Looking to break free from the tyranny of boredom in your interior space? Want to stop guests in their tracks? Whatever your space limits and whatever your budget, there's a solution. Melanie Martin, founder and lead designer of Distinctive Designs in Ottawa, has nine ways to make your home look lovely.
Tap into design
Faucets are necessary fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens, but they don't have to be dull.
- In a powder room, go for a showpiece. Try American Standard’s DXV line of 3-D printed metal faucets.
- If your style is a little more rustic, Sonoma Forge has a great line of faucets, for both kitchen and bathroom. Lean more toward the contemporary? There’s an LED waterfall faucet just for you. Think clean lines lit by a soft LED accent.
- Touchless faucets are the epitome of style and function. They’re great for kitchens, as you can wash your hands without having to polish the faucet as well. Same theory applies for the loo. Offerings from well-known brands such as Moen, Pfister, Delta and Kohler are just a few possibilities.
Add a touch of colour with an LED waterfall faucet. SONOMA FORGE
Put the accent on small
Accessories are a great way to finish a small space, but remember: Less is more and functional accessories are best.
- Accent pillows can help tie a room together, set the theme and make for a more comfy nap. If you’re crafty, you can make your own.
- A collection of vases can jazz things up: clear glass for a classic look, metallic finishes for a sophisticated look, or different coloured ones for a dash of whimsy.
- If you lack wall space in your kitchen, turn a backsplash into an easy-to-clean, dry-erase message board. Just install glass or Plexiglas over the existing wall, and voila, you’ll never miss another soccer practice again.
Glass accent tiles brighten up dark spaces (Top) and a collection of vases add dazzle to ho-hum spots (Bottom). MELANIE MARTIN DISTINCTIVE DESIGNS
Highlight what you have
Accent walls can add drama to a small room without taking up space.
- In a bathroom, that could mean tiling an entire wall or adding a vertical tile stripe in the shower or bathtub.
- Mirrors can create visual interest, brighten up a dark space and reflect a great outdoor view, bringing it inside.
- In a small bedroom, sophisticated wallpaper or blocks of wood can create an interesting visual effect on the wall behind the bed.
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's Globe Edge Content Studio. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.