Need a Refresh? Start Here
Are you thinking about a redesign in your home? Even when you’ve got that niggling sense that a room could be better, it can be hard to know where to begin — and easy to jump straight into buying without a proper plan. Whether you’re planning a big renovation or simply want to refresh one corner of your home, we are going to help you turn those ideas into something you can act on while avoiding some common mistakes that can derail even the most exciting design plans.
What’s the Trigger?
Before you reach for the paint samples, take a step back. What’s really prompted the desire to make changes?
Is it something functional — poor lighting, not enough storage, or an awkward layout? Or is it more emotional — a space that feels flat, cold or uninspiring? Have your needs changed? Are you working from home more? Have the children grown up? Are you craving a space that feels more ‘you’?
Tuning into this trigger is important. It not only helps you identify what needs to change, but also makes sure your updates solve the right problem — not just treat the symptoms.
And just as importantly, think about what you want instead. What’s the feeling you’d love this room to evoke? Calm and welcoming? Energising? Luxurious? Cosy? These emotional cues are where great design begins.
It Pays to Plan
It’s so tempting to jump straight in — to start browsing paint colours or ordering furniture. But without a clear sense of what the space needs. To start creating a plan that works for you:
- Build a realistic budget considering whether you like to invest timeless pieces or prefer more affordable pieces you can switch more regularly.
- Prioritise what will make the biggest difference.
- Measure all spaces and new furniture to avoid costly mistakes.
A Summer Project
If you’re thinking about tackling a home project over the summer holidays, it can be a brilliant time to start — especially with longer days, better light and fewer interruptions. But it does come with a warning, to make sure that the design will work all year round, not just for the season.
Natural light can transform a room — and in July, it’s at its strongest. But ask yourself: how will this space feel in winter? Will your chosen colours feel dark in the low light of January?
The answer is to think multi-seasonally: to consider how the space will feel, not just now, but throughout the year. That might mean:
- Checking your paints and tones at different times of the day and in different corners of the room, what looks good next to a bright window may not look so good in a dark corner.
- Choosing layered lighting so the room works on gloomy days too.
- Making sure window treatments suit both brighter and darker days, consider roman blinds with sheer curtains overlayed for the best of both worlds.
Designing with the full year in mind means your space will feel right all the time — not just on a sunny afternoon. For more ideas around lighting, read our blog – Maximise the Light in Your Home All Year Round.
A Note on Trends
We love to follow the trends, seeing what’s coming in and going out, new colours and the desirable designs — and they can be a brilliant source of inspiration. But we don’t follow trends just for the sake of it, and we don’t recommend that our clients do either.
Designing your home purely based on what’s in fashion now is one of the fastest ways to end up with a space that dates quickly — or never quite feels like you.
Instead, we start with you: your style, your lifestyle, your light, your space. From there, we might incorporate on-trend elements that work for the room — but only if they genuinely suit the feel you want to create. The result is a design that feels timeless and personalised to you.
Working With an Interior Designer
If you’re not sure about tackling a redesign project on your own, then it might be time to work with an interior designer. We can work with you throughout the project providing as much help as needed, from a full design to simply sourcing the perfect side table or sofa.
If you’re not sure whether a design service is for you, click here to read about the benefits of working with an interior designer.
Remember you can follow us on Facebook for more interior design ideas and inspiration, and contact us if you’re ready to kick off your design project.