Furnishing from scratch

Kitting out your pad with no clue where to begin? Kick-start the proceedings with our plan of attack

Feature Abbi Henderson

You’ve got a blank canvas to make your mark on, and while you’re yet to muster the motivation to get cracking with the nitty gritty, you’re itching to deck it out with candles, wall art and all the trim in between. Sound familiar? We, too, have been guilty of skipping past the planning process to the part where we get to style shelving units and plump scatter cushions to within an inch of their lives. But before embarking on such a project there’s a small herd of elephants in the room that need addressing. Let us first mention that, whether we like it or not, budget is a big deal – there’s no getting around it. So set yourself a realistic limit, and stick to it as best you can – it’s best to have an emergency fund, too. As for the rest? Read on...

It’s unlikely you’ll settle for the first scheme you style, so keep it easy to update with plain walls and floors like this lovely Maisons Du Monde look

The‘one’rule

You know the golden planning rule; focus on one thing at a time? Well, the same applies with furnishing a home. Dipping in and out of different rooms will leave you feeling deflated and disappointed that it hasn’t come together as quickly as you’d hoped. Instead, rate the rooms in order of priority. Tackle the least bearable first, and once it’s complete, work your way down the list.

Wallpaper is a quick fix for a kitchen island in need of a little love. It’s affordable, as you’ll only need a roll or two, and super simple to switch should you change your mind. Start your search at Wallpaper Direct, where you’ll find this delicious design (Secret Garden, £6 per roll) among many others