“STYLE IS A way to say who you are without having to speak.”
This quote by fashionista Rachel Zoe is often referenced in relation to the clothes we wear, but it applies to other forms of style too, like interior design.
You might think that it can take years to add style and personality to your home but, in fact, a few small changes can make a big difference. Need convincing? We spoke to interior designer Geri O’Toole from Geri Designs about five fail-safe ways to instantly add a stylish flair to any home.
1. Paint one wall a different colour
Rather than choosing one colour to paint a room and sticking to it, look at different colour schemes that compliment each other. “A really good paint theme is key,” says Geri. “Plan a good theme and don’t have just one colour on the walls. If you work good colours together, another colour on a wall can bring dimension to the room.”
Sometimes in a big open plan space, you might be inclined to paint the walls a lighter colour. In that case, you could always paint all of your woodwork in a darker colour.
And don’t forget about the ceiling: “Painting your ceiling in a darker colour can bring luxury to a room if you’re lighting it right.”
Interested? The five bespoke palettes in the Moda by Dulux range make it easy to confidently pick colours that will compliment each other and give a designer look without the fuss.
2. Swap out that small rug for a bigger one
While we’re used to seeing small rugs placed in the centre of a room, Geri says it’s time to think big. “Often, people buy really small rugs, but if you buy a larger rug it can make a room look really luxurious. Usually, I say try to have your furniture on top of your rug, as that can really give a luxury feel to the room.”
3. Instead of having just one light source, have multiple
Among the many other choices that come with designing a room, choosing more than one source of lighting can often be overlooked. However, it’s an area that deserves more attention, according to Geri. “The key to any room looking great is the lighting,” she says.
“Often, people spend money and do up the room, but they might not have the lighting right. The key is to have nice soft pools of light, maybe with lamps, ceiling lighting with a dimmer, wall lighting and floor lighting. Pockets of light around the room can give a lovely atmosphere and effect.”
4. Add architectural details to windows and walls
Just like how the right accessory can pull an outfit together, the devil is in the details when it comes to making a room look stylish. Geri recommends adding ceiling details like cornicing, wall paneling or architraves around the windows, and considering painting these in a darker colour.
“It’s all of the little details that really make a room what it is,” says Geri. “Architectural details sometimes aren’t included in new builds, so adding them in gives the room more of a soulful feel.”
5. Dress your windows with a voile curtain
Although maximising the use of natural light is often a priority for homeowners, Geri says that doesn’t mean windows should be left out of the decorating process. “Often people spend so much money on their windows, they don’t want to cover them with anything. Personally, I absolutely love window dressing.”
“It doesn’t even mean using something as heavy as curtains, but even a voile curtain can really add to that depth of warmth in the room without taking away from the warmth of the light. It can pull the whole room together.”
Looking for another way to add style to your home? The Moda by Dulux range of five bespoke palettes is an easy and effective way to achieve the ultimate designer look in your home. Simply apply one colour palette across walls, furniture and soft furnishings for a luxury, stylish update. Visit Dulux.ie to find the perfect palette for you.
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