Choosing Colors and Materials for an Interior Design Project

STUDIOLAV talk choosing colors and materials when designing a space

For Loukas Angelou and Vasso Asfi, interior design has the power to boost a person's mood, get their creative juices flowing, and improve their wellbeing. This design duo focuses on creating meaningful emotional connections between people, objects, and their surroundings.

Founders of the interior design studio STUDIOLAV (@studiolav), Loukas and Vasso have had their work exhibited in museums such as the Royal Academy of Arts in London and MUDEC in Milan. Their projects have been recognized by Elle Decoration Design Awards and the European Product Design Awards.

In this blog post, Vasso talks us through the duo’s process for choosing colors and materials for an interior design project and shares some of her top tips.

Creating a cozy and relaxed atmosphere

For residential interiors, you don’t have to use very bright or intense colors. However, this doesn’t mean restricting yourself to only using white and beige tones. Instead, you’ll find that toned-down color combinations–such as yellow, red, and blue–can work well and create a cozy and relaxed atmosphere.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t use any bright color at all. As is the case in every field of design, it’s all about balance and proportion. You can use touches of bright color to accent a space, which looks fantastic. However, were you to paint an entire room bright red, it would be very intense.

Listening to your client’s tastes

When working with a client, you are designing for them, and therefore it’s important that the space reflects their own personal tastes. Don’t hesitate to ask them what their favorite colors are and get their feedback on the color combinations you end up picking–it is important that they feel comfortable with your choices.

Color and surfaces

Color will react differently when applied to different surfaces. Vasso shows how the same blue looks on wood compared to fabric. This is why it’s essential to choose colors and materials at the same time. Vasso also adds that it is important to test your colors on the walls in the space. This way, you can see how they’re affected by light. Try a couple of similar shades before deciding which works best.

Choosing colors

Always use color swatches when making your selection–the colors you see on a screen are never the colors you see on a wall or surface. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different color combinations. You might end up being surprised!

Choosing materials

Your choice of materials not only affects the acoustics in a space but also the atmosphere. Use your material library to start making selections. Think about how to combine different materials to create a balance. Wood works well with softer materials, such as fabric, but could also look good against a contrasting material like stone or ceramic tiles. Marble feels cold, so it usually works better in a warmer environment.

Timeless design

While we always look at current trends when designing a space, remember that the space is being created to last and that, therefore, it also needs to feel classic and timeless.

If you would like to learn how to take an idea and turn it into a physical space, sign up for STUDIOLAV’s course, Interior Design for Beginners.

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–8 Interior Design Trends for 2021
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