An interior designer reveals common mistakes we make when designing our spaces
- RESTA
- Feb 25
- 5 min read
"Lithuanians, when designing their interiors, seem to be solving their inner psychological issues—tidying up their homes while also improving their emotional state," says interior designer Dovas Serapinas. According to him, unlike other Europeans, Lithuanians strive to stand out and express their uniqueness when furnishing their homes. However, this desire often leads to mistakes.
The latest trends in construction, renovation, interior design, furniture, and décor will be showcased at the Resta exhibition, taking place on April 24–26, 2025, at l. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the event will offer visitors not only insights into industry innovations but also expert consultations on home construction and design. The interior solutions hall will be curated by designer Dovas Serapinas, who will share his expertise and advice.
It is often forgotten that multiple parties are involved in the interior design process
Designer Dovas Serapinas observes a growing global trend—including in Lithuania—toward synchronizing all aspects of home design, from architectural structure and exterior elements to interior details. The goal is to create a seamless connection between these processes and minimize complications along the way.
“There are cases where, for example, an architect initially designs a kitchen layout in a certain way. But once an interior designer joins the process, it turns out that hanging cabinets can’t be installed in a specific area because the architect had placed a window there. Then we start considering moving the window, but that disrupts the entire exterior aesthetic—the rhythm, harmony, and balance between lines and openings fall apart,” explains Serapinas.
He points out that architects primarily focus on the exterior, while interior designers evaluate the functionality and aesthetics of indoor spaces. For instance, an architect might prefer fewer windows to maintain a clean façade, whereas an interior designer will advocate for more windows to maximize natural light. If these discussions don’t happen early on, making changes later becomes much more challenging.
The situation gets even more complex once builders enter the picture. “They might point out that the chosen materials are too expensive or unavailable within the project timeline. Or, perhaps, the project wasn’t properly planned in terms of sequencing—like ordering a staircase that will take six months to arrive, even though the concrete foundation for it is needed in just two weeks,” Serapinas explains.
To ensure a cohesive result without compromising either the exterior or interior, collaboration between all parties—builders, architects, designers, and the client—is essential.
“It’s crucial for everyone to align from the very beginning. The client plays a key role in this process as well. They need to clearly communicate their expectations from the start. While professionals can anticipate certain needs, there’s always a risk that their vision won’t match what the client truly wants. It’s like buying a sports car on impulse without considering your actual needs, only to realize later that it’s impractical for driving on forest roads,” says the designer.
Relying only on images that create an illusion
When asked about the key considerations for designing an interior, Dovas Serapinas shares that while it’s helpful to seek inspiration online, one should avoid blindly relying on pretty pictures.
"Perfect Instagram or Pinterest photos often deceive because they’re just beautiful postcards. Homes are complex spaces with many walls, influenced by different lights and colors, and they often look quite different in reality compared to how they appear on a glowing phone screen. Most of the time, we see stunning images of a specific room with certain lighting, windows, and wall finishes. When you ask someone what exactly they like about the picture, it often turns out they’re drawn to a beautiful vase on the table," he says.
Once you’ve chosen your favorite pictures, it’s important to understand how to evaluate them to ensure they bring real value.
"Online images are mostly just dreams, but you need to think about whether they can be realized in your specific home. For example, if you want a large bathtub like the one you saw in a photo, you need to consider all the surrounding details. Often, these bathrooms have big windows with the bathtub placed in front of them, and a faucet that comes out of the floor, costing thousands of euros. But we might have a small bathroom with a tiny window, and the bathtub would end up crammed into a corner. That dream can shatter pretty quickly," he explains.
However, pictures can still be useful for inspiration, as a designer can help you identify shared elements you like among the 100 images you’ve saved. Serapinas also suggests remembering the details you like and assessing their practicality through personal experience—whether staying at a hotel or visiting friends and family. It’s about evaluating real-life experiences, not just images.
Following trends
When asked how much Lithuanians chase interior design trends versus prioritizing sustainability, interior designer Dovas Serapinas says trends should be approached with caution.
"Fashion in interior design is the antonym of sustainability. What’s trendy quickly becomes boring and outdated. For example, people often choose trendy tiles, but tiles, like clothing, are not something you can change quickly. That’s why I always advise people to focus not on what’s fashionable, but on what’s sustainable—opting for a classic style so that once the home is furnished, we can enjoy it for longer," he explains.
When designing interiors, Serapinas recommends thinking about the materials you choose and the elements you incorporate, so that after a few years, you won’t get bored and have to start thinking about renovations due to outdated bathroom tiles.
"That’s why I’m not fond of things that are 'on trend'—like the latest LED lighting solutions or trendy tiles. New trends take time to assess—like whether that lighting will give you a headache or if you’ll tire of the marble tiles that are everywhere. It’s always possible to find more interesting accents, but it’s important to consider whether they can be easily replaced and if they’ll get old fast, because they’re like the seasoning of your home. If you smell cardamom at Christmas, it’s pleasant, but if you’re surrounded by it every day, you’ll likely get tired of seeing it," says Serapinas.
Non-durable materials are chosen
He adds that when building a home, you can never go wrong by choosing long-lasting materials.
"Choose materials that have existed for a century or more—stone, wood, glass, as well as handcrafted items and other unique solutions. It's better to restore your grandparents' wardrobe and have an original piece in your home, which will probably cost less than a mass-produced plastic wardrobe you’ll find in every other home," advises the designer.
In conclusion, Dovas Serapinas encourages Lithuanians designing their homes to reflect on why they are drawn to certain design elements, as he believes the interior is a reflection of one's emotional state.
"Generally, Lithuanians pay a lot of attention to interior design and often want to stand out, find unique accents. I’d say that when designing their homes, we want to tidy up our inner selves. For example, I recently visited Barcelona, and the interiors of Spanish homes look much the same as they did a century ago. Whereas we, perhaps influenced by provincial and scarcity complexes, often chase trends and want to prove something with our interiors. So, I would recommend thinking about what we want to say about ourselves when creating our homes—why certain things are important to us, why specific colors evoke certain associations," he concludes.
The Resta exhibition will take place at Litexpo from April 24-26, 2025, celebrating its 30th edition. Visitors will not only find a new Interior and Solutions Hall (the Furniture and Design Solutions exhibition becomes part of Resta) but also a special celebratory program with events and consultations dedicated to construction and home creation.
