Showrooms may appeal to most, but your home should feel like you. If your interiors are feeling drab, dated or a little too try-hard, here are some ways to infuse it with some personality.
Subtle tweaks
Image courtesy of Philippe Dehaye/Unsplash
To prevent modern interiors from feeling stark and cold, incorporate wood furnishing for natural charm and warmth.
Image courtesy of Nathan Van Egmond/Unsplash
For softness and visual interest, swap plain headboards with an arced channel-tufted one.
Design by Brim Design
Replace a plain wall with an oversized spinning door. Convenience and privacy, all in one statement-making piece.
Image courtesy of Spacejoy/Unsplash
Proving that details matter, the beaded trim across the mirror lends a whimsical touch to this entryway.
Image courtesy of In Lieu In View Photography/Unsplash
Glamorous glints of metal are great for giving a blah space a little something-something. Here, brass tones tie the pieces together while drawing your eye across the room.
Image courtesy of Jakub Chlouba/Unsplash
Infuse a pared-down bedroom with a shot of cheery sunshine by adding just one or two zingy cushions.
Image courtesy of Newhouse/Pixabay
Shelves don’t always have to be straight. The angles on the TV wall serve to add kookiness to this otherwise sleek communal space.
Image courtesy of Nathan Oakley/Unsplash
In this cool and neutral setting, the coffee tables’ unusual hexagon bases give the room a sense of playfulness.
Painting ideas
Image courtesy of Marco Podrini
Use contrasting tones to split a room in two—no walls needed.
Image courtesy of Purdy
A blocky streak of bright blue stretched upwards makes the ceiling look taller while demarcating this zone as the study area.
Design by Studio FortyFour
Shooting out like a joyful beam of light, the yellow paint spans across several walls to make the space look wider.
Curved features
Design by Dots ‘N’ Tots Interior Design
Before thinking of tearing down walls, consider creating arches instead. They’ll open up the space while adding gorgeous detail.
Design by Studio FortyFour
Rounding the boxy entrance to the corridor instantly makes this area look cosier and more inviting.
Design by Copper Design
Not feeling your flat’s angular design? This home features custom free-flowing shapes across the walls, ceiling and even the window frames.
Quirky details
Image courtesy of Howie Mapson/Unsplash
Pallet furniture may feel makeshift, but grouping a few together makes them look intentional and cool.
Image courtesy of tpavati/Pixabay
Received an heirloom piece that’s not quite “you”? Give it a personal touch by painting it with tones from your favourite artworks.
Image courtesy of Edvinas Bruzas/Unsplash
Unique furniture can do a lot for jazzing up a mundane space. With legs in varying styles, these chairs each exude a different character, yet they still look good grouped together as they are crafted from the same wood.
Statement surfaces
Design by Arche Interior Design
Unique and durable, copper is a beautiful backsplash option that will acquire a patina over time for even more character.
Design by Bowerman Interior Planner
Love rock climbing? Instead of choosing between paint or wallpaper, why not install a climbing wall?
Design by akiHAUS
Wall moulding painted in a bold hue adds a real wow factor to this gathering space.
Design by Versaform
This kitchen is bursting with energy thanks to the daring combination of striking hues and patterns. To avoid visual fatigue, try this technique in smaller spaces like bathrooms and cooking zones while keeping the rest of the home fairly neutral.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the May 2021 issue of SquareRooms.
