Colour stamps an interior with individuality and it’s one of our most useful tools when rejuvenating or creating a “wow” interior. Nothing brings a home to life like colour, making a dramatic difference to an interior and transforming and differentiating your own space from others. Of all the elements of design, colour can transform a space with immediate effect- it’s bright and uplifting, cosy or exciting, subtle or calming. Whatever mood you want to create, you can ‘say it with colour’.

Many people are uncertain about which colours to put where and err on the side of safety. However, adding colour is a way to create a home that you love to come back to; somewhere that makes you feel comfortable, where you can relax.

Here are some ideas that you might find helpful when choosing a colour;

• Neutrals can be easy to use, but they can also be seen as bland. For a sophisticated neutral look, use different textures, shiny and flat, fluffy and silky etc
• Soft pale muted colours work in all kinds of interiors and produce a relaxed feel that is easy to live with. Using variations of one muted shade will produce a harmonious room scheme whilst making it easy to combine several shades as they complement rather than contrast.
• A unified colour scheme helps when trying to make a small room seem bigger.
• Think wallpaper. Not only does it disguise poor walls but it brings instant colour and texture. Try just papering one wall, remembering that in smaller room plainer papers or ones with a small design work best.
• Larger rooms or those with high ceilings can take bigger and bolder designs. If you’ve got uneven walls, don’t try to paper with stripes!
  The key to bold colours is to use them in a sophisticated way. Try children’s rooms, dining rooms and hallways for eye catching colours. Use one element of a bold colour to create a focal point.

Adequate storage space in our homes is a challenge many of us face.

And so the age old battle continues, how to live in a clutter free environment with affecting the quality of our lives.

Not surprisingly, the brief from clients more often than not requires provision of good storage solutions that don’t compromise on style. The challenge is to provide this storage so that it delivers plenty of longevity, and is flexible enough to provide long term benefits for current and future owners.

For example we often design built in robes that can later be easily transformed into a study nook when children fly the coop.

If however you want to avoid a major renovation project, there are many storage solutions that you can employ. Here are some ideas for de-cluttering and storing.

Home Storage Solutions – Look for furniture that doubles as storage.

Chinese Wedding Cabinets or French Armoire – They will add beauty and presence to any room. From a home interior decorating perspective, your room will appear much bolder and interesting.

Wardrobe/closet organisers – I suggest visiting one of the specialist storage shops, who not surprisingly seem to have wardrobe organization down to a fine art! You’ll find wire baskets and shelving to expand your storage space. Look for the wonderful honeycomb drawer organizers to store and sort your knickers and socks.

Shelves – The great thing about shelves is that you can take advantage of a wall’s vertical space. As well as being decorative, they can be used to store or display personal items and collectibles. They are a cost effective solution for those that may not want to make a major investment or commitment. Since restoring the wall to its original condition is quick, cheap and easy, installing shelving is a low-cost and effective solution.

Bookcases – Use a bookcase to make a statement or be the focal point of a room.Look for adjustable shelves and back lighting.

Baskets, Bins and Tins. Look for baskets and containers that can slide under beds and tables. However don’t be afraid to show off something unique such as Hat boxes, old Chinese rice containers, leather cases or bird cages. Any of these will look fabulous in any room, hallway or entrance.

Like most things in life, there is no gain without pain. Before you start selecting home storage solutions for your items, pull out everything that you are holding on to that has remained unused for 18 months or more, have a good hard think about whether it is useful anymore and consider the many charities who may be able to made good use of your unwanted items.

Nothing stamps your personality on a home more effectively than a piece of art work. Expensive gallery worthy pieces are wonderful assets in a home but there are plenty of other creative options that will equally allow you to create some wow factor in a room.

For example, all sorts and styles of vintage posters can be bought inexpensively online, mount them up in an Ikea type frame and bingo, you have your inspiration for your space. Alternatively, find a beautiful piece of material and stretch it on a canvas or get creative with a spray can and create your own art work on a canvas.

Don’t try to match your artwork exactly with your cushions, rugs or furniture. Nothing screams boringly bland more than a too carefully co-ordinated room. The key is to select artwork that works with the room, not blends into it. Look for complimentary colours, or go bold with a contrasting colour or throw caution to the wind and buy a standout piece. Don’t be too nervous, this will work if you show restraint with neutral shades in the rest of the room.

Size Does Matter – Buy something too small and it’s lost on the wall, too big and you’ll feel swamped by it. I find the best way to avoid mistakes is to measure and cut the desired shape out of newspaper and tape it to the wall, this will give you an idea of whether your chosen size will suit your space. Hang your artwork so the middle of the canvas is at eye level. Smaller artworks can be grouped together or hung as a block.

Personality – if the art work makes you smile or makes you feel good and it’s affordable, buy it. You have to look at it, you’ve got to love it.

Don’t be tempted to buy a piece of art just because it’s bang on trend or the salesperson thinks it’s great. Try and be creative with placement. Artwork doesn’t always have to hang on a wall. Lean a canvas against the wall, remembering to keep it away from direct sunlight, to avoid fading.

Is it multi purpose – keep asking yourself this when you are shopping for art. If you can use it in different rooms, or move it from home to home, you can redecorate and create a new look simply by alerting things around.

Changing where and how your art is hung will make your artwork new again and give your space a whole new look. It’s quicker and cheaper than a new coat of paint. If you are a horder and you have too many works, you can retire some and bring the older ones out of mothballs – if museums and galleries subscribe to this theory, why shouldn’t you?