Weekly Design Inspiration: Small details that make a big impact
When designing our homes we often focus on the bigger picture, such as structural design, paint colours and furnishings. More often than not, when we are undertaking these design tasks without a designer, the smaller details aren’t as thought through.
Here you will find the small details that will make a big impact in any room design.
Lightswitches
These Forbes & Lomax Invisible Lightswitches give me life! So gorgeous, and they look great in any room. Especially over wallpaper! These are a massive upgrade over the classic plastic white lightswitches that come in standard homes.
Forbes & Lomax
They also have a range of not so invisible light switches, coming in brass, stainless steel, nickel silver, antique bronze, and more.
These brass switches are GORGEOUS.
Forbes & Lomax
Baseboards and Casings
You know those thin baseboards that you likely have all through your house that you probably thought looked okay? You’re going to want to overhaul the entire house after you see these alternatives.
Opting for a wider baseboard changes the whole look of the room. Not to mention that baseboards come in so many different styles, you don’t have to opt for the regular colonial style anymore (unless you want to, of course). Check out these modern options that are just SO GOOD.
Don Pedro
Edgewood Farmhouse
Keys to Inspiration
Paint Sheen
With so many paint sheens available, it can be overhelming to choose the right one. So here’s a quick guide for reference:
WALLS - Flat or eggshell. The eggshell sheen is generally my go-to for families since it is easier to wipe clean, but doesn’t look shiny.
CEILINGS - Flat
BASEBOARDS - Satin or semi-gloss depending on how traditional or formal my client’s style is. A subtle difference between the baseboard and walls always looks great!
Coco Lapine Design
Grout Lines
Opting for a thinner grout line changes the appearance of the tiled surface. With thinner grout lines, the focus is always on the beautiful tile you’ve chosen, rather than the dirt and other substances that stick to the grout between. If you’ve ever made spaghetti bolognese, you know exactly what I mean.
Remember to always upgrade your grout to brands that offer stain resistant properties
Style by Emily Henderson
By butting the tiles up close together with thin grout lines, it gives the illusion that these gold inlay pieces are actually gold grout.
Artisan Signature Homes
Ceiling Height Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets that stop 3/4 of the way up the wall? No thank you. That dark shelf becomes a dark and often final resting place for your barely used well-intentioned housewarming gifts you got from your extended family when you moved in how many years ago?! Not to mention the collection of dust and other nasties.
Extending the upper cabinets all the way up to the ceiling changes the look of the room, and now those gifts have a real home (even if they’re mostly out of reach).
Katie Martinez
Kitchen & Beyond
Counter Depth Fridges
I don’t think this one really needs an explanation. Why fridges were ever made a different depth to kitchen cabinets is beyond me.
Yale Appliances
Unknown
Floor Transitions
The only way you’re getting away from floor transitions is if you choose the exact same flooring for your entire house, which is always my suggestion and preference.
You can opt for the straight switch in flooring, or you could go with something with a little more attention to detail with a big wow factor.
Next Luxury
Next Luxury
I’m a huge fan of hexagonal tiles. I love how they’ve used the shape of the tile to determine the floor transition, instead of cutting the tiles into a straight box around the door. Well done!
Moda Masculina
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