July is anti-boredom month and I’m sure most of us are getting bored with our home design after several months of spending all of our time inside. Luckily we have compiled a few reasons why your home may look generic and boring along with some tips and tricks to combat that and make your home interesting and exciting!
1. Beige and Boring
Listen, we know we posted on our Instagram a few posts back about how beige is anything but boring, BUT, that’s when it’s used in conjunction with other things like boldly colored accents, rich metals or interesting patterns. If your home doesn’t have at least one of those things then it might be suffering from the beige blues. We’ve all seen newer homes that are designed to be neutral enough that anyone can picture themselves living there, but that typically means beige paint, beige carpet and beige tiles. So, how do you turn that sea of drab into a sea of fab?
- Paint is an easy, quick and affordable way to add character, color and charm into your home. Think beyond just painting your walls and consider painting your cabinets, trim, doors or ceiling. You might also consider painting your furniture or having it refinished by yours truly!
- Colorful accents are also a great way to add a splash of color in a big way that can be easily swapped for seasons and the options are virtually limitless! Throw pillows and blankets, artwork, plants and planters, rugs, vases – the list goes on!
- Appliances might not be your first thought, but they are another great option for adding color into your home. We all know the avocado green and harvest gold appliances of the 70’s didn’t last, but today there are so many options for adding an unexpected punch to your kitchen. Not ready to commit on a sunshine yellow stove? Try it on a stand mixer instead!
2. Just A Big Box
Homes just aren’t built the way they used to be. Today’s builders often opt to strip away architectural details to make homes more affordable and to cut down on build time, so many suburban homes where most of us live are sold to us as beige, boring boxes, but an empty room is a story waiting to happen. Adding architectural details like beams, crown molding, chair or picture rails, thick base boards, elaborate window frames, wainscoting, or antique corbels in your cased openings will add to the story of your home.
- Flea markets, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, junk festivals and your local antique stores are all great places to find gorgeous antique architectural elements to add to your home without spending an arm and a leg.
- Architectural elements aren’t limited to the actual building itself. Placing ornate antique mirrors above a minimal, contemporary bathroom vanity creates an interesting and layered look. Placing a large industrial sink faucet or sink basin in your kitchen is another way to enhance architectural interest.
3. Avoid Too Many Matching Things
Matching furniture sets were really big there for a while as they offered a very simple and easy way to fill your space without having to even give it a second thought – one stop shopping for all your needs. But rooms with matching furniture sets always feel a bit one-note and fall flat on the interesting scale, while rooms with a curated collection of mixed pieces look more custom and expensive. Remember, we’re trying to stay away from boring, and a dresser, two nightstands and a headboard all in the same shape and color is in no way compelling and doesn’t show your personality.
- If you have a set of arm chairs that you absolutely love – perfect! Keep them, but don’t pair them with a matching sofa. Choosing a contrasting couch and coffee table that complement the chairs will keep your eye moving throughout the room and allow each piece to show off it’s personality.
- There’s nothing wrong with matching nightstands, but if you have a dark stained wood nightstand set, try pairing them with a white dresser but put on the same color knobs or pulls to create a sense of cohesion.
We hope these few comments and tips help you along your interior decorating journey. If you’re ready to revamp your space we’d love to help! Whether you need a small design tweak or a total overhaul, our expert craftsmen and designers will create one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that you’ll love. Give us a call or email today to get started.