The overlooked design details that have a big impact

What comes to mind when you think of home design?

Is it the open-plan kitchen with the island you’ve been dreaming of? That 65-inch TV and media wall that removes the need for excess furniture in your living room? Or is it the statement sofa, bold wallpaper, or romantic lighting? 

While these are all integral aspects of home decor and design, what about the more understated aspects of your home that often go unnoticed when they can have a big impact? When it comes to detail, the best many people will do is add a few scatter cushions or plants to a room to liven things up a little.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the more overlooked design details of your home that can greatly impact the aesthetics.

 

Doors

Doors take up very limited space, so they’re not exactly the main attraction in any given room. But for those with a keen eye for design, they’re a functional property feature that has much more to offer than just a means of passing from one room to another.

You absolutely need them to fit the vibe you’re looking for, but your doors can make a subtle statement if considered carefully.

A fresh coat of paint can upgrade doors in an instant, and a coat of varnish on wooden doors can give them a quick facelift. When paired with hardware, you’ll be left wondering why you didn’t do this sooner!

But what other options are on the table for your doors?

Think panelling and moulding touches. This works particularly well in period properties and adds some je ne sais quois that the space might be missing.

For a more modern, sleek look, you can swap out wooden doors and go for steel frame doors that instantly open up a space while still providing definition, thermal efficiency, and that all-important design element your home is craving. If you really want to make a statement, steel frame doors can be exactly what you need.

 

Another good example is a high-quality folding door system. These types of doors are generally used for exterior walls, giving people access to a room and the outside world (usually the garden).

This is perfect for the summer months, when you can open up the doors to let a warm breeze through, and for the winter months, when you want to stay indoors but look out onto your garden.

If you have a modern home, aluminium sliders and bi-folding frames are the way to go for a sleek finish. However, if you’re aiming for a more rustic look, you should take a look at timber frames.

There’s something to suit every home, transforming the standard back door into a beautiful feature.

 

Windows and frames

Like your doors, your windows and frames are integral aspects of your home and are ever present regardless of what you change. So, integrating them into your chosen aesthetics and style is a good idea so they don’t stick out like a sore thumb. 

Some cost-effective options include covering them with vinyl or painting the frames, while a more expensive choice would be to replace the windows entirely to get new frames that better complement your decor choices.

For instance, consider sleek black frames if you have a modern minimalist theme. White frames might be a better fit if your style is more traditional. Steel-framed windows will perfectly complement matching interior doors, especially if you open up your kitchen for a brighter space that flows into your garden.

Alternately, switching up the hardware and dressings can also help you make your windows an integral aspect of the design. Think metal curtain rods, soft drapes and curtains, tiebacks, etc., to help you make them look good and not stick out like a sore thumb.

 

Thresholds, transitions and trims

What I’m talking about here are the spaces between the rooms, the transitions between flooring styles at doorways, and your skirting and architrave. 

You want to keep your transitions clean and clear and make sure they match and blend perfectly with your flooring choices. They’re easy to switch out and update if necessary and can make a massive impact on the look and feel of the home as a whole, not just an individual room.

 

Coving

Many people won’t even know what the term “coving” refers to. But it’s time to find out!

Not all homes have coving, but it is essentially a decorative fixture where the top of a wall and a ceiling meet. This is a more old-fashioned feature in a property, however, it is something that can be added to any property type.

It is generally crafted from one of three materials, each having a different resultant price.

First, polystyrene. This is the cheapest option and does the job, but may well need replacing relatively soon.

Next, plaster. Plaster has an attractive, smooth finish and gives a more authentic look.

Finally, hardened polyurethane. This is the newcomer to the coving market, but is still affordable, lightweight, and can be fitted faster and more easily.

We had polystyrene coving upstairs in our old house that had been there since the house was built. I didn’t even know it was polystyrene until Jay poked a hole in it with his finger. It really does look like real wood, so it can be surprising but it likely won’t look good for decades to come and a more hard-wearing option is probably going to be better.

 

The ornate coving in this living room is typical for the age of the property and adds some really beautiful detailing.

 

Built-in structures

Your built-in sills are your windowsills, shelving recesses, home-ready shelves, etc.

They can be that little feature that is often overlooked but actually really makes an impact when considered carefully. Showcase these features with the right colours and lighting. 

Dress them up with plants or candles, for example. Make them a part of the aesthetics, not just an oversight or something you’ve thrown together at the last minute.

 

For instance, you can use undershelf lighting for highlighting recessed shelving. A trailing plant running along window ledges can be a cute design element for these small but effective focal points without the fuss.

 

Staircases

Staircases are no longer the forgotten elements in homes and are becoming a major part of people’s homes and decor stylings. And for good reason!

Not only are they functional, but they take up a large surface area and are a prominent feature of any home that has them. So, look at how you can increase the impact of your stairs.

Can you repaint or varnish the bannister and spindles? Or even replace them altogether? Is a change of carpeting enough, or can you add shelving to the walls to create eye-catching displays? Or maybe stairs lighting is a good choice for you.

There are so many ways you can update your staircase and embrace its possibilities to boost the look and feel of your home.