13 Steps to INTERIOR-DESIGN SUCCESS

It's the final flourish that brings together your self-build, renovation or extension. However, a successful interior-design scheme starts at the very beginning of your project, says Claire Lloyd, who shares some of the secrets to creating cohesive interiors

- By Claire Lloyd

Interior design is an often overlooked and much undervalued aspect of building a new home or renovating an existing property. We tend to think of interior design as the finishing touches; the fun part at the end – picking paint colours and soft furnishings to adorn our newly completed homes.

However, the key to a successful interior-design scheme is in the planning before work even begins on your building project. Take the kitchen layout or the positioning of lighting, switches and sockets, for example – all need to be decided before confirming plumbing and electrics. Whether you intend to take on the role yourself or hire an interior designer for their professional input, we've gathered together some of our top tips for interior-design success on your project.

USE STATEMENT FEATURES AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR IDEAS

Starting with a blank canvas can be both liberating and incredibly challenging. In some ways, this task is often easier for renovators who have existing features to work with (or around), which can provide a springboard for ideas. An original '60s staircase might inspire a mid-century modern interior, for instance. While in my last renovation, a stone inglenook and delicate timber beams formed the starting point for the palette of materials and colours I used throughout. In a self-build, however, inspiration can instead be drawn from features you intend to include (a statement fireplace or picture window), or you could look to the exterior materials for inspiration. Architect Jake Edgley took cues from surrounding houses and barns when designing a contemporary brick and timber-clad countryside home. Alternatively, artwork, an ornament or a statement piece of furniture, can also provide inspiration for a scheme. Which brings us on to...