Overhauling your living spaces? There’s no need to bring in a designer to revamp your home: we’ve got all the tips and tricks of the trade to transform your interior into something special. From brightening dark corners and breathing new life into old décor to creating heritage charm in a new house, scroll or click through to discover the best home design hacks out there…
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Play with paint effects
If you’re tired of plain, white walls, an ombré makeover is an easy way to make a big impact. This soothing paint effect looks professional but can be created with a little DIY know-how. Paint a warming shade, like this sunshine yellow, across the lower portion of your wall. As you reach the middle, mix the yellow with a little white and sponge on, gradually adding more and more white until the two hues blur into each other.
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Enlarge a room with rugs
While small rugs can make a room feel disjointed, a large area rug can make a room feel instantly larger and more spacious. Not only do they make beautiful tactile features, but they’re great at zoning open-plan living rooms too. Remember, all of the furniture in a functional area should be able to fit on the rug, or at least the front legs of any larger pieces if this isn’t possible.
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Makeover worn metal with spray paint
If you have a metal-framed side table or desk that’s a little worse for wear, give it a new lease of life with an acrylic spray paint. Select a bold statement shade to bring the piece up to date. Remember to remove the tabletop before you get started and choose a well-ventilated space to get to work.
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Style up standard bathroom tiles
If you’re fed up with your ancient bathroom tiles, don’t rush to retile. Instead, give your bathroom a refresh with tile paint or even opt for tile stickers with a colourful, geometric design. It’s a great way to transform your tired ceramics into beautiful bathroom tiles in a matter of hours and at a fraction of the expense of retiling.
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Add period charm with wall panels
Regal panelling used to be reserved for grand, old homes steeped in history, however, you now buy sets of wall panelling to recreate the look at home. A great way to bring heritage charm and architectural interest into a new-build house, there’s a whole range of designs to choose from. Bring the look up to date by painting the panels a calming muted shade, like this soothing grey.
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Orchestrate an optical illusion
Thanks to the array of realistic murals and wall stickers on the market, it’s never been easier to trick the eye – and your guests. If your home lacks the features you desire, create the illusion of them instead. Here, this clever design appears to be a fully-stocked library at first glance, and best of all, it won’t need dusting.
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Create a focal point with offcuts
Stunning wallpaper can come with a seriously hefty price tag. However, if you have leftover offcuts or only want to splash out on a few rolls, it can still make a real impact in your living space. A few panels of wallpaper mounted behind a sofa or dining set can help zone out a large space, while repeating the same pattern across your soft furnishings can help the whole space sit in harmony.
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Lower pendant lighting
If you want to add space and volume to a room, utilise its vertical space. Long pendant lights that hang down lower than normal can make a room feel elongated and airy. If hung extra-low, make sure they’re positioned over a side table or sideboard and away from thoroughfares to prevent any accidents.
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Fold out a desk
If you haven’t got space for a hardworking home office, install a folding desk like this handy workspace that fits neatly into a corner. It offers a practical usable area that can be laid flat against the wall when the working day is done.
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Revamp old furniture with wallpaper
Rather than simply painting or restaining a tired chest of drawers, utilise any wallpaper offcuts from previous DIY projects and use them to transform forlorn furniture. Apply the offcuts to the back of open shelves or the outside lengths of drawers for a fun flash of pattern. Use a clear varnish or sealant to protect the paper from wear and tear.
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Stack crates for storage
Next time you get a delivery, don’t throw away the boxes. Wooden creates can make a wonderful addition to your home and a valuable storage solution. Layer them up in an array of formations and fix them securely together – you could even paint them to create a rustic storage display that’s far cheaper and more charming than shop-bought shelving units.
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Raise the curtain rail
It’s common practice to hang your curtains just above the window frame. However, simply raising your curtains by a foot or two will make the room feel taller and more spacious. Measure the curtains to hang at floor length and add coordinating roller blinds for the ultimate high-end window dressing.
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Give the fireplace a facelift
A common feature in period properties, fireplaces can make great focal points. If yours is looking a little worse for wear, there are a few simple steps you can take to give it a modern facelift without losing its heritage charm. A lick of paint in a soft pastel hue across a wooden surround can work wonders, while graphic tiles can elevate a lacklustre hearth as The Otto House has done here – just make sure you don’t cover up any original tilework that could be rescued with a good scrub.
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Create cosiness with a canopy
If your bedroom is lacking the cosy factor, one way to create that snug, cocooning feel is by investing in a canopy. A light and airy voile design is great for warm summer nights, while heavy, tactile fabrics are perfect come winter – just ensure the canopy is securely fixed to the ceiling.
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Turn nature into living art
If you don’t have the time or space to create a beautiful garden, make the most of whatever indoor space you do have by growing a vertical living wall. Pack each section with low-maintenance plants to create your own urban jungle – but don’t forget to water them. Opt for a quirky hexagonal design like this to make your foliage double up as artwork.
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Paint a chalkboard wall
Who says your walls can’t be practical, as well as looking pretty? With a lick of chalkboard paint above your desk or kitchen counter, you’ll never misplace your to-do list. From recipes and shopping lists to diary dates and work reminders, it’s an efficient way to keep your household organised.
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Revamp staircase risers
If your carpeted stairs are looking worn, consider investing in a stylish runner down the middle as it’ll cover the most used treads. If you’re dealing with a wooden staircase, repainting can be a time-consuming and near-impossible task, especially in a bustling family household. Patterned adhesives can be a quick and cost-effective way to revamp your staircase instead – simply smooth the adhesives onto the risers and you’re good to go.
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Paint a statement ceiling
We’ve all heard of statement walls, but statement ceilings are a creative new way to add wow-factor to your decorating scheme. Opt for a rich, spiced hue to give the room a warming feel. As you paint, draw the shade down from the ceiling to the level of a picture rail for an understated and elegant focal point.
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Use dead space for books
If you have some unused space between the doorway of a room and the ceiling, or perhaps an awkward void in the eaves, make the most of the space by installing custom shelves for books, boxes and trinkets. For a bespoke home for your belongings, fit your shelves to meet the height of any storage containers you might have lying around.
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Upcycle unusual objects
Pause before you donate your disused belongings – there might just be a hidden gem that can be transformed into a cool and creative piece of furniture. In this innovative upcycling idea, a bicycle multitasks as a towel rack, vase and basin support. For larger projects, a carpenter or blacksmith should be able to help you realise your vision.
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Maximise light with mirrors
If your home interior has a tendency to feel dark and dingy, try adding mirrors near lamps and light fittings. They’ll reflect the light and make your room look bigger and brighter.
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Add boudoir vibes to your bathroom
If your bathroom needs a revamp, you might not need to spend money on retiling and plumbing. Instead, add a touch of luxury by bringing bedroom furniture into the bathroom for your very own boudoir. This scheme creates a smart hotel feel by using a charming mirrored dressing table.
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Elevate old kitchen units
If you have old kitchen units, don’t replace them: repurpose them. For an easy kitchen update, all you need is a few extra accessories to take your kitchen from humble to high-design. There are now many kitchen upgrade companies that will provide new fronts, handles and legs to give your kitchen a whole new look for less.
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Personalise popular furniture
Make common pieces of mass-produced furniture your own by painting legs or cupboards in bold, neon hues. The end result will be a statement, one-off piece that’ll inject colour into your home. We love this Rust-Oleum project, which features a bubblegum pink shade across the legs of this unassuming wood unit.
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Take it two-tone
Add interest to your walls by going for a bold two-tone colour. Paint the bottom half in a vibrant hue to open up the space, then keep the top section neutral to create the illusion of high, airy ceilings.
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Divide with a shelving unit
A shelving unit is a great way to divide an open-plan living space while still letting in plenty of light. It’s a lot less obstructive than a partition wall and it’s far more flexible, so you can move it about whenever you want to.
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Float feature wall storage
Show off your prized possessions by installing floating shelves in an artistic formation. Let your ornaments, books and plants be the talking point of your living space, rather than hidden behind closed doors. If your scheme is neutral, why not opt for bright units to add a burst of colour?
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Make a kitchen island multifunctional
Add space and style to your kitchen by building an upholstered bench into the back of an island unit. As well as making the most of the available room, it’ll add architectural interest and elevate a humble kitchen scheme into something special.
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Max out with a mirror
It’s the oldest trick in the book, but if you have a dark room with an absence of natural light, one smart way to brighten it up is by investing in a large mirror. Hang it up or simply leave it leaning on the wall for a cool, relaxed look.
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Add storage under the stairs
Minimise mess by putting that void under the staircase to good use. Clear out the clutter and install some simple shelves for a subtle storage solution – ideal for kitchen crockery or large filing boxes.
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Utilise vacant voids
Creating a clutter-free space should be at the heart of any good interior design. If you’re short of floor space, utilise the void beneath your bed with hidden roll-out storage. This simple but effective trundle has been made with an IKEA VEDDINGE kitchen cabinet door and deco strips. All you need to do is attach caster wheels to the bottom and roll out your footwear whenever it’s needed.
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Try transforming furniture
If your living room is a tight squeeze, make the most of your space with hardworking furnishings that can fulfill a range of functions. From coffee tables that transform into work stations to TV units that conceal dining sets, there’s a whole host of convertible furniture to choose from.
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