Get your home summer ready with these interior design trends

Calm and restful

Sustainable interiors will continue to grow as a décor, according to designer and blogger Natalie Lockwood of Little Mill House.

She says: “Consumers continue to consider their health and the planet when making decisions on their purchases. Natural materials will help to create a calm, restful atmosphere both inside the home and out.

“Greenery is the perfect home accessory for the summer, bringing the outdoors inside with houseplants (the more tropical the better) and mini herb gardens.

“Reclaimed wood will remain a popular choice for small furniture to complete a natural, Scandi and sustainable look.”

Let the light in

“A popular current design for staircases incorporates glass which allows light to pass through creating a feeling of space,” says Victoria Rodgers, Director at VMR Home Staging.

“A continuing trend throughout 2019 and beyond is the use of natural materials and textures. These elements together can create statement designs without having to incorporate loud colours, which can be too over bearing in smaller spaces and regularly go in and out of fashion and meaning you have to update them regularly.

“My advice would be to create feature walls using texture, whether that be a geometric design wallpaper or textured wall panels which offers understated glamour and doesn’t have to cost the earth.   

“Always incorporate good quality light sources as part of your design. By adding a modern chandelier, attractive wall lights and spot lights in each step, you will create a staircase that offers a real visual impact as well as being highly practical. It also allows you to change the mood of the room from bright and welcoming to cosy and relaxing.”

Take a look at some of our ideas to brighten up your home with our top tips for lighting your staircase. 

The year of contrasts

Buzzy Lives blogger Mhairi Miller says it’s an interesting time to be decorating your home, with naturalism and engineered functionality at the fore.  

She says: “In February, the biggest UK furniture buying show declared terracotta the interior colour of 2019. What complements terracotta? A palette of cool neutrals; soft creams and greys.

As this is an era of ‘looking after our planet’, more ethical and sustainable shopping is big news, and natural fibres and fabrics reflects this. We are seeing more organic Scandi style wools, stone, bamboo furniture and wooden floors. To complement this calmness - some bright eye-catching animal prints on cushions, rugs, wall art or decorations.

Although less is more, our senses are craving every space to be filled efficiently, naturally but with a touch of wild patterns to keep us on our toes.”

Use the space well

As the footprint in our homes is increasingly shrinking, particularly in new homes, owners have to think of clever new storage solutions.

Barbara Genda, Founder and Principal Designer at Barbara Genda Bespoke Furniture, said: “Utilising an empty space under the stairs by building a storage wardrobe is a great solution for those with a pressing need for neat storage, without spoiling the open central space in the hallway.

“Be sure to create sufficient hanging space to prevent coats and shoes on show looking messy and from spilling out onto the entrance floor. The stairs are usually deeper than the wardrobe needs to be, so we often build storage shelves behind the front hanging space for coats. Create two levels for hanging if possible (lower level for the kids to reach) and consider pullout shoe trays for shoes and tall space for longer shoes like wellies and winter boots.

“And internal drawers in under stair storage are also a good idea for housing smaller items such as dog leads.”

You can also read one of our former blog posts for further ideas on transforming the space under your stairs.