TRADE SECRETS

■ Paint in bold colours. On the lower ground floor or in dark rooms – especially ones which face north and don’t get much sun – the temptation is to go white or pale pastel, but this just looks dull in a dim room. Bright colours, such as pink or blue, work better and look vibrant. ■ Base your room around an accent chair you love. Paint walls plain in contrast and use a shade picked out from the pattern – ideally not the main colour. ■ Swap curtains for shutters for a modern makeover with a continental vibe. They are custom-made to your window frame, so you can choose matching or contrasting colours. They’re great in rooms which don’t have a lot of natural light because, when open, they don’t overlay the window at all, unlike curtains. ■ Use expansive artwork to draw the eye in and make a small room seem more spacious – a big piece in a wide frame acts almost like a window. ■ Choose fewer, but larger, accessories. Lots of small ornaments quickly look like clutter, whereas a couple of large vases and lamps look opulent and are a statement. ■ Don’t fill shelves with books from end to end. With the ones at eye level, intersperse books with photo frames or ornaments to keep things uncluttered. ■ Furnish with sofas and chairs with exposed legs to create more light and space in a small room. It makes hoovering more of a pain, but it’s worth it. ■ Layer different shades of blue from navy to royal to sky – it gives a lovely united feeling. Drop in occasional pops of yellow for variety. If you don’t like yellow, try a bold, chalky pink.