It’s a fact that interior designers are experts in the area of visual aesthetics. And they always see to it that their designers will be stylish, safe, and functional according to the space they are working on.
But in order to succeed in the interior design industry in the UK, you also have to bear in mind some design cues which set British interior design apart from the rest of the world.
So we suggest you to continue reading as we are going to share some of the design elements that every interior designer in UK should master that you can apply in any setting.
Brief Background Of British Interior Design
In essence, British interior design is a combination of design inspirations from the colonial period when the Empire controlled certain parts of Asia, Africa, India, North America, and the South Pacific. Basically, the distinguishing features of British interior design are composed of:
- Neutral surroundings paired with dark furnishings.
- Integration of traditional British furniture
- Simple yet elegant
- Rich but subdued in color matching
- Place emphasis on dark tropical woods with various natural materials
- Addition of handcrafted look
The Interior Design Elements You Have To Keep In Mind
If you want to succeed as an interior designer in UK, it is recommended to incorporate these main interior design elements on all your projects:
- Lightweight Fabrics
Bold animal prints, botanical prints, and paisleys in cotton and linen fabrics are always in vogue. So make use of these designs by hanging flowing fabrics on a window or a bed frame and make sure the light is soft and filtered. As a result, you are able to add a hint of romance and mystery in a room as the lightweight fabrics are suspended from the ceiling of the bedroom.
- Portable Furniture
British prefer using things known as “campaign furniture” because of their colonial influence when their forefathers previously traveled to different British colonies. So make it a point to incorporate travel-ready furniture pieces such as collapsible beds, folding writing tables, mahogany chairs, and liqueur cabinets on your design projects as much as possible.
- Neutral Textures
Texture is also the main component in British interior design. And sisal, cane, reed, and rattan were often utilized to provide a touchy feel to any room in contrast to the dominating dark furniture.
Likewise, you can also make use of wallpapers, rugs, and woven windows and combine them with natural wooden materials to maintain a balance in the room design.
- Eclectic Accessories
The addition of eclectic accessories such as silver, fine China, expensive crystals, ivory pieces, and other mementos to a living space are typical to British people. In addition, things like globes, telescopes, maps, tortoise-patterned objects, and letter-writing boxes can give a cozy feel that the Brits will surely like having.
- Traditional Shutters
And last but not least, as a budding interior designer in UK you should also learn to incorporate the use of traditional shutters in your room design. Wooden shutters either painted or natural wood finish exudes a sense of tranquility. In addition, shutters placed behind a sofa can instantly a feeling of sophistication inside the room.