Hacks – Tips and tricks from an interior designer

With our interior design guidance – provided by experts – you can make your house into a beautiful home. From the perfect lighting through to flooring inspiration, we’ve got you covered.

• Garden furniture can be an extension of indoors. Seek out sofas for outdoors and all-weather dining furniture that wouldn’t be out of place inside.

• Panelling is evolving. You can use it to create a 3D effect and add dimension to your walls. Be creative — you don’t have to be tied to uniform panels.

• Gardens are quickly becoming an extension of the home, with outdoor furniture that looks like it belongs indoors. Outdoor rugs can enhance the inside-out vibe.

• Lighting

  • Treat your lights as accessories – think of them as sculptures or art which serve a secondary purpose.

  • Look for striking feature pieces and make sure the lights are right for the space. Check the brightness and tone of the light, and take advice on where to use downlighters.

  • Bulbs can add character and there are so many on the market. Use ‘globe’-style bulbs as an accessory to the room to elevate your lighting.
  • Lamps are used more often than main ceiling lights, especially in living areas. Put just as much thought into how they distribute light as you would with a fitted light.
  • Balance natural light in a room through placement of mirrors, using them to bounce light around.
  • Mirrors can make a room appear bigger. Don’t be afraid to go large.

• Flooring

  • Aim to have no more than two types of flooring downstairs – one hard floor and one carpet, for example, to keep the flow.

  • Use rugs to zone the floors and accentuate key areas

  • White skirting and architrave can be used as a frame for bold paint colours.

  • Choose one colour and have an element of it in every room of the house to create a cohesive affect.

  • The 70s are back – 70s style and themes are making a return to interior design.

  • Create bespoke spaces specifically for those who live there. For example, have wipeable flooring at the back door if you have a dog (muddy paws don't mix well with carpets).

  • Create a balance with the colours you use, such as a cool blue next to a warm taupe.

  • Sometimes less is more – be careful of oversaturation of designs.