Just one more month until we get the keys to our new house, and my head is spinning. It's not just the moving logistics—it's all the exciting design choices ahead. From deciding what color goes on the walls to selecting new doors, flooring, a possible extension, and even a rear roof, the options feel endless. I've mentally redecorated the entire place at least 10 times. Thrilling, yet utterly exhausting! 😊
I've always loved dreaming up home designs, but with everything hitting at once and budget uncertainties holding us back, we're not committing yet. Still, I'm gathering inspiration everywhere—online via Pinterest, offline through free brochures (like Goossens, which includes a €20 gift voucher—perfect for our furnishing plans).
Table of contents
One decision that's stumping me is the walls. I've decided to hold off until we're in the space, but I can't stop pondering. Here's a glimpse of my current ideas for colors and materials, drawn from years of home styling experience.
I've traditionally stuck to all-white walls, except for a brief 'eggplant' phase experiment. Now, I want to introduce warmth in select areas—white is timeless, but variety adds coziness.
The photo above shows the current interior (not ours). Plenty of windows keep the living room bright. The scrap ceiling is going, replaced by crisp white. The wall with the low gray cupboard will host our new high cupboard (nearly finished, originally for the old house). That wall stays white to balance the darker cabinet. Frames are dark anthracite or black.
A darker shade on the wall behind the stove would add drama. Paint or wallpaper? See the photo of the left wall (best view available). The fireplace surround gets removed, leaving a clean 4-meter wall with a niche. The black stove stands free, and the TV mounts there (see my earlier living room layout article for TV distance details). A darker finish here feels right—but which color and method?
Experts advise starting with flooring when picking wall colors. I'm aiming for natural tones and an open feel. Residential concrete flooring is the plan—practical and stylish.
First concern: Will it pair with our concrete-look cabinet? It's pricey, so no swapping it out. We'll make it work.
I've curated options I love. A dark Marrakech-style wall (painted with textured technique) brings warmth, pairing beautifully with an industrial TV cabinet.
This structured wallpaper is equally elegant—sleek and unique. Couldn't source the top one, but the bottom is Elitis Anguille Big Croco (premium, but stunning). A wall-mounted TV shines here, especially with a retro lamp by the stove. We'll skip white planks for light oak wood. Question: Is wallpaper stove-safe? Heat might be an issue, even with clearance—any experiences?
Dark green tempts me, but it might clash with concrete floors and furnishings. Lighter Flexa or Histor shades (soft white, gray, green) on other walls would let one dark accent thrive.
Quick recap: Concrete-look floor, ample light, large cabinet. Your thoughts on these?
