What tips can a wizard teach you about interior design?

Don’t be afraid of some colour

If you are familiar with the Harry Potter stories, then you know that colour has always played a huge role with the sets, costumes and designs. Within Hogwarts, whether you were a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, each ‘house’ had their own set colours (from the uniforms the students wore to the living areas they stayed in). Similarly, why not set a colour theme for the interiors of your home?

While we're not suggesting to paint all your walls bright green (in fact, neutral tones are quite popular in Australia), don't be afraid to add a bit of colour to the home. Painting a feature wall or room in a bright colour is a great way to highlight that area. If you’re unsure about experimenting with the colours on the walls, a handy tip is to instead purchase colourful accessories and smaller items (cushions, lamps etc) to add personality and imagination to the decor. 

Hiring the help of a home stylist and speaking to your sales agent will go a long way to finding out which styles and colours best suit your home. 

Create the illusion of more space

You don’t need to use magic to create the illusion of more space within your rooms. For smaller rooms, cooler colours on the walls and floor can make the space feel larger. Another trick is to pull furniture a few inches away from the wall to create the appearance of spaciousness, or to use stripes on the décor (such as a striped rug) to elongate the space. Mirrors, plenty of lighting and opening curtains can also amplify the space.

Add a little magic to your design

From butterbeer and potions to floating candles, chocolate frogs and talking portraits – it’s the smells, textures and personality of the wizarding world that created the special moments and added magic to the stories. Similarly, you need to think about the mood your home creates and add something a little bit extra that makes the home feel special. 

It's not all about the visual design; engaging the other senses can set your home apart. Ensure you open your windows at least an hour before any guests arrive for a clean smell. You could also consider scented candles, the smell of cinnamon or freshly baked bread.

Remember to think about the temperature of your place too – is it overly stuffy or too cold? You should also consider rearranging furniture to highlight certain features – perhaps making the fireplace the focal point of the room. These charming home accents are the extra touches that make your home feel special. 

After all, you don't have to be a wizard to spruce up your place - you just need to add a little imagination to the decor.