4 Rebellious Interior Design Trends

Happy April! This past week, Forbes contributor Amanda Lauren highlighted 9 interior design “rules” that were made to be broken, and we think some great design advice and inspiration can come from this article. Forget everything you were told about design and read our 4 favorite design rules to break!

1. Mix & match

The first “rule” Lauren shares is that you must match everything in your home, but it’s actually encouraged to mix things up! Just because two things don’t match doesn’t mean they can’t complement each other. A number of design professionals like Roxy Te Owens of Society Social and Andrea DeRosa of Avenue Interior Designs say to not be afraid to mix metals (like when choosing kitchen or bathroom hardware), neutrals (yes, white and cream or beige can go together!), prints (think complementary colors), and textures. What’s the benefit of breaking this rule? You don’t have to be limited with what you choose! 

2. Embrace faux plants

Adding greenery to your home is always a good idea, but sometimes, it’s not realistic to be able to incorporate an intense care schedule into your lifestyle. That’s where faux plants come in: Even in outdoor spaces, faux plants should be embraced! While real plants, of course, have the most proven benefits, some of those benefits can still apply with faux plants, like brightening up a space, making you feel soothed, boosting productivity, and improving your outlook on work, especially if you do so from home. Faux plants can also be more budget-friendly in the long run, so wherever you think your home needs some brightening up, think faux plants!

3. Don’t be afraid of the dark

Have you ever been told that lighter colors were better for your interior, especially in a small space like a bathroom? This isn’t necessarily always true! According to Barbara Karpf, CEO & Founder of DecoratorsBest, “A dark color can conceal the boundaries and corners so that the room appears larger. The deep color camouflages the smallness and creates the perception of depth. Add a dark-colored grasscloth for texture and the tiny room turns into a gem.” If you’re going for moody and dramatic, or maybe you just want to incorporate that darker piece of furniture you fell in love with, darker colors are the way to go! You can achieve so much more, like a space with more depth or a wall color that gives off an energetic feel, when you opt for darker shades.

4. Art belongs everywhere

Another rule that Lauren says was made to be broken is that “art is only for walls.” While yes, your go-to thought when you think of home art is a framed photo on the wall, there can be other ways to incorporate great pieces into your space. First off, art can also include more than just traditional framed pictures, such as unique light fixtures, sculptures, table centerpieces, bookends, and much more! What’s more, those traditional framed art pieces you think of as only going on the wall can also belong on bookshelves, closet doors, or even bulletin boards. You can also mix up the way you think art frames can be placed; try leaning a photo against the wall instead of hanging it, for instance, to create a more casual effect.