Home decorating top tips from the experts

We sat down with Nadia from the acclaimed interior design company, Dapa Atelier, to gather her expert advice on transforming a house into a home. Nadia shared her professional insights on how the clever use of colour, lighting, and texture can create a space that is both beautiful and balanced. Here are her essential tips for elevating your home interior. Don't want to watch Nadia's expert advice? don't worry, you can read about her advice below the video or here.

Harnessing the Power of Colour

Colour is the cornerstone of any design scheme, setting the mood and energy of a room.

For a vibrant space and to create a dynamic and energetic feel, consider using two complementary colours together. These are hues found opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as a classic blue and orange pairing. These colours work so well because they balance each other visually, creating a striking and confident look.

For a calming atmosphere you're aiming for a more serene environment and embracing natural and earthy tones. Keeping paint colours light and consistent throughout a space helps maintain a bright and airy feel. This is particularly effective in narrower areas, like a hallway, where it can dramatically increase the sense of light and space.

You can make an impact with colour blocking. A contemporary statement, colour blocking can add immense impact to a wall. A simple yet effective technique is to paint a large square or arch behind a bed to create the illusion of a grand headboard, instantly adding a focal point to the room.

Creating Warmth and Depth with Texture

Texture is what transforms a room from looking good to feeling incredible. It adds depth, comfort, and a tactile quality to your interior.

Layer your fabrics and introduce warmth and cosiness by incorporating fabrics like soft bouclé and natural, textured wall coverings. When styling a bed or sofa, layering is key. Double up on throws for that inviting, warm feeling and mix different textures on your scatter cushions to create a luxe, multi-dimensional look.

Introduce accent colours with cushions. Scatter cushions are a fantastic and low-commitment way to introduce a new accent colour into your scheme. Experiment with trending tones like burnt oranges, mustards, or earthy greens against a neutral backdrop. If you decide you want a change, it’s an easy and affordable update.

The Art of Adorning Your Walls

Bare walls are a blank canvas waiting for your personality. How you dress them can make a house truly feel like a home.

Mirrors for light and space are a designer's secret weapon. They are brilliant at opening up a space and bouncing light around a room, which is especially useful in narrow hallways or smaller areas.

Artwork for personality is one of the easiest ways to inject personality and pops of colour into your interior. Don't be afraid to create an eclectic mix of prints, paintings, and photographs on a gallery wall or a picture shelf. This not only adds visual interest but can also become a wonderful talking point for guests.

Mastering the Mood with Lighting

Lighting is crucial for creating atmosphere. The key is to use a combination of different light sources.

Ceiling lights vs. lamps? The main difference between ceiling lights and lamps is the ambience they create. While ceiling lights provide bright, far-reaching illumination for practical purposes, lamps offer a softer, more focused light. They can be tailored to cast a warm and cosy glow, perfect for relaxing in the evening. For a subtle enhancement, try placing uplighters in the corners of a room to draw the eye upwards and make the space feel larger.

Building a Foundation with Furnishings

Your furniture and soft furnishings are the building blocks of a comfortable and stylish room.

Timeless seating is when choosing large pieces like a sofa, opting for neutral fabrics and textures creates a timeless base that you can easily build upon. Armchairs and occasional chairs, on the other hand, are perfect opportunities to be bolder. Use them as a focal point by choosing a statement pattern or a vibrant colour.

Don't forget about the power of a rug. Rugs are multi-functional heroes in interior design. They can add a burst of colour, pattern, and texture while also helping to "zone" a space, such as creating a cosy seating area in an open-plan room. Furthermore, they are excellent for absorbing noise, contributing to a more peaceful environment.

Embracing Nature with Biophilic Design

As humans, we have an innate desire to connect with nature. Biophilic design channels this by bringing the outdoors in, creating spaces that improve our health, wellbeing, and productivity.