Interior Design Q & A
Your Interior Design Questions AnsweredQ. I live in a modern flat and the ceilings are very low. How do I make low ceilings seem higher?
A. Fortunately there are a number of things you can do to make ceilings seem higher:
1. Paint any skirting boards and cornices in the same or a similar colour to the walls. This will appear to visually extend the height of the walls.
2. Use lighting to give the illusion of height. Place uplighters - either on the walls or in the form of floor lamps - quite high on the walls, at least two thirds of the way up. These will help to blur the line where wall meets ceiling (suggesting more height) and make the room seem more airy.
3. Choose low furniture - sofas, tables, lamps etc. This will exaggerate the distance between the lower areas of the room and the ceiling, again creating an illusion of height.
4. If the room is oblong-shaped, consider painting the two smallest walls in a dark colour. This will make those walls appear to ‘advance’ forward, make the room seem more square and at the same time appear to push the ceiling upwards.
5. Use light colours in the floor covering and on the ceiling. Again this will blur the boundary lines between walls, floors and ceilings.
Q. I’ve just bought a garden flat and, being at basement level, it’s depressingly dark even on the sunniest of days. Please help!!
A. To make a dark room seem lighter, try the following:
1. Paint the walls and ceilings in pale colours to help bounce light around. (Dark colours absorb light). If the condition of the walls is good, consider using eggshell paint or something with a slight sheen - again to bounce light around. Avoid shiny paints though if your walls are not in good condition - it’ll highlight the defects!
2. To make the most of any light from windows, make sure you take your curtains right to the edge of the window frame (when they’re open). Extend your curtain pole well beyond the window frame as far as you need to accommodate the open drapes. Make sure the windows are as clean as they can be and if there are blinds at the windows take them down - you need to maximise the available light coming into the room.
3. Wherever possible use large mirrors to reflect the light. Place them on the wall opposite light sources for maximum effect.
4. Install small spotlights in ceilings to subtly light every corner.
5. Invest in pale coloured soft furnishings. If you’re worried it’ll look too bland vary the textures as much as possible and use a few well-placed strongly coloured accessories to add interest.
6. Shiny surfaces - glass or mirrored tables, polished or lacquered surfaces etc. will help bounce light around.
7. If you still need to have lights on during the day try using daylight simulation bulbs. They mimic natural daylight and are less depressing! Use the highest wattage you can.
Q. My kitchen’s very dated and I can’t afford to replace it. How can I make it look more modern without spending a fortune?
A. To update a kitchen on a budget, you could try the following:1. If the cupboard doors are wood (and not too old-fashioned in style) you could try painting them. DIY stores now sell specialist cupboard paint especially for this purpose and it requires no priming! For a really smooth professional finish, apply paint with a mini-roller. Update with modern chrome handles for a fabulous look!
2. If painting’s not an option you could replace them fairly cheaply with new doors from one of the many specialist replacement door companies. Many online companies will deliver replacement doors directly to you.
3. If the flooring is dark or old-fashioned, consider replacing it with one of the new luxury vinyls that replicate ceramic and wood finishes. Instant glamour! Most carpet warehouses sell vinyl off-cuts at bargain prices.
4. If you feel like splashing out how about laying a wood laminate floor? This gives an instant contemporary facelift. Just make sure you choose a water-resistant laminate specifically designed for kitchens and bathrooms.
5. If your tiles are dark or old-fashioned, consider painting them with a specialist tile-paint (available from all DIY stores). Make sure you clean the existing tiles thoroughly and consider applying with a mini-roller for a really smooth finish. If you don’t fancy paint you can always tile over existing tiles - try specialist tile retailers for end-of-range bargains!
6. Accessorise with a few inexpensive chrome appliances e.g. toaster, microwave, kettle etc. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
Q. I need to put my house up for sale but I know the market’s not great right now. How do I prepare my house for sale and maximise my chances of selling?
A. There are lots of things you can do to prepare your house for selling:
1. Get rid of clutter. Viewers want to see a home that’s tidy, calm and spacious. So be completely ruthless. Tidy away personal items - family photos, videos, racks full of shoes and boots, the pram in the hallway etc etc. Viewers want to imagine their own things in the house and your personal items just act as a distraction. Let the house speak for itself.
2. Paint over any strong colours. Neutrals sell houses! Fast, effective one-coat paint can be had in soft creams and beiges.
3. Use mirrors wherever possible to increase light and use maximum wattage on all bulbs.
4. Take down any old curtains that look past their sell-by date. No curtains are better than worn ones!
5. Don’t over-furnish rooms. Viewers want to feel the space.
6. According to estate agents, most viewers head straight for windows. Make sure routes to windows are free of furniture and clutter.
7. Complete any unfinished DIY jobs. If you don’t, viewers will wonder what other maintenance jobs you haven’t kept on top of!
8. Clean, clean, clean. Cleaning materials are cheap and a sparkling home is very attractive.
9. Fresh flowers smell great but if you’re worried about the expense try scented candles or pot-pourri to make your home smell fragrant.
10. Try to farm out dogs, cats and small children during viewings. They can be very distracting!
11. Don’t forget your kerb-appeal. Repaint any peeling woodwork and tidy up the front garden. Hide dustbins and make sure your house number is clearly visible so viewers can find you. Remove bicycles, prams etc. from the path and porch and introduce colour to the front with some seasonal flowers in tubs and window boxes. Make sure all windows sparkle.
Q The radiators in every room of my new flat are located under the windows. I hate short curtains but find blinds on their own a bit bare looking. What are my options?
A. Why not have both? Have blinds for privacy but indulge yourself with gorgeous, full length curtains too! Yes there is an issue about blocking out the heat but what to do is to extend your curtain rails or poles well beyond the outer edge of your window and take the curtains well out to either side (but not beyond the outer edge of the window). Not only will you not block the heat, you’ll let in more light and make your windows look bigger and much more dramatic. Sorted!
Q. Is there a foolproof technique for painting over strong colours? My daughter’s room was shocking pink and now she wants it cream. But the pink keeps coming through.
A. First go over the walls with a grey undercoat paint. This will neutralise the colour. Then use an extra thick paint – try Dulux One Coat – on top.
Q. The washing machine in the flat upstairs leaked through on to my ceiling. The water marks keep coming through no matter how many times I paint. What can I try?
A.Most DIY stores sell proprietary products for just this purpose. Some are quick and easy sprays. Or if you can use an oil-based paint first and then paint over it with your water-based emulsion. The water stain won’t come through an oil based paint.
Q. I’ve a cast iron bath that’s got a nasty green stain on it. I can’t get the stain off and if I replace the odd-sized bath I’ll have to redo all the tiling on the walls and floor. Someone told me you can buy special enamel to re-finish your bath. Is this really true and does it work?
- Actually yes – it is! One of the best products is something called Tubby Bath Resurfacing Kit. Properly applied the finish is really good and does last a long time. And it’s inexpensive at around £40! Get details at www.tubbyuk.com.
Q. I keep seeing all these rooms in magazines that are really well accessorised. I never seem to get it right. Can you give me any tips?
A. You’ll get better with practice! But here are some general tips:
- Choose a strong accent colour and repeat it at least three times.
- Relate any artworks to their surroundings e.g. group photos above a sofa. This helps to anchor the sofa in its position so it feels ‘right’.
- Vary the height of groups of accessories/ornaments on table tops and other surfaces. This creates variety and interest. Link the accessories by colour or theme but don’t be too precise. Something a little unexpected can be charming!
- If you’re sticking to a limited colour palette add interest by varying textures.
- Try displaying artworks against a wall or on an easel.
Q. I’ve just bought my first flat and I’ve no budget for new furniture. Family members have given me a lot of really serviceable stuff but it’s old fashioned and none of it matches. What do you recommend?
A. You could try painting all of the furniture in the same colour or colours. Check out Laura Ashley’s painted furniture for some ideas.. Eggshell finishes give the best results as gloss paint will highlight any flaws in application. If you want a ‘shabby chic’ distressed finish, take a small piece of sandpaper and gently rub the paintwork in areas where wear would naturally occur – around corners, legs, handles etc. For a more ‘antique’ look try rubbing on a small amount of antiquing wax (wax with a slight brown colour in it) and this will give an ageing effect. Don’t worry if some of the pieces are laminated (ie not real wood). Most DIY stores now sell special paint for painting over laminates. Replacing the knobs and handles on your old furniture can make a huge difference too.
Q. I’m renting a house with a small attic room which I use as my study. It has lovely Velux windows which let in a lot of light and I don’t want to cover them up or buy expensive blinds which will be no good to me when I move. However the sun shines on my computer screen and I need something to fix the problem without losing the light. What can you recommend?
- A cheap, quick solution is to buy one of those stick-on blinds designed to keep the sun out of childrens’ eyes in cars. Get a fairly large one, preferably black to filter the most light. As they attach to the glass with suckers you’ll do no damage to your landlord’s property and you can take the blind with you when you go – you never know when you might need it!
Q. I’ve just moved into a new house and I don’t have the budget for interesting artwork. I don’t want to put up a load of boring old prints. Can you give me any advice?
A. Definitely. The secret is to think outside of the box when it comes to deciding what constitutes ‘art’. Get some cheap frames and fill them with unusual things – a colourful scarf arranged in an interesting shape; dried ferns or leaves in a pleasing
arrangement; your baby’s first posh dress, etc. If it’s flat and its interesting you can frame it. Wallpaper samples and hand-made or particularly interesting gift wrap can be framed or pasted onto blocks of MDF. Or try taking 3 or 5 small blocks of MDF, a match pot in a strong colour and some white paint. Paint the first block with the strong colour. Add some white to the colour then paint the second block. Then add some more white…..you get the idea! You’ll end up with a display in a lovely tonal range of the same colour. Simple and very effective. Or turn your photos into works of art using a package like Photoshop. You can make Andy Warhol style Pop Art or at the touch of a button turn your photos into moody black and white or antique-looking sepia. If you’re really good at this you can unite a group of photos by adding a unifying theme e.g. spot colour on black and white or a giant, sultry moon in all your night shots. The possibilities are endless!
Q. I’ve just had laminate flooring laid in my lounge and hall and I love it. I’m now thinking of extending it through it through to the kitchen and bathroom. Can I use the same one? And what’s the best way to clean laminate flooring?
A. If you’re going to use the same laminate you need to check that it really is suitable for kitchen and bathroom use. When it gets wet the substrate (the bit beneath the top surface) can warp, causing the planks to raise. It is possible though to buy laminate which can withstand moisture and this is more suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Ask your supplier whether they can supply a moisture proof version of what you’ve laid already. Because laminate can warp when its over-wetted you need to avoid this when cleaning. Try using one of the floor mops which has a one-use, replaceable floor-wipe. These are generally wet enough to remove the dirt but not to damage the laminate.
Q. I want to paint my new flat throughout in the same shade of cream. However the front of the flat faces South and the back North. Will that affect how the colour looks in different parts of the house?
A. You’re absolutely right to ask this question! Light from a south-facing window has a slightly red or yellow tinge and will give a slightly warmer colour. Light from a north-facing window has a bluer tinge and will result in a colder hue. You see the same effect when you switch on a lamp which has a traditional ‘tungsten’ bulb. The effect is slightly ‘yellow’ and warm. Try a halogen lamp which has a bluer light and the effect is colder. To get your creams to look the same, try using tester pots to establish the strength of the effect in your particular house. You may find you have to use slightly different creams to get the desired uniformity.
Q. I’ve seen my stunning rubber flooring in magazines and I’d love to put it in my bathroom. Is it available for residential use or is it only for commercial?
A. Rubber flooring is now available for residential use and is a great contemporary look for a bathroom. Try www.dalsouple.com for ideas.
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