13 steps to
It’s the final flourish which brings together your self-build, renovation or extension, but a successful interior design scheme starts at the very beginning of your project, says Claire Lloyd, who shares some of the secrets to creating cohesive interiors
Interior design is an oftoverlooked and much undervalued aspect of building a new home or renovating an existing property. We tend to think of interior design as the finishing touches; the fun part at the end — picking paint colours and soft furnishings to adorn our newly completed homes. However, the key to a successful interior design scheme is in the planning before work even begins on your building project. Take the kitchen layout or the positioning of lighting, switches and sockets, for example — all need to be decided before first fix plumbing and electrics.
Whether you intend to take on the role yourself or hire an interior designer for their professional input, we’ve gathered together some of our top tips for interior design success on your project.
1 Use statement features as a springboard for ideas
Starting with a blank canvas can be both liberating and incredibly challenging. In some ways, this task is often easier for renovators who have existing features to work with (or around) which can provide a springboard for ideas. An original sixties staircase might inspire a mid-century modern interior, for instance. While in my last renovation, a stone inglenook and delicate timber beams formed the starting point for the palette of materials and colours I used throughout.
In a self-build, however, inspiration can instead be drawn from features you intend to include (a statement fireplace or picture window), or you could look to the exterior materials for inspiration. Architect Jake Edgley took cues from surrounding houses and barns when designing a contemporary brick and timber-clad home in the Buckinghamshire countryside. Brick and timber cladding have also been used in the interior (shown at the top of the opposite page) to create a sense of cohesion between inside and out.
Alternatively, artwork, an ornament or a statement piece of furniture, can also provide inspiration for a scheme. Which brings us on to…
2 Consider treasured possessions early on
Designing a new home doesn’t mean you need to start entirely afresh with furnishings. Whether it’s a piece of furniture handed down by family or a favourite print, such items should have a place in your new home. Even if the interiors are more modern in style.
“There is no reason a modern building can not house antiques if you use them in the right place, allowing them to be statement pieces,” echoes E
