Ella Jones, Interior Designer and Stylist from Kaye Design Studios, shared her recommendations for making a home special. Get comfy and enjoy the read!
What are your must-have items or accessories for making a room feel complete?
Fun and decorative mirrors are a great way to dress a wall and bring a room together! Window treatments are also a great way to bring a room to life. You can have some fun with the fabrics and trims, using this chance to make the room feel well thought out and cohesive. I also love any opportunity to do an armchair in a corner if you have a space that feels a little lonely. Adding a small table too can make this feel like a completely separate space for some quiet time!
What are your top tips for someone decorating a home on a budget?
Always look to what you have already. You should re-use and re-furb pieces, put on new handles, re-upholster and give new life to leftovers.
How do you recommend balancing function with style in smaller spaces?
Mirrors are a great way of doing this. They can bring interest and look great on a wall, plus make something feel a lot bigger; as can multifunctional pieces of furniture. For example, an Ottoman that has storage, bed with drawers or a sofa bed, shelving and getting things off the floor. Furniture pieces with long legs to fill up the height of the room. You want to stay away from dark colours to prevent closing in on the space.
What small changes can make the biggest impact in a room's look and feel?
Paint colours have the ability to make a room feel calming or cozy or cheerful. So I think redecorating a room can be very instrumental in creating a specific feeling you are trying to achieve in a space. Hardware is also an affordable way to elevate a room and make it feel much more sophisticated if you try get some cohesion going where possible. I love any chance to match hardware such as lighting, sockets & switches, handles etc.
Re-arranging furniture and really thinking about the way you use your space can make the biggest difference. I sometimes feel this is something people shy away from and get scared to move things that have been in a certain place for a long time.
“ You don’t want your home to feel like another instagram post!”
What are the best ways to make a rented space feel personal and unique?
I notice a lot of people don’t always want to spend money when living in a rental. But I always think the earlier you start collecting lovely things for you’re home the better. It means one day when you end up somewhere more permanent you will have so many things from along your journey that will really make a home feel like a home. Some items that I think can work in versatile spaces and you could collect and not worry about struggling to re home at your next place are: mirrors, chest of drawers, lamps, and armchairs. These pieces don’t need to be so size dependant and they are also really good ways of making your home feel more unique and personal.
Rugs and lighting are a great way to make a rental feel more personal. Lighting is an affordable but really great way to add personality to you’re home. It’s easy to install and you can take light fixtures with you to your next place. I always think these things are so worth the effort in creating a more unique space, as you don’t want you’re home to feel like another instagram post.
Are there any common decor mistakes you see, and how can people avoid them?
Yep. I see a lot of rooms where the proportions are quite off. Such as huge sofas in small spaces or teenie rugs in huge areas. Try source pieces that fit your room well and maximise the space as much as possible.
"The World is your oyster"
Empty room where to start?
Wall colours and schemes! If you start with a well thought out scheme right at the get go, the world will be your oyster. You’ll have way more control of the space if you do it this way.
How can people use lighting to enhance their interiors?
By making the most out of different types of lighting. A good example is installing a picture light above a piece of art. This can help a room feel sophisticated as well as lighting and enhancing your art beautifully. Another one is adding reading lights on the wall by your bed. If you’re readers this is a lovely way of personalising you’re room to you but also a great excuse to add some interest by maybe adding a nice little shade with a fabric that goes with the scheme.
I’m a big fan of giving houses as much control over lighting as possible. This gives you the freedom to be able to really control the lighting in a space freely. Such as having your lamps, down lights and pendants all on different circuits.
What sustainable or eco-friendly design practices do you incorporate in your projects?
Using energy efficient light bulbs are a great way of doing this which also at the same time give off the best type of warm yellow light. Sourcing vintage or second hand pieces too is another way of trying to do our bit!