tidyawaytoday.co.uk

Perfect for families with kids (that pretend to not know where the shoes belong), or ideal if you’re into a sophisticated style and in need of a calm sanctuary to come home to after work, Nordic design can work for everyone no matter how many people live in your home. Functionality is key when it comes to Nordic design and whether it’s sleek display cabinets, layered wooden boxes or a clever coat rack, minimising clutter and making best use of your space is key when it comes to a calming interior. Whether you go for a fanned-out paper style lamp shade over the kitchen table, an assortment of rustic hanging bulbs on either side of the sofa or a simple silver standing lamp in the corner of the room, create a cosy glow and snuggle up on your minimalist couch. Whether you’re a first time buyer in London with not a huge amount of cash to spare, a home owner in Warrick with an abundance of collected furniture or you’re looking for houses for sale in Ebbsfleet, Scandinavian design will work for any budget or property type.

Think about how you would fit out a downstairs loo under the stairs, for example – you’d have to opt for a really small, space-saving cloakroom sink and there are even shallow toilets that don’t come out as far from the wall. Dark colours can make a space feel cosy and intimate, but if you want a fresh, light and airy feel then white or light grey tiles and neutral walls, ceiling and floor will all add to the illusion of a bigger space. It’s also about not having a heavy-framed shower cubicle in a small space, as I realised in our own bathroom design, having taken advice from a designer. By opting for a wall hung toilet, sink or vanity and wall cupboards, you free up that floor space and the room automatically feels like it has a bigger footprint.

That’s the good thing about opting for a classic style when investing in a brand new kitchen as it’s not a room any of us tend to want to renovate too often. In an effort to inspire me with a new look for our kitchen, I’ve been busy researching ideas, colour palettes etc. Quite often you’ll see the top cupboards painted a different colour to the lower ones, or all the cupboards in one uniform colour, but then a kitchen island painted in a contrasting shade, as in the example below. It’s also a clever design feature to semi-divide an open plan room, delineating the kitchen from the dining or living space.

I always think an essential piece of furniture for a luxurious look is a large, low coffee table with some aspirational lifestyle books and magazines on top. For more inspiration, you can see an exquisite range of furniture, lighting and accessories at GZ Premium who really understand the ‘art of luxury living’; they’re experts in sourcing a curated selection of luxury lifestyle pieces to add style to your home. Think about your soft furnishings carefully – rich velvets can convey a luxe feel, as can cashmere sofa throws and definitely opt for extra large cushions – there is even a ‘luxe’ way to plump them! I’m sure you’ll agree it’s the attention to detail that can make all the difference in elevating a hotel room or suite: bed sheets with a high thread count; fluffy towels in the bathroom and a smart handwash dispenser.