Approachable Interior Design: What You Need to Know

You may have heard the term approachable interior design but have no idea what it means. When you think of the word approachable, it conjures up images of something pleasing and easy to approach. In terms of interior design, it means utilizing your personal style to create a habitat that is warm, personal, and accessible.

Our goal is to help you discover approachable interior design ideas that will work for you in your home. By incorporating some of these ideas, your home will retain a modern design with a warm and inviting feel.

Approachable Interior Design: What It Is

Your home should reflect your personality while also being functional for everyday life. The look and décor should be as unique as you are, with a custom approach that features simple lines and warm tones to make anyone who enters feel invited into your life. Whether elegant or down-to-earth, the ultimate effect will be the same – you and your guests will feel comfortable in the room.

Layers of textiles and collectables
Layers of Textiles and Collectables

Approachable interior design does not mean old, boring, or traditional. It incorporates modern trends with warm colors, textiles, layering, open shelves, wood, and specialty lighting.

Furniture you see in magazines may not be available at your local store. Interior designers have access to pieces unavailable to the public. They can also help design that one-of-a-kind item that will make your room shine and last you for many years to come. Custom furniture design does not have to mean out-of-your-budget. What it does mean is that you can invest in a piece of furniture that will add that special touch to your home.

Bedroom featuring warm colors and layers of textiles including assorted throw pillows
Personal, Warm Colors, Layers of Textiles

In the bedroom photo above, you see how a variety of colors, textiles, and patterns, unmatched picture frames, different shaped pillows, and unique furnishings come together to create a warm and inviting retreat.

It does not matter if you are dealing with a spacious room, or one that is small – the use of approachable home interior design will welcome everyone into your space. The last thing you want in this type of design is a room that people will be afraid to enter. Your precious collectibles do not have to be hidden away where they cannot be enjoyed. Through the use of open shelves, your favorite items can be on display for all to see and appreciate.

Living room with warm textiles, large, tufted ottoman, drapery, and open shelves
Warm Textiles, Wood Instantly Softens a Room,
Tufted Ottoman, Drapery

Interior designers incorporate layers of textiles and warm colors that invite you in and make you want to sit back, relax, and stay awhile. Wood, tufting, oversized throw pillows, and textured throws add softness to a room, as seen in the photo above.

Approachable design in a kitchen often incorporates the use of wood for cabinets and shelves. Pendant lights add a warm glow.

Wood – Warm Tones, Less Reflective Surfaces,
Pendant Light for Layering, Open Shelves for Display

What Approachable Interior Design Is Not!

When we think about what approachable interior design is not, the mind often goes to the use of chrome, metal, brass, and marble – items that are not only cold to the touch but to the eye, as well.

While the photo below is aesthetically pleasing, the room does not beckon one to come in and curl up with a good book. It makes an elegant statement and is one where you may expect stimulating conversation. The trend today is away from mirrors and the cooling effect they bring to a room.

Cool Colors Throughout, Glass, Crystal,
Marble, and Mirrors

The photo below features a bedroom one might expect to find in the home design of a bachelor. Stark, hard lines and surfaces, cool, dark colors, lack of personal items, and a bed that is so low that it would be difficult to get out of makes this room unapproachable.

Bed Too Low – Difficult To Get Out Of,
Stark, Nothing Personal

The kitchen below is beautiful, yet it is missing that lived-in feel, the warmth of the wood and open shelves we saw before. The hi-gloss grey surfaces against the white cabinetry continue the cooling effect. Rather than bringing out the warmth of the sunshine outside, it adds to the coolness of the water.

All White with Grey, Hi-Gloss Surfaces,
All Closed Storage

As we enter into this new decade of the 2020s, the trend is towards inviting warmth into the home. We previously discussed how to incorporate Hygge Décor into a room. Again, it is all about creating that cozy, inviting space that you can enjoy for many years to come.

Are you ready to redesign your living space? If so, HK Interiors can help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire. Call 954-401-8542 today for more information.

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