Top 5 Interior Design Tips

1. Start With Something Special

This room could have started with the blue lamp....

Start a project by picking just one item that you really like. That could be a anything from a fabric pattern , a piece of furniture, a cushion to a piece of art. The item doesn't need to be a feature piece it just gets you started.

Then let that item set the theme and style for the room and you'll find that the rest of your decisions will follow on from that. Easy!

2. Feature Something, But Not Everything

The artwork is left alone on the wall so it can be a feature, other art would only detract and distract from it

Don't try and make everything a feature. Let the real feature stand out, give it room to breath and be appreciated. 

Keep an open mind on what can be a feature. It could be anything from a fireplace to a painting or maybe an old fashioned chandelier.

3. Keep It Consistent

This room is consistent in terms of style and colour palette

Aim to maintain the one style throughout the room and preferably throughout the house, whether your chosen style is traditional, modern, contemporary or of a particular era. 

If you want an eclectic mix it is still possible but choose carefully, as it is a style that can look very disjointed and messy rather than stylish if there is not some connection between the items, whether that be colour, design era or materials (eg. natural).

4. Showrooms Are Big Places

Mark out the scale of the furniture you want in the space before you buy

Measure the space and the furniture before you buy

People often make the mistake of buying furniture in a showroom that then looks way too big when you get it home. Measure your interior space before you buy and ideally test the scale of the item you want in the place you want using sheets of newspaper to mark out floor area that will be covered. You can also bring in old chairs and cover them with sheets to get a feel for height. 

And don't automatically go for a suite, especially if you're limited for space. Consider a sofa and some individual chairs or recliners because the chairs that come in a suite are often huge.

5. Light Is Open, Dark is Cosy

Even though the room is bright the dark wall and fabrics help close in the space and make it feel more cosy

The white wall and light wood floors along with the large mirror make this small space feel open and spacious

There is a reason that show houses use magnolia and white on the interior walls. It's because light colours reflect more light and have the effect of making spaces feel larger so you'll pay more. Mirrors will also achieve the same effect.

There is also a reason that pubs and bars have darker colours on the walls and other surfaces as it has the effect of closing in the space and making it feel cosy, that way you'll feel more comfortable and stay longer

These simple but effective colour choices can also be utilised in your own spaces.