Interior designers have the challenging task of taking a space and making it personal, unique, and creative. They work hard to understand your personality, your tastes, and what you consider to be home.
But if given the chance to design their own home, what would interior designers consider must-have features? Well, top interior designers from around the world spoke to publications like The Spruce and Insider and gave us a glimpse at what they crave for their own dream homes.
1. Pillows That Don’t Match the Sofa
Principal design partner at Establish Design Kimberly Rasmussen finds couch pillows that match the sofa to be dull and boring. “You should perhaps toss couch pillows that match your sofa, including any that might have come with it”, she said in an interview with Insider.
What she suggests instead is to get creative with colour, texture and patterns and select pillows that accent the sofa’s fabric. This will make the entire sofa set more interesting and tie the room together.
2. A Bathroom with Elements of Wood
Designer Tiffany Hanken says having wooden elements in the shower is a must when it comes to her dream bathroom. Wood adds a flavour of class and elegance to any room. Adding some elements of wood to a bathroom will accentuate the interiors.
3. A Butler’s Pantry
Interior designer Maggie Griffin says a gorgeous butler’s pantry is a must in her dream home. An elegant place dedicated to holding entertaining pieces, china, linens, and drawers filled with flatware is an absolute must for her.
A butler’s pantry can be created as a transitional space between the kitchen and the dining room and be used as an informal spot to just stand and have a cup of tea with a conversation.
4. A Designated Home Office
Interior decorating consultant Linda Holt says a dedicated room for an office is a must in her dream home. Both she and her husband had to work from home during the pandemic, and after spending months in a makeshift office, she says “The guest bedroom needs to go back to being a guest bedroom!”
Designated home offices are great for people who either work from home full-time or even part-time because a major aspect of being motivated to work is the environment.
5. Warm and Soothing Lights
Designer at Establish Design Kimberly Rasmussen mentions another feature that she’d love in her dream home – soft and warm lights instead of harsh white ones.
It’s a known fact that the colour and intensity of the lights in a room play a huge role in relaxing the eyes and mind and inducing sleep. Harsh white lights tend to keep the mind awake and are not great for the eyes either. Swap them for soft and warm lights (white or any other colour), she says.
6. Elements of Steel
Interior designer Becky Shea fell in love with the idea of steel walls within homes after having implemented them for many of her clients’ homes. Steel walls have an industrious and utilitarian vibe to them but can also make the space feel bright and airy at the same time, she says.
If not walls, some elements of steel like beams or other support structures added to the interiors will have the same effect.
7. Engineered Wood Floors
Kristen Piper, the owner and principal designer at Piper Interior Design, says engineered wood flooring is not only a stylish choice but also a smart one. Engineered wood flooring is durable and definitely worth the money, especially for homes that experience constantly changing seasons.
Engineered wood flooring is made from real wood, so it can be sanded and refinished when you choose to revamp the floors.
8. An Artisan Piece
Owner of Annie Santulli Designs Annie Santulli loves the idea of including an artisan piece in the interiors of a home. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be a custom chandelier, a handmade rug, or an attractive painting.
These pieces often grab attention and become conversation starters when people visit. Over time, these objects have the capacity to become family heirlooms, ones that you pass on for generations.
9. Layered Lighting
Vice president of design at KB Home Gena Kirk says layered lighting is something she loves incorporating to prevent the ambience from falling flat. That’s exactly what happens when a single source of light is added to a room, and she prefers adding multiple layers of light through chandeliers, pendant lighting, wall sconces, and so on. “This creates a calm and welcoming environment throughout your home and can complement your design style”, she says.
Well, there you have it. This is what interior designers crave, what they’d love to decorate their dream homes with. If you found any of these ideas inspiring, feel free to add them to your interior design plans. They are, after all, ideas shared by some of the best designers around the world.
On the other hand, if you’d like to leave designing to the interior designers while you relax and have your dream home designed for you, drop us a message. We’ll capture features unique to you and bring them out in your home decor. That’s a guarantee.
