#2
We contacted u/uwfan893 to ask more about what inspired their post and the Redditor was kind enough to reply. "I saw a Zillow listing where the kitchen was obviously done in the '80s and it got me thinking about what would make a future Zillow-er say 'This house was remodeled in the late 2010s," u/uwfan893 told Bored Panda.
"There's an aspect of keeping up with the Joneses, but also sometimes trends actually do look good. That doesn’t mean they won’t be obviously of a period later," they added.
#3
#4
Even though beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it's important to live in a place that reflects you, there are some universal guidelines to ensure the space will feel good even after the fads pass.
"The most common mistake we see is fun, interesting pieces of furniture being the wrong scale or functionality," interior designer Emilie Munroe told Lonny. "Finding furnishings with an aesthetic you love is way less tricky than making sure the piece is a physical and lifestyle fit."
Before you add anything new to your space, simply take out the tape measure and write down the dimensions of both your room and the furniture you already own. See if they go together.
#5
#6
#7
But even if the numbers look good, you might want to avoid buying into boxed rooms. Picking out matching furniture might seem like a good idea for anyone who wants to save time but, in reality, it's often anything but swoon-worthy.
"Walking into a home that is a carbon copy of the store where everything was purchased is just weird," Abbe Fenimore, founder and principal of Studio Ten 25, explained to the same publisher. "Plus, the space will have no personality and most of the pieces will most likely be the wrong scale."
"Take the time to find pieces that you love, and be open to mixing and matching trendy and classic elements in the room."
#9
#10
Also, when it comes to decorating your space, slow and steady wins the race over spontaneous and quirky.
"One of the worst mistakes people make in their interiors is buying impulse pieces without a game plan for the room's layout and function," interior designer Dana Wolter added. "We also always need to consider if the scale is right, and whether or not it's a quality item that you will want to keep long-term."
Whatever you're eyeing, take a moment to really consider it. If you're perusing an antique or consignment store, for example, ask a sales associate if you can hold the item in question. Get to know it. Feel it out.
#11
#12
#13
However, when you're developing your vision, remember that you don't have to push all of your furniture against the walls. There are more viable layouts to arrange your sofa, coffee table, and media center.
"It might be fine for a smaller room, but like Kool and The Gang used to say, 'Get your back up off the wall,'" interior designer Taniya Nayak said. "In a large space, pull the furniture closer together to be more conversational. If you can't reach the coffee table or if you need to text your guests from across the room, move in a little."
#14
#15
#16
When you know the principles and what your decisions lead to, it's easier to achieve the look you're going for. Even if it means breaking convention. "I personally like warm cozy spaces, and don't like a lot of the open floor plan stuff going on now," u/uwfan893 said. "If I'm relaxing on the couch, I don't want to be doing it in the room that also is my kitchen."
But to each their own. And that's the beauty of design. It can serve us all.
#17
#18
