INTERIORS
ASK THE DESIGNER: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO CREATE INSPIRATIONAL INTERIORS AT HOME! Personalising your first home can be both exciting and daunting. How do you know where to start? We sat down with interior design expert Steve Hird from Edward Thomas Interiors to seek his advice on scrolling socials, styling and shopping...
3. When it comes to interior design, what should be first on the list after moving in? Focus on the key rooms, places you’ll spend the most time like your bedroom and living room. Knowing you have sanctuaries for sleeping and relaxing will help take the pressure off. Begin with flooring and window dressings (curtains, blinds, etc), these will immediately make a blank space more homely. Furniture and lighting should be considered next, followed by accessories and wall decorations. 4. Do you have any tips for measuring up or planning room layouts? Start by drawing or sketching out the footprint. Separately draw out pieces of furniture that you’re considering and move them around within the footprint to see how they might fit. Do this for any room where you’re unsure of the sizing. Apps like Room Planner and Floorplanner can help with this too. 5. In your opinion, what are the absolute basic essentials each room should have? Window dressings; carpets or floorcoverings; light fittings and furniture. So, if it’s a living room, a sofa and side or coffee table, a bedroom obviously needs a bed and bedside tables, kitchen/diner needs table and chairs. Accessories can all be added later. 6. How does a first time buyer know what their style is? The average age of a first time buyer is early 30s, so I would expect most people to have a good idea of their likes and dislikes even if they’re not sure how this translates to a home environment. My advice is to look everywhere, not just in other people’s
2. Conversely, is there anything you would recommend first time buyers shouldn’t do before moving? Don’t panic buy! Just because there’s a sofa sale or half price piece of furniture doesn’t mean you should go for it. Take your time, if you have the chance of a walkthrough at the property then take measurements, otherwise wait until you’ve moved in and can get a feel for the space and how you use it. Start by gathering essentials like utensils, crockery, cutlery, bed linen and towels.
1. Before moving in, what do you recommend first time buyers do from an interior design perspective? Start scrolling social media. Instagram and TikTok are great resources for trends and you can find plenty of home bloggers documenting their interior design journeys. Similarly, start following designers and companies with products you admire so you can start collating a mood board of furniture, fabrics and accessories – you can do this on Pinterest or in a scrapbook!
32 First Time Buyer April/May 2024
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