Over our time designing thousands of rooms, our designers have definitely learnt a good few lessons along the way!
Instead of gatekeeping these design lessons, we’re spilling the beans and sharing these golden nuggets of wisdom with you. From avoiding pesky design pitfalls and nailing your home makeover on the first go, we've got you covered.
So, get ready to dive into our favourite design secrets and transform your space like a pro!
Want to avoid these design mistakes? Get started and meet your Interior Designer today!
Image credit: My Bespoke Room & Da Silva Design
When it comes to designing your home, it's easy to get swept up in the frenzy of decluttering and aiming for those magazine-cover-perfect spaces. But as designers, we must not forget to sprinkle in some personality!
We've learned that the happiest homes are filled with memories and items that spark joy. We’ve seen way too many rooms turned into bland canvases with artwork that has no meaning and décor chosen just because it matches. Honestly, we’ve even felt the temptation to fill our homes with items just because they fit the aesthetic!
Remember, it’s the little quirks and cherished items that make your home uniquely yours!
Loving the look of this home? Check out the full house tour here.
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
A principle we all learn early on as Interior Designers is that furniture must be grounded; otherwise, it can feel like the pieces are aimlessly swimming around a room without an anchor.
Throughout our time designing spaces, we’ve discovered that focal points come in many forms. As long as one is chosen, laying out a room feels so much easier.
So whether it's a statement mirror, TV, piece of art, feature wall, window, or fireplace, you can create an effortless, anchored space. Take this open-plan space, for example, with its immense amount of room, it definitely felt like a challenge to create definition here. But by crafting a dark blue, shaker-panelled feature wall and placing a TV at its centre, we established a bold focal point that allowed us to arrange the furniture around it seamlessly.
Remember, choosing your focal point is like choosing the heart of your room. It gives you a place to face and organise everything else around, making the design process not only easier but way more fun!
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
As designers, we love to focus on the look and appeal of a space, creating beautiful and homely environments that our clients adore. But one lesson we’ve learned is that aesthetics aren’t everything - a home should be just as functional as it is stylish.
Take, for example, this contemporary, mid-century-inspired kitchen. It's definitely a showstopper, but it also has hidden storage galore! We've discovered that bespoke furnishings are our best friend, maximising every inch of space while being totally tailored to the aesthetics of the room.
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Another invaluable lesson we've learned is the magic of multi-purpose pieces. Ottomans that double as extra seating, storage, or even a substitute coffee table? Yes, please! Our clients love the versatility and practicality.
From dining benches with storage underneath to coffee tables that neatly house extra seating, the more uses your pieces have, the better. Prioritising functionality doesn't mean sacrificing style; it means creating a space that works as beautifully as it looks. And trust us, that’s a win-win for everyone!
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
After working on thousands of homes, our designers have learned that natural light can vary so much in different spaces, and it always has a big impact on the overall feel of the room.
Not all rooms are lucky enough to be blessed with natural light, so if you have it, flaunt it! Try not to interrupt light paths and choose shades that help bounce light around the space. Light, reflective colours and strategically placed mirrors can make a world of difference.
On the other hand, a lack of light can cause a lot more challenges. For instance, this north-facing Victorian living room above tended to get very dark and gloomy. So, we designed the space based on the available lighting—embracing the cosy vibes with a deep olive shade to create a calming environment. To maximise the light the room receives, we placed a large mirror centrally to bounce that beautiful light around.
Natural light is like the secret sauce of interior design - it can make a space feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting. So whether you’re blessed with plenty of it or just a smidge, learning to work with what you have is a game-changer!
Curious about how to pick the right shade for the orientation of your room? Download our free paint guide for the insider tips to choosing the perfect shade.
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
Scaling is a very important lesson to learn in interior design, as many of our clients have learnt the hard way - just because a piece of furniture can fit in a room, it doesn't me it does fit in a room.
Think of scaling like matchmaking for your furniture. You want pieces that not only fit the room but also sit comfortably beside each other. For example, in this living-dining room where a giant armchair almost as big as the sofa was hogging all the floor space. It was the total elephant in the room feeling out of place and stealing all the attention!
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
So, when our designers swooped in we instead chose a sofa which had slim legs and was higher off the ground to create the illusion of more space and we scrapped the armchair altogether to create so much more balance.
Scaling has taught us and our clients the importance of floor plans. They’re like the treasure maps of design, showing us a bird's eye view of how all the pieces fit together and how you can move through the space - ensuring the scale is right before you buy!
Learn how to design your dream open plan space by checking out our ultimate guide!
Why settle for a single-layer cake when you can have a multi-layer masterpiece? The same goes for your home!
We've learned that without layers, a space can end up looking very flat and, let's face it, a little dull! That's why in room designs like the one above, we always include layers of soft furnishings in varying textures, such as rugs, pillows, and throws.
Even the dining table gets the layer treatment! It's beautifully draped with a stunning runner, table mats, and décor, adding depth and interest to the setting.
And we can't talk about layering without discussing lighting—layered lighting is truly the number one lesson designers have to learn when it comes to lighting a home. It's all about dotting lights at different heights throughout the space to create layers of light that feel oh-so-cosy.
For an extra challenge, try spotting how many light sources are dotted around this room alone! Layering is our secret to transforming a room from drab to fab, making it feel warm, inviting, and full of personality.
Take the tour of the beautiful home, here!
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
We’ve all heard the saying, “Bring the outside in,” but as designers, we’ve truly learned the magic that happens when you do just that!
Wood and stone aren’t just for the great outdoors—they add warmth and character to any space. Choosing pieces crafted from natural materials makes the room instantly feel cosier and more inviting. It’s like giving your home a big, warm hug!
And let’s not forget our leafy friends - house plants! These green beauties are the ultimate multitaskers. They add pops of colour, improve air quality, and bring a sense of tranquillity to any room. We love filling spaces, like the one above, with everything from hanging plants to towering potted trees. Trust us, a room full of plants feels like a breath of fresh air!
So, embrace the natural world in your home! Mix in those raw materials, invite some greenery over and let the light shine in. Your space will feel more alive, vibrant, and utterly irresistible.
Avoid common design pitfalls and transform your home, right, first time from just £395 per room:
Image Credit: My Bespoke Room
A final fun lesson we’ve learned throughout our projects is that smaller spaces are the perfect playground for going big and bold! To make an impression in these cosy spots, embracing a more eclectic style is the way forward.
Our designers have discovered that colour and pattern are best friends in tight spaces. The beauty of it? It’s always unexpected, leaving guests with a real wow-factor!
Whether it’s bold and beautiful or vibrant and wild, we’ve definitely learned that small spaces are made for experimenting with different styles.
Check out this whole home transformation to see how our designers infused a little bit of fun into every room!
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