Are You Overlooking These 5 Essential Design Elements?
Are You Overlooking These 5 Essential Design Elements?
When you're designing a space, there are all kinds of things to consider from the benchtop and island layout to furniture, appliances, colour palette, and more. Quite frankly, it's easy to lose sight of the smaller details. At Archant, we talk to customers from all over New Zealand who are looking to take their space to the next level. Many times, the outcome they seek doesn’t necessarily require a huge renovation, but rather a strategic focus on some of the finer aspects of the design. And while it may seem counter intuitive, paying attention to the smaller elements of a design make a bigger impact in the overall grand scheme of things.
Great interior designers understand this and have been using subtle details throughout their projects for years with tremendous success. As designer Charles Eames said, "The details are not the details. They make the design." We wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment at Archant. In this article, we're going to talk about five small design elements that can make a really big impact on the state of your project. Best of all, these products don't require a huge budget.
1) Hardware
Handles, pulls, and knobs. These three hardware elements are so much more than functional necessities. In our experience working with clients, these are the most overlooked but essential aspects of a design. The hardware you choose can make a massive difference in the way a kitchen looks and feels. Still, there is no shortage of different looks, styles, colours, and finishes to consider. To determine what style is best for you, think about what kind of style you're trying to create. Is your desired space modern, industrial, or traditional? By defining the overarching style of your space, you can approach the hardware selection accordingly.
2) Texture
Texture is another effective yet sometimes forgotten aspect of successful design. To incorporate this into a space, you don't have to use a large application. In fact, some of the best additions of texture we've seen were done in very subtle ways. Whether it's through a wire mesh product like our exclusive Wovenpanel®, the weathered look, and feel of our quartz Metropolis collection or the knurled finish of our stylish handles, there are all kinds of ways to use texture.
You may still be wondering why adding textures is so important. One of the main benefits is how it adds a new level of depth to a space that would otherwise appear flat and lifeless. Textured elements make for a more interesting aesthetic while adding an element of sophistication that would otherwise be absent. It can also highlight or feature important aspects of a design that you'd like to emphasise. The products we mentioned above are a few ways to do so, but we encourage you to be creative with your own unique ways to add texture to your space.
3) Contrast
For generations, artists of all disciplines have been working with contrast to create drama in their creations. For painters like Rembrandt, this was done by exploring the differences between highlights and shadows. The bolder the application, the more impact it had on the painting. The same is true with interior design. If you wish to create a dynamic space, contrast is a great technique to do so. Maybe it's a dark feature wall to offset your light benchtop. Perhaps it’s white hardware set against dark cabinetry. Whatever method you choose, the result will be similar. Contrast increases the visual appeal of a space, adding vibrant energy and renewed visual appeal.
Many of our large-format porcelain tiles feature contrast in the pattern of the stone. Starting with a neutral or white background, marble-type veining in various colours that span the slab. To further emphasise this contrast, you can repeat the same play on tones in other parts of the room. For example, if your benchtop features medium grey swirls, consider using similarly toned satin chrome handles or tapware.
4) Lighting
There is no shortage of amazing lighting solutions available today. In a kitchen, these not only supply much-needed functionality but style as well. They offer a unique warmth and inviting quality to the room. One of the obvious areas where the lighting makes a big difference is directly above a kitchen island. Pendants and other small but stylish fixtures are quite a timeless look.
While you can purchase generic-looking light fixtures in most hardware stores, we encourage you to use this opportunity to put your stamp on the space. Think outside of the box. Explore the various creative solutions that are available today. As designer Dorothy Draper famously said, "I always put in one controversial item. It makes people talk."
5) Colour
Finally, we come to one of the most fun aspects of your design, which is colour. What kind of palette is most appealing to you? This will be different for everyone. Some of our clients absolutely love vibrant and dynamic selections, while others prefer a more understated, subtle appeal. Either way, the use of colour is an essential consideration. We've seen all types of clever ways to incorporate. colour into design. Some of the most effective often prove to be the simplest. And while it's tempting to overuse colour to create a sense of drama, we find a better approach is to incorporate small but vibrant aspects into the space.
At Archant, we’re keenly aware that colour trends will continue to evolve. In fact, recently releases several new colours of both porcelain in quartz tiles. This includes the currently on-trend earthy tones as well as straightforward patterns featuring one solid colour. In addition, our wide range of cabinet hardware, sinks and taps typically come in various tones. These options give you the ultimate design flexibility so you can best leverage colour in a powerful way.
Let's Continue the Discussion on Social
We trust you found these five tips insightful as you prepare to upscale your space. Are there any aspects of great design that you thought was missing? Reach out to us on social let's continue the conversation there. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Related Links
5 Stylish Ways to Add Contrast and Transform a Room
Why You Should Consider Using Wire Mesh in Your Design
3 of the Most Exciting Kitchen Design Trends for 2023 (Review)
How to Choose the Right Finish for Your Hardware
6 Key Things You Should Know Before Designing a Kitchen Island
5 Innovative Designs That Demonstrate the Versatility of Wovenpanel™
