While following style rules are often a great way to achieve a pretty interior without any design knowledge, rules are also made to be broken. However, they key to making your rule-breaking style look great is understanding how it works in the first place.
1. Small spaces should be painted white
This rule exists because most people want a small room to look bigger, and painting it white or another similarly light colour can give the illusion of space. However, if colour is used correctly – to create depth – dark colours can actually make a small room feel large and inviting.
2. Blue and green should never be seen
An oldie but a goodie, this rule insists that blue and green shouldn’t appear without a third colour to break them up. However, thanks to the recent colour-clashing revival, pairing bold shades of blue and green together look great when it’s done in a way that looks purposeful, not accidental. So make sure you fully commit to the look.
3. Create symmetry in a room
Creating symmetry in a room, such as putting a side table and a lamp on both sides of a sofa, is a rule used to create visual balance in a room. However, balance can be achieved simply by arranging furniture around a focal point in a room, or using furniture and homewares that have the same feel, shape or size.
4. Furniture must match
Keeping all your furniture matching, such as sticking to the same tone of timber, or having identical dining chairs, or lounge suite, is an easy way to create a uniform look. However, you can create a uniform look throughout your home simply by sticking to a particular style. For example, if you choose French style, have all different types of French furniture – such as four totally different chairs that look similar, not because of their physical appearance, but because they all follow a French design aesthetic.