Getting the keys to your new home is one of life's most exciting moments, but it can quickly feel overwhelming when you're standing in all these new spaces wondering where to even begin. Before you rush into any big interior decisions, here are our top interior design tips to help you turn your new house into a home.

See past what's already there

It's easy to replicate what the previous owners did. If they had the sofa on that wall, you put it there too. But that doesn't mean it was the best option, or that it'll work for how you actually use the room.

The same goes for colour. They may have gone dark and moody, but that doesn't mean it suits the natural light or the way the room faces. This is your chance to put your own stamp on the space and make it work for your life, not theirs.

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Decide on your layout before anything else

With the excitement of a new home it's easy to rush straight into sofa shopping, but hold off. There are so many things to consider before you start furniture hunting, and the main one is layout.

If you haven't decided on an overall layout for the room, how do you know what size sofa to get, or whether the seating is even in the best position? Just like we do when designing for our customers, we always start with the layout first. It tells you the right furniture sizes, how many people you can comfortably seat, how the room will flow, where lighting like table lamps and floor lamps should sit, and what size rug you need. It's your core plan for the room, and everything else builds from it.

If you're having any electrical work done, this is also the perfect time to think about whether you need extra plug sockets added.

If you want to get your layout right without the stress, our Layout Fix service is here to help. We'll work out the best layout for your space, saving you time, money, and the costly mistakes that come from getting it wrong early on.

Live in it a little before you commit

We always say let yourself live in the space for a few weeks, if you can, before making any big purchases (this also gives you time to work out those all important room layouts). You'll quickly learn which way the light moves, which rooms you actually spend time in, and how you need them to function for your life, such as needing more storage, better lighting, or even bigger renovation changes.

Get your colour palette right before you start decorating

Painting and decorating is the obvious way to start making your home feel like your own, but this is where mistakes can happen. It's usually the first thing people rush into without considering the whole colour scheme for the room - the colour of the upholstery, accent colours, furniture and metal finishes all need to work together to create a well designed space.

Getting a full colour palette in place before you start buying or decorating means everything you choose will work together rather than against each other. Think about the mood you want each room to hold, how the natural light affects the walls at different times of day, and how the colours flow from one room to the next.

If you're not sure where to start, our Colour Fix service takes the guesswork out of it. We'll create a colour palette that works with the natural light of your room, your personal style, and anything you already have or want to keep, so you can decorate with confidence.

Don't feel like you need to do everything at once

When our customers come to us for help, one of the first things we ask is which rooms they want to prioritise. We always recommend working on a couple of rooms at a time if you can, because trying to tackle the whole house at once can feel completely overwhelming. Just think about how many decisions go into one room, then multiply that by six or more.

If you don't need to do everything at once, don't. Give yourself the breathing space to really consider your decisions and get each room right before moving on to the next. When you work with us, you'll receive a shopping list alongside your design scheme, so once you've finished one room you can move straight on to the next, already knowing exactly what you need.

Ask for help. Hire an interior designer!

Hiring an interior designer doesn't have to mean a huge budget or a full home renovation. Sometimes you just need a little guidance to point you in the right direction, avoid costly mistakes, and give you the confidence to make decisions. That's exactly what we're here for at The Living House. Our online interior design services are designed to work around you, so whether you need help with one room, answers to a tricky design dilemma, or guidance across your whole home, we're here to make the process enjoyable and the results something you'll love.

The Living House Online Interior Designers — The Living House Team - Sophie, Catherine and Becky

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If you want to avoid costly design mistakes, take a look at our online interior design packages to give you all the help you need. Whether you’re looking for guidance on choosing a colour scheme, struggling with your room layout, or planning a full redesign, we can take the stress away and give you the confidence to move forward. Our online interior design packages are a flat fee and can work to any budget, large or small, saving you money along the way and ensuring you get the results you want and expect!

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