If you’re tired of endless beige walls and Scandinavian minimalism, I have great news for you. The Memphis aesthetic is rapidly taking over Pinterest trends—a style that flouts boring rules and turns any room into a work of art.
Take a look at this entryway. Bright blue cabinets, a black-and-white checkerboard floor, wild geometric shapes, and vibrant yellow accents. It looks luxurious, playful, and… a little intimidating. It seems impossible to recreate this at home without going crazy from the abundance of color.
But in reality, there’s a clear design logic at work here. Let’s break down why this interior works and how to recreate it in your own home without turning your apartment into a kindergarten.
Secret 1: The “White Canvas” Rule
Take a look at the walls and ceiling—they’re completely white, and the floor is light wood. This is the foundation. The Memphis style requires a vast amount of neutral background. If the walls were colored, the interior would feel overwhelming. White gives the rooms a sense of airiness and makes the bright furniture literally glow.
Secret 2: Pattern Repetition
The black-and-white checkered rug pairs perfectly with the striped bench upholstery. The geometric patterns here complement each other. The blue color of the tall cabinet is repeated in the storage boxes below and in the round wall lamp. The eye is drawn to these repetitions, and chaos turns into harmony.
🛒 Shopping List: How to Create This Entryway
You don’t need to hire expensive designers to recreate this vibe. Here are the pieces that make up this puzzle:
- Base: a tall shelving unit or cabinet in a deep blue (electric blue). You can take a standard IKEA Kallax shelving unit and paint it with bright enamel.
- Graphics: a rug with a black-and-white geometric print (checkerboard or large stripes) and a mirror with an unusual, “flowing” wavy shape in a black frame.
- Texture: terrazzo mosaic. In the photo, we see a side table with flecks of colored stones. In real life, these could simply be plastic boxes or wallpaper with a terrazzo print.
- Details: bright plastic or cardboard storage boxes (yellow and blue) to hide visual clutter.
