Design ideas from the experts

We caught up with a handful of our brilliant brands to gather their unique insight on decorating. Drawing on years of experience and a deep understanding of design, they share practical advice and creative inspiration to help you elevate your space with confidence.

From choosing the right fabric and layering textures, to working thoughtfully with colour and pattern, their expert tips break down the decisions that make the biggest impact - whether you’re refreshing a single room or reimagining your entire home.

Start small - Michal Silver, Christopher Farr Cloth

"Textiles tell stories through colour, texture and pattern. The choices we make should be a reflection of our lifestyle, our life journey.

Our style has to develop, it has to evolve with us. If you are hesitant about using colour or pattern or bold prints, I recommend starting small.

Try incorporating a lively wallpaper in the guest bedroom or a statement armchair in the lounge. These pieces, surfaces can create a focal point and a dynamic corner within a room. You can then link it to other elements in the space such as art, cushions or a sofa using complimentary textures and colour. Start small, start slow then go big! Don't worry if it takes a while for your room to feel finished, you can add more layers over time."

Be confident with colour - Genevieve Bennett, Liberty Interiors

"We work with beautifully strong palettes and want to celebrate them fully. Recently, we've been leaning into warmer tones like grounding chocolate browns, sage greens, and rich terracotta, all of which offer a sense of warmth and confidence.

The perfect way to balance these statement prints is by offering contrast and edge. Bombazine, our most loved design from The House of Liberty, is a perfect example of this. A contemporary interpretation of the historical flame stitch, the design is a bold, geometric weave that utilises textural yarns coloured with rich hues from our signature colour palette. Our geos are characterful and cleverly coloured, often featuring two or three tones which makes them incredibly versatile. A stripe on the back of a chair with a floral on the seat, or a headboard upholstered in a geo and softened with floral cushions. The interplay of colour, pattern, and form lives at the heart of Liberty interiors.

Alongside our expressive tones, we anchor our collections with classic neutrals like navy, cream, and soft greens. These foundations provide timeless designs that people can invest in, collect, and live with our fabrics. Our Art Colours collection plays an important role here, giving our iconic designs room to breathe through effortless, textural layering. Combining linens, velvets, embroideries, and weaves creates a unique richness of surface."

Small prints are the secret weapon of great decorating - Ann Grafton, GP & J Baker

"If there’s one decorating trick that instantly adds charm, warmth and confidence to a room, it’s the use of small prints. Often overlooked in favour of bold statements, small-scale patterns are the quiet heroes of beautifully layered interiors and they deserve a starring role.

Small prints create an atmosphere without shouting. A delicate floral, soft stripe or subtle geometric brings movement and texture to walls and fabrics while still feeling calm and easy to live with. Used across a room, they read almost like a neutral, adding depth and interest that flat paint simply can’t achieve.

They’re also brilliant for layering. Small prints ground larger patterns, helping bold florals or dramatic wallpapers feel balanced rather than overpowering. This makes them ideal for curtains, upholstery, hallways or even full-room wallpaper schemes.

Perhaps most importantly, small prints make rooms feel finished and welcoming. They add personality, hide imperfections and create a sense of thoughtful design."

Alongside the expert advice shared above, we also have a few of our own tips for anyone starting a new interiors project. Begin by gathering inspiration - flick through interiors magazines and scroll on platforms such as Instagram or Pinterest, to explore what resonates with you. As you do this, consider things like character of your home, the amount of natural light in the space, and the overall atmosphere you’d like to create.

Our on-site filters can then help you narrow down the product library by colour, pattern, brand and more, making it easier to refine your choices. If a particular collection catches your eye, explore the wider range within it - coordinating fabrics and wallpapers collections are often designed to work seamlessly together, sharing complementary tones and styles.

Finally, once you’ve narrowed down designs you love, order samples where possible. We offer samples across our range of of fabric, wallpaper, trimmings and even rugs. Find out more about our free sample service here.

We hope this article has sparked ideas and inspired confidence for your own interior projects. For more styling guidance, behind-the-scenes features and collection highlights, head to our Inspiration page.