1. Make it your own

Remember it’s your home. There are no rights nor wrongs in interior design. It’s just a matter of getting an eye for it. Remember that you are in control, taking the latest trends into account is worthwhile but always put your own personal spin on something to make it special. Your home is where you spend most of your time, so the space needs to reflect you.

2. Seek design inspiration for a mood board. Hello Pinterest!

 

Transform interiors from tired to revitalised by gathering inspirational images Pinterest, Instagram, etc. Once you have a strong collection you will begin to see the look you would like to achieve. Creating a mood board is a great way to use your creativity to unleash any hidden design inspiration you may have subconsciously seen.

If mood boards are more your speed, here's what we suggest...Buy a large foam board and pins from your local art or stationary shop and collate samples, images, samples of the fabrics, wallpapers, furniture and flooring that you might want to use. This way you can see how they would all sit together within the room. Be sure you add textures through flooring, rugs and fabrics such as velvet, wool, and tweed. Place the mood board in the room and live with it for a while.

3. Analyse the look

Collect pieces as you come across them, this way you will purchase things you’ve fell in love with. Rather than settling for what’s available in certain stores or online at the time you need something. This way you can spend time analysing the look and colors of your room with accessories. The more time you take to add things into your house, your interior design knowledge will expand as you can understand what works best with certain features.

4. Consider colors and fabrics

Start to hone in on the colors you want to use – for the painted walls or wallpaper, furniture, blinds and curtains. The third color could be a highlight for cushions, lampshades, bed quilts and accessories such as a tablecloth or even a painting.

One of our designers top tips are to always use three colors throughout the room.

5. Try before you buy paint and paper

Remember that colors can change depending on lighting so buy sample pots and paint. Paint at least a two-foot patche, on the lightest and the darkest walls in the same room – to see how the natural light affects the shade.

Same goes for wallpaper, tape wallpaper samples to the walls and drape large returnable samples over existing furniture or pin them to existing curtains and blinds. Stand back and see what you think.

 6. Transform old to new

If you have a blank canvas it’s easier, but more often we must work with existing sofas or rugs etc. Look closely at the rug and see if you can work with the colors within it. Maybe you can reupholster the old favourite sofa to give it a new lease of life? Decide if you are someone who likes pattern or plain; traditional or contemporary; and look at a color wheel or nature itself to see what colors go with what. For instance, pinks and reds with greens, orange with duck egg, yellows with grey and blues.

7. Size up the furniture

Decide on the furniture you want in your room. Think about scale, in a large room you need a big sofa and footstool. Most designers recommend that even small rooms should have one large statement piece, even if it is a headboard in a bedroom. A balance of large and small pieces will create an appealing living space.

8. Order returnable samples

Once you have narrowed your choice right down and have a good idea of what you might want, order some returnable samples. These are small portions of fabric which works best draped over backs of chairs and pined to existing curtains and blinds. The test will see if you’re still happy with them after a few days. This is also a great way to see how fabrics look against the paint colors.

9. Remember measuring is key

Decision time happens when you measure up your windows. Ensure you have the correct measurements before you even think about ordering blinds or curtains in particular rooms. 

10. Add finishing touches