Q: I’m a first-time buyer about to move into my newly built home. I’m planning a phased approach to furnishing and decoration but I don’t know where to start. What do I prioritise? Interior designer Louise Johnston offers her expert advice.
A: Plan, plan, plan! Use interior design magazines and platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to build up an idea of the colours, styles and textures you like. Think about how you want the home to feel and function for you. Look at the showhouse to see if there are any ideas you can steal! Floors are generally not included in new-build developments so choosing and installing the flooring will be your first priority. Do this before you move in and with a view to it being the foundation for the overall interior decoration scheme you will add over time.
Next, focus on the room you’re going to spend the most time in. This is usually the kitchen dining and living space. You may not have had a choice in the style of the kitchen. If you don’t love it, consider changing the handles on the units and adding tiles to the backsplash area between the countertop and the upper cabinets. It’s a small area, so it’s not crazy expensive to do and it will make the kitchen feel a bit more like you. If you have had your sights set on some open shelving in your kitchen, look into removing a wall cabinet or two to introduce some oak shelving where you can display your own dinnerware and decorative accessories. Essential furniture for the kitchen dining living space includes stools for a kitchen island or breakfast bar, dining table and chairs and a sofa. Add under-cabinet lighting – LED strips are inexpensive and easy to install – and lamps to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Then, relax and live in the space before you move onto other areas like a main living room or primary bedroom. Moving in is a big effort, there’s no harm in taking your time. It’s tempting to rush in with paint but it’s good to live in the house for a while and so you can see what the light is like at different times of day. It’s often worth booking an interior designer for a consultation. The cost is relatively small and it can save you money in the long term. Mistakes happen when people jump into a project too quickly or without having a plan in place.
In the interim, you can continue to make some small changes to make the house feel your own. Hang some prints or paintings on the walls. Art that you’ve chosen is an expression of your personality and will quickly add character. If you’re afraid of damaging the plaster, picture hanging strips are widely available. Add greenery! Plants will quite literally bring life to the home!
Consider leaving the primary bedroom relatively unfinished while you concentrate on the living area. Most of the time you’re in there you’re asleep! If you are saving up for a large storage unit, like a built-in wardrobe, you can buy some interim solutions like a hanging rail or baskets for clothing. It’s important to get storage organised early on. Misplaced possessions quickly become clutter, which is hard to shift.
The hallway is the first room you experience when you come in the front door. A simple console table with a mirror above it, a runner on the floor, and a piece of art on the wall will make it feel like home. Additional details like panelling can always be added at a later date.
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