The best interior experts know that decorating rules were made to be broken. Kingston-based designer Elena Romanova tackles some of the most popular myths regarding interior design
"The first rule of decoration is that you can break almost all the other rules" – Billy Baldwin
Every space is as different as the person who inhabits it. We asked design guru Elena Romanova to dispel certain myths about decorating your home – here are some preconceptions she told us to leave at the door:
Myth 1: Paint a small and dark space in a light colour
One of the biggest myths of interior design is that you need to paint a small, dark room white. Do this and you will end up with a small, dark, dull room. You are not going to make it lighter or brighter so don’t fight it.
Rather than making white look grey and drab, go for a dark, cocooning or strong colour or even an interesting wallpaper. Make it small and inviting or dramatic. When using a dark colour in a small room, be sure to balance it with light-catching materials like mirrors, mirrored furniture or metallics. Incorporating table or floor lamps can also help to ensure that the room has a warm glow.
Myth 2: Don't mix patterns
Mixing patterns is all the rage on the runways and in the design world so don’t be afraid to do it in your own home. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to mixing patterns, but it does take a bit of trial and error.
If you’re new at this, choose a limited colour palette and make sure that all your patterns share similar colours. Vary the style and the scale of your patterns. Instead of placing the patterns in one area of the room, scatter them throughout the space. This will keep the room feeling balanced and create interest throughout the space.
Myth 3: Don't mix old and new
One of the fastest routes to a boring room is sticking to a single style or period. The best rooms combine old and new pieces that look as if they have been collected over time. Mixing vintage and contemporary pieces will give your space personality and dimension. The easiest way to get it right is to stick to some consistent selection of furnishings and then throw it up with an odd piece.
Myth 4: Don't mix metals and match wood finishes
There is fundamental difference between coordinating and matching. Rooms that coordinate have varied textures, prints, materials and tones that work together and appear balanced and cohesive. Rooms that match, usually have all the same coloured wood – plus a matching sofa and armchair and matching coffee and side tables – you know what that 'matchy-matchy' look is like.
Yet, mix and match is one of the biggest trends now and is generally the way to go if you want your interiors to look interesting.
For example, don't worry about having just silver metals in your space – throw in some gold, bronze and copper. They can happily co-exist in any room and you will get the most impact by mixing them up. Add a Tom Dixon copper pendant light to your modern kitchen full of brushed nickel hardware and you will love the result.
When it comes to wood finishes, limit your wood-mixing to two or three tones to start, and try to balance them throughout the space for a harmonious look.
Myth 5: Use small furniture in a small room
Just because you live in a shoe box studio doesn’t mean you should fill it with tiny furniture. Scale and proportion are important, you don’t want a giant sofa or bed to eat up all your space! Using a few large pieces in a small space often creates the illusion of a bigger room.
In a small bedroom, you might choose a queen-sized bed for comfort and an oversized headboard to create a sense of height. Then, opt for practical wall-mounted nightstands that don’t take up much space. Compensate for a large seating area, in a small living room, by skipping the coffee table and using nesting or occasional tables that can be moved around as needed instead.
Myth 6: Every room needs an overhead light
While it’s hard to resist a beautiful chandelier, there is no law that says a room must have an overhead light. Overhead lights can serve as a focal point in a room but they can also cast unflattering shadows on our faces, strain the eye, and create a feeling of an unfriendly over-lit public place.
It is much more important to layer multiple ambient light sources throughout a space and put them on different circuits to give you the flexibility to set the right mood. An average size room should have at least 5 to 6 sources of light.
If you want to find out more about secrets to successful decorating, please get in touch with Elena directly. Visit elenainteriors.co.uk or call on 07990560264
