25+ ways to make your home INSTANTLY more stylish

Tips and tricks to transform your interiors

Overhauling your living spaces? There’s no need to bring in a designer to revamp your home.

We’ve got all the tips and tricks of the trade to transform your home into something special, from brightening dark corners and breathing new life into old décor to creating heritage charm in a new build.

Read through to discover the best home design hacks out there...

Utilise the power of three

Three is most definitely a magic number when it comes to design and it does not have to cost the earth.

Grouping odd numbers of items – be it artwork or interesting vases and candles – forces the eye to move around the display, creating a level of visual interest that symmetrical, even-numbered arrangements simply can’t compete with.

Play with paint effects

If you're tired of plain, white walls, a tester pot paint makeover is an easy way to make a big impact.

Whether it’s colour blocking or painting chequerboard squares on a wall, as shown here, there are so many ways to use paint to create an innovative look on a budget.

Think outside the box and carry your painted effect onto ceilings, around corners and onto door frames for added interest.

Pop in a pantry

A walk-in pantry is a homeowner's dream, but you can get the look for less by utilising an existing storage cupboard or cabinet.

Start by painting the interior to elevate the space and add shelving if you don't already have any, painting it to match the wall colour. Then decant your supplies into jars and baskets and label them for ease of use.

Enlarge a room with rugs

While small rugs can make a room feel disjointed, a large area rug can make a room feel instantly larger and more spacious. Not only do they make beautiful tactile features, but they're great at zoning open-plan living rooms too.

Remember, all of the furniture in a functional area should be able to fit on the rug, or at least the front legs of any larger pieces if this isn't possible.

Add period charm with wall panels

Regal panelling used to be reserved for grand, old homes steeped in history, however, you can now buy sets of wall panelling to recreate the look at home.

A great way to bring heritage charm and architectural interest into a new-build house, there's a whole range of designs to choose from. Bring the look up to date by painting the panels a calming muted shade, like this soothing green.

Paint a statement ceiling

We’ve all heard of statement walls, but statement ceilings are a creative new way to add wow-factor to your decorating scheme. Opt for a sunny yellow shade to add vibrancy or a rich, spiced hue to give the room a warming feel.

As you paint, draw the shade down from the ceiling to the level of a picture rail for an understated and elegant focal point.

Orchestrate an optical illusion

Thanks to the array of realistic murals and wall stickers on the market, it's never been easier to trick the eye – and your guests. If your home lacks the features you desire, create the illusion of them instead.

Here, this clever design appears to be a fully-stocked library at first glance, and best of all, it won't need dusting.

Create a focal point with offcuts

Stunning wallpaper can come with a seriously hefty price tag. However, if you have leftover offcuts or only want to splash out on a few rolls, it can still make a real impact in your living space.

A few panels of wallpaper mounted behind a sofa or dining set can help zone out a large space, while repeating the same pattern across your soft furnishings can help the whole space sit in harmony.

Lower pendant lighting

If you want to add style and volume to a room, utilise its vertical space. Long pendant lights that hang down lower than normal can make a room feel elongated and airy.

If hung extra-low, make sure they're positioned over a table or sideboard and away from thoroughfares to prevent any accidents.

Style up with sticker tiles

If you’re fed up with your ancient splashback tiles, don't rush to re-tile. Instead, give your kitchen or bathroom an instant refresh with tile stickers to modernise your spaces for less like Kerry of @blonde_at_home.

It's a great way to transform tired areas in a matter of hours and at a fraction of the expense of re-tiling.

Squeeze in a desk

If you haven’t got space for a home office, install a compact desk like this handy workspace that fits neatly into an alcove or corner.

It offers a practical and discrete working area that can be transformed when the working day is done.

Makeover worn metal with spray paint

If you have a metal-framed side table or desk that's a little worse for wear, give it a new lease of life with an acrylic spray paint. Select a bold statement shade to bring the piece up to date.

Remember to remove the tabletop before you get started and choose a well-ventilated space to get to work.

Raise the curtain rail

It's common practice to hang your curtains just above the window frame. However, simply raising your curtains by a foot or two will make the room feel taller and more spacious.

Measure the curtains to hang at floor length and add coordinating roller blinds for the ultimate high-end window dressing.

Personalise popular furniture

Make common pieces of mass-produced furniture your own by painting legs or cupboards in bold, neon hues. The end result will be a statement, one-off piece that'll inject colour into your home.

We love this Rust-Oleum project, which features a bubblegum pink shade across the legs of this unassuming IKEA IVAR cabinet.

Give the fireplace a facelift

A common feature in period properties, fireplaces can make great focal points. If yours is looking a little worse for wear, there are a few simple steps you can take to give it a modern facelift without losing its heritage charm.

A lick of paint in a soft pastel hue across a wooden surround can work wonders, while graphic tiles can elevate a lacklustre hearth as The Otto House has done here – just make sure you don't cover up any original tilework that could be rescued with a good scrub.

Turn nature into living art

If you don’t have the time or space to create a beautiful garden, make the most of whatever indoor space you do have by growing a vertical living wall.

Pack each section with low-maintenance plants to create your own urban jungle – but don't forget to water them. Opt for shelving like this to make your foliage double up as artwork.

Paint a chalkboard wall

Who says your walls can't be practical, as well as looking pretty? With a lick of chalkboard paint above your desk or kitchen counter, you'll never misplace your to-do list.

From recipes and shopping lists to diary dates and work reminders, it's an efficient way to keep your household organised.

Revamp staircase risers

If your carpeted stairs are looking worn, consider investing in a stylish runner down the middle as it'll cover the most used treads. If you're dealing with a wooden staircase, repainting it can make a huge difference. Why not paint the risers a different shade for impact?

Alternatively, go for made-to-measure stickers for a quick and cost-effective way to revamp your staircase – simply smooth onto the risers and you're good to go.

Upcycle unusual objects

Pause before you donate your disused belongings – there might just be a hidden gem that can be transformed into a cool and creative piece of furniture.

In this innovative upcycling idea, a bicycle multitasks as a towel rack, vase and basin support. For larger projects, a carpenter or blacksmith should be able to help you realise your vision.

Maximise light with mirrors

If your home interior has a tendency to feel dark and dingy, try adding mirrors near lamps and light fittings. They'll reflect the light and make your room look bigger and brighter.

It’s the oldest trick in the book, but if you have a dark room with an absence of natural light, one smart way to brighten it up is by investing in a large mirror. Hang it up or simply leave it leaning on the wall for a cool, relaxed look.

Elevate old kitchen units

If you have old kitchen units, don’t replace them: repurpose them. For an easy kitchen update, all you need is a few extra accessories to take your kitchen from humble to high design.

There are now many kitchen upgrade companies that will provide new fronts, handles and legs to give your kitchen a whole new look for less. But, you could also paint the cabinetry like Elise of @makemyhomepretty to give an old or standard kitchen a new look.

Revamp old furniture with wallpaper

Rather than simply painting or restaining a tired chest of drawers, utilise any wallpaper offcuts from previous DIY projects and use them to transform forlorn furniture.

Apply the offcuts to the back of open shelves or the outside lengths of drawers for a fun flash of pattern. Use a clear varnish or sealant to protect the paper from wear and tear.

Divide with a shelving unit

A shelving unit is a great way to divide an open-plan living space while still letting in plenty of light.

It’s a lot less obstructive and more affordable than a partition wall and it's far more flexible, so you can move it about whenever you want to.

Make a kitchen island multifunctional

Add space and style to your kitchen by building an upholstered bench into the back of an island unit.

As well as making the most of the available room, it'll add architectural interest and elevate a humble kitchen scheme into a special dine-in space

Float feature wall storage

Show off your prized possessions by installing floating shelves in an artistic formation. 

Let your ornaments, books and plants be the talking point of your living space, rather than hidden behind closed doors. If your scheme is neutral, why not opt for bright IKEA EKET units to add a burst of colour?

Try transforming furniture

If your living space is a tight squeeze, make the most of every inch with hardworking furnishings that can fulfill a range of functions.

From daybeds with trundles to coffee tables that transform into workstations and TV units that conceal dining sets, there's a whole host of convertible furniture to choose from.

Add storage under the stairs

Minimise household mess by putting that void under the staircase to good use.

Clear out the clutter and install some shelves or pull-out drawers for a subtle storage solution – ideal for shoes and outerwear or large filing boxes that can be kept out of sight.

Take it two-tone

Add interest to your walls by going for a bold two-tone colour. Paint the bottom half in a vibrant hue to open up the space, then keep the top section neutral to create the illusion of high, airy ceilings.

This works just as well on a plain wall or why not add further interest with some panelling first?