How do interior designers help property developers make the most of their investment? They bring problem solving design into your properties as well as elevating the look and feel of the space.
And by following a few simple tips you can too…
Have a Plan
Fail to prepare? Then prepare to fail. If you want your properties to look well thought out and put together, then guess what? You have to spend time thinking about how they’re going to be put together!
You wouldn't set off on a journey, without knowing where you were going, and when you did figure that out most of us would use a map to get there - moodboards and floorplans act as your GPS.
Invest time thinking about:
— who will live there
— what they need the space to do
— how each room will function (space planning)
— how you want them to feel? (moodboards)
It will save you SO much time and money and stress later down the line.
Then pull any inspiration you love from magazines, Pinterest boards and instagram posts — this is the time to go wild with ideas!
BUT the best maps are the simplest to read, so edit and curate your boards as much as possible, highlighting the parts that speak to you, so that a map of colour, material, texture and light emerges.
Once you have your trusty guidance system, if you ever feel like the project is a bit lost, refer back to these and you'll be back on track in no time.
Go Custom
Not everything bespoke costs a lot. Working creatively within the footprint you have, can sometimes necessitate built in elements, but they don’t have to cost the earth.
For example, alcoves either side of a chimney breast or old boiler cupboards make great spots for wardrobes or built-in desks and shelves. This may cost you a little more upfront to build in than buying off the shelf, but will last longer, saving money in the long run — as well as looking better!
Smaller kitchen diners can make use of bench seating (hello, extra storage) and more people can get around for dinner than chairs would allow.
Even simple wall panelling or a custom headboard are cheap to make and super effective ways to elevate a room, making it look way more expensive than it was to build.
Let There be Light
Lighting really can affect our enjoyment of a space and it just takes a little bit of upfront planning. Picture it, you're up so early for work it’s still dark out. You venture to the kitchen to get a caffeine hit to attempt to kickstart the day. Do you want soft, ambient lighting gently nudging you awake or do you want harsh, bright, white spotlights assaulting your eyes? Didn't think so...
Lighting Matters!
Look through your floorplans and think how will people use this space? Then just match the lighting to the activity. For more tips on creating that hotel lighting vibe, we've done a whole post about it here.
One bugbear is a single bulb hanging sadly in the centre of a room. Instead be brave with an oversized statement light! This will make your spaces feel way more luxurious than a light that’s too small, so remember to go for it!
Image credit: Design by Tone Kroken. Owner Confettibird. Photo credit Filippa Tredal
Mix it up
Everything matchy matchy can look flat and a bit soulless, and gone are the days of a 3 piece DFS suite!
Buying a complete furniture package and just dropping it in a room, is something anyone can too. It's super easy, but means your property is no longer unique and will fade into the background.
Your properties identity will come from how you combine different elements to make it distinctive, express your brand and stand out from the competition. Try mixing and layering different textures and finishes to and depth to your spaces, even changing one small thing each time to build confidence.
“Versions on a theme” is always a good way to inject character without having to design multiple schemes. Create a central scheme with one colour palette and then do another room the same but change a few elements such as accent painted walls, cushions and throws to another colour. This is a great way to add individuality but keep the whole property cohesive.
Devil's in the Detail
It’s the little things that make or break how people perceive a space. Imagine you’re in a fancy hotel. The lobby is beautiful marble everywhere, the staff are immaculate and the bar is super trendy filled with beautiful people, drinking ridiculous cocktails. You get your room key, go up in the shiny elevator and walk along a corridor with amazing artwork on either side. You open the door, reach for the switch to turn the light on so that you can see how cool your room is. As you put your finger on the rocker you realise it’s a 99p special, cheap piece of white plastic.***SHUDDERS***
It's a wildly exaggerated example but that 1% at the end of a project can really make 99% of your hard work shine, or undermine it.
To really nail down the detail, think about the things people touch everyday, light switches, sockets, door handles, taps. Spending a little bit more money in these areas will really elevate your property and rather than disappoint.
Image credit: Corston Architectural Detail