talking point in this characterful room. The chairs – which are vintage Burke tulip chairs – are the table’s polar opposites, but the contrast is exactly what makes the scheme feel exciting.
Because the furniture choices are so extreme, the homeowner has kept the colour palette relatively calm and serene, a mix of crisp white and rich wood. The soft pink blossom on the table adds a lovely focal point. I wonder what delights will be chalked up on the blackboard for dinner later?
Rules to Break No 10: Fireside alcoves should be symmetrical
Doesn’t this drawing room ooze character? And one of the first things you may notice is that the two apparently identical curved alcoves don’t, in fact, match.
The curves of one are smart and discreetly painted, while the other’s have a distressed paint job, as if the well-behaved alcove is the other one’s naughty, scruffy twin. The smartly painted alcove also has a rogue slimline bookshelf next to it to further mess with the symmetry.
Received design wisdom would usually have these features mirror each other, but the asymmetry of these alcoves makes them all the more quirky and full of personality. Try the same approach with almost anything traditionally ‘supposed’ to match – bedside tables, double wall lights, armchairs… And have fun!
Tell us…
What’s been your most controversial design decision? Share tips and photos in the Comments section.
Doesn’t this drawing room ooze character? And one of the first things you may notice is that the two apparently identical curved alcoves don’t, in fact, match.
The curves of one are smart and discreetly painted, while the other’s have a distressed paint job, as if the well-behaved alcove is the other one’s naughty, scruffy twin. The smartly painted alcove also has a rogue slimline bookshelf next to it to further mess with the symmetry.
Received design wisdom would usually have these features mirror each other, but the asymmetry of these alcoves makes them all the more quirky and full of personality. Try the same approach with almost anything traditionally ‘supposed’ to match – bedside tables, double wall lights, armchairs… And have fun!
Tell us…
What’s been your most controversial design decision? Share tips and photos in the Comments section.
Walls and floors shouldn’t be the same colour, apparently. Well, this bedroom décor proves why that just isn’t always the case. The floor and walls are painted in the same mid grey, which the homeowner has picked up in the lovely layers of tie-dye and cashmere bedding.
There is a subtle difference, however: although they’re the same colour, the wall is matt and the floor has a slight sheen, making them feel unique in their finish despite the colour match.
The predominance of grey also makes a hero of the gorgeous American tan upholstered bed frame and headboard, allowing it stand out from the backdrop.
Added to that, the square lines of the panelling are wonderfully ‘off’ the chevron pattern on the wooden floor, creating a lovely movement juxtaposition. They’re the same, but just different enough.
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