OPEN-PLAN

Offering a versatile space much bigger than the original layout allows, open-plan design offers light and airy living, as well as plenty of design opportunities. Loungin’ Design Director Diego Venegas notes that, “style-wise there’s still a retro vibe around” and that unit seating offers the flexibility in open-plan spaces so that you can “turn the units into a sofa long enough for family film night, or L-shaped for socialising around a coffee table or keep as a chaise when you want to stretch out.”

• A designer will bring fresh eyes, a new perspective, creativity and enthusiasm to a project, also a realistic view of what can and cannot be achieved

• Experience in managing time and budgets brings an organised approach to what can be a stressful process

• A designer helps you to spend money wisely and avoid costly mistakes giving you the opportunity to step back and enjoy the process

• Their network of suppliers and tradespeople enables them to navigate the time consuming process of sourcing the right product or person for the job

• Experience enables them to come up with quick and simple solutions to problems

• Interior designers work collaboratively with architects and other design teams. Getting them involved from the beginning produces a project that flows and has a single design intent running throughout.

• Zone your areas according to who uses them and when

• If you entertain a lot, include a bespoke bar for cocktail parties or quiet Friday night drinks

• Mix and match textures such as silk and velvet with raw linen. Consider family friendly fabrics too

• Don’t let your TV dominatebuild it into a bespoke media unit. This ensures the right height for viewing and hides unsightly cables

• If your living room has no natural focal point, such as a fireplace, create one with modern art

• Consider renovating unused spaces such as a rear living room into a music/reading room

• Add a soft, squidgy sofa or armchair for comfort and cosiness

• Use a mixture of architectural downlights with a combination of decorative lights such as table and floor lamps, and candlelight

• Don’t be afraid to experiment, and mix modern pieces with classic items.