By now you know that bold design works in almost every design scheme. You’ve probably spent a great deal of time scanning the Instagram and Pinterest feeds of your favorite home decor bloggers just to be left wondering how the heck you can pull off something so darn ballsy, right? Yep! I’ve been there too. Many times in fact and so have several clients.
Most people who follow me on my cyber homes know that I love bold design. I don’t believe in leaving one inch of bare space. Every single element in the room should work together to create a mesmerizing design plan. This is my joy juice. I’ve created bold designs in my home and for my clients. Take a look at this guest bedroom I designed for a client.
If you’re thinking this can’t be done for you then stop, drop what you’re doing, and let’s go through 8 ways to use bold color and patterns in your home to make a strong impact.
Wall Tiles
Oh, the joys of the choices in wall tiles to be used in our homes. These days they come in thousands of sizes, shapes, textures, and patterns. The use of wall tiles creates one of the easiest ways to incorporate design and color in your room. Create a striking border using a set of tiles that share the same size and characteristics yet the color or pattern might be different. Contrast when using wall tiles is key in the overall scheme of things.
Wallpaper
If you’re afraid of going overboard via the use of permanent decorative fixtures such as tiles then why not try a wallpaper instead. They come in all types of flavors and sizes from minimal Scandinavian clean to maximal Bohemian jazz. What makes the use of wallpaper even more feasible in a design scheme is the ability to remove when you grow tired of the pattern. Yes, removable wallpaper is all the rage these days.
Wall Fabric
The main difference between wall fabric and wallpaper is the textures. While the patterns found in most wall fabrics tend to run on the subdued side you can still find some pretty awesome designs on the higher end. Plus, who wouldn’t want to feel the soft fabric on a wall? These work particularly well in rooms such as the home office, bedroom, entertainment, and man caves.
Patterned floor tiles
Inspired by the ancient allure of Mediterranean homes, the use of patterned floor tiles is on the rise. However, this is one element that I make sure I present to my clients via samples and mood boards before sealing the deal. Many things can go wrong in the end design game if this element isn’t chosen with meticulous care. Don’t let that stop you though. Lots of things look fabulous when the right patterned tile adorns a room.
Throw Pillows
Design is like a women’s outfit. And throw pillows are the jewels hiding inside the box. Take the ones you need and use them for a while then change them when you’re ready for the next outfit. No kidding. These little babies (or not so little ones if you’re into European shams) have come a LONG way. Throw pillows are one of my favorite aspects of a design plan because the versatility creates an endless stream of choices.
Ceiling design
Don’t forget about your 5th wall. Yes, the ceiling presents the potential for more design elements. From simple modifications such as paint to more elaborate choices like parametric lighting design and glamorous chandeliers. While the ceiling doesn’t have to be a bold color, you can choose to go dark or install gorgeous lighting such as the one pictured here in this living room rendering. This is where e-design truly does shine. We can cover several variations on one design scheme while saving time, headache, and expense for you in the endgame.
Mirrors
Yes, they come with patterned frames now so you can truly make an impact with bold color while employing the benefits of feng shui (a subject for another post). Remember back in the day when mirrors came in either round, square, or rectangles? And who could ever forget that harsh fake brass finish that mucked up the design most times? Yeah, that would be me.
Fast forward about 30 years (don’t be trying to guess my age now) and we’ve arrived at a mirror design revolution. Sunburst. Scallops. Three-dimensional mirrors. Beach-inspired frames made of genuine seashells. Want a mirror in your design? No probs. The design world has one waiting out there for you. This is why I always recommend a bold mirror in each design scheme. Not only do they create the illusion of a larger space but they also add just the right amount of pizzazz to create a true conversational element of bold design.
Accessories
Perhaps there’s a good reason why I’ve saved the best element of bold decor for last. Trust me. There is one. Because out of all the previous tips we just walked through, this one provides the most flexibility. These days, the use of accessories comes in tons of sizes and flavors. Books, magazines, bookends, statues from the Romanesque era (nope, not a typo). Gone are the days of simply placing a vase of silk roses or fruit baskets on a table. You know have the choice of using bold grasses, decorative antiques, painted Mason jars, and whatever else your imagination conjures up.
As you can see, the use of these 8 elements provides plenty of flexible ways to use bold colors and patterns in your home. While some of these tips can be easily handled by most DIYers there are a couple on here that would benefit from employing a professional designer. If you’d like to get in touch with us and discuss ways we can help you get started on your next project then simply house this contact form and someone will be in touch soon.
Happy decorating!
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