Home Decor Ideas & Inspiration
Room makeover special: How to make a house feel like home
Before & After: John Lewis’ experts transform a communal area into a cosy home – in just 24 hrs (*Spoiler alert* The results are incred’)
There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a room transform before your very eyes, especially when that transformation happens in just 24 hours!
As part of John Lewis’ ongoing commitment to the Building Happier Futures programme, the team paid a visit to Tan y Bryn residential home for young people in North Wales, to see if we could help the staff there bring a little bit of Christmas magic to their residents, by making over their much used games room.
Join Partner and home styling expert Wil Law as he helps to transform the Tan y Bryn residential home for young people in North Wales. The mission? To create a calm, homely hub for staff and residents alike. “I wanted to help the staff at the Tan y Bryn residential home to bring a little bit of Christmas magic to their residents…"
While communal areas are notoriously tricky to interior design, particularly when it’s a multi-functioning space – this makeover comes with feel goods as standard, and plenty of cosy-feel, home-making tips.
‘The residential home makeover is one of my favourite ever design projects, and not just because of how amazing it was to spend time with the staff and hear about the difference they make to young people’s lives,’ says Wil.
‘The challenge of creating a room where teenagers would want to congregate, unwind, and meet others for movie/gaming nights was really fun. I enjoyed building a space with lots of character, and a signature youthful aesthetic that feels fresh, but also inviting.’
‘When I got a message on the evening of our completion day, to say that the residents were spread out across the whole room, a few watching TV, and others laid out on the rug, playing games, I felt emotional. It’s wonderful to know that we’ve created a safe space that can be enjoyed for years to come.’
3 tips to transform your living space
1. Nail your palette
Paint is the best way to totally transform a space. To make things more interesting, consider a tonal palette, combining two variations of one colour on the walls which will create flow, but also add depth in certain areas. To make a space that has real impact, opt for colour on your other larger expanses, like a sofa or rug, ensuring you bring colour into the centre of a space and not just on the walls.
2. Rework your layout
Rather than having a fixed layout, consider modular seating paired with smaller accent chairs so that a space can be flexed to accommodate different uses in a room. Large rugs will help you create clearly defined zones from the ground up.
3. Add character
The success of a room comes down to the finishing flourishes, so seek out pieces that pack a punch. Layers of graphic, playful prints in soft furnishings, statement lighting and charming furniture forms will give a space real character.
