Patio Screens: The Simple Fix for Privacy, Wind, and Sun Problems

An exposed patio is hard to enjoy. Neighbours can see straight in, the harsh sun drives everyone indoors by midday, and a stiff wind turns a lovely afternoon outside into a battle with flying napkins and upturning umbrellas.

Latticed Wood Screen

Patio screens solve all three problems at once, and they can also mark out a garden, play area, or dining space, without needing to lay a single brick. The main challenge is not whether to add a screen (or not), but which material actually fits your patio and your budget, because the wrong choice not only wastes money but may never even work out quite as expected.

Matching the Material to the Problem

Patio screens fall into a few categories. And each one solves a slightly different problem from the other.

Bamboo

Bamboo is the natural choice for keeping away heat and wind. It cools the space, brings a relaxed, tropical feel, and holds up very well outdoors. 

Canvas

Treated canvas works best where colour and flexibility matter. Roll it down when you need shade, and roll it up when you don't. Canvas comes in many colours, more than you'll find in rigid screens. 

Transparent Screens

Transparent panels suit anyone who wants to block wind without blocking the view, since they cut down gusts of wind while keeping the garden or landscape fully visible.

Aluminium 

Aluminium shutter screens are the sturdiest option. They slide or fold away for an open patio, tilt for light and airflow, and lock securely against intruders, insects, and wind-blown debris. 

Latticed Screens

Lattice and louvre slats work well with patios that need stylish definition, rather than full privacy. Wood or wrought-iron slats, that are arranged in classic or modern patterns, will filter light without making the patio feel enclosed.

Retractable Panels

Retractable screens are the most adaptable, and an all-seasons choice for patios. Motorised versions can be extended for shade, ventilation, and insect protection, then retract at the touch of a button when the weather turns mild. 

Foliage as Patio Screens

Foliage, trained on wireframes or grown as vines, gives a soft, natural screen and often avoids the permit restrictions that taller built screens run into. 

Reed

Reed screens bring a similar warmth through hand-woven, weatherproof panels. They must be treated, to avoid dampness, mildew, and termites. Despite their light look, the material holds up well against sun, rain, and snow, for years.

How to Feel Confident About Your Choice 

The right screen depends on what your patio needs most. Is it privacy, wind protection, shade, or simply a defined, styled edge to the space?

Match your priority to the material and check that it suits your climate and environs. Being clear about the real reason will ensure that your choice will earn its keep for years, rather than sitting as an afterthought.

So, are you ready to plan your patio, garden, and landscape properly, and not just piece by piece? 

Yes? Then this structured outdoor project sketch and workbook will keep every design concept, material decision, budget line, and measurement in one tidy place, so nothing gets lost between inspiration and installation. Use it to turn your outdoor space plans into a place you will really enjoy.

Related Articles 

Ponds, Pools, and Fountains: Upgrade Your Garden or Patio with Beautiful Water Features
Your Complete Guide to Beautiful, Functional Living Spaces

Fixtures or Fittings: What's the Real Difference in Interior Design?

Most homeowners use the words fixtures and fittings interchangeably. They are not the same thing. Knowing the difference matters, especially when buying, selling, renovating, or working with a designer or contractor, since the terms often decide what stays in a property and what the owner can take with them when they move to a new place.

The Difference

A fixture is permanently attached to the structure of a building: fixed to a wall, floor, or ceiling by screws, nails, cement, or glue, and is not meant to be removed.

A fitting is free-standing, hung, or screwed on for convenience, and can be taken down or moved without damaging the structure.

The deciding factor is the method of attachment, not the price or size of the item. For example, a built-in wardrobe is a fixture while a lightweight floor lamp is a fitting.

Examples of Interior Fixtures

Lighting fixtures: ceiling-mounted lights, wall sconces, recessed and cove lighting.

Switches: dimmer, timer, and touch wall switches.

Heat radiators, ceiling fans, fireplaces and surrounds.

Built-in storage systems: wardrobes, cupboards, cabinetry, and shelves.

Staircase railings and balustrades.

Floating wood floors.

Bathtubs, vanity units, water closets, shower enclosures, and Jacuzzis.

Doors: entrance and interior doors.

Curtain rods, rails, blinds, and shades.

Kitchen: built-in cabinets, including island units and breakfast counters.

Examples of Interior Fittings

Paintings, wall art, and mirrors that are hung or screwed on the walls.

Carpets, curtains, and draperies.

Wall-mounted home and office entertainment systems, televisions, and audio-visual equipment.

Free-standing appliances: ovens, refrigerators, washers, and dryers.

Movable furniture: beds, sofas, tables, and consoles.

Portable lighting: table, desk, and floor lamps.

Why Knowing the Difference Matters

A floating laminate floor is a good test case. It is held together only by a simple tongue-and-groove installation method, without glue or nails, yet it still counts as a fixture because it is a permanent part of the home once installed.

The same logic applies to a built-in bookcase versus a free-standing one. The built-in version is a fixture, while the free-standing version is a fitting, even though both of them serve the same purpose.

Here is a simple way to check. Could the item be removed without tools and without leaving a mark on the wall, floor, or ceiling? If yes, it is a fitting. However, if removing it means unscrewing, drilling, or breaking a seal, it is a fixture.

This distinction between the two often arises in home sales, rental agreements, and insurance claims: fixtures are usually included in the sale of a property, whereas fittings are not unless stated otherwise in the contract.

Keep Building Your Home Décor Knowledge

Once you know your fixtures from your fittings, the next step is putting that knowledge to work in your own space. Our guide to interior basics walks through the foundational terms every homeowner should know before starting a project, and if you are planning a renovation, budgeting for home renovations breaks down where fixtures typically eat into a budget versus where fittings offer more flexibility to save.

Article of Interest

Interior Design FAQ: Real Answers to the Questions Homeowners Usually Ask

How Big Should Your Wall Art Be? A Room-by-Room Sizing Guide

How to Choose the Right Size Wall Art for Any Wall in Your Home

Undersized wall art is one of the quickest ways to make an otherwise well-designed room look incomplete. A small print floating above a large sofa, or a tiny, framed artwork lost above a queen-size bed, is a sizing problem. But this is one of the easiest things to fix, once you know the rules.

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase them, at no extra cost to you.)

Why Size Matters More Than Style

Homeowners tend to shop for wall art the wrong way. They go by what they like first, before thinking about where it will go. But professional designers and decorators do the opposite. They first measure a wall before choosing art that fits it. Why? Because the right size makes almost any art piece look beautiful and intentional. The wrong size will make even a beautiful piece of framed art look like an afterthought.

The Simple Rule: Two-Thirds to Three-Quarters

For art hung above a piece of furniture, like a sofa, console, bed, or sideboard, choose an artwork or a grouped arrangement that spans roughly 60–75% of the furniture's width. If you go much narrower than that, the piece will look stranded, and if wider, it will overwhelm the furniture beneath it.

Quick Reference Chart

Room-by-Room Sizing Guide

Above the Sofa

This is where most homeowners get it wrong. They choose one print that's too small.

To avoid this, a single large piece or a gallery grouping that forms a single visual shape works well. Leave 15-20 cm (6 - 8 inches) between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the frame.

Above the Bed

Centre the art on the headboard, and not the wall. Many make the mistake of centring the piece on the full wall width. This will throw the whole arrangement off if the bed isn't perfectly centred in the room. Leave roughly 8 - 10 inches (20-25 cm) of space between the headboard and the bottom of the frame.

Entryways and Hallways

Narrower spaces require a different approach. A single vertical piece, or a tight, evenly spaced row of two or three smaller frames, is good for a hallway; better than one wide horizontal piece. Use your eye level as a guide here; hang the piece so that its centre sits roughly 57 - 60 inches (145-150 cm) from the floor.

Dining Rooms

Art above a sideboard or buffet follows the same 60-75% rule as the sofa wall. Above the dining table itself, keep art at least 6 inches (15cm) clear of any hanging light fixture, and choose something with enough visual weight to hold its own against the table below.

 

Framing Choices That Affect Perceived Size

The frame itself changes how large or small a piece feels on the wall. A slim, minimal frame lets the artwork read at its true size, while a wider or more ornate frame adds visual weight and can make a modestly sized print feel more substantial. This is a useful trick if you're working with a smaller piece on a larger wall.

I've been sourcing my posters, framed art, and canvas prints from Poster Master for exactly this reason. Picture frames and matboards are sold separately from the print, so you can size and style each piece properly for its wall, rather than settling for a fixed bundle. It's a small detail that makes a real difference once the piece is hanging.

 

Gallery Walls: A Different Set of Rules

Grouped arrangements follow the same overall footprint rule (60–75% of the furniture or wall segment below), but within the grouping, consistent spacing matters more than matching frame styles. Keep 2–3 inches between each piece and use painter's tape to map the layout on the wall before drilling a single hole.

 

The Quick Test

Before hanging anything, cut a piece of kraft paper or newspaper to the exact size of the artwork and tape it to the wall. Stand back, live with it for a day if you can, and see whether it reads as intentional or apologetic.

This single step catches almost every sizing mistake before it becomes a hole in the wall that needs patching.

 

Getting the size right is the difference between a wall that looks styled and a wall that looks like something got hung there, just because the space felt empty. Measure first, choose second, and the art will do the rest of the work for you; styling your space.

Related Articles

Wall Hanging Ideas for Framed Pictures, Artwork, and Paintings
Why Moody Wall Art Makes a Home Feel Layered, Beautiful, and Timeless

The 15% Rule: The Designer Secret to a More Stylish Home

Professional interior decorators don't guess. They work with principles, tested rules that make rooms feel intentional rather than accidental. The 15% rule is one of the most useful of those principles, and once you understand it, you will see it everywhere. Here is what it is and how to apply it in your own home.

Notice the single vintage leopard-print ottoman in front of the blue sofa.

What the 15% Rule Means

Think of a room that is beautifully composed: dark wood, leather, rich paint, modern bookshelves. Now picture a leopard-print stool sitting in the middle of it. That stool is the 15%. It is the thing that makes you look twice and think that someone with a unique point of view put this room together.

The rule is not about introducing oddities but about avoiding the look of a room so perfectly laid out that it feels like a showroom. When every element matches without a surprise, the space loses warmth. It looks perfectly designed, rather than lived in. The 15% is the human element. It is what makes a home feel like it belongs to someone and not just for display.

Why Interior Designers Swear By It

Professional designers understand that contrast creates interest. The eye needs somewhere to land, something to question, a moment of visual tension before it can fully relax into the rest of the room.

A room styled entirely within its own logic gives the eye nothing to do. The 15% gives it a small puzzle to solve, and that puzzle is exactly what makes a space memorable.

This is why:

• Antiques work so well in contemporary interiors.
• Rough raw materials sit beautifully against polished surfaces.
• A bold pattern on an accent chair can liven an otherwise neutral room from feeling anonymous.

How to Apply this Concept in Your Home

You do not need a large budget or a designer’s eye to use this rule. All you need is one deliberate choice that stands out from whatever theme your room is created around.

If your living room is neutral and soft, the 15% might be a richly patterned cushion, a single piece of boldly coloured wall art, or a side table in a material that does not match anything else. 

If your bedroom is maximalist and layered, the 15% might be a single clean, bare wall that gives the eye a moment to breathe.

The keyword is “deliberate”. The 15% should feel intentional and not as an afterthought. There is a clear difference between a room that is slightly chaotic and a room that has one carefully placed element of surprise.

A Few Simple Starting Points

1. Swap one soft furnishing, a cushion, a throw, or a lampshade for something in a colour or pattern that you would never normally consider “safe” for that room.

2. Introduce one piece from a different era. It can be a vintage find in a modern space, or a sleek contemporary lamp in a room full of traditional furniture, that creates exactly the kind of feel the rule calls for.

3. Use scale unexpectedly. For example, an oversized mirror, an unusually large piece of art, or a very small accent piece in an otherwise grand setting all qualify as that 15% disruption.

4. Introduce a material that does not appear anywhere else: rattan, natural stone, hammered metal, or aged brass, against a scheme built entirely on painted surfaces and soft fabric.

The Bigger Idea Behind the Rule

The rule is about confidence. It takes a certain boldness to put something in a room that does not obviously belong there and trust that it will work. That is precisely the quality that separates spaces that feel designed by a professional from spaces that feel assembled from a mood board.

The rooms you remember, the ones that stop you flipping through a magazine, or stay with you after a house visit, always possess that element. You might not be able to name it immediately. But you will feel it.

Start with 15%. That's what it takes to create a signature style.

Work Like a Decorator

Applying design principles like this one becomes much easier when you have a dedicated space to plan, record, and refine your ideas. Professional decorators and home stylists keep notebooks for exactly this reason, not as a luxury, but as a working tool.

The Decorator's Notebook for Interior Decorators and Home Stylists gives you structured space to do that. It is designed for decorators and stylists working in the building industry, but it works equally well for serious homeowners who want to approach their interiors with the same level of intention.

Get your copy on Amazon

Why Moody Wall Art Makes a Home Feel Layered, Beautiful, and Timeless

Moody illustration art is artwork with a darker, emotional, and atmospheric feel. Instead of bright colours and playful designs, this style focuses on depth, shadow, texture, and quiet drama. It is the kind of art that instantly makes a room feel more sophisticated and collected with time.

Rather than screaming for attention, moody wall art creates a calm and quietly powerful presence.

Misty mountains and stormy waters (AI-generated image).

What Makes Art Feel “Moody”?

Moody illustrations usually include:

1. Deep or muted colours.
2. Soft shadows and dim lighting.
3. Vintage-inspired details.
4. Textured, painterly effects.
5. Mysterious or romantic themes.

The overall aesthetic is often emotional, nostalgic, dramatic, or slightly gothic, like:

• Candlelight instead of sunshine.
• Stormy skies instead of tropical beaches.
• Old libraries, antique frames, and faded oil paintings.

Common Types of Moody Illustration Art

There are many styles of moody artwork, but some of the more popular examples are:

Dark Florals

Rich roses, wilted flowers, or dramatic botanical prints with deep reds, blacks, and earthy greens.

Stormy Landscapes

Rainy forests, foggy mountains, cloudy coastlines, or dark countryside scenes.

Antique Botanical Sketches

Vintage plant drawings, with faded paper textures and old-world charm.

Ravens and Crows

Bird illustrations are common in moody art because they add mystery and a gothic feel.

Faded Portraits

Vintage-style portraits with soft shadows and muted tones create a timeless feeling.

Candlelit Scenes

Warm, glowing flame-lights set against dark backgrounds that instantly add atmosphere.

Why Moody Art Works So Well in Interior Design

Moody illustration art does more than decorate a wall; it instantly changes the feeling of a room. This style of art helps interiors feel:

Warm

Cozy

Layered

Sophisticated

Dramatic

Personal

Collected over time

Even a modern room can feel warmer and more interesting with darker, moody artwork, and that's why they work beautifully in:

• Bedrooms
• Libraries
• Home offices
• Dining rooms
• Reading corners
• Vintage-inspired interiors

The Secret Behind Moody Interiors

The best moody interiors are not loud or overwhelming. Rather, they feel noiseless and dramatic. Instead of using bright colours everywhere, these interior spaces rely more on texture, shadow, depth, and contrast to create beauty. 

Moody illustration art plays a huge role in that atmosphere. For instance, a single dark floral print or stormy landscape can completely change the theme and personality of a room.

How to Style Moody Illustration Art

If you want to try this, look in your own home, start small. You can do that by:

• Adding one large dark art print above a sofa or bed.
• Mixing vintage frames with modern furniture.
• Layering darker artwork with warm lighting.
• Combining moody prints with candles, books, and textured fabrics.

The goal is not to make a room gloomy but to create warmth, depth, and character.

Moody illustration art proves that darker artwork can still feel beautiful, elegant, and inviting because it brings emotion, atmosphere, and timeless charm into a space in a way that bright, playful art often cannot.

If you love interiors that feel cosy, dramatic, artistic, and layered, moody illustration art may be exactly the style your walls have been missing.

For a beautiful curated collection of moody art paintings and illustrations, visit my listing: Dark Landscape Art with Old-World Charm

Other Articles of interest 

How Big Should Your Wall Art Be? A Room-by-Room Sizing Guide

5 Home Decor Pieces That Look Designer But Cost Almost Nothing

Peel and Stick Wall Decals That Look Like Expensive Wallpaper

What Kind of Home Upgrade Project Do You Really Need? (Take the Quiz)

You notice something is off about a room. Maybe it feels dated, or cluttered, or just not-quite-right, but you can’t put your finger on what it is, or what needs to be changed. That uncertainty is where most home upgrade or renovation projects go wrong before they even begin.

The most common mistake homeowners make is jumping straight to solutions. Browsing sofas online, picking paint colours, filling carts with whatnots, before identifying what kind of work they need to do.

A room that feels tired doesn’t have the same problem as a room that does not function efficiently. A silently frustrating interior layout is not solved by buying new throw cushions or changing the window blinds.

To get on the right track, use the free interactive tool below to find out exactly what kind of interior work you need done. Answer five quick questions, and you will get a clarified project type, a realistic budget range, and a plain checklist of what your project involves. So, stop guessing and start with a clear picture.

There are six possible outcomes, ranging from a simple Soft Refresh to a Full Room Renovation. Most users land somewhere in the middle, and that result alone is often enough to shift how they approach the interior upgrade, room enhancement, or total renovation project.

To use this tool, there is no sign-up, no email address required, and nothing to download. Just answer the questions and get your result in a couple of minutes.

Simple Interior Concepts — Free Tool

What Kind of Home Project Do You Actually Have?

Before you open a paint tin or start pinning furniture, take two minutes to answer a few simple questions. You'll get a clear project type, a checklist of what you actually need, and a realistic budget range — so you can stop guessing and start planning.

1

Answer 5 quick questions

2

Get your project type

3

See exactly what's involved

Question 1 of 5

Which best describes what's bothering you about your space right now?

Go with your gut — there's no wrong answer here.

Question 2 of 5

How would you describe your current colour scheme?

Think walls, soft furnishings, accessories.

Question 2 of 5

Is your furniture staying, or are you open to replacing it?

Be honest — budget matters here.

Question 2 of 5

Will any of this work need a tradesperson or contractor?

Anything involving plumbing, electrics, or fitting counts as yes.

Question 2 of 5

Does your vision involve changing anything structural?

Think walls, flooring, fitted furniture, lighting positions.

Question 3 of 5

Are you willing to repaint walls to make the change?

Paint is one of the most cost-effective transformations in any room.

Question 3 of 5

How much would you estimate you've spent on accessories in the past — and are you happy to replace most of them?

Replacing accessories is often less expensive than people think.

Question 3 of 5

Have you ever tried moving your furniture around to test a new layout?

Sometimes the fix is simpler than you think.

Question 3 of 5

Are you replacing one or two key pieces, or starting the whole room again?

This makes a big difference to both budget and planning time.

Question 3 of 5

Are you confident doing the work yourself?

Honestly — some projects are straightforward, others really aren't.

Question 3 of 5

Is this work confined to one room, or does it affect multiple areas?

Multi-room work with trades involved is a significant project.

Question 3 of 5

Do you have a style direction in mind, or are you still figuring that out?

Both are completely fine — they just mean different starting points.

Question 3 of 5

Will you be living in the space while the work is carried out?

This affects planning significantly — especially with tradespeople involved.

Question 4 of 5

What's your approximate budget for this project?

Be realistic — it helps you get a more useful result.

Question 4 of 5

What's your approximate budget for this project?

Be realistic — it helps you get a more useful result.

Question 4 of 5

What's your approximate budget for this project?

Larger projects have wider budget ranges — this helps narrow things down.

🌿 Your Project Type

A Soft Refresh

"It doesn't need tearing apart — it needs editing."

Your room has a good foundation. What it needs is a focused edit: updating the accessories, introducing a better colour palette, or adding a few well-chosen pieces that give the space a sense of intention. This is one of the most satisfying types of project because the results feel immediate and the process is low-stress.

What this project typically involves

• New cushions, throws, and soft furnishings in a coherent palette
• Updated lighting — a new lamp changes a room dramatically
• Swapping out or adding artwork and mirrors
• Introducing plants or natural textures
• Possibly a fresh coat of paint on one wall or all four
• Editing out clutter and pieces that no longer fit the look

💷

Typical Budget Range £200 – £1,500 / $250 – $1,800

Simple Tip Start with a colour palette of three tones and only buy accessories that fit within it. Impulse purchases from different colour families are what make rooms look disjointed — and that's usually the real problem, not the room itself.

🎨 Your Project Type

A Style Refresh

"You know what you have — now you need a clear direction."

You have the basics in place and a reasonable budget to work with, but the room lacks a coherent identity. A Style Refresh means deciding on a clear aesthetic direction — whether that's calm and neutral, warm and layered, or bold and graphic — and then aligning everything in the room to that vision. Paint, accessories, and one or two new pieces will take you a long way.

What this project typically involves

• Choosing a defined design style or mood as your anchor
• Repainting walls (often the single biggest transformation)
• Replacing accessories that don't fit the new direction
• Possibly one new statement piece — a rug, a light fitting, or artwork
• Reviewing and editing furniture arrangement for better flow
• Creating a simple mood board before you buy anything

💷

Typical Budget Range £800 – £3,000 / $1,000 – $3,600

Simple Tip Choose your paint colour last, not first. Build a mood board of furniture and accessories you love, then find a paint colour that ties them together. Most people do it the other way round and end up with a room that fights itself.

📐 Your Project Type

A Space Rethink

"The room isn't the problem — the layout is."

Your issue is spatial, not stylistic. The furniture you have might be perfectly good, but the way the room is arranged is stopping it from functioning the way you want. A Space Rethink focuses on traffic flow, focal points, and how people move through and use the room — before any money is spent on new things.

What this project typically involves

• Drawing a rough floor plan and noting traffic routes
• Identifying the room's natural focal point (window, fireplace, TV wall)
• Experimenting with furniture placement — on paper first
• Considering whether the room is being used for the right purpose
• Possibly removing one or two pieces that are taking up space without earning it
• Reviewing lighting — a poorly lit layout always feels wrong

💷

Typical Budget Range £0 – £2,000 / $0 – $2,500

Simple Tip Before moving a single piece of furniture, tape out the room on the floor with masking tape and mark where each item currently sits. Then try a new arrangement on paper. Moving heavy furniture twice is exhausting — a little planning saves a lot of effort.

🛋️ Your Project Type

A Full Redecoration

"You're not just refreshing — you're starting the room over."

This is a proper project. You're looking at new furniture, new finishes, and a completely reconsidered room. No structural work is involved, but everything that sits within the room — the colour scheme, the furniture, the layout, the lighting, and the accessories — is up for review. Done well, a full redecoration transforms a home. Done without a plan, it becomes expensive and overwhelming.

What this project typically involves

• A detailed brief or mood board before any purchasing begins
• A clear budget broken down by category (furniture, paint, lighting, soft furnishings)
• A floor plan with scaled furniture to avoid costly mistakes
• A phased shopping list — not everything at once
• Decisions on paint, flooring finish, and window treatments early
• Patience — good rooms take time to come together

💷

Typical Budget Range £3,000 – £10,000 / $3,600 – $12,000

Simple Tip Set aside 10–15% of your total budget as a contingency before you start spending. There is always something you didn't account for — a longer lead time on a sofa, a lamp that doesn't work in the space, a paint colour that reads completely differently on the wall. The contingency saves you from having to compromise on the final 20% of the room.

🔨 Your Project Type

A Partial Renovation

"You're changing the fabric of the room, not just what's in it."

A Partial Renovation means altering the room itself — new flooring, a new fitted kitchen or bathroom, a built-in wardrobe, replastered walls, or repositioned lighting. Tradespeople are involved. This is where most homeowners underestimate both cost and time, and where having a clear specification before any work starts becomes genuinely important.

What this project typically involves

• Getting two or three quotes from tradespeople before committing
• A written specification of what work is included — and what isn't
• Deciding on all materials and finishes before work begins (not during)
• A realistic timeline with buffer for delays
• A contingency budget of at least 15–20%
• A decoration plan for after the trades have finished

💷

Typical Budget Range £5,000 – £20,000 / $6,000 – $24,000

Simple Tip Never make decisions under pressure on site. Tradespeople often ask about materials, finishes, or changes when they're already in the middle of the work. Have everything decided and ordered in advance wherever possible — decisions made quickly on site are almost always the ones you regret.

🏗️ Your Project Type

A Full Room Renovation

"This is a significant project — and it deserves a proper plan."

You are undertaking a full renovation: structural changes, multiple tradespeople, significant budget, and a timeline that will stretch beyond what most people anticipate. This type of project is incredibly rewarding when managed well — and deeply stressful when it isn't. The single biggest predictor of a successful renovation is how thoroughly it was planned before anyone picked up a tool.

What this project typically involves

• A full brief covering every room or area affected
• Architectural drawings if walls or structure are involved
• A main contractor or a carefully coordinated set of trades
• All materials, finishes, and fittings specified before work begins
• A contingency budget of no less than 20%
• A realistic timeline — and then adding four to six weeks to it
• A decoration and furnishing plan ready to implement once work is complete

💷

Typical Budget Range £15,000+ / $18,000+

Simple Tip Consider whether your project scope warrants bringing in an interior designer, even if only for the planning phase. The cost of a few hours of professional advice is almost always recovered in avoided mistakes, better trade relationships, and a more coherent end result. Many designers offer a one-off consultation for exactly this stage.

Not sure where to go next?

Whichever project type you landed on, the principles stay the same: plan before you spend, set a realistic budget with contingency built in, and make all decisions on paper before anything goes in a basket or gets painted on a wall.

Simple Interior Concepts covers every stage of the home decorating journey — from finding your style to managing a full room overhaul — in plain, practical language designed for real homes and real budgets.

Simple Interior Concepts · simpleinteriorconcepts.blogspot.com

Once you know your project type, you will find posts across this blog, Simple Interior Concepts, that speak directly to your situation, from finding your decorating style to managing tradespeople, working out a realistic budget, hanging curtains the right way, choosing colour palettes, and making a small room feel bigger.

Start with what the tool tells you and then go from there. And if you want to try other options, just click the "START AGAIN" button to return to the beginning.

Article of interest:

Your Complete Guide to Beautiful, Functional Living Spaces

Building Your First Home? Plan Ahead With This Free Simple Budget Planner Tool

Tired of Your Bedroom Style? Here Are 10 Ways to Make it Charming

That feeling of walking into your bedroom and wanting something to be different, but not knowing where to start, is more common than you think. Most bedroom refreshes stall not because of budget, but because there is no clear plan. These ten ideas give you a starting point. A good plan turns them into results.

(Image used under license from 123rf.com)

Ten Ways to Up Your Bedroom Style

1. Paint

A new coat of paint does wonders for an interior space. Choose a relaxing colour scheme that evokes a calm or vibrant mood. Use charming colours that arouse high-spirited feelings. Set the mood of the room by painting the focal wall a different colour from the other three.

2. Headboard

If you don’t have a headboard or just have an okay one, change it to something stylishly different. Use a creative headboard idea that will make the wall it’s placed against the focal point of the room. From a gallery of framed pictures to large wall art, the focal wall you create sets a good starting point for decoration.

3. Wall Decal

If you don’t have (or don’t want) a headboard, use an elaborate wall sticker (wall decal). Decals used in place of headboards make a good statement. They are bold and attractive enough to draw instant attention to the bedroom.

4. Bed Cover/ Bedspread

Add some drama to your bedroom with this feature. Choose a vibrant and colourful ethnic blanket, a plush red quilted velvet with a contrasting pile of throw pillows, or a wide damask throw, neatly laid or stylishly thrown across the bed (looks great on platform beds without side panels).

5. Bedside lamps

Beautiful bedside table lamps are enhancing. Their shades come in numerous styles, shapes, and sizes. The styles and materials you choose must be unusual, especially if you plan to create something extraordinary. Add figurines, mementoes, framed pictures (small), a table clock (vintage-inspired or digital), etc. and the like on the table and around the lamp.

6. Footboard bench

These make great additions to the bed and will effortlessly make the room look stylish and make the bed look dignified. Whether you choose an Ottoman bench, a simple bench with a cushioned seat, or a carved wooden storage chest that you picked up at a garden sale.

7. Window treatment

Lovely drapery, wooden blinds, and bamboo shades are transformative, but you should choose based on your bedroom décor. For example, a traditional theme calls for classic window coverings: drapery, brass rods, padded period pelmets, swags, and valances. A modern setting works best with wooden blinds and shades, fabric sliding panels, or decorative vinyl window stickers.

8. Area rug

Placing a runner rug on each side of your bed is a picker-upper for a drab room. Make sure it’s nice and colourful so that it conspicuously stands out against the floor finish (or covering).

9. Artwork

Wall art in all forms can tie every feature and theme in the room together. It can be a colourful painting that ties in with a couple of colours in the bedroom, vintage-inspired black and white hand-drawn artwork, a wall-hung tapestry (faux is fine), or a cluster of framed pictures and illustrations.

Stylish bedroom in a modern theme. (Image used under license from 123rf.com)

10. Accent furniture

Make your bedroom beautiful and versatile; add accent furniture. An occasional chair and a round-top side table will do the trick of raising the bar in the bedroom. You can relax and read a book without lying down or sitting on the edge of the bed.

(Image created by author, on Polyvore)

 

Let Your Bedroom Décor Reflect Your Personality

Remember. Only add décor items that reflect your personality. Make them aesthetically pleasing things that make you feel comfortable in your surroundings. Let your stylishness show through your choice of bedroom accents: unusual bedside lamps, wall hangings, vases, throw cushions, a rag rug, chairs, and bed cabinets. You can find unusual pieces from Estate sales, car booths, and garage sales.

If you can comfortably afford it, you can also upgrade the bedroom style using many of the above-mentioned upgrade ideas. All the items need not be bought at high-end stores. Expensive doesn’t necessarily translate to stylish. It’s the way they are all put together that creates the aesthetics and makes the statement you desire.

Ready to Plan Your Bedroom Refresh?

The ideas in this post work best when you can see them on paper. Sketching a rough layout, noting measurements, trying different furniture arrangements before you move anything; that is how bedroom transformations actually happen without costly mistakes.

The Room Planning Drawing Book for Interior Design Students gives you structured space to do exactly that. Designed for residential interiors, it works just as well for homeowners planning a single room as it does for design students working on multiple projects.

Get your copy on Amazon

(This blog post was originally published by the author on 9/1/2015)

Browse more posts in Room Solutions for more room solutions and improvement ideas.

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