Interior Design Rules Begging To Be Broken

Pulling together a balanced and successful interior is an art and there are definitely some well known rules at play to ensure your spaces are cohesive and inviting - not a red hot mess! 

But it goes without saying that some rules are just meant to be broken..  See below for Amanda's top three interior design rules that are okay to look past.

 

RULE TO BE BROKEN: SAY NO TO FAUX

I think professional designers will cringe with this approach but….  maintaining fresh plants and florals is a lot of work and just isn’t always practical.

There is no doubt that fresh florals and greenery bring a beautiful touch to interiors, but let’s be honest – those things die!  A dead plant gathering dust in your living room just isn’t a good look.

Modern day artificial plants, if you invest in quality ones, look extremely realistic and should be real to touch making them a great option for those of us (yes me included!) that can’t always commit to the responsibility of keeping plants alive.

I suggest people opt for faux plants if you have your heart set on a variety that might be a little tricky to maintain or that you don’t want to overgrow your space like a fiddle leaf or palm for example.

Go fresh for lower maintenance plants – I love pothos and happy plants for that very reason.  Mix low maintenance fresh and faux in your home for a vibrant space that will stand the test of time (and your busy schedule!).

Preserved florals are also a great option for everlasting arrangements.  They offer a happy middle ground between fresh and faux.

 

RULE TO BE BROKEN: PLAY IT SAFE WITH WHITE

I’m a big fan of a fresh white base for interiors.  White creates a sense of light and space and gives a great neutral starting point for building your room.  That said though, so many people (particularly in coastal homes), layer more white on white and the space can look a bit dull or sterile. 

I definitely advise customers to not be afraid of colour.  If introducing colour through paint or cabinetry is too much of a gamble for you, use clever accent pieces like furniture, cushions, rugs, throws and art.  That way, any colour you introduce isn’t permanent and can be swapped out as you see fit.

 

RULE TO BE BROKEN:  DISPLAY YOUR ART AT EYE LEVEL

It used to be a bit of an unspoken rule that artwork should be displayed at eye level and symmetrically within the room but thankfully that’s one rule that you can absolutely ignore!

I love art leaning on a console or even larger scaled works on the floor leaning against a wall.   I especially love prints that are set slightly offset to a scene (like the image above). 

I don’t know why but the fact that it’s slightly off draws the eye and adds further interest to the piece.

The moral here is, go with your heart.  Artwork is such a personal purchase so I think you should break all rules and display it as you wish!!