Designer Justina Blakeney's Top Tips For Adding A Bold New Look To Your Home
Bold, eclectic décor has been trending in recent years and is competing against all-white homes that have been and remain popular designs. These days, scroll through inspirational images and design magazines and you'll find interiors that use more color than ever. One of the pioneers behind this look is interior designer Justina Blakeney.
Blakeney, whose designs are distinct for their mastery of color and pattern, was named one of the most famous interior designers currently working, per her website, Justina Blakeney. Her vibrant interiors have been featured in prominent online and print publications, and she also has collections with retailers like Target, where she sells her home décor.
Additionally, she's passionate about creating a space that reflects personality and self-expression. "Our homes impact our overall mental state," Blakeney tells Fast Company. "It's so important to create an environment where you invite the kind of energy into the home that you want — whether that's vibrant or peaceful."
Buying pieces designed by Blakeney is one way to incorporate her bold style into your home. But she also shared tips for giving any space an eye-catching makeover.
Know vibrant colors make a difference
One detail you'll quickly notice about Blakeney's designs is that they're full of color. Indeed, she's not one to embrace a minimalist style with white walls and sleek furniture. Instead, you're bound to find rooms full of color on the walls, floor, and everything in between. For many people, the idea of saturating their home with lots of colors can be intimidating. Even a bright shade of paint can feel like a major commitment.
But choosing colors you love doesn't have to be complicated; it's about what makes you happy. As such, consider your color palette before choosing paint colors. "Think about what environment makes you feel most at home," Blakeney suggests, per Fast Company. "We're all built differently. Do you feel most alive when you see the changing colors of the ocean? Do you love trees and jungle-like environments? Are you attracted to the colors of the desert?"
When it comes to combining multiple colors, work with various hues within each of the complementary color families, according to One Kings Lane. For example, you could have multiple shades of orange, yellow, and pink — which may seem like a lot of colors at first glance — but they all blend together well, being variations of the same shade. This helps create cohesion even with lots of vibrant colors.
Choose a new furniture configuration
If your home feels a bit stale but you're not looking to spend a ton of money to refresh it, consider reconfiguring some room layouts. You'd be surprised how such a big change can make a room feel like new. "The best thing to do is just move the furniture around," Blakeney suggests, according to Fast Company. "You'll feel [it] almost instantly when it is in the right place, even if you can't always articulate why it works well there." Blakeney says to spend a day or a weekend moving furniture around and trying new layouts to see what you like best.
But if you're more of a planner, use online room layout apps (via Dolly). A floor plan tool can help you better envision the space and try different configurations before moving any furniture. With some room builders, you can even put down rugs and art to plan the whole design before moving things around. "Even if you decide that the furniture looked best exactly as it was, the whole vibe of the room could feel different to you," Blakeney says. "But you might also discover that you love how the room feels in a different configuration."
Bring in natural elements
One look at Blakeney's designs and you can instantly see the influence of nature. In fact, she's a big believer in filling areas with houseplants. Whether big or small, they add life and texture to spaces, creating a room that feels connected to nature. And with many leaves featuring a variety of colors and patterns, the addition of houseplants can add a pop to a room's design. But plants aren't your only options for incorporating natural elements.
Consider natural materials, such as wood and stone, as finishes for your furniture and décor, suggests Run Wild My Child. Fabrics like cotton and linen can also make your home feel connected to nature. Of course, you can also let sunlight flow into any room. Meanwhile, large and unobstructed windows will offer a connection to the outdoors by giving you plenty of space to view it from the inside.