Perfect Match
Creating a great car interior means more than just choosing materials and colours. It’s about making sure that every element works with the other. This means for looks AND function. It’s about stirring emotions, creating a story, and capturing attention for the right reasons. Different cars have a specific style or look, and installing the wrong interior can ruin that look. A consistently themed or styled interior is the key to keeping everything cohesive, not a hodge-podge of random parts.
Choosing a Theme
So how do you choose a theme you know will work? Of course, there are no guarantees that an out-there theme will work, although sometimes they can. Once again, this will depend on the car and also the craftsmanship. Poorly executed, even tried and true can look bad. But a poorly executed, out-there concept will NEVER be well received. Except for a dedicated show car, a wild concept usually isn’t the best option anyway. Here are our top tips for choosing a theme:
Form follows function: This is the single most important thing to keep in mind if you plan on driving your car. Or at least, enjoy driving it. An interior that is uncomfortable or controls that are hard to use will make driving unenjoyable if you’re lucky. Unenjoyable cars don’t get driven. If you’re unlucky, driving could be downright dangerous, it’s as simple as that. Functionality needs to be worked out first, you can make it look pretty next.
- Set the mood with colour: Choosing the colour palette right at the start of the build is something we suggest to all of our clients. That doesn’t mean that the same colour is used everywhere but knowing that the different colours work together is important. Find a balance of complementary and contrasting colours if they’re being used. Different shades of the same colour can also work.
- Consider the vehicle: An ultra-modern interior with infotainment screens and digital gauges won’t work in an otherwise traditional-styled vehicle. Likewise, tuck-n-roll with classic gauges isn’t going to look right in the average pro-tourer either. Like a house with all of its separate rooms, each area of a car while different, still makes up a whole. Building a modified car means seeing the project as one picture with many pieces.
Looking Beyond the Car
- Personal preference and style: An introvert isn’t likely to walk around with a pink mohawk or a lairy Hawaiian shirt. So, if you don’t like attention, it makes sense to have your ride subdued and understated, not bright and eye-catching. If you like tech, you’re more likely to enjoy an updated, modernised version of your classic car. Let this reflect in the interior with modern touches like deep bolstered seats, controls integrated into the console, and three-dimensional door cards. Build your car to please you, tailored to your unique preferences and style.
- Outside inspiration: Great designers often draw inspiration from places far removed from their primary focus. So don’t just look to other cars for ideas. An architectural pattern could form the basis of your insert pleats. The benchtop laminate at a home you’ve visited may be used as a quasi-woodgrain on the dash and console. Your (or your wife’s) favourite lipstick and nail polish combination could provide the colours for the trim and paint. Creativity can come from anywhere really.
Using your Theme
Choosing the right theme for your car interior is beneficial, but how do you apply it? Subtlety is the name of the game. While the car’s interior theme should be unmistakable, it shouldn’t be overwhelming. Be consistent enough that everything is one, with some variables to break the monotony. You want the transition from exterior to interior to be seamless. That’s not to say it needs to match the exterior, but that the interior makes sense.
Attention to detail is the key. Work with your trimmer to design an interior that incorporates your ideas and works with the car as a whole. Take care that nothing looks like an afterthought or just tacked on. Also, mismatched themes or styles will jump out for all of the wrong reasons. If the design is bold, spend the money on having a few sample pieces made up. A little expense now could save an expensive mistake getting too far off the ground. You may even want to use a professional artist to create an image for your reassurance and as a blueprint.
Sticking to the plan can be challenging. Builds may take some time to complete, and during this period, trends might evolve. Even small changes can sometimes create a ripple effect. Unless it’s solely a show car, our tip is not to get too caught up in trends. As trends change, your car can quickly feel outdated, and not everything is quick or easy to replace.
Coloured Themes
Colour will be a big part of the impact, but details are what will keep your interest. Picking up an outside body line for a colour break on the door cards creates consistency. You want to ensure everything flows; nothing should stand out when you open the door and look inside. Details can make or break the interior much like stance makes or breaks the car. A nearly monochrome interior that mixes matte, semi-gloss, and textured materials can be a thing of beauty.
Take the time to look at any materials available before making a final decision. The style of the vehicle will dictate what materials work best to a point. Leather in the right colour and finish is a timeless choice that will complement any car. Alcantara on the other hand would look out of place in an otherwise traditional hot rod. Interest can be added by using pleats or decorative seams. Perforations are another way to add interest without the use of another colour. Again, less can sometimes be more. It can be easy to overdo it unless your theme is the United Colours of Benetton (remember that?).
Championing the Cause
From the beginning, High Society Kustom Garage has dedicated itself to the mindset of form after function, but never letting function stand in the way of beauty. We design and build bespoke interiors for people who love their cars and love driving. We focus on driver comfort and vehicle functionality as well as making them look better than the owners envision.
HSKG is the place for custom interiors on Brisbane’s Northside. If you’re looking to redesign your interior, our skilled team has the expertise to bring your vision to life. Visit us to explore our wide range of samples, including leather, vinyl, suede, and more, ready for you to choose from.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and your customisation options.