When talking about interior design to clients, Renovation Room Members or attendees at a workshop I share my passion to help make interior design accessible to everyone, because I know how a well designed home can positively impact your lifestyle. Your home should work hard to make life easier, and we all deserve that.

Interior design is often seen as a luxury reserved for big renovations or new builds, but the truth is, sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective and a little bit of time to transform a space. This is why I introduced the Designer for a Day service, virtually and to home owners Cornwall.

I’d like to share a case study of this concentrated burst of design expertise, advice, and action. The approach is ideal for homeowners who want to refresh a room, solve a design dilemma, or simply get some professional guidance without committing to a full-scale renovation project. In this case study, in a Cornwall home, we’ll dive into what I do throughout the day.

The Client’s Brief: A Cosy Living Room Redesign

When I was approached by a client in need of help with their living room, they wanted to create a more cohesive and inviting space without major structural changes. Their existing furniture was functional, but the room lacked flow and felt cluttered. The challenge was to reimagine the space, working with what they already had, while introducing a new colour scheme, lighting and additional pieces of furniture.

Key Problems:

The room felt overcrowded with mismatched furniture and too many small items that didn’t feel purposeful.
There was little natural flow between seating areas, making it harder for the family to gather comfortably.
The colour scheme felt flat, and the space lacked visual interest.

The Design Goals:

Create a more open and welcoming space for family gatherings and relaxation.
Introduce a colour palette that felt warm and inviting, and also connected to the beautiful views.
Maximise the functionality of the room, making it versatile for different occasions and purposes; family games sessions, early morning yoga and a place to chat with friends.

Step 1: The Space Assessment

My first step in any Designer for a Day session is always a thorough assessment of the space. This involves talking to the client about how they use the room, what they like and don’t like, and the atmosphere they want to achieve. From there, I take a close look at the layout, the furniture, the lighting, and any architectural features that could help or hinder the design process.

In this particular case, I quickly realised that the room’s layout wasn’t serving the family’s needs. The furniture was pushed against the walls, which is a common mistake in many homes. While it creates the illusion of space, it can make the room feel disconnected. This was especially problematic in a room where the family wanted to relax together and entertain guests but were not sat close enough to have a conversation.

Pro Tip: When designing a living room, aim to create a conversation-friendly layout. A more central seating area, with furniture arranged around a focal point, will make the space feel cosy and inviting. For this particular client, moving the sofa into a more central position and using layout to create two zones, made a huge difference.

Step 2: Layout Redesign and Furniture Shuffling

One of the most effective ways to refresh a space without spending a penny is through layout adjustments. In this case, I suggested changes to the room’s furniture arrangement. By moving the main sofa and armchairs into a more intimate grouping, I created a welcoming space for conversation and relaxation. We also added a stylish coffee table in the centre to make it functional for games, drinks and a place to keep To Be Read Books (I’m not a fan of books that are there to be dusted, find out why in my Controversial Interior Opinions blog).

Key Changes:

The seating area was moved away from the walls and reoriented towards the centre of the room, creating a more open and cohesive layout.
A new coffee table was placed in the middle to serve as a functional and stylish focal point.
The client’s existing media unit was repositioned to create a better flow between the seating and the TV.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your furniture layout! Sometimes the best design solutions come from moving things around and seeing what works. Be open to rearranging furniture to improve the functionality of your space. Go ahead and try something new with your existing furniture before committing to more permanent changes with new pieces. You can even improvise with dining chairs or garden furniture to illustrate what you’re thinking.

Step 3: Colour and Materials

Download the Autumn Colours paint chart here

Colour is one of the most impactful elements of any design. The existing colour palette in this room was neutral, but it lacked warmth and personality. I recommended introducing rich, earthy tones such as terracotta, deep green, and warm neutrals. This would inject vibrancy into the space without overwhelming it. Additionally, I suggested mixing textures to add visual interest, such as a jute rug, a velvet sofa and some linen cushions for a relaxed yet refined feel.

Key Colour Choices:

Warm terracotta tones on the throw pillows and cushions helped tie in the earthy vibe and added a touch of vibrancy without being too bold.
A deep green sofa added depth and drama, while also helping to define the seating area.
A mix of natural materials like jute, wood, and velvet brought warmth and texture to the room.

Pro Tip: When choosing a new colour palette, think about how the room will feel at different times of day. Warm colours tend to create a cosy, inviting atmosphere, while cooler tones can feel fresh and energising. For a living room, I recommend focusing on a warm, welcoming palette that enhances relaxation and compliments many accent colours.

Step 4: Lighting and Accessories

Lighting can make or break a room (as you know it’s something I write about often), and in this case, the living room was lacking in both natural and ambient lighting. I recommended swapping out the harsh overhead downlights for a combination of chandelier pendants with shades, wall lights and softer table lamps and floor lamps that could be strategically placed around the room. Hello layered lighting, you can read about that here.

To complete the look, I introduced a few carefully chosen accessories, such as art prints, a decorative tray to hold snacks and essentials, vases for favourite blooms and some indoor plants. These simple additions brought more texture, accent colours and personality.

Key Lighting Solutions:

Swapping the overhead light for complimenting light fittings added a softer, more inviting glow to the room.
Wall lights on either side of the sofa created ambient lighting that made the space feel warmer and more intimate.

Pro Tip: Layering different types of lighting—ambient, task, and accent—can dramatically change the mood of a room. Use floor and table lamps to create warmth, while pendant lights and wall lights add sophistication.

Step 5: Final Touches and Personalisation

To make the room feel truly unique and personal, I worked with the client to choose art and accessories that reflected their tastes and lifestyle. A beautiful abstract painting went above the sofa, creating a focal point for the room. A selection of decorative vases and sentimental ornaments were placed on the coffee table, adding visual interest and texture.

Key Personalisation Tips:

Choose art and accessories that reflect your personality. Whether it’s a favourite colour, hobby, or travel experience, incorporating meaningful items makes a space feel more like home.
Don’t underestimate the power of plants. They add life, colour, and texture to a room and are an easy way to refresh your space.

Pro Tip: Art and accessories should enhance the overall design without overcrowding the room. Opt for a few well-chosen pieces that tell a story and create visual interest, take your time to collect these, you can build a gallery wall over time.

The Final Result

By the end of the Designer for a Day session, the living room had undergone a dramatic transformation, with the design detailed in the client online dashboard along with helpful notes to execute the vision. The client had a 30 minute zoom to follow up with questions and access to exclusive offers, saving a significant amount on their new purchases in creating a room that’s more cohesive, welcoming, and functional. The furniture layout allowed for better flow and more comfortable seating, while the updated colour palette, lighting, and accessories added warmth and personality. The client was thrilled with the results, and the design is a reflection of their taste and lifestyle.

This case study is a perfect example of how powerful small, thoughtful design changes can be. Whether you’re tackling one room or need help planning an entire home redesign, a Designer for a Day can offer the guidance and expertise you need to bring your vision to life.

Inspiration images are shared in this blog, I often get asked to share mood boards for clients but I respect the investment the client has made so these have been shared with them. However I share example mood boards in the Renovation Room member site and you can get my guide to making a moodboard.