5 Interior Design Tips from an Award-Winning Danish Design Firm
Claus Ditlev Jensen is well-versed in interior design trends. He has, after all, spent the last two decades as the Collection and Visuals Director at Danish firm BoConcept, where he has overseen the design and product development of its creations.
As the world begins to open up once more, what we need out of our living spaces has understandably changed. Below, Jensen shares with us five of his top interior design tips for a post-pandemic world.
1. Compartmentalise
The open-concept floor plan used to be all the rage: Now, it's fallen out of style, and for good reason. If you're spending almost all of your time at home, how do you keep the various aspects of your life from bleeding together?
Jensen suggests creating dedicated areas for the different aspects of your life. Room dividers, decorative screens and indoor plants make for quick ways to do just that.
2. Focus on natural textures
The use of rustic, raw materials in interior design — think wood, leather and ceramics — is another prevalent trend. But too much of it and it might start to feel like a sawmill; Jensen recommends mixing these materials with other textures to create different moods: Combining them with silk and wool helps to create a softer look, while metal and stone will give a room an edgier, more modern vibe.
3. Bring the outdoors in
Another thing the pandemic taught us not to take for granted? Being outdoors. The obvious ways to bring the outdoors include large windows, doorways and lots of natural lighting: Though this isn't always possible in an existing space.
An easy way is to bring plants and greenery into the space, says Jensen — even choosing furniture with plant-like colours can have that same soothing effect.
4. Don't be afraid of colours
When you're working on a space yourself, it can be daunting to play with colours. Most choose to stick to neutral, earthy tones — which is also fine, since these natural shades play well with just about anything.
Other colours you can try to incorporate into a space include warmer hues of yellow and orange, says Jensen. They're inoffensive enough to blend well into an existing space, and can have an uplifting effect on one's mood.
5. Keep it simple
When in doubt, par it back. That doesn't necessarily mean a Marie Kondo-esque purge of your tchotchkes: It can be as simple as tidying up and moving unnecessary things out of your line of sight, and perhaps a reevaluation of what you really want present in your living space.
If you'd rather have an expert take care of the design work, BoConcept also offers a free design service for their customers — one that's tailored specifically for their needs. Whether you need design help focused on a single product, a room, or an entire house, they're well equipped to lend a hand.
Visit their site here for more information.
