Best in show: Alexander James’ 5 interior design tips to bring show house style to your home
With spring sales in full swing in many shops, now is the perfect time to take a critical look at your home and make a few changes to bring it up to show house standard.
“Bringing glamour and style to your home doesn’t have to be about making big changes. There are a few simple tips and tricks that can make a big difference. Try to step back and take a fresh look at your rooms. Which features and objects stand out? How do they coordinate with the other items in the room? What feeling does the room give you? Once you take a long, hard look at your home, you’ll be able to identify which colours and objects dominate it – and to change them if necessary.”
Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design
The first top tip from the interior design experts at Alexander James is to declutter. Achieving show home style in your living room won’t happen if there are toys strewn all over the floor, clothes drying on radiators, or newspapers and wine glasses piled up on the coffee table.
Whether you tidy it away, or go one step further and get rid of some of the clutter by selling it or donating it to charity, it’s time to reduce the number of items that are visible – and then make those that are left count.
Thinking about your colour scheme is the next step. A base of complementary neutral tones, with a couple of brighter colours for contrast, will help to create a warm and cosy yet stylish environment.
For those who aren’t naturally good with colours, the Alexander James Interior Design team recommends using a colour wheel, as well as creating a mood board to start brining your ideas to life.
“It’s also really important to think about lighting. You don’t have to start a major renovation project to add in windows in order to brighten up a home – mirrors are ideal for making rooms brighter. Daylight plays a key role in our state of mind – in the simplest terms, if you flood your home with it, you’re likely to be happier.”
Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design
Mirrors have the added benefit of being able to make rooms feel more spacious, if positioned well. Lamps and candles can also be used to achieve show house style in your home, and a variety of lighting options means that a space can go from feeling bright and airy to comfortable and cosy as evening approaches.
The fourth tip from the Alexander James team is to compare and contrast fabrics and textures. If your sofa cushions are velvet, don’t opt for velvet cushions and velvet curtains – contrast the fabrics while maintaining a complementary flow of colour.
The same is true of other textures. Pair painted wooden chairs with a natural wood mirror frame or cluster of photo frames. Soften the sheen of metallic cabinet doors with jam jars or pitchers full of delicate, tumbling flowers.
“Flowers are the final key to giving your home a show house finish this spring. Not only do they look fabulous, but they also smell wonderful. Opt for locally grown, seasonal blooms to bolster your environmental credentials.”
Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design
For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk, email info@aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.