What home design and decorating rules do design bloggers love to BREAK?!
So, who has worn white pants already this year, even though there are still a few more days until Memorial Day? ME! Speaking of breaking the rules – I’ve asked 14 home decor bloggers what home decor or interior design rules they love to break! Personally, I’m not much of a rule follower in any respect — they’re more like guidelines, amiright?
Here are the rules these design bloggers break:
Denise Bryant, www.mythriftyhouse.com, When it comes to decorating, I don’t think there are any real rules to follow. A home should be decorated to reflect personality and character with items that make you happy. I personally like to display items that have a story or special sentimental value. I like things that are repurposed and used in a unique way that create conversation. I like mismatched furniture, chipped paint, worn fabric and anything with vintage charm. That’s not to say I don’t like new things too. I do like balancing my vintage items with some modern pieces too.
Tina Bousu, blogspot.eclectictwist.com, A better way for me to answer that would be: What rules do I follow? LOL! The only rule I actually do follow is symmetry. I think I might have a little OCD because it drives me CRAZY if things aren’t symmetrical. But that’s where it stops, I don’t follow any other rules, I go with my gut instinct. Trends aren’t important to me as they come and go, I’m much more about reflecting personal style not what’s popular right now… I like things to be cohesive without being ‘matchy matchy,’ and I do that with color! Design/decor should be fun, homey and comfortable whatever that looks like for you!
Susie Kuc, www.tinyhousegiantlife.com, After years in the kitchen and bathroom design industry I’ve seen my fair share of rules. They certainly are needed but I don’t really let any of them follow me out of the kitchen and into our living space. I don’t use more than three different metals in any given room, but I would say thats the only hard rule I follow! You will never see me following any formula for putting together gallery walls, I literally arrange on the floor and then put up, tweaking as I go. I tend to have lots of holes to cover up this was but anything else just messes with my artistic flow and I never feel right about the set-up.
Sam Hay, www.raggedy-bits.com, I tend to beat to the sound of my own drum as I want our house to be our home and know what we like. I tend to make decisions based on what we like rather than what a magazine tells us whats “in”. It really all boils down to what make you happy!
Nicole Corr, greenislelandscaping.wordpress.com, The 3 design rules I often break : 1 mix and match our furntiure. Its always a bit quirky. 2 hoard things I love. There is a massive sweep to clear out unwanted things, but I feel only buy what love and keep it forever. I love to mix my style up each season. 3. extend our living to the outdoors. We love cooking outside on the BBQ, I know this isn’t a rule to break but not sitting at the table is. I love cooking extra sausages for our 2 pooches
Susanne Stewart, www.lifeofpearlstreet.com, The one design “rule” I rarely ever follow has to do with color and pattern. I love color, mixing patterns and sizes of patterns, happens often in my decor. I have a neutral base color on our walls that allows me to add accents in any color I choose. Most times I don’t even use color based on seasons. I have turquoise pillows that I leave out all year around and then will throw in oranges and reds in the fall or yellows and greens in the spring. You can’t be afraid of color and even if the colors aren’t complimentary on the color wheel, if done the right way, they will always look fabulous.
Jessica Devlin, www.jessicadevlindesign.com, I love to mix metals! My mom keeps telling me that this is an absolute No No but I think it adds character. I do like to follow the guideline of keeping the same metals on the same visual plain. So if my lights are all gold, I would do that throughout the space, if my hardware is all nickel I would stay with that BUT! it’s totally ok to mix those two together since they aren’t on the same level!
Sarah Foote, www.theprojectpile.com, As far as the design rules go, I really don’t pay too much attention to them when I’m designing or decorating a room for myself. I pretty much just do as I please, and if I like how the room is looking, I keep going, and if not, I’ll switch it up and try something different! I sometimes have trouble deciding between symmetry and asymmetry, but I think that may be more of a personal opinion, rather than a rule!
Kim Boes, www.reinventedkb.com, I am quite the rule follower, so this one is a head scratcher! I guess the one rule I “break” is the one that requires symmetry in design. I love a collected look, so matching night stands, or twin lamps just don’t fit my style, or lend themselves well to my favorite thrift stores and flea market shopping spots.
Christy Harper, www.theharperhouse.com, Hmm, I’ve never been a rule follower when it comes to design. I think one of the false rules that some people follow is buying a “set” of furniture at the store. Whether that be a matching loveseat, sofa, and chair or bedroom set – I think it’s so much more interesting when your furniture is collected over time and not totally “matchy.”
Sam Franklin, www.ahappyhomeinholland.com, I don’t particularly follow set styles of home decorating and often mix it all up giving it a real eclectic feel. My home is full of mis-matched furniture pieces that we have either been given or bought second hand. You would think this would look awful but somehow it works and creates a look that I like.
Another rule I am also thinking about breaking is a having a matching dinning room suite. A big trend here in the Netherlands at the moment is to mix and match different chair styles and colours giving your home décor a more interesting feel. I really like this and have been looking around at some possible combinations.
Emy Flint, www.semiglossdesign.com, Matching is overrated. I prefer a collected look. Rather than look like a catalog spread, mismatched furnishing have character and a sense of history. When in doubt, add something old. I really love to add something that isn’t quite “right.” Maybe the color is slightly off or the style is different. That one quirky piece can make the room.
Yami Platero, www.thelatinanextdoor.com, The rule I like to break is you don’t have to do what is “trending” and you don’t have to have to have the latest and greatest all the time. Shop wherever you want and do what makes you happy. If you like to mix styles, mix them. If you like reclaimed wood with shiny chrome finishes, do it. If you like all white, all blue or all gray, use it. It’s your home and if you don’t love and feel comfortable with what you have (despite what this month’s edition of HGTV magazine says) then you will never be happy and feel at home. This is the only place on Earth that is all about you so make it that way and who cares if it’s not what everyone else is doing – that’s boring anyway.
Jennifer Gainer, www.jenron-designs.com, This is a fun question; it feels like “Don’t wear white after labor day…” LOL! Honestly, the only things I can think of are 2 things I learned in design school. 1) You should never see more than 3 types of floor coverings from any vantage point (which I feel also applies to focal colors you should pick a color theme of 3-5 colors and stick to theme for a succesful over all design. 2) This rule I still giggle about today and break all the time… but one of our professors stated that “you are never under any circumstances to mix pink and red together.” Ummm, hello, that’s Valentine’s Day’s entire color theme… you know… it’s a famous holiday??? However, I do agree that everything in designs should be done in moderation. It’s best not to go overboard with color, themes, furniture or accessories. Designs should not be a go big or go home type of situation.
For more design tips, check out the below design blogs!
Jessica Devlin Expert Bloggers Top Home Decorating Ideas
Sam Hay Expert Bloggers 16 Best Decorating Tips
Susanne Stewart Decorating on a Budget, 16 Design Bloggers Tell You How
Kimm Boes Ask The Experts: Favorite Paint Colors For Furniture
Sarah Foote Making those Teeny-Tiny Spaces Look & Feel Larger; 16 Bloggers Share their Best Advice
Pam List Expert Bloggers Top 3 Decorating Items
Sam Franklin Home Decor Style & Trends; Design Experts Favorites
Denise Bryant Decorating With Thrift Store and Flea Market Finds
Susan Kuc Small Home Design; 16 Bloggers Tell All
Yami Platero How to Keep a Stylish and Organized Home with Small Children
Nicole Corr Design Experts Tell Us What Their Dream Outside Relaxation Space Looks Like
Emy Flint How 16 Bloggers Use Color In Their Homes
Jennifer Gainer Ask the Designer-What is Your Style?
Christy Harper Grey Paint Colors – Top Bloggers Favorites
Tina Bousu Top Tips for Decorating Tough Spaces from Expert Bloggers
Tina Bousu says
This is a fantastic question! I think so many people are afraid to design or decorate their homes because they are afraid they might break a big rule or do something wrong. The answers here kind of reflect that there isn’t really a right or a wrong it’s all about what works for you and what you love. Is there a place for rules, sure when it comes to big things like a house floor plan or kitchen layout design but I think that’s where it stops. You just want a reflection of yourself coming through that’s the only rule I think matters!
Denise says
Great question and I love the variety of advice too. Thank you.
Jennifer Gainer says
I love that your catch line referenced not wearing white after labor, lol. One of the biggest myth’s in the fashion scene. It was so nice to be included in this great group of ladies, I truly love reading through all the answers, such a wealth of knowledge. Look forward to collaborating with your again soon!!!!
Emy says
Love these rule breakers! Great answers all around!
Sam Franklin says
Great question Liz, these answers just confirm and back up my habit of not following rules and just going for what I love. It’s OK to follow your gut instinct and do your own thing!
Susanne says
I just love all these rule breakers! Design is what you make it, as long as you love it! It was great doing this with you
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