There is a lot of hearsay about interior design and renovation. Some of it is completely wrong, some is “true depending on the situation”. In this article we look at the six most common beliefs we come across.
1. “Dark colours don’t work in a small bathroom”
Both true and false. It is widely believed that dark colours make a small space feel smaller. But with the right lighting and when used as an accent on a single wall, dark colours create depth and elegance in small bathrooms. We also covered this approach in our article on colour choice and spatial volume.
2. “A light-coloured kitchen doesn’t show dirt”
False. A light-coloured kitchen usually shows dirt more; on dark colours, water marks and fingerprints stand out. In fact, kitchens and wet areas always need cleaning; colour choice shouldn’t be based on “will it show dirt?”.
3. “All LEDs save energy”
False. Low-quality LEDs can consume more energy than expected and fail quickly. When choosing a product, don’t rely on the word “energy-saving” on the label; look at the amount of light per watt, i.e. the lumen value.
4. “Built-in appliances are all the same size”
False. Besides standard sizes, there are also built-in appliances in special sizes. That’s why in our kitchen projects we measure our clients’ existing appliances or obtain the technical drawings of the model to be purchased. Kitchen cabinets should not go into production before the appliances are chosen.
5. “The thinner the grout, the better”
It depends. Visually, thin grout lines are our favourite too; but the right answer depends on the surface the tiles will be laid on. If the grout is too thin, tiles can crack with floor movement and temperature changes. If it is too wide, it spoils the look and makes maintenance harder. If we had to pick a side: “the thinner the better” is false.
6. “Any tile works anywhere”
False. In bathrooms, especially in shower areas, which we call wet zones, slip-resistant tiles should be preferred. Even if glossy surfaces are used in the rest of the bathroom, at least the shower floor should be matt and slip-resistant.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal tile grout width?
It depends on the tile size, whether it is rectified and the surface; for large rectified tiles, joints of around 2–3 mm are usually preferred. The manufacturer’s recommendation should be followed.
What should I look for when choosing LEDs?
Lumen value, colour temperature (Kelvin), colour rendering index (CRI) and warranty period are the most important criteria.
For similar content, read our article on common dilemmas in renovation, or explore our interior design service for your project.
