Design 101: How to Create a Cohesive Design Aesthetic
Hey friends! So my last “Design 101” post about “defining your aesthetic” received such an incredible response! I knew I wanted to share more of my knowledge with you guys but had no idea of how hungry you were for information! The saying of “knowledge is power” couldn’t reign more true, because so many of you expressed how much more confident you felt in making decisions, now that you know what your style actually is!
Now, I have every intention to keep this knowledge train going, so I’m back with another post that I think you may find incredibly helpful. Now that you’ve identified and defined your aesthetic, how do you ensure that you’re maintaining some level of cohesion throughout your spaces; especially when your aesthetic is a hybrid of multiple styles? Well, I’m breaking it down for you in a few simple points to keep in mind. Remember, this is not the end all, be all to design rules, but these are just tried and true tips for those that may be looking for a bit more guidance than other.
STREAMLINE YOUR FOUNDATION
Even though your aesthetic may be a blend of different styles, you’ll want to have all your foundation furniture pieces (the main pieces of a room) in each room of your home to fit within the same style. In living rooms, for example, it’s the sofa or sectional. For dining rooms, it’s the dining table. For bedrooms, it’s the bed. Having each room have a substantial piece in the same style will start the commonalities, i.e. cohesiveness. Now, let’s say your style is modern bohemian. Starting with modern foundation pieces that are clean and streamlined will allow you to layer any other style with them. Look for a sofa or sectional with a structured frame and tailored upholstery. This is the piece that you want to stand the test of time when it comes to both quality and aesthetics
LET YOUR SUPPORTING CAST DO THE HEAVY STYLE LIFTING
Your more substantial accent pieces, like your coffee table, dining chairs and dresser are where you can really apply your favorite look. They can be the same style as your foundation pieces or an entirely different style all together. These are the pieces that, in most cases, aren’t as big or expensive as the foundation pieces, but support them by bringing the look together. In this example, we’re talking modern bohemian, so I’ve pick items that skew a bit more the modern side of things, but can also be described as bohemian due to their pattern and texture.
HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FINAL LAYER
Your final layer is where you let it all out! But these are the items that completely tie a space together and make it feel finished with tons of personality. Incorporate styles from your core aesthetic or even try new ones! These are your rugs, pillows, art, found objects, etc. Here’s how I finished off each of these spaces with small details that pull the overall looks together.
You may also notice that in the examples above, I created cohesion by repeating a few elements in each space:
Each space has something black
Each space has modern lighting
Each space has textural, bohemian style rugs in similar color pallets
Each space has something rattan/woven
My aesthetic, modern boho, can be found in every room of our home. I use these tips to keep things cohesive
Like I said before, these are tried and true methods that I use no matter if I’m creating for a client’s space or for my own home. Even when it’s time to replace a major piece or if I feel the need to switch things up a bit, the task is much easier when I have these tips to work from. I hope you guys find them helpful too!