Top 5 Impactful Purchases to Consider When Updating Your Interior
We’ve all done it. Who hasn’t walked out of a store beaming with pride, after making a purchase that feels so right in the moment. It’s only later that we realize that the vivid paisley blazer that we fell in love with has limited versatility. A better choice may have been a classic navy blazer with an amazing paisley tie or pocket square - accent items that can easily be changed or updated.
In my experience as an interior design professional, I find that the most successful rooms begin with relatively basic pieces. Much like building a wardrobe, the successful outcome of a room is dependent on solid foundation pieces.
Over the years, many clients have asked me to share what I feel are the most important foundation purchases to consider when updating their interior. Purchases that are impactful, adaptable and versatile. In essence, purchases that stretch your decorating dollar and rarely leave you feeling regret.
- Simplify your seating.
First let me start by saying that you should always purchase the very best quality sofa that your budget allows. You will never regret investing in well-constructed upholstery.
When it comes to fabric and style, I recommend keeping it simple. Take a pair of khakis for example. Investing in just one pair of quality khakis gives you the opportunity to dress them up with a blazer and a blue oxford shirt, or, relax with a concert T-shirt and a pair of converse sneakers. Either way, the khaki pants adapt. Your sofa should do the same. Perhaps you initially purchased your sofa for a formal living room. Isn’t it great to have the flexibility to move your sofa into the family room or den as your lifestyle changes? Adaptable upholstery pieces are always your best investment.
- Pile on the pillows.
Think of your accent pillows as a perfect place to express your personality. As individuals, we are continually evolving. Something that you love today you may view from a different perspective tomorrow. Pillows can easily be changed. The same goes for small seats on an accent chair. Here is your opportunity to be wild and colorful. Think of your pillows as the colorful socks or fantastic scarf that tells the world who you are.
- Be reflective.
Personally speaking, mirrors are one of the best foundation purchases you can make for a room. Not only do they visually expand the space, their inclusion adds a dimensional quality that just can’t be achieved with any other decorative element. I often incorporate large, oversized mirrors to the interiors that I design as a way to add drama. When it comes to adaptability, mirrors are appropriate in any room of your home and are always in vogue.
- Heavy metal.
More energy is expanded and wasted on clients feeling the need to finitely match every single metal finish throughout their space. Gone are the days when your lighting fixtures needed to match your door knobs which needs to match the candle sticks on your table, etc.
If you want to make an impactful statement, mix it up. Gold, silver and bronze look AMAZING together. Not only is it more interesting, it allows you to invest in pieces you love regardless of the finish. The key to mixing metals is to repeat the combination of finishes for maximum impact. When it comes to limitations on mixing metals, the only limitations that exist are the ones you place on yourself.
- Tread lightly.
When it comes to selecting the finishes for your floors, you are literally choosing the foundation of your space. This could potentially be one of the largest investments that you are going to make. I strongly encourage my clients to stay away from trends. I prefer to steer them towards flooring materials and finishes that are timeless and will be as relevant in 30 years as they are today.
By David Lyall, interior designer and owner, David Lyall Home & Design
