Guide
Interior Design Tips for Your New Home — 15 Designer Tricks That Always Work
Good design isn't about spending the most — it's about confident choices that work together. These interior design tips come from professional practice: they'll make any space feel bigger, calmer and more expensive than it cost, whether you're furnishing your first apartment or styling a villa.
In this guide
1. Light & layout first
2. Colour & materials
3. Make small spaces feel bigger
4. The finishing touches
FAQ
1. Start with light & layout
- Layer the lighting. Never rely on one ceiling light — combine ambient (general), task (reading, cooking) and accent (mood). Warm bulbs (2700–3000K) for living spaces; cooler light for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Respect traffic flow. Keep 60–90cm walking paths clear; a room you move through easily always feels better.
- Float the furniture. Pulling the sofa slightly off the wall makes a room feel intentional and larger — not smaller.
2. Colour & materials
- Use the 60-30-10 rule. 60% dominant (walls, big furniture), 30% secondary (textiles), 10% accent (art, cushions). Instant balance.
- Neutral base, colourful accents. Keep expensive, hard-to-change items neutral; add personality with cheap, swappable pieces.
- Mix textures. Linen, wood, wool, metal and ceramic together add depth — even in an all-white room.
3. Make small spaces feel bigger
- Mirrors: place one opposite or beside a window to double natural light.
- Go vertical: tall shelving and floor-to-ceiling curtains (hung high and wide) lift the ceiling.
- Legs over skirts: furniture on visible legs lets light flow underneath — instantly airier.
- Multi-functional pieces: storage beds, nesting tables, ottomans with hidden storage.
- Declutter ruthlessly: negative space is a design element; a few well-chosen objects beat many cluttered ones.
4. The finishing touches
- Size the rug properly: at least the front legs of all seating should sit on it — a too-small rug disconnects the room.
- Hang art at eye level: centre ~145–150cm from the floor; most people hang far too high.
- Add greenery: one large plant transforms a corner and improves the air.
- Spend vs save: invest in what you touch daily (mattress, sofa, lighting); save on what you swap often (cushions, decor, paint).
💡 Buying first? Before designing it, make sure you can afford it: run the numbers with our Mortgage Calculator and the Hidden Buying Costs calculator.