How to Choose Interior Finishes That Actually Work Together
Choosing beautiful materials is relatively easy.
Choosing beautiful materials that actually look good together is where interior design becomes more complicated.
For homeowners designing or renovating a home in Naples, there may be dozens of selections to coordinate: flooring, cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, hardware, plumbing fixtures, paint, tile and furnishings.
Here's how we approach creating a cohesive material palette at Ervani Design Haus.
Don't Choose Every Finish Separately
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make during a renovation is choosing materials one at a time.
You find flooring you love.
Then cabinetry.
Then a countertop.
Then backsplash.
Individually, everything may be beautiful. Once it's installed together, however, the room can feel slightly off.
That's often because the undertones, patterns or visual weight of the materials are competing with one another.
Pay Attention to Undertones
Not all whites are the same.
Neither are creams, grays, browns or natural wood tones.
A warm white cabinet next to a cool white countertop can suddenly make one look yellow or the other look blue.
The same thing happens with flooring and wood cabinetry.
Whenever possible, we look at samples together and in the actual lighting conditions of the home before making final decisions.
Decide What Gets to Be the Star
Not every surface needs to make a statement.
If you're using a dramatic quartzite with significant movement, you may want the backsplash and cabinetry to be quieter.
If the cabinetry has a strong wood grain or architectural detail, a calmer countertop may allow it to stand out.
Good interior design needs visual hierarchy.
If everything is competing for attention, nothing really becomes special.
Wood Tones Don't Have to Match
Your flooring, cabinetry and furniture do not need to be exactly the same wood tone.
In fact, trying to match them perfectly can sometimes make a room feel flat.
Different woods can work beautifully together when their undertones relate and there is enough contrast for the combination to feel intentional.
Metals Don't Always Have to Match Either
Your cabinet hardware, faucet, lighting and other metal finishes don't necessarily have to be identical.
Mixing finishes can add depth to a room when it's done intentionally.
The key is repetition. A finish should usually appear more than once so it feels like part of the design rather than an accidental mismatch.
Look at the Entire Room
At Ervani, we don't want to select cabinetry without considering what's going around it.
When you book custom cabinetry with us, design time is included to help coordinate flooring, stone, backsplash, cabinet hardware, wall colors and other finishes.
Our Naples Design Studio also offers countertops, sinks, plumbing fixtures and cabinet hardware.
We're located next door to Edith Hoft and partner with their team for tile, wallpaper and upholstery, giving clients even more opportunities to coordinate materials in one location.
Interior Design & Material Selections in Naples
A cohesive home isn't created by making every room identical.
It's created by establishing a design language that carries throughout the home while still allowing individual spaces to have their own personality.
Whether you're renovating a kitchen, designing a new home or simply overwhelmed by selections, having someone look at the complete picture can make the process considerably easier.
Ervani Design Haus
1190 Pine Ridge Rd, Suite 3
Naples, FL 34108
239-376-1190
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:30 AM–2:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
Saturday: By appointment