Knowing were to start can be the most daunting thing when considering improvements to your home. We have compiled a list of the key elements to consider revitalise, make a statement and ensure your home reaches its potential.
1. Whats your inspiration?
This could be the focal point of the room or it could be something as simple as
- a piece of fabric,
- a painting,
- an ornament or
- a picture of a room that you really like
Then use this to find furniture items, fabrics, direct your choice of fabric and paint and wallpaper colours throughout the room.
It always helps you get started and you end up with something original. Do not try to match everything if you are using a photo as inspiration. Look for similar style items but make it your own.
2. Think about flow
Flow through the rooms and spaces in your home is as much about the layout as it is the colour scheme.
Try to think about the colours and materials you use on the floors, walls and furniture as one overall palette.
Decide on what your main colours, materials and window dressing style will be and use this throughout the house adding feature elements to each space to give them their own identity whilst being sure that you know you are still in the same house as you walk from one room to another.
3. Think social
Our homes have starting to become more like multifunctional spaces rather than separate rooms over the last few decades Consider knocking through to open up spaces if at all possible. Then look at how you use your home, where you spend the most time and see how you can make this best of that function.
For example, for a family home you might want to connect your kitchen and dining space but keep a separate lounge area.
You could use some seating in the kitchen that allows interaction whilst someone is preparing food or could you position lounge furniture rather than all directed at the TV to face each other.
4. Maximise your space
Look around and see where you have wasted space, where you could re-position furniture to allow better circulation through a room or a better view from the seating or a table that fits your space better.
Bench seating along a dining table, for example, will save create more space around a family dining table and you can still have an element of grandeur by having dining chairs with arms to each end of the table.
Does your lounge central space lend itself better to a round coffee table or a set on central stacked tables with side tables to make more room to walk around it while still allowing enough space to put coffee cups and magazines and books.
5. Consider light
If natural light is in abundance you can be quite brave with what you put into your design, however if it is limited there are tricks that can maximise light such as using mirrors, having minimal window dressings that don’t cover the window opening when pulled back, such as blinds or using sheer or voile curtains rather than thick lined curtains and using more light colours throughout.
Including a variety of floor lamps, table lamps and wall lights as well and central pendant lights will allow you to adjust the light levels and type depending on the time of day and mood.
6. Find your focal point
Every room needs a focal point and this could be anything.
- A traditional focal point – the fireplace, or
- a large painting, mirror,
- a statement light fitting or
- a piece of furniture in a bright colour.
Decide what this is going to be and then work the rest of the room around that making wall and floor finishes and room accents match this.
7. Add more storage to minimise clutter
Getting your storage right really is key to having a calm yet functional environment. Make sure you have all the measurements to your space to hand when you are trying to find storage furniture to work perfectly in the space.
The other option to getting the perfect amount and arrangement of storage is to get something made to fit.
You can ask a joiner to construct built-in storage for a reasonable price using simple material such as plywood, painted it to match the colour of the walls and use push access openers to keep the exterior really sleek and simple.
8. The bigger the better
Introducing elements that are large scale really shouts luxury. Big prints of wallpaper and fabric, big ornaments, huge paintings and prints and big cushions. When things are exaggerated they are a modern twist on a traditional look and they make much more of a statement.
9. Be bold
Bold walls in dark colours are a great look right now. This can be one feature wall if you have a space with limited natural light or really go for it and make all the walls dark in one room such as the entrance hall to make it really striking.
Another option is to have a very simple and minimal interior and introduce one really bright element such as a console table, painting or armchair. Don’t be afraid to really go for it. Just remember to ensure the other elements of the room balance it out.
10. Allow enough time
Do ensure you have time to think through any design decisions and purchases. A rushed decision is rarely a good one when it comes to design and anything you introduce is likely to have a knock on effect to other elements in the room. Consider colour, measurements and qualities of any products and materials as well as who will install them and lead times for delivery.
This list will help kick-start your interior scheme. If you would like an expert to offer advice for the scheme then contact us and ask for Mark or Louise. They will be happy to give you a complimentary, no obligation consultation.
