In decoration, the relationship between hard decoration and soft decoration is often likened to "body" and "face". Hard decoration refers to the immovable structural parts of the house (such as walls, floors, water and electricity pipelines), while soft decoration refers to movable decorative elements (such as furniture, lamps, fabrics). The focus of the two needs to be comprehensively considered from the three aspects of function, aesthetics and trend of the times.

1. Priority of function and foundation: hard decoration is the foundation

Hard decoration bears the practical function of the house: the layout of water and electricity determines the convenience of life, the treatment of walls and floors affects the sound insulation and durability, and the space planning is directly related to the living line. If the foundation of hard decoration is not solid, no matter how good the subsequent soft decoration effect is, it will be difficult to make up for the functional defects. For example, unreasonable socket location or omission of waterproof engineering will lead to inconvenience and even safety hazards. Therefore, hard decoration must give priority to ensuring practicality and durability, especially hidden engineering (such as water and electricity) must strictly control quality.

2. Expression of style and personality: soft decoration is more flexible

Soft decoration shapes the atmosphere of space through color, material and decorations, and its advantage lies in flexibility and variability. The modern decoration trend advocates "light hard decoration and heavy soft decoration", advocating to simplify the hard decoration shape (such as reducing complex ceilings) and instead express personality through furniture, lamps and artworks. For example, the Nordic style is achieved by log furniture and plain fabrics, while the Chinese style needs to be highlighted by soft decoration elements such as screens, calligraphy and paintings. The easy-to-replace nature of soft decoration also adapts to the needs of modern people's changing aesthetics. You only need to adjust the curtains or ornaments to renew the space.

3. Balance rule: planning first and then construction

The best strategy is "soft decoration first, hard decoration in coordination". Considering the soft decoration plan at the same time in the early stage of design can avoid style conflicts after the hard decoration is completed. For example:

Determine the size of the sofa in advance to accurately reserve the socket position;

After selecting the main color, the hard decoration wall and soft decoration can form a color echo

Custom cabinets need to take into account storage needs and soft decoration aesthetics.

This overall planning can not only reduce rework waste, but also ensure the unity of function and aesthetics.

4. Trend of the times: from "luxury hard decoration" to "people-oriented"

Traditional decoration used to over-pursue the luxury of hard decoration (such as complex carvings and marble walls), which made the space rigid and costly. Today, more emphasis is placed on the "people-oriented" design concept:

Hard decoration simplification: using flat roofs, no main lights, and flooring to reduce the presence of hard decoration;

Soft decoration enhancement: improving comfort through modular furniture, smart appliances and green plants

;

Budget allocation: hard decoration accounts for 60%-70% of the total cost (focusing on quality), and soft decoration accounts for 30%-40% (focusing on effect).

Conclusion

Hard decoration and soft decoration are not in opposition, but a symbiosis of "bone and flesh". Hard decoration lays the functional skeleton of the space, and soft decoration injects soul and warmth. Modern decoration should follow the principle of "hard decoration focuses on quality, soft decoration focuses on momentum": hard decoration pursues simplicity and durability, and soft decoration focuses on individual expression. The two achieve harmony and unity through early collaborative design. Ultimately, an ideal home space must have a solid hard-decoration foundation and also convey the resident’s attitude towards life through soft furnishings.