Podcast: Easy ways to make your home feel more grown up

Joining Megan and Paul on this episode of the ESPC Property Show is interior designer Ruth from Eat Sleep Colour, who shares her expert checklist for creating a "grown-up" and personalised home. The discussion with delves into various aspects of interior design, focusing on how different elements impact a home's feel and function.

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Key Insights

Defining your colour story

Choosing a home’s colour palette starts with personal connection… identifying colours you genuinely enjoy living with, as well as those you dislike, reveals true preferences. Consider each room’s purpose and natural light when selecting tones, such as warm hues for north-facing spaces or muted shades for a calming bedroom, and aim for cohesion across rooms, especially in open-plan areas. A long-term approach ensures colours remain timeless and sustainable, supporting a “forever home” vision.

Lighting

Effective lighting relies on layering practical and ambient sources to create warmth and mood. Task lighting, like dimmable kitchen spotlights, can be complemented by soft ambient options, including LED strips, floor lamps, and table lamps. Dimmable fixtures provide flexibility for different activities and times of day, while additional lamps help soften harsh overhead lighting and make spaces feel inviting.

Windows

Window treatments can enhance both comfort and style. Heavy, long-lined curtains in living spaces add a sense of cosiness, soften acoustics, and contribute to the room’s atmosphere. Beyond functionality, curtains also serve as decorative elements, introducing texture and visual interest even when left partially drawn.

Styling surfaces

Surfaces and shelves gain personality through items that reflect your life and tastes, such as family photos, souvenirs, or meaningful objects. Styling in odd-numbered groupings tends to be more visually appealing, and a mix-and-match approach avoids overly curated, clinical looks, creating a space that feels authentic and lived-in.

Art

Artwork is a personal choice and a powerful tool to add character and homeliness to any room. Whether abstract pieces, framed photographs, or local art, it can reflect your tastes while remaining resourceful; unique second-hand finds or repurposed pieces can be just as impactful as expensive purchases.

Texture

Layering different textures gives rooms warmth and cohesion, from velvet sofas and textured cushions to large rugs and natural materials like rattan. Thoughtful textural variation ties the space together, making it feel more comfortable and “homey.”

Standout feature

Incorporating one or two focal points in a room draws attention and adds drama, whether through a striking headboard, unique floor lamp, bold artwork, or architectural details like fireplaces or ornate cornicing. These elements define a space and create visual interest.

Greenery, scent and sound

Incorporating sensory elements like plants, scent, and sound can instantly enhance a room’s atmosphere. Living greenery - ranging from tall statement plants to small potted varieties or sculptural cacti - adds calm, natural beauty, and authenticity, with real plants preferred for sustainability. Soft furnishings, rugs, and upholstered furniture help absorb sound and reduce echoes in open-plan spaces, while candles, diffusers, and fresh flowers introduce pleasant aromas that make the home feel inviting, cohesive, and truly lived-in.

Ruth’s role

Ruth’s approach is collaborative, guiding clients to uncover and express their own design preferences while building confidence. Her goal is to help people create homes that feel uniquely theirs rather than imposing a fixed style.