IF you are thinking about giving your home a re-fresh and decorating your space in time for Summer, then you’ll want to listen up and take notes.
When it comes to designing our homes, we often stick to what we are used to – whether that is a completely neutral, bland space, or a matchy colour scheme.
But what if those choices were actually ageing our homes, creating dreadfully dated spaces that would make any interior designer cringe?
Of course, no homeowner wants to experience that unbearable feeling of ‘housebarrasment’ when they invite guests over, especially if it is down to their dated décor.
So, to give you a helping hand, we spoke to Sam Greig, Senior Designer at Swoon, the UK’s leading online design-led furniture brand, to understand their top home design icks – so you know exactly what to avoid this summer.
If you want to impress your loved ones with your home this Summer, you’ll want to pay attention.
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Over-styled spaces
We’ve probably all realised that it’s far too easy to overstyle a room.
When your space begins to look more like a perfectly poised display cabinet than a living room, it’s time to take note and strip back a little.
Curating a collection of accessories that you love can take time, and impulse purchasing to fill a space can often backfire a few months down the line.
Sam said: “Over-styling can easily cheapen a space – especially if the chosen pieces are not well thought out or have been impulsively purchased in bulk.
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“To keep your home chic and classy, accessories should be curated and collected.
“Think a vase you bought on your honeymoon, a stack of vintage magazines you inherited from relatives, and a newer piece you’ve fallen in love with.
“Plus, making sure your accessories are diverse in shape, colour, and size can help to ensure your space is varied and interesting to look at.
“Your home should be a personal reflection of you.”
Matchy colour schemes
One of the easiest ways to make your interior space look cohesive is by sticking to a colour scheme.
However, choosing green walls, a green sofa, a green vase, green wall art, a green rug, and a green throw can look overly matchy, and a little too green.
It is all too simple to stick to a single colour scheme, but often the result is more dull and repetitive than stylish and sophisticated.
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Sam explained: “When it comes to selecting a colour scheme, less experienced designers often lean on a single shade to create a unified display.
“Through simply adding in a few complementary tones, you can easily take a space from drab to dapper.
“For example, if your main shade is forest green, add in a few chic cream tones and gold metals for a luxurious atmosphere.
“Or, if you prefer a more playful vibe, pair your forest green with sunny yellows and sunset oranges for a lively 70’s inspired interior.”
Cool-toned neutrals
This summer, warm tones such as browns, oranges, and beiges are set to be all of the rage, bringing warmth and energy into your home.
Oppositely, cooler tones are set to reduce in popularity.
These cool hues can often make a space feel dull when used heavily – especially if they are not balanced out with opposing shades.
Luckily, if your home is host to a grey wall or two, there is a simple fix.
Sam added: “This summer, we are really leaning into warm-toned neutrals such as chocolate brown and rusty orange – and further away from cooler neutrals.
“These wintery hues can create a dull atmosphere when used too often, especially on walls and in statement furniture.
“If your home is saturated in cool toned hues, bring back some warmth by adding in bright or bold accessories in contrasting tones.
“Life is all about balance, and so are interiors.”
Blindly following trends
Finally, the biggest ick of Sam’s is when people blindly follow design trends.
Just because a trend is taking the design world by storm, it doesn’t mean that it will suit your own space.
Sam concluded: “It is great to keep an eye on trending interior styles, especially if you manage to discover one that you truly love.
“However, implementing every trend you see into your home without considering the overall style is a huge mistake that we see all too often.
“For example, we have recently seen limewashed walls have become extremely popular.
“However, this paint finish won’t suit all interior styles, and can easily look out of place.
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“Limewashed walls add a rustic, natural feel to your abode, so would seem odd when paired with an uber-modern or Art-Deco interior.
“Always consider the bigger picture before you jump blindly onto the industry’s next big trend.”
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