We spend our days wrapped in little lies. White lies, sweet lies, the kind that smooth edges or brighten a room just enough so it feels like home. We say the paint will dry lighter. That this sofa is “practically indestructible.” That the marble’s “only decorative.”

The truth? In the world of interiors, it’s often hard to tell. That’s what makes it so fascinating.

Today, I want to pull back the velvet curtain on some of the most persistent myths floating around our living rooms—and reveal what’s real, what’s rumour, and what’s just clever styling. If you’ve ever stood in a furniture showroom nodding politely while secretly thinking “Wait, is that actually true?”—this one’s for you.

 

1. “Dark colours make a room feel smaller.”

Mostly false. But it’s nuanced.

Yes, light colours tend to make a space feel airier, but the real magician is lighting. I once worked on a tiny powder room where we used a deep navy with the softest gold lighting, and suddenly the room felt endless—like a little jewel box.

Dark colours can create depth, drama, and a sense of cocooning luxury. It’s not about size; it’s about intention.

 

2. “You shouldn’t mix different types of wood.”

False—and deeply outdated.

Mixing woods is like layering cashmere with linen or denim with silk—it creates texture, richness, and a story. A room with walnut, oak, and ash tones feels collected, not chaotic. Think of it as building a family of finishes, not demanding identical twins.

 

3. “Lighting doesn’t change colour perception.”

Biggest lie of all.

Colour is a chameleon. The same beige paint can look taupe at noon and blush pink at dusk—true story, that actually happened on a project in West London. The client was convinced I’d painted the walls pink. Spoiler: the sun was reflecting the red brick from across the street.

Moral? Always test your colours in natural light—and at multiple times of day.

 

4. “Marble is too fragile for kitchens.”

Sometimes true, often not.

Not all marbles are created equal. Carrara? Soft. Calacatta? Depends. But some types of marble are surprisingly hardy. We wouldn’t use silk to upholster a family sofa, right? Same logic. You just have to choose wisely.

And remember—patina is not the enemy. Sometimes, signs of life are the most beautiful part.

 

5. “Large furniture doesn’t work in small spaces.”

False. So, so false.

If I had a pound for every time someone said this… A single well-proportioned sofa can anchor a small room with elegance. Multiple small pieces? They just create visual noise.

Go bold. Let a piece breathe. Like a statement necklace on a plain tee, one strong item can carry the whole look.

 

6. “Colours influence mood.”

Completely true. 100%.

We don’t just see colour; we feel it. Blues and greens soothe. Yellows energise. Reds can invigorate—or overwhelm. That’s why bedrooms often wear soft tones, and offices lean into blues.

Psychology of colour isn’t fluff. It’s science wrapped in aesthetics.

 

7. “White matches everything.”

False. And a bit lazy, if I may.

Whites come in cool, warm, creamy, chalky, brilliant, and everything in between. Pair a cool white with warm neutrals and it’ll feel sterile. Harmony isn’t about matching—it’s about temperature and tone.

 

8. “Texture is less important than colour.”

False. It’s more important.

I’ll say it louder for the people in the back: texture is everything. It’s what makes a room feel. A velvet cushion, a brushed plaster wall, a linen curtain—all of them stir emotion in a way flat paint never could.

Texture gives the eye somewhere to rest. It builds layers, depth, intimacy. If colour is the outfit, texture is the jewellery.

 

9. “Only natural materials are sustainable.”

False. Sustainability is not a look—it’s a process.

Yes, natural materials can be beautiful and long-lasting. But that doesn’t mean they’re automatically sustainable. It depends on how they’re sourced, processed, and how long they last. Some engineered materials are impressively green. Don’t judge a finish by its cover.

 

10. “Proportion is everything.”

True. Absolutely true.

No matter how gorgeous a piece is, if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t work. Interiors are like choreography: everything needs to move together. Balance, scale, symmetry—all of it matters.

Proportion is the silent hero of great design. It’s the reason you feel calm in one room, and unsettled in another—and you don’t quite know why.

 

So there they are—10 truths (and almost-truths) from the world behind the walls. Interiors are part science, part poetry. And while there’s no universal formula, there is always room for curiosity, for breaking rules intentionally, and for questioning the “that’s just how it’s done” mindset.

How many of these did you guess right?

Until next time,
Miriam

 

If want to watch this story, watch HERE, Please note that this is in Spanish, but you can auto-translate the subtitles. 

 

1. Open YouTube: Go to the YouTube website or open the YouTube app.

2. Play the Video: Start playing the video with subtitles available.

3. Click on the “CC” Button: This is the “Closed Captions” button on the bottom-right of the video player. If subtitles are available, they will appear.

4. Click on the Settings Gear Icon: This is also on the bottom-right, next to the “CC” button.

5. Select “Subtitles/CC”: Click on “Subtitles/CC” from the settings menu.

6. Choose “Auto-Translate”: After selecting “Subtitles/CC,” you’ll see an option that says “Auto-translate.” Click it.

7. Choose Your Language: A list of available languages will appear. Select the language you’d like to translate the subtitles into.

8. Enjoy: The subtitles will now be translated into your selected language!

That’s it! You can now watch videos with auto-translated subtitles.