8 Things in an Apartment That Reveal the Poor Taste of Its Owner

Today there are no strict rules for creating a stylish interior. But there are things and tricks that you should still avoid. Designer Veronica Zaznova tells about the most hopeless anti-trends and offers modern alternatives in their place, which we illustrated with interiors from design projects — follow them!

Veronica Zaznova - Expert Architect-Designer, Studio Head of Zaznova Interiors

Too Many Bright Colors

Too many bright, acidic shades are simply not in line with modern interiors. It doesn't mean that the palette should be limited to greys and beige tones, but loud colors should be avoided. They look excessive, visually overload the interior, and you quickly get tired of them.

Instead: choose more complex shades. For example, if you want to select a green color for the base, pay attention to a softer, pastel or deep dark variant of it.

Design: Boho Studio. View the full project

Overly Plain Interior

Minimalism and mindful consumption are trendy now, but chasing trends can result in a plain, boring interior. Remember that your home is a reflection of yourself, so its content should convey this.

Instead: decor here becomes the main helper and will tell about your life and hobbies. But it's important to maintain balance and avoid over-decorating. Excess will cause the opposite effect: individuality will be lost, and style will turn into chaos.

Design: Iroom Design. View the full project

Too Many Prints

When all walls in a room are covered with wallpaper with a bright print, it looks tasteless. The wall covering draws all attention and overloads the environment.

Instead: for the base, it's better to choose monochromatic covering or wallpaper with a subtle pattern, and prints should be left for accents. The key is not to overdo it.

Design: Svetlana Mamaenko. View the full project

Furniture Sets

A bedroom with a bed, dresser, side tables, and wardrobe from one collection looks more like a photo from a 90s magazine. In the past, furniture was bought as sets — now it's better not to do that.

Remember that furniture doesn't have to have the same design. Modern interiors increasingly look eclectic and don't tie us only to one style.

Instead: you can pair a minimalistic monochromatic sofa with a vibrant or wicker chair, and bedside tables can even be replaced with stools. Why not? Rules exist to be broken!

Design: Aiya Design. View the full project

Old Textiles with Strange Prints

Textiles are a full-fledged layer of interior and play the same important role as furniture or finishing. Bed sheets with an excessive floral pattern, multi-layered curtains with a complex color rhythm, old rugs in the bathroom — details can ruin even the most stylish interior.

Instead: monochromatic bed sheets look expensive and don't attract too much attention. A safe option would be monochrome curtains.

Design: Ludmila Rozvodovskaya

Neon Lighting

It's time to leave neon lighting and multi-level ceilings in the past. Neon light is suitable for club lighting, but not for a cozy modern interior.

Instead: if there's not enough light in the apartment, use local lighting. Table lamps, floor lamps, pendant lights can help create several lighting scenarios and serve as decorative elements.

Design: US Interiors. View the full project

Overly Bulky Shower Cabins

Modern interiors need to be saved from these 'space ships' in bathrooms. Shower cabins with hydro massage and various functions don't look very aesthetic and are mostly not as convenient as they seem at first glance.

Instead: interiors look great with virtually non-existent shower cabins, where the boundaries are literally marked only by glass partitions and raised platforms above the main floor level in the bathroom.

Design: Anna Inozemtseva. View the full project

Reproductions of Famous Paintings

Copies of famous paintings will always remain just copies. Individuality is what's valued now in everything, especially in interior design.

Instead: choose the work of an unknown but talented artist, pay attention to local brands and handmade items. You have every chance to find something unique.

Design: Ekaterina Beloyarova

On the cover: Design: Aiya Design.