6 Decorating Rules We Love to Break (and Why You Should Too)

Design “rules” exist for a reason—but some of them seriously need to loosen up.

Great interiors don’t come from just following formulas; they come from trusting your eye, your instinct, and your lifestyle. And sometimes that means breaking a few so-called rules along the way.

Here are a few of our favourite interior design “don’ts” that we confidently ignore—and why you should too.

Rule #1. “Stick to One Design Style or Era”

No thanks. Mixing eras, styles, and influences is what gives a home personality.

A vintage timber console next to a sleek marble lamp? Gorgeous. An antique mirror above a modern fluted sideboard? Even better.

The trick is balance—use repetition, tone, and materials to tie it all together. Cohesion doesn’t require uniformity.

🛒 Shop the look: Explore our modern home décor and vintage and antique pieces to create a curated, collected feel that looks effortless.

Rule #2. “Use Light Colours in Small Spaces”

Sure, pale tones can make a room feel larger—but darker, moodier hues can make it feel luxurious and cocooning.

A deep olive bedroom or a rich charcoal powder room can be incredibly inviting.

Tip: Balance dark walls with layered lighting, lighter furnishings, and mirrors to keep the space feeling intentional—not cave-like.

💡 Need help finding the right lighting or tone?
Browse our lighting collection to keep your dark interiors glowing beautifully.

Rule #3. “Never Use Large Furniture in Small Rooms”

Eek. We break this one all the time.

Whilst it’s not logical to cram too much into a small space, sometimes going larger on key pieces actually works better.

A small media room designed for cosy family nights won’t benefit from a petite two-seater—it needs a wall-to-wall corner lounge to make the space functional and comfortable. So yep, drop a side table and make that baby bigger!

The key is proportion—less furniture, but larger scale.

🛋️ Pro Tip: Anchor large furniture with a generously sized rug. See our rugs collection to get the scale right.

Rule #4. “Only Use Matching Metals”

Nope. Uniform metals can feel sterile.
Mixing finishes—like brass, nickel, and black—adds depth and dimension.

Not sure how to mix them well? Head over to our Mixing Metals Guide for the golden (and silver) rules.

🛒 Shop the look: Layer your finishes with our lighting and decor accents.

Rule #5. “Don’t Mix Patterns”

Who said? Pattern mixing, when done right, brings character and warmth.

The secret is contrast and cohesion: vary the scale (large + small prints), stay within a shared colour palette, and let texture do some of the talking.

Florals with stripes? Checks with linen? Yes, please—just keep the tones harmonious.

🪶 Styling Tip: Ground your patterns with solid neutrals—think textured cushions, throws, and natural-toned décor. Shop our cushions + throws for balance.

Rule #6. “Never Use Faux Plants”

Look, we love a real plant moment—but let’s be honest, not everyone has the time (or the sunlight) to keep them alive.

If you’re going faux, go quality over quantity. High-end artificial greenery looks incredibly realistic and lasts for years, so whilst the upfront investment might seem like a lot, the longevity you'll get from the plant is worth it. 

Designer tip: Pop them in a real planter and add soil, pebbles, or bark to the top for an authentic finish. You’ll fool everyone.

🪴 Need a statement vessel?
Explore our vases & planters to elevate your (faux) greenery.

Bonus: The “Rule of Three”

This one’s technically right—but sometimes breaking it works better.

The Rule of Three says items grouped in odd numbers are more visually pleasing. And it’s true—most of the time.
But two oversized sculptural vases in a nook might be more balanced than a trio of smaller clutter.

If you do break this rule, use texture, contrast, and varying heights to keep things interesting.

Final Thoughts

Design isn’t about perfection—it’s about personality. Some of the best interiors happen when you follow your instincts, not the rulebook.

So go ahead—break a few rules (the right way).

Because great design doesn’t follow the rules—it rewrites them.