Want to use your Space Better but Dont’ Know Where to Start?
If you’ve ever stood in a blank room and thought “Where do I even start?”, this blog is for you.
Discover a step-by-step approach to planning your dream home, without getting overwhelmed or wasting time or money. This guide blends real life practicality with design confidence, all rooted in Dreamcatcher Interiors’ flexible and honest approach.
Want more layout tricks that actually work? grab our FREE ‘Design your Home’ Guide HERE
1. Start With Function, Not Furniture
This is the step most people skip and then regret later – Before you think about paint colours or cushions, ask yourself:
What is this room actually for?
Who uses it (and when)?
What daily habits happen here?
We call this designing from the inside out. Because it doesn’t matter how pretty your armchair is if no one ever sits in it.
- Start with flow and layout.
- Think about how you want to feel in this space — safe, relaxed, productive?
- Imagine the vibe when you walk in to the room.
2. Define the Bones of the Room
Grab your phone, notebook, or that napkin sketch, it’s time to get the basics down.
Here’s what to note:
- Room size: Length x width x height
- Window/door positions: Natural light is your best friend
- Radiators, sockets, odd nooks: These are the things your Pinterest Board doesn’t warn you about
Once you’ve mapped it, stand in the room and walk through it like you’re living in it. Does it flow? Do you bump into things? Does it feel inviting or awkward?
Want a ready made room planner?
Download our FREE GUIDE: ‘Design Your Dream Home Made Simple’ complete with layout templates and planning prompts.
Styling Small Doesn’t Mean Playing it Safe
Small spaces often get treated like design afterthoughts. We say, go bold! A statement wallpaper in a tiny WC? Fabulous. A vibrant rug in your snug? Yes, please!
3. Choose Your Anchor Pieces First
Your anchor pieces are the big ticket or emotionally significant items in a room, like your sofa, bed, dining table, or that vintage sideboard you rescued from your mum’s loft.
They should:
- Reflect how you use the space
- Be comfortable and scaled appropriately
- Set the tone for your colour, texture, and styling decisions
Once you’ve nailed your anchor, the rest becomes so much easier.
4. Build a Visual Identity That Actually Serves You
Moodboards are cute. But what you really need is a vision that supports your lifestyle.
Start with:
- A 3 word room manifesto: e.g. Calm, Textured, Grounded
- A primary colour base and 1 or 2 accents
- A shortlist of must-have functions (e.g. Needs to seat 4 people, Space to work, Kid-friendly but not plastic chaos)
Dreamcatcher Top Tip: If your Pinterest board is all over the place, scroll back and ask: “Which image actually looks livable to me?” Start there, stick to your manifesto and refer back to it regularly, it will keep your design and budget on track.
5. Plan Before You Spend
Impulse buys are the silent killer of cohesive design, not to mention your budget. That adorable side table from Instagram? Great. Until it doesn’t fit your layout or throws off your palette.
Here’s how to avoid expensive mistakes:
- Use painter’s tape to map furniture on the floor before buying
- Measure everything twice (then once more)
- List items by priority: must-have, want-to-have, nice-to-have
- Make a costed out shopping list before you buy anything and stick to it. If there is money left over at the end, you can splurge to your heart’s content.
From Overwhelmed to Organised
When we met Zoe, she just could not decide what to do. She had paint swatches taped to the walls for months, a camera roll full of ‘inspiration’and no clue where to put the sofa (or if she should just start again).
We mapped out her living room together in one session:
- Defined her non-negotiables (space for kids, books, and her cosy armchair)
- Anchored the layout around natural light
- Built a flow that felt effortless and elegant and save her from bruised shins.
Today, Zoe’s loves this room and she uses it more than ever – Sometimes all you need is a map, someone who knows how to read it. and Design Planning That Actually Works.
There’s no shame in not knowing where to start. Planning your dream home isn’t about making expensive decisions, it’s about making intentional ones. Let’s cut the guesswork and start designing with clarity, confidence, and a lot’s of personal charm.
Do you need a design bestie to walk you through it? Would you like a free virtual consultation? We’ll map your space together over a cuppa!
We are offering 10 free 30 minute consultations, so you have to be quick to bag this amazing offer. (See Below for Terms)
Offer Terms: To apply for you free room planning consultation simply email hello@dreamcatcherinteriors.co.uk and one of the team will get back to you, if you are one of the first 10 lucky applicants we will send you a link to book in your consultation with our Interior Designer. Offer ends 4th August 2025, applications after this date will not be accepeted. The consultation cannot be exchanged for other services or a cash equivelant. You will need to have a mobile device capeable of video calls for your consultation.
If you have missed our Blogs so far why not Read More for amazing Affordable Interior Design Top Tips OR
Download your free ‘Design Your Home’ Guide now and start making your home work harder and look better.
Or better yet, book a free consultation and let’s chat over a brew. Email us at hello@dreamcatcherinteriors.co.uk
