Sharon’s Top Tips for Interior Design Success in your Home

From many years of experience both in Ireland and overseas, I have discovered that the most exciting times of a new project are at the beginning when all the ideas are blossoming and at the end when the job is finished and the client can enjoy their new space. The bit in the middle can be tedious! Do not underestimate the amount of work and the number of decisions that have to be made. To help make the process as easy as possible, I have come up with eight interior design Top Tips to make your life easier.

1. Pick the right people. Whether it is an interior designer, carpenter, supplier or builder, wisely align yourself to the right professionals to get the job done. Be warned, if you don’t, your life and project will be plagued with misery and frustration. Check out their previous work and reviews. If in doubt, ask to speak to some previous clients and if possible, view the work in their homes.
2. Discover your style. Scour magazines and the internet to identify what colours, forms, textures and patterns you like. Be careful of fully applying trends as they date quickly. Also, why not mix and match styles for interesting results.
3. Measure twice, buy once. Measure the room twice for accuracy and know what size furniture you need.
4. Shopping list. Be armed with a shopping list with specifications so you stay on track. Check online prior to visiting stores to see if the items are in stock and available to view in the showroom.
5. Monitor your spending. Do a budget estimate on a spreadsheet prior to shopping. Go online to check average prices. You don’t want to blow your budget on an amazing floor lamp for your bedroom when you can’t afford the bed you want.
6. Invest wisely. You should spend the most money on the key pieces in each room such as a sofa in the living room and a bed in the bedroom.
7. Preparation is key. Weeks, if not months of planning should go into the projects in terms of mood boards, drawings, specifications, tradespeople. Once finalised, then the project can proceed. Avoid an ad-hoc approach, making decisions as you go along. The results will not be good.
8. Swatch yourself out! Get samples and swatches of all the materials/finishes and put them in the space. They will look slightly different than the showroom due to your home’s aspect, lighting and room size. One tip I have when swatches of fabric are not available, is to match the fabric in the showroom against a paint colour card.