Boring, Lifeless Ex-Council House Qualms

Lewis emailed me and told me that he was concerned about decorating a “smaller space”, and that he didn’t want his ex-council house to feel “boring” and “lifeless”.

Well, Lewis. Neither do I.

Here is the problem with spaces like these. The ‘character’ costs extra.

If you’re stuck with a white box with no charm, let me show you how to make it interesting.

Firstly, we’ll start with what we are NOT going to do here.

❌ add wall panelling

❌ add fancy ornate architrave and coving

❌ find a different shade of white

We’re trying to avoid basic choices. We want the space to feel warm and full of life, and you’re not going to achieve that with a can of Dulux Rock Salt, I’m afraid.

The biggest mistake that I see people make in these type of homes is to try and make it into something that it’s not. Every well-designed interior is rooted in context, and adding Victorian frills to a space like this will never feel right.

Here are some things that you can think about if you’re working with a basic white box interior.

Tile the Unexpected

I’ve always loved the idea of tiling surfaces outside of the bathroom. It’s a bold way to make a statement, and a creative way to add interest and texture. If your space lacks architectural interest, then the structure and finish of tile can really help to navigate that. The grout lines will break it up and allows your eye to naturally explore an otherwise very lifeless surface.

Drench (In the Right Shade)

See how you don’t need elaborate coving details to create impact?

The trick here is to choose a deep tone that still catches the light. Something pigmented and bold - never flat. Before committing, make sure that you have seen a large swatch of your chosen colour at different times of the day.

Add Everyday Sculpture

For that effortless style (“oh… this old thing?”), you are going to ditch the wall panels and start thinking about everyday sculpture.

Spaces that lack architectural detail need to be sculpted by every day objects. Your extractor fan, a small window, a dining table pendant, the cupboard handles: think of every item as an opportunity for curation.

If bold colour isn’t your thing, be melodramatic in scale.

Drop your lighting lower than it should be, set it off-centre. Play.

Who’s next?

Send me your design dilemma and I’ll deliver the home truths.