Linda Barker design tips

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s permanent tsb Ideal Home Show?

I’m looking forward to seeing the best of Ireland’s designs and ideas. It’s the perfect place to start planning for a refurbishment or to get inspiration for a new home.

What is the very first thing a homeowner should do before starting the design process?

Think clearly about the look you want to achieve. Make a mood board of homes that you like the look of. You can do this digitally with Pinterest or by ripping up your favourite home magazines to create ‘real’ mood boards that display all your favourite looks together. Use this as your starting point.

What kind of budget should you set yourself?

There are a number of questions to ask yourself. Do you need to save for the look you want, or can you do it straight away? Sometimes it pays to wait for expensive items so hold off until they go on sale. Can you economise on certain items? Can existing furniture be repainted so that money is effectively spent elsewhere? Budget is key to getting the look you want.

What small things can someone do to bring new life to a home?

Regardless of colour and pattern, lighting can give your newly decorated room five-star appeal. Consider various levels of lighting, floor lamps and table lamps in addition to a pendant light, for example. I love dimmer lights in every room including bathrooms, as it allows you to control the ambience for a particular space.

Do you have any budget-friendly tips to help make the most of existing space?

Paint is always my favourite cost-effective way to transform a room. Charity shops are great places to find outdated, heavy brown furniture and yet it’s these pieces that can quickly be given a new lease of life with paint. It could save you some cash and you can still get the end result you want! For more great design tips from Linda Barker, visit the Irish Times Home and Design Theatre during the weekend at the