Top 5 Interior Design Tips

How To

4 Nov

I've been helping people design their homes for almost 20 years now(!) and during that time some questions come up over and over again. So here are my top 5 tips to share with you, from the experience I have gained along the way.

1. Don’t worry too much about trends - take inspiration from something you love - a painting, cushion, album cover, a holiday photo...

Your home is your own, and the best trick to start you off is to think about how you want your space to feel. Basing it around something you love will help you find a starting point, and make it meaningful to you.

2. Don’t think you need to paint a small dark room white to brighten it and make it feel bigger

One of the most common things I hear is that if a room is low on light and small you have to paint it white to make it feel bigger and brighter - but that is not always the case. A light paint colour can actually appear stark and cold in this light as the colour is very static. It needs to interact with light to give it life and so is much better suited to light bright spaces.

Instead a dark colour like navy absorbs more light and can actually blur the edges of the room, creating a perception of depth and making it feel larger, and warm and cosy. Don't be afraid to use dark bold colours in north facing rooms and instead embrace the dark and choose paint in dark greys, navy and jewel colours.

Looking for dark paint colour inspiration? Click here

3. Do choose the size of your furniture carefully

People often choose furniture that is too big for the room, especially sofas. When you are in a large showroom, the scale of the furniture is skewed and it can feel much smaller than it actually will in your living room. Measure carefully at home before you commit, and if you find it hard to visualise, lay newspaper on the floor in the footprint of the furniture. Leaving space around the furniture will make your room feel larger and more balanced.

Need help with the layout in your room? Take a look at our Midi Living package here

bookcase — **4. Consider storage early in the design process**
There’s really no such thing as too much storage space, and chances are, as your family grows, you’ll need more and more. A beautiful room is never going to stay that way if you have nowhere to put the everyday clutter. So rather than ending up overwhelmed with stuff, it’s best to plan where you can house it from the start. Try to build in storage where you can - maybe a window seat, or built in cupboards in an alcove. A footstool with hidden storage can be great for blankets and magazines or maybe choose an upcycled trunk for bulkier items. Even a side table can do more than just look good. If space is tight choose one with a cupboard door and a drawer for odds and ends. Repurposed crates can house toys or shoes, and baskets are great for well, just about everything else!

5. Lighting, lighting, lighting!!!

Lighting can really make or break a mood in your room. Often rooms need to be both cosy and relaxing for the evening, and bright and stimulating for the daytime. The easiest way to achieve this is to aim for at least two layers of light. Your first layer should be the practical, which is typically brighter, overhead lighting, great for cleaning or getting things done. The second layer of light is your table and floor lamps. This layer is softer, warmer and more flattering and relies on the opaqueness of the bulb and shade. If your light is coming from clear, bare bulbs and glass shades (which are trendy right now but unflattering), think about swapping some of the bulbs for a more inviting light. And don’t forget about the temperature of the bulbs you use too - it’s an easy fix to swap your cool bulbs for warmer ones to instantly change the feel of the room.