There are some interior designers that everyone knows and loves. Their style or design perspective resonates with many of us. But why do we love their designs so much? How do their designs always inspire us or catch our attention? Well, here’s one person’s opinion on what makes a good design, and what these designers are doing so well!
While every designer has their own vision, taste, or style (whatever you prefer to call it), the best designs include three essential elements: they’re clean/functional, they’re comfortable, and their designs are full of life.
CLEAN/FUNCTIONAL
No one enjoys things that are messy or untidy. Even if we tolerate them, that doesn’t mean we enjoy them. There is something about a clean space that gives us a sense of calm, free of stress and anxiety. Which is why it’s point number one for me of what makes a good design.
For spaces to feel clean, that usually means well organized, having a place for everything and eliminating non-essential clutter. Things laying around and looking messy will overwhelm a space in a hurry!
I’ve been asked, “how can you use vintage or ‘shabby’ decor pieces without it feeling dirty?” Because we naturally think that rough wood or chipping paint isn’t clean. (Joanna Gaines busted that myth!) The truth is, it’s all about the environment as a whole. You can use “rougher” elements in a room if they are balanced with “cleaner” ones.
For example, if you’re fond of the farmhouse look, often those designs include a very rough or rustic element. It can be a piece of furniture like a table, hutch, bookshelf, etc or it can even be elements like the floor or ceiling. Those rougher elements are usually balanced by cleaner ones such as white walls.
Now, it doesn’t always have to be an even balance. Some room designs are “rougher” than others, but in general our favorite designs have just the right balance to keep the rough from looking dirty and the aged from looking dated. It keeps things clean and modern while also having a rustic feel to it.
FUNCTIONAL
I also lumped functional into this point as well, and here’s why. It can be tempting to toss or purge everything to achieve a “clean” look. However, that doesn’t always solve the problem. Here’s a personal example. As a mom of three boys, I’m constantly fighting the toy mess. But tossing out toys would create more problems. So while it’s important to have a room that seems clean or clutter free, it’s just as important that the room functions for what we need.
Instead, try designing a room that’s the best of both worlds. Using my example again, my design solution would be to create a space with plenty of storage options. This way, they still get to keep their toys but there is a designated space for them to go, where the toys won’t be seen or appear cluttered. It can also function as a design feature by using attractive bins or display shelves.
COMFORTABLE
While we may want the magazine cover life, it’s not always one that can be “lived in.” We just talked about spaces being functional, which is a great segue into the point of how comfort is an important part of what makes a good design.
Sure, a room may look clean and functional with everything in it’s place and no messy clutter. But, does it have a place for you? As someone who spends a significant amount of time in the same four walls, comfort falls very near the top of my priority list. That $5,000 couch may look AMAZING, but if it feels like I’m sitting on a boulder it just won’t do.
If I’m in my own home, I want to be comfortable in it. During the winter months, I want a giant cushy couch with a nest of blankets to enjoy my warm coffee or a good book with. If I’m sitting at my table, I want chairs that are comfortable enough for a quick snack or an hours long game night!
Comfort goes farther than just soft cushy things though. It should also encompass furniture placement. For example, there is nothing worse than constantly tripping over furniture. A large coffee table in the center of a small room is not a comfortable option, no matter how nice it looks.
When I’m putting together a design, I always try to include (where possible) comfortable seating, pillows, blankets and soft touches that add comfort to a room. While that tile floor is GORGEOUS, it’s not great to stand on for hours while preparing meals or cleaning dishes. Rugs are a great comfort item to enhance a design.
I also try to be very conscious of where things are placed and how they will work in a space for those that will be using it.
FULL OF LIFE
This next part on what makes a good design is a little abstract. How can a design or inanimate elements and decor objects have life? Well there are a couple ways of accomplishing that.
The first, and most obvious, is to bring living things into the design. This is a big reason why I LOVE incorporating live plants in my designs. They immediately give a sense of organic life to a room or space.
But the less obvious option is to incorporate the people who live in the house! The best designers are of course designing through their own lens, but ultimately they are designing for you, the person who will use the space. So the designs should reflect aspects of the personalities and perspectives of those who live there.
The people who live in the house are full of life! They have stories and hobbies and experiences that can be communicated through a design and the elements incorporated in it. So when it comes to what makes a good design, it should always focus on who it is being designed for.
There you have it. An introduction to interior design basics! So, now that you know what makes a good design, what are some techniques that the designers we love use to accomplish these things? I would suggest a few interior design basics:
- Creating A Color Story
- Adding Layers
- Maintaining Balance
Stay tuned as we look a little deeper at each of these Design Basics in upcoming posts!
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