Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
If you want to create a space that impresses, amuses, inspires or tantalises, you need to create wow factor. In interior design, the best way to elicit that response is by doing something unexpected. Here are four ways you can do just that:
- Play with Colour
There are many ways to use colour to create wow factor, but arguably the cheapest and easiest is with paint. Think outside the box of just painting the walls and consider other ways in which you can incorporate colour. Paint the floor, the ceiling, the skirting boards, the window frames in surprising colours. These features are usually left neutral but what if you went with a high-gloss dark navy, or a neon yellow, or sultry turquoise? It would look incredible!
- Go Big
Oversized accessories can really make a space sing. Whether you opt for a giant piece of artwork, extra-large cushions, a huge chandelier or a mirror that takes up an entire wall, you can create visual interest and intrigue with scale. With this trick you’re using scale to create a sense of drama and tension which draws the eye in and keeps the viewer interested.
- Decorate with One-Off Items
Building a space with wow factor takes time and patience. You’re trying to do something unexpected, which means you can’t just pop into John Lewis and buy everything you need at once. Look around vintage shops, flea markets and charity shops for unique one-off pieces that you know will look great in your home. It may take weeks, or even months, to find the right piece but when you find it, you’ll be so glad you waited.
- Print and Pattern
If you’ve read any of my previous blog posts you’ll know I’m a big advocate for pattern. It just instantly adds visual interest to a space. I like large-scale prints in bold colours for creating wow factor, but you can also mix-and-match clashing prints or try using pattern in unexpected places. The possibilities are truly endless.
