Advice comes free if you know just who to ask

Stylish decor needn’t cost a fortune . . . the secret is at your fingertips

WanT your home to look as if you’ve forked out for the services of an interior designer? Here’s how to do it without digging deep into your wallet.

IDEAS GALORE

IGNITE inspiration by gathering fabric samples, photographs and colour charts. The image- sharing site Pinterest is a good place to start — and the home design Houzz website also has an interior design app.

Joanna Thornhill, an interiors stylist, says: ‘When collating images, keep a note as you go of what it is you like about each one. Then review your selection — you might be surprised how many common factors there are.’

Instagram offers an onslaught of inspirational images. TV’s Sophie Robinson (@sophierobinsoninteriors) has a bright account with bold colours and patterns. australian hotel Halcyon House (@_halcyonhouse) is beautiful enough to make you want to emigrate, and @housebeautifuldecor aggregates astounding ideas.

DECLUTTER FIRST

THE primary function of a room takes priority over anything else. Before you pick colour schemes, plan the necessities and work around them.

andrew dunning, of APD Interiors, says: ‘define how you want to use each room. Make your living room restful by ensuring it doesn’t become a general storage place.

‘If you work from home, decide where your office is going to be and keep work bags in that area.

‘In your bedroom, make sure you have adequate storage to clear the clutter away. Unless you’ r e embarking on a total redesign and buying new products, select the best of your furniture, pictures and accessories, and get rid of the rest.’

HIGH STREET HELP

NEXT charges £50 for its Home design Service, which covers the re-design of up to two rooms, and i s redeemable against purchases over £1,000.

Consultations with laura ashley for the redesign of two rooms cost £100; they can also organise work to be carried out should you go ahead with their recommendations.

John lewis charges £250 for a two-hour consultation at your home, and promises to co- ordinate ordering, delivery and fitting.

The fee includes a personalised moodboard and shopping list, and a followup appointment in store. It is also redeemable if you spend more than £1,500.

TEST THE COLOURS

DECIDING on a colour scheme without professional guidance might feel daunting. But you can now preview what a colour will look like on your walls via apps.

The dulux Visualiser lets you pick a colour and, with augmented reality technology, see it in your living space through your phone screen which you can then save as a video or photo. dulux can then suggest colour schemes and deliver the paint to your door.

Or enlist the help of the My Room Painter app from Crown Paints. Take a photo of the room you are decorating and it will show you what it would look like in your chosen paint.

EXPERT ADVICE

SOME interiors stores are on hand to help, free of charge. Bo Concept offers a free interior design service where a specialist will visit your home and create 3d drawings.

For those who live in london, West Elm (west

elm.co.uk) delivers a full consultation in your home. You also get a 10 per cent discount on purchases.

If you live outside london, you can send images to a West Elm stylist, and chat to them on the phone.

designers guild offers an in- store colour consultation free of charge for up to one hour.

VIRTUAL WORLD

ADVICE is also at the click of the mouse. Virtual interior designers, such as Homewings, send you ideas remotely from photos you upload for £149 a room (homewings.co.uk).

alternatively, look online for an independent designer. Most will offer a free first consultation and they often pass on the discounts they get from suppliers.

STATEMENT PIECE

LESS is often more and this is especially true if you live in a small space. andrew dunning says: ‘don’t be tempted to overfill your home. Buy one piece that you love and will keep for years.’

He suggests the Balzac chair by Matthew Hilton for SCP, which costs about £ 3,000. For a more affordable alternative, consider the loaf Rosina chair, £495 (loaf.com).