ASK MAD ABOUT THE HOUSE
GOT A DECORATING DILEMMA? KATE WATSON-SMYTH, RED’S COLUMNIST AND INTERIORS EXPERT, SHARES HER WISDOM
Your decorating dilemmas sorted
Q When budgets are tight, what are the tricks you can use to make your home look luxe without spending a fortune?
A It’s been a long winter (when is it ever not?) and by this stage we are often bored with staring at the same four walls but lack the inclination or money to make big redecorating changes. However, there are clever things you can do to make your decor look as if it cost far more than it actually did.
The first thing to note is that bigger really is better. But I’m not talking about sofas and tables, I’m talking about the accessories. A large plant will look more luxurious than a tray of tiny succulents. A huge vase filled with the dried hydrangeas from a summer bouquet will always look good and, another tip – a bunch of one variety looks better than a mixed one, which can look like it’s come from a garage. Don’t forget to add a big, bold, table lamp. Those tall thin shades from the 70s are back in vogue, and they don’t take up too much space.
Big owns the room and commands attention. Small can look apologetic and like you ran out of money or weren’t sure what to do with the space. So, the first rule of thumb is, make it big.
More is also more. Cushions can be inexpensive, so layer them up. They provide a splash of colour and personality and will make even the saggiest of sofas look plump and comfortable.
You should always buy the biggest rug you can afford (don’t forget door clearance), and if you can’t find one to fill the room, then either layer several smaller ones or buy a piece of patterned carpet and have the edges bound. There’s a great deal of choice around right now and a floral rug won’t look ‘pub’ in the way a floral carpet might.
One large painting will always look more costly than a gallery of small posters. If you can’t afford a single picture big enough to hold the wall, put it in an stunning frame and hang it low and off-centre. This will make it look special, and therefore valuable.
Finally, play with any empty space. A spare corner, with perhaps a pendant light hanging down, tells the mind that you have so much room you can afford to leave some empty. Even putting an armchair across a corner or pulling a sofa forward by a few centimetres creates negative space and allows the room to breathe.
These tips and tricks may not cost much but they will add the impression of expensive luxe to your home. And that, as the saying goes, is priceless.