Transform Your Home: 15 Professional Decorating Tips from Your Local UK Experts

Author : Tom Marczak | Published On : 15 Oct 2025

Are you looking at the same four walls and dreaming of a change? A home is more than just a place to live; it's a reflection of your personality, a sanctuary from the outside world. But taking the leap from a tired space to a beautifully curated home can feel daunting. Where do you even begin?

As professional painters and decorators with years of experience transforming homes across the London, we’ve seen it all. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities presented by everything from a classic Victorian terrace to a modern new-build. It's not just about slapping on a coat of paint; it's about understanding light, space, colour, and texture to create a truly cohesive and inviting atmosphere.

To help you on your journey, we've compiled our top 15 decorating tips and ideas. These are the trade secrets we use every day to deliver stunning results for our clients.

Colour & Paint: The Foundation of Good Design

1. Embrace the 60-30-10 Colour Rule

This is a classic interior design principle that guarantees a balanced and harmonious colour scheme. It’s simple:

• 60% is your dominant colour: This is typically your wall colour. It’s the backdrop for the entire room.
• 30% is your secondary colour: This is for furniture, curtains, or perhaps a feature wall. It supports the dominant colour but is different enough to create interest.
• 10% is your accent colour: This is the fun part! Use it for cushions, lampshades, artwork, or accessories. It adds a pop of personality.

For example, in a living room, you might have 60% soft grey walls, a 30% deep navy blue sofa and curtains, and 10% mustard yellow in your cushions and a piece of art. It’s a foolproof way to create a professional-looking palette.

2. Don't Fear Dark and Moody Colours

There's a common misconception that dark colours make a room feel small. While light colours reflect light, dark colours absorb it, which can blur the edges of a room and create a sense of depth and intimacy. A small room, like a snug, home office, or even a downstairs loo, can be transformed into a dramatic and sophisticated jewel box with a deep navy, forest green, or charcoal grey. Paired with good lighting and metallic accents, the effect is luxurious and incredibly chic. This is a bold move, and a flawless professional application is key to avoiding a gloomy outcome.

3. Remember the Fifth Wall: The Ceiling

The ceiling is the most neglected surface in home decorating. Most are painted standard white out of habit, but you're missing a huge opportunity! Painting the ceiling a slightly lighter shade of the wall colour can create a seamless, expansive feel. For a bold, high-impact statement in a room with high ceilings, consider painting it a dark, contrasting colour or even the same colour as the walls for an enveloping, cosy effect. You can even use wallpaper for a truly unique look.

4. Master the Art of Paint Finishes

The finish of your paint is just as important as the colour. Each has a specific purpose and durability:

• Matt: Has no sheen, which is perfect for hiding imperfections on walls in low-traffic areas like bedrooms and living rooms. It provides a modern, velvety look.
• Eggshell/Satin: Has a subtle, low sheen. It’s more durable and wipeable than matt, making it ideal for woodwork (skirting boards, door frames) and high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens.
• Gloss: Highly reflective and extremely durable. Traditionally used for woodwork, it can look dated if not used carefully. A high-gloss ceiling, however, can be a stunningly modern statement in the right space.

Choosing the right finish is crucial for longevity and appearance. As professionals, we can advise on the perfect product for every surface.

5. The Power of the Tester Pot is Real

Never, ever commit to a colour without trying it first. The light in a UK home can change dramatically throughout the day, and a colour that looked perfect in the shop can look completely different on your wall. Paint a large sample (at least A2 size) on two different walls and observe it in the morning, afternoon, and evening under artificial light. This small step can save you from a costly mistake.

Space & Light: Creating an Atmosphere

6. Establish a Clear Focal Point

Every room needs a focal point to draw the eye and anchor the space. Without one, a room can feel chaotic and unfocused. This could be a fireplace, a large piece of art, a beautifully papered feature wall, or a window with a stunning view. Arrange your furniture to complement this focal point. For example, your sofas should face the fireplace, not be pushed against opposite walls. A professionally installed feature wall is one of the most effective ways to create an instant 'wow' factor.

7. Use Light Colours and Mirrors to Maximise Space

This is a classic trick for a reason: it works. Light colours like off-whites, pale greys, and soft pastels are brilliant at reflecting natural light, making a room feel larger, brighter, and more airy. This is particularly effective in smaller rooms or north-facing spaces that receive less sunlight. To amplify this effect, strategically place a large mirror on the wall opposite your main window. It will bounce light around the room and create the illusion of greater depth.

8. Hang Curtains High and Wide

A common mistake is hanging a curtain pole just above the window frame. To make your ceilings feel higher and your windows larger, mount the curtain pole 4-6 inches above the window frame and extend it 6-10 inches wider on each side. When the curtains are open, they will frame the window without blocking precious daylight, creating a much grander and more polished look.

9. Layer Your Lighting

A single overhead light is rarely sufficient and often creates harsh, unflattering light. Professional interior design relies on layered lighting to create mood and functionality. Aim for three types:

• Ambient: The main overhead light (e.g., a central pendant or downlights).
• Task: Focused lighting for specific activities (e.g., a reading lamp by a chair, under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen).
• Accent: Softer lighting to highlight features (e.g., a picture light over artwork, an uplighter in a corner).

A well-lit room feels warmer, more inviting, and more versatile.

Finishing Touches: The Details That Matter

10. Add Character with Panelling or a Feature Wall

A single feature wall remains a popular and effective way to inject personality without overwhelming a room. This could be a bold paint colour, but consider other options. High-quality wallpaper can add texture and intricate patterns. For a touch of timeless elegance, consider wall panelling. Shaker-style, board-and-batten, or Jacobean-style panelling can add architectural interest to even the plainest of rooms. A perfectly painted panelled wall provides a high-end finish that elevates the entire space.

11. Don't Neglect the Woodwork

Crisp, clean, and perfectly finished woodwork is the sign of a professional job. Scuffed skirting boards, chipped door frames, and dated, yellowing gloss paint can make the entire room look tired, even if the walls are freshly painted. Taking the time to properly prepare and paint your skirting, architraves, and doors in a fresh, durable finish (like a modern satinwood) will frame your walls beautifully and make your chosen colour pop.

12. Upgrade Your Hardware

It’s a small detail, but it has a huge impact. Swapping out old, dated hardware can instantly modernize a space. Think about replacing plastic light switches and sockets with brushed brass or matt black alternatives. Change tired doorknobs for something more contemporary. In the kitchen or on furniture, new cabinet handles can completely transform the look for a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.

13. Mix Textures for Depth and Warmth

A room decorated in a single texture can feel flat and uninteresting. Create a richer, more sensory experience by layering different materials. Combine a smooth leather sofa with chunky knit throws, velvet cushions, a natural jute rug, and sleek metal side tables. The contrast between rough and smooth, soft and hard, shiny and matt creates visual weight and makes a room feel cosy and lived-in.

14. Zone Open-Plan Living Spaces

Open-plan living is popular in modern UK homes, but it can feel vast and impersonal without clear "zones." Use decorating tricks to define different areas. A large rug can anchor a living room seating area. A console table placed behind a sofa can create a subtle division between the living and dining spaces. You can even use paint to define a zone, such as painting an alcove for a home office a different colour.

15. The Final Step: Bring in Life

Once the painting is done and the furniture is in place, the final layer is life itself. Nothing brings warmth and personality to a room like plants and personal items. A splash of greenery from houseplants purifies the air and adds natural colour and texture. Finally, display items that mean something to you: photos, books, travel souvenirs, and art. This is what truly turns a decorated house into your home.

Ready to Begin Your Transformation?

Decorating your home should be an exciting process, but achieving that flawless, professional finish requires skill, patience, and an expert eye. From meticulous preparation to the final, perfect brushstroke, a professional painter and decorator can take the stress out of the project and ensure a result that you’ll love for years to come.

If you’re ready to transform your space with a stunning new look, contact TM Decorating today. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your ideas and provide a detailed quote for our painting, decorating, and wallpapering services across the London.