Interior Inspiration: 5 Tips After Your Renovation or Move

You've just moved or finished a renovation, and the boxes are mostly unpacked. Yet the place doesn't quite feel like home. That's normal: a house needs a few personal touches before it feels lived in. The good news is that a fresh start is the perfect moment for some interior inspiration, and most of the tips below cost very little.

A painting quickly becomes the focal point of a living room. For something truly personal, make one together as a family. Pick a favourite holiday photo and use it as the basis for a simple abstract painting in the colours of your room. Kids usually love this as a weekend project, and smaller versions work well in their bedrooms too. Tip: buy a ready-stretched canvas and test your colours on paper first, so you don't end up with a muddy result.

Stylists almost always add flowers or plants before a photo shoot, and for good reason: a room without anything green or fresh feels flat. Match the flowers to your colour palette, or let a bouquet you love help you choose one if you're still deciding. A weekly trip to the market for a fresh bunch is a small habit that makes the house feel cared for. If you forget to water, go for hardy plants like a snake plant or ZZ plant.

High ceilings deserve large windows, which bring in more light and make a room feel bigger. Modern uPVC window frames come in wood-effect finishes that add character, and good double glazing helps keep the heat in. Before you replace windows, check the condition of the surrounding brickwork and ask the installer how they'll finish the reveals inside. You can request free quotes for uPVC window frames through Fixmycrib and compare a few installers.

Most of us have hundreds of photos on our phones that we never look at. A photo wall is a good way to use them, especially in a space that often gets forgotten, such as a hallway or a downstairs toilet.

Cover a whole wall with small prints, or have a few large ones made at a local print shop. Lay the frames out on the floor first and cut paper templates to tape to the wall, so you only drill once. It's cheap, personal and good fun.

Bring cushions from your old home or buy a few new covers. It's an affordable change with a big effect. Mixing materials such as linen, velvet and wool adds texture without clutter. Candles finish the look: an empty wine bottle makes a lovely holder, and the wax dripping down the glass looks great. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it away from curtains.

Making a new home feel personal doesn't have to cost much. You could create an infographic or mood board to plan your style before you buy anything. Keep the overall look calm, spend on a few key pieces such as a good sofa and table, and clear away small clutter. Less really is more.