The Qualities Of Great Interior Design
We identify 8 elusive qualities of excellent interiors to get you past "I know it when I see it"
Shane Inman
10 April 2019
Houzz contributor and president and senior principal interior designer of The Inman Company. Under Shane's leadership, The Inman Company is committed to raising the standard of business to incorporate the highest-quality customer service with unwavering excellence in design.
Houzz contributor and president and senior principal interior designer of The Inman... More
Like art, interior design speaks to each of us differently. For me great design comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone, mixing paints, textures and fabrics in unique ways. But for others great design is about simplicity, clean lines and modern furniture.
Regardless of your style, interior design should have a personality. Take a look at the brilliantly designed spaces here and the qualities that make them so excellent. Maybe they’ll inspire a great design of your own!
Regardless of your style, interior design should have a personality. Take a look at the brilliantly designed spaces here and the qualities that make them so excellent. Maybe they’ll inspire a great design of your own!
Glamour
Sleek lines and exotic materials give this living room a glamorous look that sets it apart. The floor-to-ceiling bookcase has a metallic wall covering on the back to create a focal point. Although every piece of furniture is upholstered in a different plush fabric, they all sing the same song.
Sleek lines and exotic materials give this living room a glamorous look that sets it apart. The floor-to-ceiling bookcase has a metallic wall covering on the back to create a focal point. Although every piece of furniture is upholstered in a different plush fabric, they all sing the same song.
Symmetry
This living space’s symmetrical design draws the eye immediately up to the wallpapered ceiling and ceiling fixture. The screens in the back of the room anchor the space, focusing attention on the unexpectedly tall piece of art.
Take a look at these ceiling designs that give wings to imagination
This living space’s symmetrical design draws the eye immediately up to the wallpapered ceiling and ceiling fixture. The screens in the back of the room anchor the space, focusing attention on the unexpectedly tall piece of art.
Take a look at these ceiling designs that give wings to imagination
Contrast
The soothing light teal plays beautifully against pastel grey of the walls and the hint of pink. Though the palette is muted, the colours and the patterns juxtapose to create a multi-layered inviting haven.
The soothing light teal plays beautifully against pastel grey of the walls and the hint of pink. Though the palette is muted, the colours and the patterns juxtapose to create a multi-layered inviting haven.
Harmony
Soft colour tones and subtle shabby chic style are more than welcoming in this guest bedroom. Under a peach painted ceiling, the focal wall is adorned with a ‘70s large-print wall covering. Identical white beds in shades of blue-green are harmoniously placed across the room from the slipcovered wingback chair. A sisal rug placed on the diagonal visually connects both sides of the space.
Soft colour tones and subtle shabby chic style are more than welcoming in this guest bedroom. Under a peach painted ceiling, the focal wall is adorned with a ‘70s large-print wall covering. Identical white beds in shades of blue-green are harmoniously placed across the room from the slipcovered wingback chair. A sisal rug placed on the diagonal visually connects both sides of the space.
Cosiness
When treated like a jewel box, small rooms become cozy instead of cramped. The soft colours, wallpaper and green study table storage immediately catch attention, drawing the eye to all sides of the room. The plush pillows, sheets and wall-to-wall carpeting give the room extra softness, inviting you to come in and snuggle up.
Take a look at the dos and don’ts of designing a small bedroom
When treated like a jewel box, small rooms become cozy instead of cramped. The soft colours, wallpaper and green study table storage immediately catch attention, drawing the eye to all sides of the room. The plush pillows, sheets and wall-to-wall carpeting give the room extra softness, inviting you to come in and snuggle up.
Take a look at the dos and don’ts of designing a small bedroom
Chronicle Books
Boldness
Despite all the white tile, this bathroom does anything but play it safe. The ceiling was visually lowered with black paint and a gold picture rail that wraps around the room. The bold shower curtain and freestanding bookcase are modern touches that contrast with the more traditional elements.
Despite all the white tile, this bathroom does anything but play it safe. The ceiling was visually lowered with black paint and a gold picture rail that wraps around the room. The bold shower curtain and freestanding bookcase are modern touches that contrast with the more traditional elements.
Playfulness
This child’s bathroom doesn’t need colour on the walls to feel fun and fabulous. Accessories in green, yellow, orange and pink give it a whimsical look without taking away from the classic finishes. And I love how the round mirrors match the carpet circles, bringing harmony to all parts of the room.
Want to design your dream bathroom?
This child’s bathroom doesn’t need colour on the walls to feel fun and fabulous. Accessories in green, yellow, orange and pink give it a whimsical look without taking away from the classic finishes. And I love how the round mirrors match the carpet circles, bringing harmony to all parts of the room.
Want to design your dream bathroom?
Coordination
The overstuffed chairs in this chic man cave match the two accent seats on the other side of the room for one uniform colour combination. The all-white painted brick wall, full-length draperies are complementary textures rather than additional focal points.
Read more:
A Guide to Working With an Interior Designer
Tell us:
What are your must-have elements for great design? How have you brought them into your home? Tell us in the Comments below.
The overstuffed chairs in this chic man cave match the two accent seats on the other side of the room for one uniform colour combination. The all-white painted brick wall, full-length draperies are complementary textures rather than additional focal points.
Read more:
A Guide to Working With an Interior Designer
Tell us:
What are your must-have elements for great design? How have you brought them into your home? Tell us in the Comments below.
What are you working on?
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Thanks for sharing. :)