Argh, have you ever felt the frustration of entering someone’s house and seeing their poor interior design choices lining the walls around you?
Garish wall fittings; wallpaper that looks like someone threw up on it and claimed it was a striking design; weird ornaments that might have been lifted from the home of an 80-year-old cat lady.
Yup, poor interior design is inadvisable, and it says so much about your personality. If you’re into sleek, chic, modernist design, for instance, then people will assume you’re a bit of a neat freak. And, on the other side of the spectrum, if you like trashy styles then people will think you’re a bit lazy.
So, what can you do to perfect your home and give it a look that conveys your personality?
Give your floors the perfect accompaniment
While you might have your wall coverings, well, covered, it’s important to figure out how they match with your floors. Whether you’re looking at hardwood or bath mats, everything has to match up. Just think about it – do you want cold, wooden floors or a snazzy design covering your carpeting and bathroom lino?
No matter what your preference, make sure your flooring matches perfectly with the rest of your home. After all, one of the main keys to good design lies in finding effective balance.
DON’T go modern
Modern designs come and go like a changing tide, don’t they?
One minute, some barmy celebrity designer will tell you that you should cover your walls in ham and your floors in pork, and the next you might have some Morrissey-like designer telling you to fill your entire home with parsley-themed appliances and daffodils.
Basically, what that slightly odd last sentence was saying is that a new design will be out of date the minute you install it. That’s why you should find a style that suits you rather than vying for a passing fad.
Visit vintage shops, look online or head along to auction houses to find the perfect fit for your home.
Optimise your design budget
You’d be amazed at how a little can go a long way when it comes to interiors, and not just in terms of minimalism. If you’ve got a tight budget, you can still make your home look lavish by cutting a few corners.
Got wallpaper you’re fond of but can’t shell out for enough to cover your room? Then, create a “feature wall” that’ll act as a focal point for your room, and plaster your beloved paper over it.
Really, that’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of cost-cutting measures, so use your imagination to turn a little into a lot.
