Creating an aesthetically pleasing home does not always involve major renovations, but rather eliminating mistakes that impede the balance of warmth and fluidity within your environment. At Kolka, we know that making informed selections regarding your textiles, colours and textures can dramatically alter your living space. Whether you love home decor vintage aesthetics or contemporary design, below are some common styling faux pas to avoid!.
Below are simple, practical interior styling tips to help you style like a designer — without the overwhelm.
1. Choosing the Wrong Scale of Furniture & Textiles
Ignoring proportions is one of the most common decorating blunders! For example, oversized furnishings in small spaces will overpower the area's overall design aesthetic, while small decorative items in expansive living spaces will cause visual chaos and detract from the ambient feeling.
This principle also applies to fabric selections, as choosing appropriately sized sofa cushion covers will keep your seating surface looking neat and clean versus cluttered. For example, use larger cushions towards the back of your sofa, and mix in medium and smaller decorative cushions towards the front to create dimension and visual balance.
2. Ignoring the Power of Textures
An unbroken, plain surface can seem flat. Textures bring life, richness and visual excitement to those surfaces.
Textiles made by hand such as cushion covers velvet and woven cotton throws, and embroidered cushion covers can effortlessly add character to your home. By combining the soft textures of Kolka textiles with artisan embellishments, you can easily achieve a warm and cohesive style.
3. Overlooking Colour Harmony
A room with an overabundance of bright colours may appear chaotic or overwhelming; conversely, an excess of neutral colours can render it dull and uninspired. Striking an appropriate balance between bold and neutral colours is essential.
Establish a primary colour scheme, and add interest via accent pieces such as pillows, blankets, and accents. Decorative cushions in contrasting colours are one simple way to breathe new life into a room.
Home decorators who favour a vintage aesthetic will typically opt for earthy tones, muted pastels, or textured neutrals that convey a sense of classic sophistication.
4. Styling Without Layering (A Common Mistake!)
One of the best, yet most often overlooked home & styling techniques used is layering. To layer up your sofa or bed with extra depth, you might consider adding the following items:
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A complementary set of decorative cushions
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An intentionally draped cosy blanket and throws
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A high quality cotton bedspread/quilt
The use of layered textiles creates dimension within the room and provides your home with the appearance of a 'lived in' feel, which is very comforting and enticing. Kolka offers a wide range of beautiful cotton throws and artisanal quilts that are intended to look great when combined together without overwhelming the overall look of the space.
5. Confusing Bedspread vs Coverlet
Many homeowners get stuck choosing between a bedspread vs coverlet, leading to mismatched bedding.
Here is a simple guide:
Bedspread: Bedspreads are larger than coverlets. They can cover a bed completely and give a luxurious look to your bed.
Coverlet: Coverlets are light and beautiful, and they are great for layering over blankets and quilts for a finished and refined look.
Choosing the appropriate item for bedding and bedroom decor gives your bedroom a sophisticated appearance rather than a cluttered or unflattering appearance.
6. Filling Every Corner
The open space within your living area is as important as your décor. Too many items in your home will detract from the beauty of the important pieces.
A handcrafted velvet cushion or artisan throw can really stand out on their own and should be a focal point of your design. A minimalist, yet deliberate, approach to styling will yield an overall more sophisticated look for your home.
Final Thoughts
If you want to instantly enhance your interior design, avoid the following mistakes. Using Kolka's handcrafted decorative cushions, quilts, cotton throws, and premium sofa cushion covers will give you the confidence and imagination to style your space.
A well-curated collection of textured materials. A harmonious collection of colors. A well-planned layering of decoration.
The most beautiful style of living comes from an intentional way of layering textures, colors, and materials together to create a stunning home — the Kolka way.
FAQs
1. What are some tips to help me determine which size of cushion cover to purchase for my sofa?
Cushions that are larger than the cushions on my sofa (for example: (50 x 50cm) will provide structure to the sofa, while cushions of medium size and small decorative cushions, will create a layered, blended look.
2. In what ways does the texture of a home affect how it is styled?
A textured home has a warmer, deeper feel and more visual interest than a home with minimal texture. Items such as velvet cushion covers, woven cotton throws and handcrafted cushions add texture to a room so it does not seem like an unfinished, flat space.
3. What is layering in home & styling?
Layering your home with different textiles (cushions, blanket and throws, quilts) creates depth and allows the home to be styled more intentionally. It will also make a space feel more comfortable and inviting.
4. In what ways can throws improve my home or bedroom decor?
Using cotton throws or blankets gives warmth and texture and provides a feeling of comfort when draping them on your sofa arm, placing them at the foot of your bed, or layering with cushions to achieve a designer look.
5. Will decorative cushions truly change the image of a room?
Yes, decorative cushions with superior quality/style will completely change the overall feel and appearance of a room. They are a great way to add colour, enhance comfort and create an illusion of depth with the style of your favourite cushion arrangements.
6. Where can I buy premium cushions, throws, and bedspreads in Australia?
You can shop Kolka’s handcrafted decorative cushions, cotton throws, quilts, and bedspreads at www.kolka.com.au