Four experts share tips on keeping your home’s interior timeless

When decorating a home, the goal for many is to come up with a scheme which will have long-lasting appeal. 

Many individuals cannot afford to frequently make significant alterations to the interior of their homes. It is crucial to design a space that will remain appealing for a long time.

To ensure your decor is timeless, there are a number of core principles you should follow, including getting the lighting and flooring right. 

Always avoid passing fads and, where possible, invest in high quality fittings and fixtures.

This will put you in a strong position should you decide to sell up later down the line.

Four interiors experts told This is Money how to make a home’s interior timeless and enduring. 

Going green: Emma Bestley, co-founder of Yes Colours, is a fan of green in the home 

1. Get the lighting right

Lighting plays a key role in any home and it is important to plan its positioning early on during any renovation or decorating work. 

Getting the lighting right at the beginning will prevent the need for changes later on. Modifying lighting systems, such as ceiling lights, can be expensive.

You will need to factor in the layout, purpose and position of each room when making decisions about lighting. 

According to Tom Raffield, the founder and creative director of Tom Raffield Lighting, rooms facing south receive ample warm natural light in good weather and require minimal artificial lighting during daytime.

‘In contrast, north-facing rooms have less direct sunlight, resulting in a softer light. These spaces benefit from warm light, with a yellow or orange tone, creating a welcoming glow, offsetting the coolness. 

Tips: Tom Raffield favours dimmers and portable lights

‘Light in west-facing spaces is cooler in the morning and brighter in the afternoon, and east is the opposite – enjoying the most sun in the morning and a gentle light in the evening.’

He added: ‘Take time to see how light travels and falls in each room of your home. This will enable you to position your lighting correctly from the start, avoiding costly adjustments later on.’

On design, Raffield said: ‘A beautifully timeless, well-lit home balances ambient task and accent lighting, thoughtfully layered through table, floor, wall and ceiling lights. 

‘Bring texture, depth and personality to your design scheme by introducing a range of lighting levels and styles that draw the eye and highlight the unique architectural features.’ 

Dimmers enable you to soften the focus in certain parts of the rooms, while portable lights you can move around are also handy.

2. Flooring needs to stand the test of time 

Flooring is often a significant investment. It needs to complement your home and stand the test of time. No one wants to be ripping up carpets, wooden floors or tiles every few years.   

Kirsty Barton, marketing manager at Alternative Flooring, told This is Money: ‘While trends can often be exciting and tempting to follow, timelessness is essential when it comes to choosing your main carpet. 

‘We recommended going for muted or neutral tones. These shades have enduring appeal and can serve as a strong foundation for any interior style. 

‘Natural textured carpets, with their beautiful weaves and organic patterns, are great for adding a sense of warmth to the home and an abundance of texture, without being too bold.’

If you want some colour, rugs and runners are ideal, she added. 

On durability, Barton said: ‘When choosing your new floor covering make sure to consider how the space is used. 

‘A durable, hardwearing carpet is ideal for high-traffic areas and busy homes. 

‘For staircases, 100 per cent wool or sisal runners offer both practicality and elegance. 

‘A tough fibre, sisal stands out for its strength and durability, particularly its ability to withstand daily wear and tear in comparison to other carpet fibres.

‘Or for the bedroom, a higher pile and plush fibre will add a sense of comfort underfoot as soon as you step out of bed in the morning.’

Faux carpets, made from man-made fibres to replicate sisal and wool, are a great alternative for households worried about frequent spills and stains. 

3. Use colour wisely

Getting the colour scheme right in a property’s interior can be tricky. Going too neutral can be dreary, while going all out in bold colours could become tiresome to live in after a while. 

Emma Bestley, creative director and co-founder of Yes Colours, told This is Money: ‘Green suits every area of the home as it’s one of the most versatile colours on the wheel, and with so many shades to choose from the possibilities are endless. 

‘Tranquil shades of sage and mint green steer towards a relaxed and restful space, encouraging peace during unsettling times. These hues are ideal for areas such as the living room, bedroom or bathroom. 

‘While deeper hues of emerald and jade promote an energising and positive space, making it a perfect hue for the hallway, study or kitchen.’

For bathrooms, Bestley said: ‘Opt for a classic dark blue, which promotes the feeling of tranquillity or perhaps a warming dark green, which creates a relaxed and comforting feel.

‘For those who prefer a clean, crisp look that gives a spa feeling at home, it’s best to focus on uplifting shades of pale peach, pink or a warm white. 

‘Earthy tones create a relaxing space that reflects the outdoors, providing a grounded feeling. To recreate this look, pick out soft greens, sages, warm neutrals, soft peaches and dusky pink.’ 

Tranquil: Emma Bestley says a dark blue hue is a timeless choice for the bathroom

4. Don’t scrimp on the kitchen 

Think carefully about the sort of kitchen you will feel comfortable and content in.  Avoid fads and passing trends and do not scrimp on this vital room in the home. 

If you ever decide to sell your property, the layout and design of the kitchen could be a dealbreaker. 

Speaking to This is Money, Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, said: ‘Trends come and go, whereas timeless looks are exactly that; timeless. 

‘A neutral colour palette, whether that’s creams and greys or dark blues paired with wooden countertops, has the broadest appeal and will continue to remain popular for years to come. 

‘Not only this, but neutral cabinetry is extremely versatile and will complement a variety of different design styles, allowing the space to easily be re-worked to suit a variety of different looks.’ 

He added: ‘Remember, the quality of cabinets and the attention to craftsmanship shows immediately, as well as how it wears over the years.’

For worktops, Bruce recommended a hardwearing natural stone, like quartz.

While kitchen islands have been on trend for a number of years, Bruce is seeing an increase in requests for freestanding pieces.

He said: ‘While fitted kitchens are unlikely to ever go out of style, the request for freestanding pieces is on the rise.

‘Rather than kitchen islands, we’re seeing an uptake in bakers tables, similar to a kitchen island, but on legs. This freestanding piece makes the island feel like a piece of furniture while still having all of the benefits of a usual island with deep drawers and a place to perch.

‘Freestanding larder units encompass it all; from storing your dry food, harbouring electrical goods, to the full tea station with a hot tap. It’s no surprise it has become the must-have of any kitchen. 

‘These freestanding elements allow you to swap and change the look and feel of the kitchen.’