DESIGN GUIDE

How to create a design scheme from scratch

Take your home from blank canvas… to botanical bliss!
Faced with a blank canvas when designing a room can feel both liberating and daunting. On the plus side, it allows you to create a space that exactly meets your requirements, but without existing elements to use as a starting point, it can be daunting knowing where to begin. But fear not, interiors expert Joanna Thornhill has 5 steps that will help guide you through the process…

STEP 1

Define Your Essentials

Before diving into aesthetics, my best advice would be to clarify yourmust-havesversusnice-to-haves. Picture yourself as your own client, objectively assessing the practical needs of the space versus your wants.

Consider factors like layout and functionality – knowing what’s non-negotiable helps streamline decisions later down the line and will serve as guiding principles throughout the process. It is also key to identify elements that cannot be altered, such as the positioning of existing water pipes or power cables. This is crucial as it avoids any last-minute (and expensive) changes during the construction phase.

STEP 2

Decide Your Vibe

Create a vision board to capture the look you are going for. It’s not just about colours and patterns at this point; think about textures and lighting too. These broader design references might not just be in the form of swatches and samples: they could include inspirational images from magazines, or Clarissa’s pre-made lookbooks. This exercise serves as a roadmap to guide your decisions, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious outcome.             

STEP 3

Gather Your Samples

With a clearer concept in mind, you can now start to assemble a collection of samples that will serve as your design palette, encompassing flooring, paints, fabrics, wallpapers, tiles, the lot! Most online retailers offer a sampling service with speedy delivery, or you can go to your local decorating shops and showrooms to gather some swatches in person. 

Pay particular attention to more permanent elements such as flooring and wallpaper, as these choices will lay the groundwork for the overall tone of the room. Accents like window treatments, cushions and throws can come later and are far easier to switch in and out.

STEP 4

Nail The Details

Now it’s time to delve into the finer details that will help elevate your design. This is where you can gather more inspiration for patterns, colours and accents to create visual interest and depth. While physical samples are a great reference point, this isn’t always possible with furniture, window treatments and accessories, so apps like Pinterest can serve as a great tool.

Pinterest allows you to gather all of your inspiration in one place, and is a great way to visualise how your finished result might look. It also serves as a search engine for stumbling across new brands, trends and products.

STEP 5

The End Result

As you bring your elements together and near the final stages of the design process, you can start to consider the finishing touches, whether it’s a favourite ornament or a cherished piece of artwork. Keep referring back to your initial concepts to ensure your decisions align with your overall vision, but it is also important to remain open to serendipitous discoveries along the way. Some of my best buys have been stumbled across at a car boot sale or during a chance online Pinterest session.

But above all, embrace the evolution of your design journey and you will create a space that not only meets your practical needs but also reflects your style and creativity. Enjoy the process!
From this...
To this!
And this...
To this!