What Is Playful Design and How to Replicate It at Home: A Professional Opinion

In their work, designers use many tricks. These help to play with the interior and make it not only functional but also interesting and unusual. As a result, an playful design is achieved, which includes boldness, audacity, and the presence of design as such. Usually, people stop looking at such interiors, wanting to examine them closer. Designer Laura Galinurova talks about some of the markers of that very "playfulness" that gives an interior its individuality.

Laura Galinurova — an expert, interior designer, and studio director LauraDesign

Vibrant Accents

A bold, bright color is a true guide to "playfulness," yet a careful and unobtrusive one. It’s not necessary to paint all the walls and ceiling in bright shades. A vibrant color can be a small accent, appearing in unexpected places. For example, choose a faucet or towel warmer of an unusual shade, make a bet on bright curtains or contrasting colored grout in the bathroom. My favorite trick is a vibrant skirting board.

Design: Dasha Soboleva
Unusual-shaped Common Items

This applies to any part of the interior: finishing, furniture, lighting. Classical and familiar forms look ordinary. As soon as a common item in the interior appears in an unconventional shape, the eye is attracted and the interior begins to play with other colors. For example, instead of a regular floor lamp, choose a spotlight-style light fixture, or take a coffee table with an unusual shaped base.

Design: Virstak Design Studio
Imitation of Forms with Unusual Materials

When a familiar item is made from an unusual material for that purpose, it’s a challenge that adds playfulness to the interior. A vivid example of this is the sculptures of artist Jeff Koons: those dog statues that look like they’re made from a balloon but are actually made of resin or ceramic.

Photo: Pinterest
Unusual Material Usage

Traditionally, kitchen cabinets are made from HDF, MDF, or natural wood — a familiar story. But recently, designers have been experimenting more and more. Now, cabinet doors can be made from plywood or even metal.

Design: Studio Gradi
Funny Prints on Wallpaper and Textiles

Monochrome finishing is a good base, but it can be too boring. Wallpapers and textiles with ironic prints freshen up the interior and make it vibrant. If you're afraid of overdoing it, introduce such accents in small portions and combine them with neutral tones.

Design: Nadezhda Rakova and Alena Gusicova
Vibrant and Provocative Decor

It’s easiest to play with the interior using decor and accessories — they can be added, removed, or replaced at any time. A little more mischief in the setting can be brought by vibrant furniture handles, rugs with provocative slogans, and unexpected forms of lighting, tableware, or sculptures. Let’s recall, for example, monkey-shaped lamps and vases in the form of porcelain dolls from the Seletti brand.

Design: ToTaste Studio
One Large Light Fixture

Try replacing several small light fixtures on the ceiling with one large one. Such a look is very striking and becomes the main accent in the interior. However, this approach works better in apartments with high ceilings.

Design: Liliya Asfandiyarova
Cover design project by Dasha Soboleva.