How to Create a Wow Effect in Interior Design: 7 Designer Tips

Designers Dennis Andrievsky and Polina Stepanyuk created a stylish interior for a 50 sq. m. euro-double apartment for a young couple. The authors of the project managed to fit maximum storage systems without compromising comfort and emphasized high ceilings and room architecture using design tricks. We share the most interesting ideas.

Faux Facades

Part of the apartment, where the hallway and kitchen are located, is complicated by ventilation shaft protrusions. To create a more visually harmonious space, designers used faux panels: some are placed in the hallway and painted dark green, others imitate kitchen facades.

Kitchen Island as a Bar Counter

The kitchen cabinet turned out to be quite small: extending it toward the living room was not possible, but the sink and storage systems had to be placed. The clients dreamed of a kitchen island, which solved all the tasks: in addition to the sink and drawers, it also served as a dining area with a bar counter.

The width of the island was 90 cm: 60 cm is the standard depth of sliding drawers, plus 30 cm is the overhang of the countertop from the bar side so that one can sit comfortably without hitting their knees.

The kitchen island, countertop, and backsplash were made of quartz imitating natural marble. This practical material can even hold warm or hot pans. The only drawback is that you shouldn't cut on it to avoid scratches.

Tall Molding and Baseboard

The ceiling height in the apartment is 3.1 m, which they wanted to emphasize. To do this, they used a tall baseboard 15 cm high, painted in a contrasting color to the walls. For the cornices, they did this: glued a wide ceiling cornice, left a 10 cm gap, and glued a molding — all painted the same color as the ceiling. This trick looks stylish and accentuates the classical style of the interior, which was used as a basis.

Ceramic Tile Mural Instead of a Rug

Throughout the perimeter from the hallway to the window, ceramic tiles with a "warm floor" function were laid. In the living room area, there was a lack of a bright element that would unite furniture and add coziness. Real carpets were categorically not wanted by the clients, as there are two cats in the house. The solution was found — they laid a colorful mural made of ceramic tiles from the same series as the main floor. It looks stylish and unique.

Integrated Storage Systems

The client loves visual tidiness, so all storage systems were made built-in with solid facades. In the hallway, a large wardrobe for clothes and a utility block were disguised, painted to match the wall color. All storage in the kitchen was hidden in sliding drawers.

And in the bedroom, a large clothing wardrobe was designed. For it, a dropped ceiling was made so that the facades were at the same level as the wall. Thanks to light finishing, the wardrobe does not seem bulky and looks like a regular wall decorated with panels.

Colored Ceilings

One of the interior tricks is ceilings painted in dark green and dark blue depending on the room. This technique helps emphasize ceiling height, add volume to the space, and also realize the clients' wishes — to use any shades in the interior. In addition, colored ceilings make the interior more chamber-like, psychologically safe, and comfortable. Take note!

Tiles Flush with the Wall

With normal tile installation, tiles slightly protrude above the surface. In this interior, designers wanted to achieve an effect as if the tiles were "embedded" into the wall and asked workers to make the finish in the shower area at the same level. The task was complex, but the result looks stylish.

Layout of This Apartment (23 Minutes)