A designer shares her top interiors tweaks with big impact and minimal DIY
A full home makeover can be costly and time-consuming, yet most people want to elevate their interiors. Designer and host of The Interiors Podcast Tanya Neufeld Flanagan walks through easy interiors upgrades that are affordable and don’t require serious DIY skills.
Sometimes we end up in a home that isn’t our ideal. It might be rental, a shared space, or a new home that will require a larger renovation down the line. In these scenarios, we needn’t give up on elevating our spaces.
There are small tweaks that can be made without significant investment and don’t require hours of YouTubing Ikea furniture hacks – absolutely no power tools needed. These changes can completely transform a space and can be leveraged even when embarking on a total interiors project.
Paint walls with real colour
There is nothing novel about using paint to transform a space. However, few people ever do it! Despite bold colours gracing the pages of many an interiors magazine in the 2020s, the average person does not usually go beyond a palette of grey, white and beiges.
If you are desperate to revamp a space, it will require commitment to a vision. Ideally, one that includes some pigment. As a designer very partial to neutrals, I understand the trepidation – but the best thing about paint is it is so easy to remedy if you absolutely hate a colour.
In my first home interiors project (pictured left), I had an entrance lobby in Downpipe, a hallway and stairwell in Mizzle, a bedroom in Dutch Pink, an office in London Clay and an open plan space and kitchen in Wevet – all by Farrow & Ball. I only regret half of these, and I have lived to tell the tale.
Start with a small space like the downstairs bathroom or a lobby and sample amply. Visit the likes of MRCB or Stillorgan Decor to select from popular paint ranges such as Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library.
Paint unexpected surfaces
When you start painting walls, you will discover the question of where to stop the paint as you encounter junctions such as skirting boards, architraves, window sills and ceilings. This leads me to a second tip that can be hugely impactful – paint unexpected surfaces.
You can “colour drench” an entire stairwell, for example, including the string and the entire balustrade, and then switch back to a neutral at the landing.
Painting ceilings has become increasingly popular and it means furniture and other decor can be minimal, letting the colour dictate the style of the room. This also allows for plain white-washed ceilings to take on a character of their own, avoiding the awkward line where paint meets the ceiling.
Paint ceilings in smaller spaces – it can be especially cosy in bedrooms and opt for high-octave impact in a reception room. Avoid in large open plan spaces as you will likely tire of it.
As always, sample, sample, sample! Colours can look much darker when drenching an entire space and often morph into another colour altogether on the ceiling.
Respray cabinetry and replace hardware
The spaces in our homes that date the fastest are kitchens and bathrooms. They’re harder to update over the years, and much more expensive. As a result, people often wait until they’re doing the “big job” to make these rooms their own.
There’s no need for this. These are the most frequented parts of your home and they should inspire you. Respraying cabinetry and swapping out hardware is a low-cost way to radically transform any kitchen or bathroom.
Spraying allows for a much more even finish on cabinetry, and is often less labour intensive than hand painting joinery. In the case of a one-off vanity or a small kitchen, consider asking your painter for a quote.
Many companies offer respraying services and will remove all doors and drawers and spray offsite, while protecting your house to spray the base units. They can colour match to your paint of choice.
Hardware replacement requires measuring the distance between the screwholes left on your cabinetry when the old hardware is removed. For the easiest job possible, simply replace with hardware that has the same “CTC” (centre-to-centre) measurement.
If you prefer a different style of hardware – i.e. knobs where there was once a drawer pull, then you may need to liaise with your painter or resprayer and discuss how to best fill and patch up the holes prior to repainting.
For fun and affordable hardware, try Etsy or Plank Hardware. You can also visit Knobs & Knockers in Dublin. Consider only buying 1-2 before placing a full order to ensure the size and style works.
Many salvage yards also have buckets and buckets of knobs and cabinet pulls if you prefer a more antique look.
Rugs
A rug is essentially floor art. If there are certain spaces that aren’t suitable for repainting, consider an impactful rug. This doesn’t have to be very bright or even patterned – look for texture and pile variation to create visual intrigue without compromising on a sleeker, more minimalist style.
Most rugs are too small for the rooms and spaces they are in. All furniture should comfortably sit on the rug in its entirety, with the exception of sofas where the rug should at least tuck under the front without the edge being seen.
Consider online shop RugVista for a wealth of options or get a rug custom made by Irish-based company Deco Designs. For more of a splurge, check out the Finnish Design Shop’s selection.
Mirrors and lighting
Changing how light moves around a space can be transformational. An oversized mirror leaned against a wall can give the illusion of a wider and taller room, and brighten up spaces. This is especially helpful in a hallway or in a small box bedroom. You can have mirrors made bespoke for a fraction of retail cost by contacting a local glazier.
Lighting is another key ingredient when it comes to interiors, but it is not usually a low-cost or low-effort fix. Therefore, when it comes to “easy” lighting changes, consider swapping out lampshades or looking at battery powered light fittings – Pooky Lighting does a range of these as well as the Finnish Design Shop.
Window treatments
An inexpensive yet decent quality set of linen curtains or roman blinds can bring a lot of warmth and intimacy to a space. Hillary’s offer an excellent, no-frills service to help upgrade any living space without an enormous investment.
Whatever approach you take, when it comes to high-impact, low-commitment upgrades to your space, the most important thing is to be a little bolder and braver than you might be if this was a “forever” renovation.
Most of these tips and tricks are easy to undo and amend, so there’s no reason at all to hold back on improving your daily environment. You won’t regret it.
Tanya Neufeld Flanagan is a Dublin-based interior designer, podcast host and design writer. Visit tanyaneufeld.com or follow on Instagram @tanyaneufeldflanagan. Listen to the Interiors Podcast on Spotify, wherever you listen to podcasts or online.
Interiors photography: Shauna Lally for Tanya Neufeld Flanagan
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