If the noughties were the decade of minimalistic décor and the 2010s were all about shades of grey, then the 2020s have certainly revisited interior trends of a bygone era with the return of maximalism, cottage core and chinoiserie aesthetics. More is more – and homeowners aren’t afraid to make their mark on spaces throughout their property, whether that be the kitchen, study or practical spaces like boot rooms and hallways.
“Evoking a feeling of opulence comes from injecting a variety of textiles, lighting and plush interiors to add depth to the space,” explained Will Lyne, co-owner and master designer for luxury brand, Christopher Peters Kitchens and Interiors.
“Let your imagination run wild and build a collection of curated items, whether antique, new or bespoke, that you love to be surrounded by. Mood lighting and eclectic textures can instantly make a room feel grander and more high-end too. Anything goes with opulent interiors so don’t be afraid to take interior risks – within reason.”
Having seen a real increase in the number of clients opting for this style of décor, Will shares his guidance on how to inject opulence into your home.
Rich tones
Generations of homeowners before us have taught us that ceilings should be white – often with a dated case of Artex thrown in for good measure – walls should be painted a nice, non-offensive shade of magnolia and coving nicely separates the two. But it’s time to rip up the figurative rule book!
Feel confident to utilise colour and pattern in all manner of ways. If that means taking an embossed, floral wallpaper up from the walls to the ceiling then don’t be held back by previous style trends. Or perhaps you’re able to colour match a bespoke unit in a warm shade of teal to accent cushions collected at a vintage fair? The best colour groups to opt for are those in the tertiary group, so rich purples, dark greens and warm reds. These instantly bring depth to a space and make it feel more welcoming.
Love where you live
A great tip for injecting a sense of grandeur is to find something in your home that you already love and weave elements of that throughout the space. Generally, a piece of artwork is a great place to start – and it doesn’t need to be a collectible to evoke a feeling of grandeur, just something unique that makes you smile.
This can be the case for any space in the home. As seen here, in this family utility room, a simple print with matching blinds and painted units instantly makes the space feel more polished whilst still looking lived in and homely.
Warm lighting
Multi-layered lighting – essentially anything other than the main functional light in a space – adds another element to your living space that can be very appealing. Pendant lighting over a dinner table evokes a feeling of intimacy during those cosy, romantic meals for two and festive feasts for larger groups. A reading light above your favourite corner of the couch invites you to relax into the comfort of a good book and halo lighting in warm tones around a bathroom mirror gives the same sense of ambience that good spa lighting can achieve.
At Christopher Peters, we always advise our clients to consider the impact that good lighting can make in any room design. And, in some cases, it can form our inspiration for an entire design.
Will concludes: “Opulence is a state of mind, rather than a design aesthetic, but remember that more is more. In terms of interior design choices, this is by far one of my favourites as anything goes – you can always have fun with a maximalist design.”
For a complimentary design meeting with the team at Christopher Peters, visit christopherpeters.com.
All imagery supplied by Christopher Peters Kitchens and Interiors
