Hack Your Space: Interior Design Hacks with Rachel Forster at The Ned

This month, I had the pleasure of hosting an event at The Ned, where I shared my passion for interior design and sustainable living with an audience eager to revamp their spaces. The event, titled Interior Design Hacks, offered practical tips and inspiration for transforming both homes and offices. Whether you’re working with a dated bathroom or a lacklustre office, my goal was to provide a creative toolkit to help you take the plunge into design with confidence.

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In just 45 minutes, we fast-tracked through six key stages of an interior design project: Taking Clues, Curate, Plan Your Space, Colour, Texture, and Fixtures, Fittings & Furniture. These principles form the backbone of any project, whether you’re looking to refresh a single room or overhaul an entire home. Let's recap some highlights from the session.

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Step 1: Taking Inspiration
One of the first steps in any project is drawing inspiration. Whether it’s a magazine, a piece of art, or even a vintage 90’s tracksuit, inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. I encouraged attendees to limit their inspiration sources to avoid getting overwhelmed—two magazines or a quick Pinterest session should do the trick. Once you have a vision, focus on three words to guide your project. For our session, we chose bold, luxurious, and vibrant. These guiding principles help keep you on track creatively and ensure consistency throughout the process.

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Step 2: Curate
We all know that feeling when clutter takes over and a room loses its appeal. One of the main hurdles in creating an inspiring space is getting rid of the "stuff" that no longer serves you. During the talk, we explored the concept of curating your belongings. Rather than focusing on what you're discarding, consider what you're keeping and how those items contribute to your overall design goals. This process is not just about aesthetics—it’s about well-being. A decluttered space leads to a decluttered mind.

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Step 3: Plan Your Space
Planning your space is crucial, especially when you have specific functional needs or limited square footage. I demonstrated how to create a scaled floor plan and use cutouts to visualize furniture placement. This step ensures that everything fits perfectly and allows you to experiment with different layouts before making any permanent changes. By planning carefully, you can create zones that maximise the utility of the space without compromising on aesthetics.

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Step 4: Colour
One of my favorite aspects of interior design is working with colour. I encouraged everyone to embrace bold colours that evoke the emotions they want to feel in their space. For example, blue is known for its calming properties, while shades of green can inspire creativity and reduce stress. Whether you prefer a monochromatic palette or bold colour blocking, understanding the colour wheel and how different hues interact can elevate your design.

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Step 5: Texture
Texture adds depth and interest to any room, especially when working with sustainable materials. From natural fibres like wool and hemp to reclaimed wood and eco-friendly paints, we explored how layering textures can create a luxurious and inviting space without compromising sustainability. Small changes like swapping out window treatments or adding tactile fabrics can make a big difference.

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Step 6: Fixtures, Fittings & Furniture
Finally, I shared my thoughts on the impact that thoughtful fixtures and furniture can have on a space. From upcycled furniture to eco-friendly terrazzo tiles, sustainability is always a key consideration. I’m a big fan of mixing traditional elements with modern touches, and I love incorporating second-hand finds to create unique, characterful spaces.

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To wrap up the event, I introduced my Little Black Book of suppliers, offering attendees exclusive access to my favourite sustainable brands. For those who missed it, you can book an online consultation where I share design advice, suppliers and resources to help in your interior projects.

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If you’re looking for a starting point to refresh your space, these six simple steps will help you get inspired and take action. Remember, design is not just about what looks good—it’s about creating environments that make you feel good, too.

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Thank you to everyone who attended.

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If you have a project in mind and would like to discuss it with me, please get in touch.

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