Babitha Jaheez: 10 rules of an arresting home décor

Create an arresting décor scheme by breaking away from some of the cardinal rules, says the architect of Eskay Design

1. Before you start, plan your space to maximise efficient use of it.

2. Instead of blindly following the latest design trends, let the interiors reflect your tastes and personality.

3. Each room should have a focal point — a bright wall, artwork, curios or a piece of furniture — to which the eye is drawn. The remaining elements in the room should be in harmony with it.

4. Choose furniture that suits the shape and size of the room to avoid clutter.

5. See the room in natural light, before choosing a colour for it.

6. Conceal wiring and switch points wherever possible. Do plan the locations of appliances and furniture beforehand to do this with ease.

7. The most utilised space of the house —the kitchen — should be ventilated, well-planned and clutter-free as well as being safe and functional. Use materials that are easy to maintain.

8. If you find more than one decorating style that you like, simply combine them into a look that’s all your own.

9. You can never go wrong with plants in the living space or in the balcony. They always add a personal touch and add to the aesthetics. Most interior plants, particularly palms, look good in almost any setting.

10. Lastly, there are really no hard and fast rules for interior decoration. In fact, it’s by breaking the rules that some of the most memorable interior decorating schemes evolve.