Make a bold statement with your interior décor
It is crucial to consider the function of the space such as the living room - relaxing, kitchen – busy, toilet - solitude, and bedroom – cozy,” says Ambrose Kajubi of K.H.C Architecture. “However, if yours is a bachelor pad, the use of spaces is not conventional as space purposes are determined by the owner.”
You also need to consider the size of the space. If the space is big yet you need to create a coziness, pay more attention to detail rather than tackling it as a whole.
“For boldness in a bachelor pad, a pot containing the money plant between the living and dining room and use the plant to demarcate space by making it creep around the cornice height of your preferred side,” Aloysius Nangosha an interior designer, advises. “If it is a family house, placing a live plant alongside the money plant mid-way one of the living room walls rather than the corners spells boldness. Then allow the money plant to creep around the cornice.”
“Another way is to get the TV from the conventional spot and put it on the feature wall. Then put the hangings between or around the doors and windows,” he adds.
Texture/feel
“It is achieved in what you see and touch, for example, a wall could have a matte finish, shiny feel or rough texture. The texture could also transcend to your floor with a rough rug,” Kajubi mentions.
To make a room feel intimate, pay attention to intricate details. “Focus on the textures of the rug, the settee and the like,” he advises. “A shaggy rug, small patterns on the floor and small and low chairs are ideal.”
For boldness, where a small and calm coloured settee is the norm, put a large bright coloured one.
If you are looking to get a grand and complex look, go for plain and shiny textures with large leather chairs, for example.
Lights
Get various tints and shades of light. Kajubi recommends playing with the source of light. Instead of getting light from the walls and ceilings, change your light source to the floor then mirror it up to the ceiling, or use objects like plants to be the light sources.
Colour
Blues are meant for activity while reds and orange is for relaxation. Do a radical move with paint, but stay within the confines of functionality lest your boldness turns drastic.
Wangwe advises that home owners avoid blues in the bedroom.
Accent
“These help to get a point of focus within a room,” Kajubi explains. “Normally, the focus is put towards the TV set.” However, if you are a nature lover yet your room has little access to natural light, focus every design element towards the window as that gives you more access to the outdoors.
You could also work with one blank wall to express yourself, say, with a mural. You, however, need to remember that the scales vary; a smaller scale is easier to relate with than a large one.
Scale
Play with the size of windows and plants. “For example, where the norm is large windows for a given room, substitute them for several strips of windows. You could also substitute a large plant with several small plants,” Kajubi advises.
Wangwe adds that you could also have wider and lower windows for your bathroom and toilet areas as well as have your toilet seat face the window.
Rules for bold colours
“Colour can be used to evoke or inspire emotions, create illusions or even set the mood for any space,” Diana Abwooli Kobumanzi of Dar Vida Interior Limited explains. “Decorating with bold colours makes a statement and creates a space that is uniquely you. Most people tread carefully with bold colours while others never try.”
Using bright, vibrant and striking colours requires confidence and willingness to take the plunge into something different and exciting. On the technical side, one must consider the type and size of space, surroundings, as well as the effect the colour will have on you.
There is a first time for everything!
For first timers, it is recommended that you start small. Choose bold coloured accent pieces in a neutral scheme such as red, blue and yellow décor accents as these can make for a breath of fresh air. You can also use daring colours in small spaces like wall shelves and kitchen cabinets.
A pop of bold
Sometimes a pop of colour is all you need. Add subtle pops of colour with bright throw pillows, lamps, flower vases and artwork. This will help liven up the room without making it too loud or too rough on the eye. You can use neutrals like grey, black or brown as an anchor for bright colours.
Colour blocking
It can be as daring as adding a striking rug and curtains or as simple as lining the sofa with a trio of throw pillows in different hues or shades.
Extreme matching
Much like an overly matched outfit, an overly-matched room screams ‘you are trying too hard!’
Trying to match your walls to a bold piece in your room in a bid to show it off, may lead to overshadowing it. For example, to show off a beautiful fancy yellow chair, choose a bold, contrasting colour that complements it instead of competing with it.
It is also important to note that strong paint colours such as red, yellow and orange, on your walls must be perfectly smooth, without visible bumps or ridges because every little detail can be seen from afar.
To avoid smudges or similar mistakes, hire someone that will do a very clean and neat job.
Painting big surfaces
The appearance of colour changes, the larger the surface it covers. A colour on a small slip of paper like a colour chart will have a completely different look and feel on a wall or ceiling.
One of the fatal mistakes people make with bright colours is choosing the shade from a small colour chart without first experiencing it fully.
To avoid this, especially without professional help, pick samples at the hardware store and paint on large areas on your wall to see what the colour will look like in the room. Then you can make an informed decision.
Strong paint colour like red, yellow and orange, your walls must be perfectly smooth, without visible bumps or ridges because every little detail can be seen from afar.
On the other hand, you can visit similar spaces and experience the feeling before or consult a professional for a second opinion. Painting big surfaces is costly, so you want to avoid incurring any extra cost.
That said, consider painting, in the dry season as humidity causes paint to dry slowly. But if you must paint when it is humid, use slow-drying paint to correct your errors before moving on to the next coat. .
