Debunked Decorating Rules

There are the written and unwritten rules to interior design. We adhere to them without fully understanding what they even are. At Noremax, we want to encourage you to be brave and to challenge what you think is normal or standard for a room. Have a look at our list of old-school rules that were meant to be broken.

 Everything Needs To Co-Ordinate

We are quite confident that this is a bygone guideline, but we just want to make sure. Juxtaposing textiles, woods and colours create dimensions in a room, they are what make your space inviting. Completely matching every item will make your room look flat and two dimensional which can reduce the appearance of your space and make it seem smaller. The same rules apply in interiors as they do in fashion, one block colour will make everything appear smaller. If you really want your space to rebel against the rules, consider picking up mismatched dinning chairs. To achieve a really unique but streamlined affect in your kitchen, consider contrasting your wall and base cabinets. A dark base cabinet and a brighter colour on the wall will make your ceilings look taller, too!

Dark Walls

Inverting the standard colour scheme and installing black or navy walls with light wood or white furniture can create a unique cosy space without loosing any clean, contemporary lines. It is unfair to limit your space to the type of light your room gets, a dark room can embrace its limitations and really work a dark wall colour just as well as a brightened space. There are some tips that you might want to take into consideration to make this style work for you; have crisp white ceilings, skirtings and covings. If you have a period property you might consider installing a picture rail to keep part of the surfaces light. For a cosier take on the Scandinavian aesthetic, paint your walls black, install white furnishings and expose your natural floorboards.

Feature Walls

Feature walls have been a huge trend over the last decade. They pull the focus to whichever surface will enhance your room the most, but there is an unspoken rule that the feature wall has to be a patterned wallpaper and only one, full wall. To create some interest and an expansive, visual illusion, paint two walls. This will blur the corners of the room and still draw focus. Utilising a block colour or even a gallery wall to create the point of focus is a modern alternative to a classic look. It is inexpensive to implement and you will enjoy adding even more personality to your gallery.

Ceiling Lighting

We have been installing a centre light in our homes as standard since electricity was populated. We think it’s about time we changed things up. To play with the lighting in your home, and even create more light, you should consider forgoing your standard ceiling light in favour of different lamps or table lights. This will create layers, shadows and depth to your room. It will also ensure that you have light where you actually need it and will improve the ambiance of your space.

If you do insist on keeping your central lighting, you should ensure it is functional and that it creates interest for your room.

Mixing Prints

Combining your prints is a décor faux pas; there is an acceptable amount of interplay permitted between prints. For example, it’s common to see a print wallpaper with coordinating cushions, but sticking to these rules limits your interior design decisions. We say be brave. Mix your floral wallpaper with vertical panelling and a bold geometric rug and other contrasting soft furnishings. This will make your room look more eclectic and usually creates a more luxurious, high-quality aesthetic.

When you are giving your space a makeover, the most important thing to consider is what works for your lifestyle. Throw the rulebook out; you do not have to have a sofa in your living room or a wardrobe in your bedroom. You can make the rules and still have a beautiful, organised home.