Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Bronwyn!
Shifting to a new home or upgrading the design of your current space? There are plenty of home decorating ideas to take inspiration from. In fact, the list is so vast that you’d get overwhelmed trying to pick out the top ones. And that’s what we’ll help you with today.
After hours of research, coupled with our expert insights, we’ve handpicked some simple yet impactful home decorating ideas to elevate your ambiance! Because home decor doesn't need to be a hassle in order to transform the look and feel of a space.
Set The Tone At The Entryway
First impressions are created at the entryway, so sprucing it up makes all the difference.
Paint the front door a bold, glossy hue. Red, orange, and yellow are three favourites for making a statement. If going bold is not your thing, pastel shades produce a highly elegant look as well — just be sure to keep it nice and glossy. (Notting Hill vibes anyone?)
Towards the inner side of the front door, place a small console table. Top it with a vase of flowers or dried twigs and hang abstract art on the wall behind it for the ultimate contemporary aesthetic.
Add Some Spice to Your Walls
Neutral walls are a timeless classic — they create sophisticated and classy interiors and make room for decorating flexibility. With tones like beige and cream, you can switch up your accessories and decorate for different seasons with ease.
Neutrals have been around for quite some time, though, so you might be looking to spruce things up - enter, the accent wall. Choose a bold colour; it can either be a muted tone to keep the sophistication of your space intact or a bright hue to reflect your personality.
To create an organic, classic look, be sure to choose an accent colour that is darker than the other walls of the room. The reverse combination is possible, but you'd need a good decorating eye to achieve success.
Also bear in mind - the statement wall should be solid (meaning it should not have any doors or windows) for maximum effect. Additional tip: For very long rooms, choose the farthest small wall to be painted the accent colour. This creates a visual illusion of a better-shaped room.
If you’re more daring, you can go for a darker wall colour as well. Soft black paint is a very unique selection, contributing to an intimate interior. Pair it with eclectic furniture and voilà!
Mirrors, Mirrors, Mirrors
Mirrors are a truly magical addition to homes. They add instant glamor and create a sense of space, all while reflecting light and making the room brighter. So, be sure to introduce at least one mirror in each room, and don’t forget to introduce them to narrow hallways.
Hang mirrors on walls perpendicular to windows, and make sure the reflection seen in them is worthy. For example, hang them opposite a lavish chandelier or gallery wall.
You can also play around and add different-sized mirrors on one wall. You can even create impact by installing an entirely-mirrored wall. Placing a mirror between two windows or flanking the mirror with decorative lights is also a great decorating idea.
Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Dimitar!
Incorporate Texture — Lots Of It
Adding texture on texture has recently gained hype, and rightfully so. It enhances visual interest, creates dimension in the interior, and makes the space more inviting.
Choose a rug with tassels and fringe, use patterned cushions, introduce a velvet-covered armchair, and hang a boucle throw from a blanket ladder.
Adding texture also gives you an excuse to decorate with functional items — sateen bedsheets, furry blankets, and raw silk curtains all increase the amount of texture while serving their respective purposes as well.
Don’t Overlook The Lighting
Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Bronwyn!
You can get so caught up with adding formally decorative items that you may neglect the lighting. Remember that lighting plays a very significant role in the overall decor of your interior!
While selecting lighting, keep in mind the three types every room needs:
Ambient lighting — general lighting to illuminate a room
Accent lighting — for highlighting particular areas (such as a gallery wall)
Task lighting — to increase light for specific tasks (for example, over reading corners)
You can introduce a torchière as a decorative object that also provides light, and insert spotlights into the ceiling. Be sure to consider the mood you wish to create and the shadows that will be cast before installing lights. Also, plan your lighting around the way you will use a space.
Credit: Statement lamp designed by our very own Interior Design Guru, Sam!
Create Contrast
Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Laura!
Breaking the monotony of your decor to create contrast adds visual weight and creates depth. You can do so by mixing items that feel distinct from each other. Use different shapes (such as circle and square frames) and varying levels of sharpness (for example, sharp and soft lines).
A mix of faux fur and wood also creates contrast, and decorating with hues on opposite ends of the colour wheel is also a fantastic idea. Examples of pairs include orange and blue, and purple and yellow.
You can also mix modern and traditional looks. For instance, introduce something contemporary, such as a geometric coffee table or abstract-painted wall, to an otherwise traditional room.
Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Beril!
We hope we’ve given you some inspiration with our summary of the top simple-yet-impactful decorating trends we’re seeing right now. Now all you need to do is pick your priorities, set a budget, and get to work!
If you’re feeling stuck and need some expert guidance and personalised inspiration, book one of our Interior Design Gurus here! They can look at your space over video chat and give you tips, ideas and guidance on how to achieve your dream interior.