Unique Decor Ideas Around Your Home

Morgenthau Residence in Silver Lake, California, USA – Long vistas were opened through the house to create a layered space with breezeways to cool the interior, A rotating fireplace marks the central axis of the house. Photo & Design by Jeremy Levine

Decorating the home is not just about spending money on paint and furniture, but about finding a decor that matches and complements the personality of the home’s owner.

From outrageous to conservative, quirky to sedate, there is an interior design style to suit everyone.

Unique Design Ideas

Some interior designs are more expensive and quirky than others. Only millionaires with rooms to fill and money to spend could possibly afford a bedroom that hides a waterslide taking the occupant down to an indoor swimming pool, let alone a home cinema room seating 10 people or more, or a bespoke sound studio.

Less Lofty Design Styles

• Vintage or Shabby Chic

Meg’s kitchen with shabby chic decor – Photo Courtesy: Meg Lessard

For those with smaller bank balances and homes, however, there are still a number of ways an original and personal interior can be created. For example, a very popular and easy to achieve design style is that of Vintage or, taken a little further, shabby chic. A style that would appeal more to women, it incorporates pastel shades offset by a white or off-cream background, and populated with distressed furniture and vintage accessories. Vintage is the perfect design choice for those who are on a budget or who like to upcycle their existing furniture, as the older a piece looks, the better. DIY methods include painting existing furniture white and then sanding down the edges to give an aged look.

• Traditional Look

Family Room with a traditional look – Photo Courtesy: Posh Surfside

Those who prefer a timeless, genderless design style should opt for a traditional look. This has a comfortable yet formal appearance, with comfortable leather sofas and chairs, plenty of wood on show, such as oak or walnut, and classic artwork that displays landscapes, such as a Constable, or cityscapes, such as a Canaletto (prints of course). A feeling of luxury is achieved with expensive fabrics, such as silk, brocade and satins. This type of interior may involve quite a lot of money, but it is a style that will last for years.

• Contemporary Interior

Photo Courtesy: Mirage Floors

A contemporary interior is one of the easiest to achieve. It relies on the use of solid blocks of colours and furniture must be simple and sleek with straight lines and right-angled corners. Ornamentation is kept to a minimum, creating an open and unfussy look. It is the perfect choice for those on a budget as walls can be painted rather than papered and floors can be covered with laminate wood rather than carpet. Accents can be achieved with bold-coloured cushions and rugs, and modern artwork. Interest can be added with the placing of quirky furniture, such as an unusually shaped bookcase or a coffee table.

Versatile Choice

An extremely versatile way to dress the windows, suitable for many, if not all, of the design styles mentioned above, is by installing custom made shutters. These are a very hot design trend at the moment and have many benefits over curtains. Being a close fit to the window frames helps to insulate a room, while the adjustable slats afford both privacy and the opportunity to regulate the daylight.