We often share our top tips for bringing character and style to your interiors, but now we’d like to focus on our top 5 design secrets!

1. ALL THE WAY UP

Whether we are talking about curtains, blinds or shutters we have one rule: Install them all the way up to the ceiling, covering your windows’ architrave. By doing this you trick the eye into thinking the windows are larger than they actually are.

Hanging curtains from the ceiling elongates the interior by drawing the eye up. This is a great trick for making a room feel taller – don’t just cover the expanse of the window, instead bring it all the way up.

2. LAYERING WITH TEXTURE

For us, the best interiors infuse different textures and unexpected details. Without texture, interiors can sometimes look flat and cold. Layering textures is one of the most important parts of our design process. It’s these tactile qualities and details that capture the senses and make a room pop!

We choose fabrics rich with natural imperfections and texture within the weave. It’s an easy way to create a sense of understated luxury within a space. From linen and wool, to weaves and prints, these fabrics all lend depth to a space.

3. STRATEGICALLY PLACING MIRRORS

A well placed mirror can be used to duplicate your favourite design features. In our Oak Leaf Suite at Ham Yard Hotel, a citrus yellow wall, magnificent lion head sculpture and plinth-style pendant light are reflected by a mirror. We love how the mirror also creates a contrast against the small-scale wallpaper design.

Placing mirrors within the niches of a room also makes darker nooks lighter as they reflect natural daylight as well as lamp lighting.

4. LOW LEVEL LIGHTING

Keep lighting low, directional and practical. We try to avoid using spotlights where possible, especially in rooms such as living rooms, libraries and bedrooms. These spaces are meant to be warm and inviting, so we tend to use low level lighting with table lamps, standing lights and picture wall lights. By placing table lamps or a standing light behind furniture or a plant in the corner of the room, it can actually make the room feel larger.

5. DON’T FORGET RUGS

A rug can transform any space by adding colour, texture and style. Whether contemporary or traditional, a rug can completely change how a room looks and feels. Corridors are often considered to be dead spaces. A hallway runner can create a visual pathway that draws the eye to connecting rooms.

Rugs can also help make the most out of a room through creating different zones. For example, in the Terrace Suite at Ham Yard Hotel, we have two spaces in one room: a dining area and also a living room. This is a great trick to make a room feel larger with different entertaining spaces created.

Now that we have revealed our best kept secrets, we hope they will help you elevate your home. Share your interior schemes with us on Instagram @KitKempDesignThread.