Six Essential Interior Design Guidelines for a Functional, Beautiful Home

Creating a home that feels both stylish and functional often comes down to thoughtful details and intentional choices. While colour schemes and textures are important, the way you furnish, light, and accessorize a space can make or break its comfort and personality. Here are six essential design guidelines to help elevate your home.

 

1. Mix and Match Furniture for Interest

Gone are the days when everything had to perfectly match. Mixing furniture styles, materials, and finishes can create a room that feels layered, personal, and dynamic. For example, pairing a modern sofa with a vintage side table or combining wooden dining chairs with metal accents adds visual intrigue and makes a space feel curated rather than staged. The key is balance: keep some continuity in colour palette or scale, but don’t be afraid to mix shapes, textures, and eras. This approach allows your personality to shine through and gives each room a sense of depth and story.


2. Never Rely on a Single Light Source

Lighting shapes mood, highlights features, and defines functionality in a space. One overhead fixture rarely provides enough flexibility or warmth. Instead, consider layering light: combine ceiling lights, floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces. Each source serves a different purpose, ambient, task, or accent, and together they create a more welcoming and versatile environment. Layered lighting also allows you to adapt the room for different times of day and activities, whether it’s a cozy evening with a book or a lively dinner party.


3. Kitchens Need Task Lighting

While ambient lighting sets the overall mood, kitchens require dedicated task lighting to make cooking and food prep safe and efficient. Under-cabinet lights, pendant lamps over islands, and strategically placed recessed lighting ensure work surfaces are well illuminated. Task lighting doesn’t have to be purely functional; stylish pendants or sleek under-cabinet LED strips can become design features in their own right, adding both beauty and practicality.


4. Dimmers Are a Must

Installing dimmers is one of the simplest ways to add flexibility and ambiance to a space. Being able to adjust lighting intensity allows a room to transition from bright and functional to soft and relaxing in seconds. Dimmers are particularly valuable in living rooms, bedrooms, and dining spaces, giving you complete control over mood without the need for multiple switches or complex installations.


5. Storage Should Be Pretty as Well as Functional

Clutter-free spaces are a joy to live in, but storage doesn’t need to be purely utilitarian. Attractive shelving, stylish baskets, built-in cabinetry with decorative fronts, and open storage with thoughtful organization can turn practicality into design. By integrating storage that complements your décor, you create a home that’s both tidy and visually appealing proving that functionality and beauty can coexist seamlessly.


6. Artwork Doesn’t Need to Match

Art is a reflection of personal taste, not a strict interior design rule. While coordinating colour tones or frames can help unify a gallery wall, perfectly matching pieces aren’t necessary. Curating a mix of styles, sizes, and mediums often produces a more compelling and authentic look. A large abstract painting can coexist with family photos, prints, or vintage finds, creating a layered, engaging gallery that tells your story.


Bringing It All Together

Following these six design guidelines - mixing furniture, layering lighting, prioritizing task lighting in kitchens, installing dimmers, combining beauty with functional storage, and embracing eclectic art creates a home that’s not only visually interesting but practical for everyday life.

The beauty of these principles is their flexibility. They can be adapted to any style, space, or budget, allowing your home to evolve over time while remaining functional, inviting, and uniquely yours. Small thoughtful choices make a big difference in turning a house into a truly lived-in, loved home.

Let's chat about how I can help.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Paint Sheen Matters

By Barbara Emami • November 19, 2025
Choosing the Perfect Paint Sheen for Any Room When it comes to painting a room, most people focus on colour — but the finish, or sheen, of your paint can have just as much impact on the overall look and feel. The right sheen not only affects aesthetics but also durability, maintenance, and even the perception of space. Selecting the perfect paint sheen can transform a room from ordinary to polished and help your design last for years to come. Understand the Different Sheens Paint sheen refers to the level of gloss or shine a paint has once it dries. Common sheens include: Matte / Flat : Non-reflective and soft, ideal for hiding imperfections on walls and ceilings. Offers a smooth, sophisticated look but can be harder to clean, making it better for low-traffic areas. Eggshell : Slightly more lustrous than matte, eggshell has a gentle sheen that’s easier to wipe down. Great for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. Satin / Pearl : A subtle sheen with more durability, perfect for high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms. Its gentle shine adds warmth without appearing too glossy. Semi-Gloss : Noticeably shiny and extremely durable, semi-gloss works well for trim, doors, cabinetry, and areas prone to moisture. Gloss / High-Gloss : Highly reflective and bold, often used for furniture, trim, or statement walls. It’s striking but will highlight imperfections if overused on walls. Match Sheen to Function Consider how the room is used. Kitchens, bathrooms, and children’s playrooms benefit from washable finishes like satin or semi-gloss. Bedrooms and living areas are better suited to matte or eggshell, which create a soft, cozy atmosphere while hiding wall imperfections. Factor in Light and Mood Sheen affects how light interacts with your space. Higher sheens reflect more light, making a room feel brighter and more energetic, while matte finishes absorb light for a calm, intimate vibe. Consider both natural and artificial lighting when choosing your finish. Use Sheen Strategically Mixing sheens can add subtle depth. For example, a matte wall paired with semi-gloss trim or doors creates visual contrast without adding colour. This approach emphasizes architectural details and elevates the design. Bottom Line Choosing the right paint sheen is about balancing durability, function, and aesthetics. Understanding how each finish performs in different spaces ensures your walls not only look beautiful but stay beautiful over time. A well-chosen sheen can subtly shape mood, highlight design details, and make your home feel cohesive and polished.

Low Commitment Ways to Add Big Character

By Barbara Emami • November 19, 2025
The Ever-Changing Home: Small, Low-Commitment Ways to Add Big Character Not everyone is ready to commit to a bold wallpaper, a custom sofa, or a dramatic architectural change and that’s perfectly okay. Some people love the thrill of reinvention, the freedom to refresh a space on a whim, or the flexibility to adapt a room to their moods and seasons. The good news? You don’t need major renovations or lifelong decisions to bring true character into your home. In fact, some of the most personality-rich interiors are built on small, thoughtful touches that can evolve over time. Whether you’re a serial redecorator, a renter, or simply someone who gets décor FOMO every few months, here are the many small, low-commitment ways to bring character into your space, all without locking yourself into anything you can’t easily undo. Start With the Power of Textiles Textiles are the ultimate non-committal design tool. Throw pillows, blankets, bedding, and drapery can completely change the mood of a room with zero permanence. Want cozy and warm? Pick up something chunky, woolly, or textured. Craving fresh and airy? Light linens or soft cotton blends shift the tone instantly. The best part? These items are easy to rotate seasonally, store between swaps, and layer for variety. Even a neutral sofa feels brand new when you dress it differently. Use Art as Your Personality Playground A rt doesn’t need to be expensive or permanent. A gallery wall with removable hooks, leaning frames on shelves, or even art prints clipped to a stylish board allow you to transform the visual story of your home whenever inspiration strikes. Try switching colour palettes, themes, frame materials and sizes and scale. And for the truly commitment-shy, a large leaning canvas (no nail holes required) adds instant presence without the pressure. Bring Character Through Plants — Real or Faux Plants breathe life, texture, colour, and even a sense of calm into a home. Better yet, you can change them out as your confidence (or curiosity) grows. Start with low-maintenance green companions, or opt for high-quality faux plants that look beautiful in any corner and can be moved around whenever you want a visual refresh. Planters are another easy swap. Think glazed ceramics, baskets, metallic finishes, each adds a unique layer of personality. Try Styling Vignettes That Evolve Over Time Think of your surfaces as tiny stages for expression. Coffee tables, consoles, and open shelves offer endless opportunities to play with small clusters of objects. Consider mixing candles, books, sculptures, bowls and trays, seasonal décor and vintage trinkets. These curated mini-moments are easy to restyle, swap, and tweak. Sometimes just moving objects from one surface to another creates a surprising sense of newness. Make Lighting Your Secret Weapon Lighting dramatically influences atmosphere and unlike structural changes, lamps are wonderfully commitment-free. Swap out lampshades, change bulbs (warm, cool, daylight, soft amber), lamp bases or even the placement of lighting. Try layering different types of light: a floor lamp for ambience, a task lamp for function, and a statement table lamp for personality. Each piece creates mood without permanence. Choose Statement Pieces You Can Move — Not Install If you love character but hate commitment, think “portable personality.” Consider a beautifully shaped accent chair, a bold area rug, a sculptural side table, a quirky ottoman, a decorative ladder for blankets. These pieces can travel from room to room, evolve with your style, or even follow you to a new home entirely. They add presence without requiring renovation-level dedication. Lean Into Colour… in Small Doses You don’t have to paint the entire room. Start with small colour commitments. Think a bold lampshade choice, colourful pottery, a fun patterned pillow, books with bright spines or a vibrant throw blanket. A little colour goes a long way and because these touches are small, swapping them out later is easy and fun. Embrace the Beauty of Scent Yes, scent is a design layer. Candles, diffusers, or incense complete the sensory experience of a home. They create mood, bring comfort, and subtly define character in a way that changes with the season or your mindset. It’s the easiest, most atmospheric layer of all. In the End, Character Doesn’t Require Commitment. A home filled with character isn’t necessarily filled with permanent features. It’s layered with intention, texture, personality, and feeling, all of which can be achieved through small, flexible, easy-to-change elements. If you’re someone who loves to evolve your space, lean into it. Your home doesn’t need to stay the same forever. It just needs to feel like you, right now.

The Perfect Pairing - Colour and Texture

By Barbara Emami • November 3, 2025
When you walk into a room that feels just right, it’s rarely by accident . That sense of warmth, balance, and visual comfort often comes from a thoughtful mix of colour and texture , the two foundational elements that set the tone and mood of any interior. Understanding how they interact is the key to transforming a house into a home that feels personal, polished, and perfectly balanced. Colour Sets the Emotional Tone Colour is the emotional foundation of a space. It speaks before the furniture, before the art and sometimes even before the architecture. Soft neutrals whisper calm and relaxation, while rich jewel tones command attention and create drama. Cool colours like blues and greens bring serenity, while warmer hues such as terracotta, gold, and ochre add energy and comfort. But colour is more than a mood-setter; it also defines spatial perception. Light colours can make a room feel larger and airier, while darker tones create intimacy and depth. When designing a room, think of colour as your first storytelling layer, it sets the mood, but it needs texture to make the story come alive. Texture Brings Colour to Life Texture is what gives colour dimension. A matte clay wall in a warm tone feels earthy and grounded, while the same colour in a glossy finish feels modern and sleek. The texture of a surface changes how our eyes and our emotions read a colour. A room rich in textures instantly feels layered and inviting. Think woven throws, linen drapery, nubby wool rugs, sleek marble, and soft leather. Even when working within a neutral palette, texture keeps the eye engaged and prevents the space from feeling flat or sterile. In fact, a room with subtle colours but bold textures can often feel more dynamic than one bursting with colour alone. Finding Balance Between the Two The perfect space lies in the balance between colour and texture. If the colour palette is bold, use texture to ground it. Pair deep navy walls with natural wood, rattan, or stone to soften the drama. If the palette is neutral, let texture carry the interest. Layered fabrics, organic shapes, and tactile finishes will make the space sing without overwhelming it. In design, contrast creates balance. Smooth pairs beautifully with rough, shiny with matte, structured with soft. When opposites meet, they highlight each other’s best qualities just like the way a crisp white wall makes a textured jute rug stand out, or how a velvet sofa glows against a painted plaster wall. How to Apply This in Your Own Home Start with a base: choose your primary colour palette, think warm, cool, or neutral. Then, layer in textures that complement and enhance those tones. Here’s how: For neutral palettes: Mix linen, wool, and wood to add warmth and tactile richness. For bold palettes: Add texture through materials like brushed metal, rattan, or distressed finishes to keep the space approachable. For modern minimalism: Use fewer colours, but incorporate subtle variations in texture - matte walls, woven rugs, and smooth ceramics. For cozy, lived-in spaces: Blend natural fibres, textured fabrics, and timeworn materials like aged leather or reclaimed wood. Every texture you add helps balance and refine your spaces colour story. The Emotional Result When colour and texture work in harmony, the space feels authentic and effortless. You sense it the moment you walk in, calm yet engaging, cohesive yet full of depth. That’s because you are experiencing design on two levels: visually through colour and physically through texture. Together, they create not just a room, but a feeling — one that’s deeply human and endlessly inviting. In the end, great design isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection. When you thoughtfully pair colours and textures, you create spaces that not only look beautiful but feel right for the people who live in them.  That’s the true art of design.