Age - Old Decorating Myths Busted

When it comes to decorating, there are certain rules of thumb that you should go by in order to create a perfect home. However, this doesn’t mean that decorating rules cannot be broken. You might be living in a modern condo like arte mont kiara, but that doesn’t mean that you need to stick to a strictly modern design style.

It’s good to take everything in with a grain of salt. You know what they say: don’t believe in everything you hear. Sometimes, creative decorating endeavors can end up being suppressed due to interior decorating myths that have been turned and set into “rules”. Decorating rules, however, are often meant to be broken!

In this article, we’re debunking all the decorating myths that have permeated modern design. Read on for some of the decorating myths that you (and your home) can certainly be free from.

 Decorating Myth: Ceilings must be white

White is often chosen as the go-to color for ceilings. There’s nothing wrong with that. In most situations, it helps make the room appear taller by creating a sense of lightness above. However, it is not the only option available for ceilings. While white can be a good go-to, do not discount the possibility of using other colors. When done properly, bright colors and patterns can also be terrific options for your ceiling.

Decorating Myth: Small rooms shouldn’t be painted dark colors

We’ve all heard the rule where small rooms shouldn’t be painted in dark colors; that color palettes in smaller spaces should be kept lighter in order to maximize the feeling of more space. Although this approach is useful for creating a sense of space in smaller rooms, it doesn’t mean that it is always the right way to go. In certain situations, dark or bold colors can be a great choice for smaller spaces, as it helps add to the overall coziness of the room. Darker colors can also be a more rich and dramatic choice that imparts a bigger presence to your small room.

Decorating Myth: Neutrals are always the safest choice

Neutrals are often touted as the best color choice in your space. It’s versatile, easy and classic. Neutral background colors can also serve as a great canvas for your space. However, they are not always the best, or safest, choice. Neutrals can end up being bland and boring if you do not address other components in your space, such as tone, texture, depth and shape. If you fail to consider these other factors, then the choice of neutral color palette can end you up with a dangerously boring room, and that is the worst thing a room can be.

Decorating Myth: Small rooms need small furniture

Scale and proportion are paramount to interior design. However, if you have a small room, the last thing you would want to do is squeeze in numerous small pieces of furniture. This will just lead to a room with a cluttered look. Instead of keeping too tightly to the rules of scale and proportion, accept the limitations of a smaller space and just use fewer, average-sized pieces. This helps maintain a better sense of proportion that cramming in too many pieces of smaller-size furniture that only end up making your small room look even smaller.

Decorating Myth: Fabrics must coordinate

Coordinating all the fabrics in a room is a sure-fire way to end up with a space that just screams 80s. The room full of matching fabrics (often floral) looks straight out of an outdated decorating magazine. Although we have, thankfully, moved away from the matching drapes, pillows, upholstery and lampshades, the belief that patterns must coordinate still prevails in certain echelons of design. However, this is not true! You should, instead, start mixing patterns and fabrics. The goal is to ensure that your choices compliment and coordinate with each other, instead of making sure everything is matchy-matchy.

Decorating Myth: Metal finishes should be the same

Metal finishes need not be the same. Repeat it again. Metal finishes need not be the same. You might be temped to make sure your metal hardware are the same finishes to maintain a semblance of cohesion, but this is not the only option you have. Consider mixing metal finishes to create an equally sophisticated look. However, do be careful that you not overdo it. Otherwise, I can end up looking quite messy. Try to keep it o a maximum of 3 different finishes, and try to keep the in the same tone. This helps maintain cohesion in your space. For example, you can have different colors in your finishes, but keep them all brushed, or polished, etc.

Decorating Myth: Sofas should always be neutral

The conventional design wisdom makes use of a neutral sofa with pops of colors in accessories. This is, of course, the safer option as far as sofas go. They’re usually large and expensive, and you would want your main furniture pieces to be as versatile as possible. However, that’s not to say that a colorful or bold sofa is not a good choice. They can even make statements much bigger than the conventional neutral sofa. If you have your heart set on a bright and colorful sofa, don’t be afraid to risk it! For example, an electric blue or emerald green sofa can be a quirky way to go that absolutely makes your room.

Last words of advice:

Always keep in mind that decorating rules exist to help guide your choices, not dictate them. The end goal should always be to end up with a space that is pleasing to the eye and soul. So, never take any of the rules too seriously. Learn to have a bit of leeway and consider them as guidelines rather than straightjackets!