Do you suffer from design paralysis? It's actually really common, but interior designer Anne Tuohy is here to help.

You know the symptoms!

You have a room that you really want to sort out, but you haven’t a clue where to start, what order to do everything in, and on top of all this, you don’t want to waste your time and money in making the wrong choices.

You are actually fearful and nervous about getting it wrong, so you continue making excuses to yourself, and keep putting it off.

And what happens? The room may not even get started, and most definitely never gets finished.

Well today I am going to share with you my personal step by step guide to planning and designing the perfect room, with no mistakes and no overwhelm.

I am going to use a Living Room as an example, because this room is the one that usually requires the largest financial investment.

Step One – Painting

Begin by painting your room in this order:

1. Ceiling, central plaster rose and coving first. I always paint my ceilings and coving in a brilliant, matt finish white paint.

2. Next, paint your walls. I prefer to use a washable matt paint.

3. Then your woodwork, (doors, skirting, architrave and window sills.)

4. Finally, wallpaper if you are using it.

Step Two – Flooring

Now, it’s time to choose and fit your flooring. Do your homework, and pick the perfect floor for you. It can be timber, laminate, carpet, tiles, vinyl, whatever you choose, my only strict requirement is that you must love it!

If you are keeping your existing flooring, now is the time to get carpets deep cleaned and wooden floors sanded and varnished.

Step Three – Sofas & Armchairs

My advice to you is to buy your sofas in plain, neutral colours. When you do this, your investment pieces become like your little black dress, absolutely timeless, and you can accessorise with whatever colour you want, as often as you want.

I prefer to keep my sofas light in colour, so if this worries you, considering choosing an Aquaclean fabric, that you can clean with water. This has been a bit of a game changer for me.

Step Four – Occasional furniture

When you have your sofas and chairs in place, you can now add the “filler” furniture. The lamp tables, console tables, coffee table etc. Always remember that “less is more”, is if you are in any doubt, just pare back.

Step Five – Add your accents & soft furnishings

This is actually the part I love the most!

Now, you can hang your curtains, add your cushions and a rug.
Then your light fitting and lamps.

It’s all getting easier, isn’t it?

Step six – The jewellery

Now if you thought that the soft furnishings were fun, this another step that I absolutely adore!

It is time to hang your art, your mirrors, add flowers and photographs, ( remember the odd number rule here), add plants, books, candles, everything that lights your fire.

Stand back and enjoy the room that design paralysis didn’t stop you from completing! All you have to do is follow this exact step by step process.

However, if you feel that you need just a tiny bit more help, OK, maybe a lot more help. I have that covered too!

My January ” Sharing the Secrets” Masterclass in Sligo, Dublin and Letterkenny this January will be the magic wand you need to finally get your dream home in 2019. Together, we will make this magic happen. All the details are here http://bit.ly/2GKdezq

Did I mention that there is also a seriously special post Christmas offer available just for YOU? All tickets are half price for the month of January, plus you get a complimentary 45 minute Skype consultation with me to get you started in style.

Stay fabulous.
Anne xx