Create A Contrast in Your Interior

An easy way to create a memorable interior is by using contrasts; this could be through the use of colours, textures or materials. You want to pick elements that are opposites yet fit together effortlessly so that your interior looks both striking and balanced. In this blog, we take a look at the many ways you can incorporate contrasts in both your home and commercial interiors, so that you can make the best first impression with your guests.

Introduce Outdoor Materials

A common trend in both bathrooms and kitchens is to incorporate tiles and exposed brickwork to add some depth to the interior. Tiles can bring an element of structure to a room because they have a square pattern, and they also make for a striking addition to the walls. You may wish to use tiles across one whole wall or maybe opt for a feature splashback, whichever you go for, you can be sure that they will create dimension and a statement. Furthermore, not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they are also the perfect material to use in a ‘wet room’ because they are easy to wipe clean and keep well-maintained.

Sleek Edison Wall Light - Brass, by Industville (Image supplied by @sailorandscout)

In kitchen interiors, many people like to use a tiled splashback behind the sink and/or cooker; this is a fantastic way to introduce some texture into the room, as well as add a pop of colour. Another way to introduce texture to your interior is by using bricks; they are not only pleasing on the eye, but they also add an element of warmth and cosiness.

Brooklyn Outdoor & Bathroom Dome Pendant - 13 Inch - Pewter & Copper, by Industville (Image supplied by @Dreambound74) 

To remain in-keeping with the exterior elements theme, but contrast with the exposed features, we suggest using lighting that looks both elegant and sleek. Placing three hanging pendants above the kitchen island is becoming increasingly popular because it looks good while offering a sufficient amount of light. As you can see above, the combination of the grey brick wall with pewter lights works perfectly. The wall is rough, and the lights are smooth, making them contrast against each other, but because the colours are so similar, they work together in harmony.

Add A Variety of Textures

By using an array of different textures, you add visual weight to your interior; this means that eyes will easily be drawn to the elements. As mentioned before, using both rough and smooth features in a room is the perfect way to introduce a contrast. Think wooden tables and fluffy throws or hardwood flooring with a sheepskin rug.

Brooklyn Cone Wall Light - 7 Inch - Brass, by Industville (Image supplied by @Archer.t.j) 

Another way to easily add contrasting features to a room is to opt for retro lights in a modern style interior. Here at Industville, we offer a wide range of vintage lights; from wall lights and lamps to pendants and outdoor lights. The lights are also available in a variety of colours such as pewter, brass and copper. By using raw materials, our lights can offer a smooth addition to your interior and then the fabric flex can add some rough material. Our fabric flex is available in an array of colours, styles and finishes, take a look here!

Burgundy Twisted Fabric Flex - 3 Core Braided Cloth Cable Lighting Wire & Linen Twisted Fabric Flex - Braided Cloth Cable Lighting Wire & Dark Blue Twisted Fabric Flex - Braided Cloth Cable Lighting Wire, by Industville

Use Colour to Create an Impact

By using tones that are on opposite ends of the colour wheel, you can create quite the statement in your interior while also looking sleek. The classic combination is black and white, but you could also experiment with blue and orange, pink and green or yellow and purple, for example.

Brooklyn Dome Wall Light - 8 Inch - Pewter, by Industville (Image supplied by @blackshoresyle)

If you are to opt for the monochrome theme, keep the tones throughout your interior by using statement lighting. If your walls are white, then pewter wall lights would work perfectly in a black and white interior! For an added extra, consider a pop of colour to brighten parts of the room. An excellent way to do this is through artwork! Using bright and colourful artwork in a neutral interior can add vibrancy and excitement. Here at Industville, we like to support up and coming artist, as well as unique pieces. Take a look at our range of artwork and select the perfect piece for your interior!

Sunday Morning, (By Roger Smith) 

Incorporate A Mixture of Materials

Every interior is going to inherit different materials naturally; for example, a bedroom will have the soft features of the bedding while also having the hard metal or wooden furniture. But you can enhance this by purposely incorporating materials that are polar opposites. You could do this by using a hardwood floor with a fluffy rug or velvet curtains on a brick wall.

Sleek Edison Wall Light - Brass, by Industville (Image supplied by @sailorandscout) 

Can’t Find Your Perfect Light?

Here at Industville, we offer a bespoke service where you can design your own lights yourself, so you can create exactly what you desire. Furthermore, we provide a free lighting design service; you will receive a detailed and accurate plan for achieving the ideal lighting for your space. The service includes lux level calculations, lighting layout and design, consultation, and technical advice.

Interview With Kitchen Bedrooms and Bathrooms Magazine

Kitchen Bedrooms and Bathrooms magazine interviewed our Managing Director Marketa Rypacek to get her professional insight on enhancing interiors with lighting.

How important is good lighting for enhancing texture and colour? What advice would you have for designers creating lighting schemes to highlight different textures and areas in the kitchen?

Lighting is an important aspect of kitchen interior design as it enhances the aesthetic appeal of the whole room, helping to create the desired mood and ambience as well as providing functional illumination.

Without proper lighting, interior architecture cannot be experienced to the fullest. Therefore, it makes sense to give proper consideration to the types of lighting needed in any room of the home. This is a key element in interior design as it will enhance everything in the room – from the furniture and cabinetry, flooring and fittings through to the finishes, fixtures and textures.

Brooklyn Giant Bowl Pendant - 24 Inch - Pewter, by Indsutville (Image supplied by Jordan Evans @prettyprovoking)

Creative use of lighting can, in fact, embellish your decorating project; hence, it is worth looking at implementing several different types of lighting. Ambient lighting will brighten and enhance the glow in a room, while lanterns and wall sconces will create a soft, relaxing atmosphere. Accent lighting is great for highlighting architectural features or to show off a piece of art or photography and can be created using halogen spotlights or table lamps. For work areas such as food preparation, task lighting provides localised light and is particularly important in a kitchen.

In terms of decoration in a kitchen, aesthetic lighting can be used purely for embellishment. A trio of pendants over a dining table or breakfast bar makes a great statement and can complement other accessories in the kitchen, depending on the style chosen. For contrast, try using rustic handcrafted light fixtures with sleek modern style cabinetry and worktops. This popular style also adds another layer of texture to the room, giving a softer look.

Brooklyn Cone Pendant - 7 Inch - Copper, by Industville (Image supplied by @shakerandmaykitchens)

Using dimmer switches is another way to alter the ambience of the room, and these are great in kitchen diners where you may require different lighting levels for preparing food and then sitting down to eat.

The use of lighting can also add to or subtract from the overall colours of a room, or from only those surfaces the light is intended to enhance. Darker colours will generally make a room feel smaller and cramped, while light-coloured walls will do the opposite. The illusion of space is defined by light reflected off of the surfaces of the walls and some types of lighting help with this illusion by further illuminating the walls. Directional lighting, such as a track light, can help to soften the wall colours.

Brooklyn Outdoor & Bathroom Dome Pendant - 13 Inch - Brass, by Industville (Image supplied by @lifeatthelawn)

Also, worth considering is recessed lighting, which has a soft, downward glow that will illuminate the floors, not the walls. This is opposed to lights hung from the centre of the room, which provides ambient illumination. In both cases, this can affect how light or dark a coloured section may appear.

Contrasting interiors are the perfect way to make a statement in your interior, whether that’s home or commercial. If you’ve got an interior, you’d like to share with us, be sure to tag us on Instagram - @Industville – by using our hashtag #Industville!

Featured image: @house_of_capes