How Developers Dress Show Homes
Show homes are marketing tools, and developers invest significantly in making them look their absolute best. Professional staging companies such as Edward Thomas Interiors, Blocc, and Beau Property Staging are hired to furnish and style every room. Understanding what they do — and how much it costs — reveals just how achievable the same look is for far less money.
One of the most important things to know is that show home furniture is often slightly undersized. A show home sofa might be 10–15% smaller than a standard retail model, which makes the room feel more spacious. Beds are sometimes narrower, dining tables more compact, and side tables lower than you would buy yourself. This is not deception — it is a clever visual technique that maximises the sense of space. In your own home, you do not need undersized furniture; you simply need to avoid oversized pieces and leave breathing room around each item.
| Show Home Trick | What It Costs Developers | Your Budget Alternative | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional staging company | £8,000–£25,000 per plot | DIY styling using this guide | £0 |
| Slightly undersized furniture | Custom-ordered pieces | Choose slim-profile sofas and beds; avoid bulky designs | £0 extra |
| Premium scented diffusers on arrival | £40–£80 per room (Jo Malone, The White Company) | Aldi/Lidl dupe reed diffusers | £4–£8 |
| Bespoke artwork packages | £500–£2,000 per home | Desenio or Poster Store prints in IKEA Ribba frames | £30–£80 |
| Coordinated soft furnishing scheme | £1,500–£4,000 in trade textiles | Dunelm, Primark Home, and H&M Home cushions and throws | £50–£150 |
| Full lighting design with dimmers | £800–£3,000 | Table lamps from IKEA + dimmer switches from Screwfix | £40–£100 |
| Faux plants throughout | £300–£800 (premium brands) | Mix of real plants from Aldi/IKEA + budget faux from Dunelm | £20–£60 |
| Hotel-style bed dressing | £400–£800 per bed (The White Company linens) | Primark Home white bedding + layered cushions | £35–£90 |
As the table makes clear, the visual impact of a show home comes from technique and coordination, not from the price of individual items. A £6 cushion from Primark arranged according to the show home formula looks just as polished as a £45 trade cushion placed in exactly the same way.
The Show Home Formula
Every show home stylist works to a formula, whether they are dressing a two-bedroom apartment in Manchester or a five-bedroom detached in Surrey. Once you understand this formula, you can apply it to any room in your home with whatever budget you have available.
- Neutral base: Walls in white, warm grey, or greige. Large furniture in neutral tones. Flooring kept light and consistent. This creates a calm, spacious backdrop that appeals to everyone.
- Layered textures: Velvet, linen, boucle, chunky knit, marble-effect, ceramic, glass, and woven materials are combined in the same room. Texture stops neutral schemes looking flat.
- Strategic lighting: Warm white bulbs (2,700K) in every fitting. Multiple light sources at different heights — overhead pendants, table lamps, floor lamps, and candles. Dimmers on main lights.
- Coordinated accessories: A tight palette of 3–5 colours repeated throughout each room. Every cushion, throw, vase, and candle connects back to the palette.
- Intentional negative space: Empty wall areas, clear worktops, and breathing room around furniture. Show homes never feel cluttered.
- Odd-number groupings: Accessories are arranged in groups of 3 or 5 for visual balance. This applies to cushions, candles, vases, and shelf displays.
- Oversized mirrors: At least one large mirror per floor to bounce light and create a sense of depth.
- Fresh greenery: Plants (real or high-quality faux) in every room to add life, colour, and organic shape.
That is the complete formula. Every section below shows you how to apply each element room by room, with specific products, retailers, and costs. For guidance on choosing the right base wall colour, see our guide to the best paint colours for new builds.
Living Room Recreation
The living room is where the show home formula has its most dramatic impact. It is the room visitors see first, the room you spend the most time in, and the room where cushions, throws, and coffee table styling deliver the biggest visual return for the smallest investment.
The Sofa Styling Blueprint
Show home sofas look expensive because of what is on them, not because of the sofa itself. A standard grey or neutral sofa from DFS, SCS, or IKEA becomes show home-worthy with the right cushion and throw arrangement.
- Five cushions on a three-seater: Two large (55cm) in your secondary neutral at the back corners, two medium (45cm) in your accent colour in front, and one small (40cm) or a lumbar cushion in the centre.
- Three cushions on a two-seater: Two larger at the back, one accent in the centre.
- Mix textures, not patterns: Combine velvet with linen, boucle with cotton, knit with smooth. Keep patterns to a maximum of one per sofa.
- Throw placement: Fold in thirds lengthways, drape over one arm only. Never bunch. The throw should look relaxed but deliberate.
- Coffee table rule of three: A stack of 2–3 hardback books, a scented candle in an attractive vessel, and a small vase with stems or a succulent. Arrange on a tray to anchor the display.
- Side table lamp on each end: Matching or coordinating table lamps at each end of the sofa create symmetry and warm pooled light.
- One statement mirror or artwork above the sofa: At least 60cm wide, hung so the centre sits 145–150cm from the floor.
- Floor plant in one corner: A fiddle leaf fig, Monstera, or tall dracaena in a woven basket fills empty corners and adds organic shape.
| Product | Brand | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velvet cushion 45cm | Primark Home | £4–£6 | Budget accent cushions |
| Linen-look cushion cover | H&M Home | £8–£13 | Textured neutral base cushions |
| Boucle cushion 50cm | Dunelm | £10–£16 | On-trend texture |
| Chunky knit throw | Dunelm | £14–£25 | Sofa arm draping |
| Faux fur throw | Primark Home | £10–£14 | Winter warmth and texture |
| Linen throw | Zara Home | £30–£50 | Premium summer lightweight |
| Scented candle (3-wick) | Aldi (Hotel Collection) | £4–£6 | Coffee table centrepiece |
| Coffee table books | The Works / charity shops | £3–£10 each | Stacking display |
| Ceramic vase | The Range | £4–£12 | Shelf and table displays |
| Table lamp | IKEA | £7–£25 | Layered living room lighting |
| Round mirror 70cm | Dunelm | £20–£45 | Above-sofa focal point |
| Faux Monstera plant | IKEA (Fejka range) | £10–£20 | Corner greenery |
A complete living room show home transformation using the budget end of this table costs approximately £80–£150. That covers five cushions, one throw, a coffee table display, a table lamp, and a plant. Add a mirror and artwork and you are still under £250.
Bedroom: The Hotel-Style Look
The bedrooms in every show home share one quality: they look like boutique hotels. Crisp white layers, plump cushions stacked against the headboard, a textured throw folded across the foot, and soft ambient lighting on each bedside table. This look is entirely about layering, and it is one of the least expensive rooms to transform. For more bedroom and whole-home furnishing advice, see our guide to furnishing your new build on a budget.
The Five-Layer Bed Formula
- Fitted sheet: Crisp white or soft ivory. The foundation of the hotel look.
- Duvet in an oversized cover: Use a king-size duvet on a double bed (or super-king on a king) for generous drape over the sides. White or neutral cover, smoothed flat, with the top quarter folded back to reveal the sheet.
- Flat sheet turn-down: Fold a white flat sheet over the top of the duvet by 20–30cm for the classic hotel turn-down line.
- Throw or bed runner: A textured throw folded across the bottom third of the bed. Velvet, chunky knit, or waffle textures work best. Choose a colour from your accent palette.
- Layered cushions: Two Euro-square cushions (65cm) in a neutral tone against the headboard. Two standard cushions (50cm) in your accent colour in front. One smaller cushion (40cm) or bolster at the very front.
- Matching bedside lamps: Symmetry is everything in show home bedrooms. Two identical lamps, one on each side, create a sense of calm and order.
- One piece of artwork above the headboard: A single large print or canvas, centred above the bed, at least 60cm wide.
- Bedside styling: Keep it minimal — a lamp, a small plant or candle, and one personal item (a book, a small photo frame). Nothing more.
- Hide the clutter: Charging cables tucked behind the table, no clothes on the chair, no water bottles or mugs visible. The show home bedroom is a sanctuary, not a storage area.
- Rug beside the bed (optional): A soft rug on each side of the bed adds warmth and a sense of luxury, particularly on laminate or engineered wood flooring.
A complete bedroom show home makeover — white bedding set, throw, five cushions, two lamps, one print — costs as little as £70–£90 shopping at Primark Home and IKEA, or £150–£300 with pieces from H&M Home and Dunelm for a more premium feel.
Kitchen Styling on a Budget
New build kitchens are often the most challenging room to style because the worktops and surfaces are functional spaces. Show home kitchens solve this by keeping almost everything hidden and treating the visible items as decorative objects in their own right.
- The three-item worktop rule: No more than three items visible on any stretch of worktop. A kettle, a wooden chopping board leaning against the splashback, and a small potted herb or plant. Everything else — toaster, bread bin, knife block — goes in a cupboard.
- Matching storage jars: If you display tea, coffee, or sugar, use a coordinated set of jars. Glass or ceramic in white, grey, or natural materials. Dunelm from £3 each, TK Maxx from £5.
- Coordinated tea towels: Two matching or coordinating tea towels, folded neatly and hung from the oven handle or a hook. They are decorative, not just functional. H&M Home linen tea towels from £6 for two.
- Open shelving display: If your kitchen has open shelving, style it like a show home bookshelf — stacked crockery, a small plant, a cookbook stood upright, a decorative oil bottle. Leave 30% of the shelf space empty.
- Under-cabinet LED strips: The single most impactful kitchen lighting upgrade. Warm white LED strips under wall cabinets create a soft glow that transforms the kitchen in the evening. Available from £10–£25 at Screwfix or Amazon.
- Fresh herbs in attractive pots: Basil, rosemary, or mint from the supermarket, repotted into a matching set of small ceramic or terracotta pots on the windowsill. Both decorative and practical.
- Dining table centrepiece: In open-plan kitchen-diners, the dining table needs a permanent centrepiece. A low vase with dried or faux stems, a cluster of three candles on a tray, or a small potted plant. Keep it below 25cm tall so it does not obstruct conversation.
Kitchen styling is mostly about editing and restraint. The cost is often negligible — simply putting things away and rearranging what remains can make a dramatic difference for £0.
Bathroom: The Spa-Look
Show home bathrooms channel the calm, pared-back luxury of a high-end hotel spa. White towels, matching accessories, no visible product bottles, and one or two carefully chosen decorative touches. This is one of the easiest and cheapest rooms to get right.
- White towels only: Replace coloured or mismatched towels with a fresh set of thick white towels. The heavier the better — aim for 600gsm or above. Roll hand towels and stack in a basket beside the basin. Fold bath towels in thirds and display on an open shelf or towel ladder.
- Decant everything: Pour shampoo, conditioner, and hand wash into matching pump bottles in amber, white, or frosted glass. This single change eliminates visual clutter instantly. Pump bottles from £3–£8 each at TK Maxx or Amazon.
- Matching accessory set: A coordinated soap dispenser, tumbler, and tray in the same material — ceramic, stone-effect, or brushed metal. Dunelm sets from £8, The Range from £6.
- One plant: A small faux succulent or trailing plant on the windowsill or vanity. Real plants can work in bathrooms with natural light, but faux avoids moisture issues.
- Scented candle or diffuser: A single candle in a glass vessel or a reed diffuser on the vanity adds a spa-like finishing touch. Fresh, clean scents like eucalyptus, white tea, or cotton work best in bathrooms.
- Bath tray (if you have a tub): A wooden or bamboo bath tray across the tub, styled with a candle and a small plant, is a classic show home detail. From £10–£20 at Amazon or Dunelm.
- Minimalist shower shelf: Remove all bottles from the shower except decanted essentials. A simple wall-mounted shower shelf in chrome or black keeps things tidy.
A full bathroom spa transformation costs as little as £25–£50. White towels (£8–£15), pump bottles (£6–£12), an accessory set (£6–£10), and a candle (£4–£8).
Hallway: The First Impression
The hallway is the first space anyone sees when they enter your home, and show home stylists give it as much attention as the living room. In many new builds, hallways are narrow and compact, which makes smart styling choices even more important.
A console table (if space allows) provides a surface for a curated display — a small tray for keys, a vase with stems, and a scented candle. Above it, hang either a statement mirror or a gallery wall of framed prints. If the hallway is too narrow for a console, a floating shelf at waist height serves the same purpose.
- Mirror on the side wall: A large mirror visually doubles the width of a narrow hallway and bounces light from the front door inward. This is one of the most effective tricks for compact new build hallways.
- Gallery wall going upstairs: A curated arrangement of prints ascending the staircase wall is a show home classic. Use matching frames (all black, all white, or all oak) for cohesion. Lay them out on the floor first to plan your arrangement.
- Warm lighting: Replace harsh overhead bulbs with a 2,700K warm white pendant or wall light. If rewiring is not possible, a plug-in wall sconce or a table lamp on a console creates welcoming warmth.
- Storage basket by the door: A woven seagrass basket for shoes keeps the entrance tidy. From £5 at Primark Home or £8–£12 at Dunelm.
Hallway styling for a new build typically costs £30–£100, yet it sets the tone for your entire home.
The Role of Mirrors
Mirrors are among the most powerful tools in a show home stylist's arsenal. They serve four critical functions: bouncing light, creating depth, adding architectural interest, and acting as focal points. In new build homes, where rooms can feel compact and walls are often plain, mirrors are indispensable.
- Opposite or adjacent to a window: The most effective position, reflecting natural daylight back into the room. The brightness increase is immediately noticeable.
- Above the fireplace or console table: Creates a strong focal point and gives the eye a sense of depth beyond the wall.
- Full-length leaner in the bedroom: A large mirror leaning against the wall (secured for safety) adds a sense of grandeur and is practically useful.
- Round mirror above the bathroom vanity: The round shape softens the angular lines typical of new build bathrooms. 60–80cm diameter in brass, gold, or black frame.
- Narrow hallway side wall: Visually doubles the width of the space. Choose the largest mirror the wall can accommodate.
- Arched mirrors: A current show home favourite, adding a soft architectural shape to bedrooms, hallways, and living rooms.
Budget mirror sources include Dunelm (from £15), IKEA (from £10), The Range (from £20), and TK Maxx/Homesense where you can find mirrors worth £100+ for £30–£60.
Coordinated Colour Palettes
Colour coordination is the invisible thread that ties a show home together. Without it, even expensive accessories look disjointed. With it, even budget pieces look intentional and considered. The discipline of sticking to a defined palette is what separates a show home look from a room that simply has nice things in it.
- Start with your fixed elements: Wall colour, flooring, and any large furniture you are keeping. These are your givens. Build your palette around them, not against them.
- Choose 3–5 colours maximum: One dominant neutral (60% of the room), one secondary neutral (30%), and one or two accent colours (10%). Write them down and photograph them on your phone.
- The 60-30-10 rule: Walls, large furniture, and flooring provide 60%. Curtains, rugs, and larger cushions provide 30%. Smaller cushions, artwork, vases, and decorative objects provide 10%.
- Repeat the accent colour at least three times: If your accent is sage green, it should appear in a cushion, a piece of artwork, and a vase (for example). This repetition signals intention, not accident.
- Current show home palettes (2025–2026): Warm greige + sage green + brass. Ivory + terracotta + charcoal. Soft grey + dusty pink + gold. Cream + navy + walnut. Oatmeal + rust + black.
- Test before committing: Buy one cushion in your chosen accent colour and live with it for a week before purchasing the rest of the scheme. Colours can look very different in your specific light conditions.
- Seasonal swapping: Keep your 60% and 30% fixed year-round. Swap only the 10% accent colour and textiles seasonally — lighter, softer tones for spring/summer, richer, deeper tones for autumn/winter.
This disciplined approach to colour is the single biggest reason show homes look more polished than most real homes. It costs nothing to implement — it simply requires planning before shopping.
Where to Buy: UK Retailer Guide
Knowing which retailer to visit for which product saves both time and money. Each UK homeware retailer has distinct strengths, and the smartest approach is to shop across several rather than buying everything from one place.
| Retailer | Type | Best For | Price Level | Online Shopping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunelm | High Street | All-round show home styling: cushions, throws, bedding, lighting, mirrors, storage | Budget–Mid | Yes (click & collect + delivery) |
| IKEA | High Street | Frames, storage, candles, faux plants, basic textiles, cushion inserts | Budget | Yes (delivery + click & collect) |
| Primark Home | High Street | Trend-led cushions, throws, candles, frames at rock-bottom prices | Ultra-Budget | No (in-store only) |
| H&M Home | Online + High Street | Linen textiles, cushion covers, bedding, Scandi-style decorative objects | Mid | Yes |
| Zara Home | Online + High Street | Premium-look linen bedding, tableware, glassware, sophisticated accessories | Mid–Premium | Yes |
| TK Maxx / Homesense | High Street | Discounted designer cushions, candles, mirrors, vases, statement pieces | Varies (30–60% off RRP) | Limited |
| The Range | High Street | Budget faux plants, candles, decorative objects, storage baskets | Budget | Yes |
| Next Home | Online + High Street | Mid-range cushions, bedding, lighting, mirrors with next-day delivery | Mid | Yes (next-day available) |
| Desenio / Poster Store | Online Only | Affordable art prints in all sizes. Frequent 30–50% off sales | Budget–Mid | Yes |
| Aldi / Lidl (Specialbuys) | High Street | Candle dupes, houseplants, bedding, bathroom accessories (when in stock) | Ultra-Budget | Limited |
- Start at Dunelm: Build your base scheme here. Cushions, throws, bedding, lamps, and mirrors — they cover everything at fair prices.
- Add texture from H&M Home: Their linen cushion covers and bedding elevate a scheme from budget to mid-range instantly.
- Fill basics at IKEA: Frames, cushion inserts, storage boxes, candles, and faux plants. Nobody does these cheaper.
- Hunt at TK Maxx/Homesense: Visit regularly for one-off designer finds that become your scheme's statement pieces.
- Grab trends at Primark Home: Perfect for seasonal cushions, throws, and candles that you will update in six months. No guilt at these prices.
- Invest selectively at Zara Home: One or two key pieces — a linen throw, a set of glassware, a ceramic vase — that anchor your scheme with a premium touch.
- Order prints from Desenio/Poster Store: Wait for their sales (which are frequent) and buy multiple prints at once for gallery walls and statement artwork.
Room-by-Room Makeover Costs
Here is a direct comparison of what a professional show home staging company spends per room versus what you can achieve shopping on the high street. These figures are based on real UK staging company rates and real UK retailer prices in 2026.
| Room | Show Home Staging Cost | Your Budget Version | Your Mid-Range Version | You Save (Budget) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Room | £3,000–£6,000 | £80–£150 | £200–£400 | 95–97% |
| Main Bedroom | £2,000–£4,000 | £70–£120 | £150–£300 | 94–97% |
| Second Bedroom | £1,200–£2,500 | £50–£90 | £100–£200 | 93–96% |
| Kitchen-Diner | £1,500–£3,000 | £30–£80 | £80–£200 | 95–98% |
| Bathroom | £600–£1,500 | £25–£50 | £50–£120 | 93–96% |
| Hallway | £500–£1,200 | £30–£70 | £70–£150 | 92–94% |
| TOTAL (3-bed home) | £8,800–£18,200 | £285–£560 | £650–£1,370 | 93–97% |
The numbers speak for themselves. A full three-bedroom new build show home makeover is achievable for under £300 at the budget end, or under £700 for a mid-range scheme that incorporates some H&M Home and Zara Home pieces. Either way, you are spending less than 5% of what a professional staging company charges — and the visual result is remarkably similar.
Detailed Budget Breakdown: Living Room Example
| Item | Quantity | Budget Source | Unit Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velvet cushions (accent) | 2 | Primark Home | £5 | £10 |
| Linen-look cushions (neutral) | 2 | H&M Home (covers) + IKEA (inserts) | £12 | £24 |
| Feature cushion (pattern) | 1 | Dunelm | £10 | £10 |
| Chunky knit throw | 1 | Dunelm | £16 | £16 |
| Coffee table books | 3 | The Works / charity shops | £4 | £12 |
| Scented candle | 1 | Aldi Hotel Collection | £5 | £5 |
| Small vase with faux stems | 1 | The Range | £7 | £7 |
| Table lamp | 1 | IKEA | £12 | £12 |
| Warm white LED bulbs | 3 | Screwfix | £3 | £9 |
| Woven storage basket | 1 | Primark Home | £6 | £6 |
| Living Room Total | £111 | |||
Seasonal Refreshes
One of the great advantages of show home styling with affordable accessories is that you can refresh your scheme every season without significant expense. Professional show home companies update their schemes regularly, and you can do the same at home by rotating a few key items.
Spring/Summer: Swap heavier throws for lighter linens. Replace dark-toned cushions with softer pastels or brighter accents. Introduce fresh flowers or new faux stems. Switch candle scents from warm (cinnamon, amber) to fresh (citrus, white tea, sea salt). Budget: £25–£60.
Autumn/Winter: Layer in chunky knits and faux furs. Deepen your accent colours to burgundy, forest green, rust, or deep navy. Add more candles for warm flickering light. Replace lightweight faux stems with dried flowers or pampas grass. Budget: £25–£60.
Store off-season accessories in labelled boxes in the loft or a spare cupboard. Over time, you build a rotation that keeps your home feeling fresh and current year after year for under £120 annually.
Photography-Ready Styling
Whether you want to share your home on social media, photograph it for insurance records, or simply see it at its best, show home styling translates brilliantly to photography. A few additional touches take your rooms from “nicely styled” to genuinely photogenic.
- Open all curtains and blinds fully: Natural light is the single most important factor in interior photography. Shoot during the day with maximum daylight entering the room.
- Switch on every lamp and candle: Even in daylight, lamps add warm pools of light that create atmosphere and depth in photographs.
- Plump and straighten everything: Cushions should be freshly plumped and karate-chopped for that show home crease. Throws should be neatly draped. Bed covers smoothed flat.
- Remove all personal clutter: Phone chargers, remote controls, water glasses, post, and everyday items should be temporarily hidden. Show homes have zero visible daily life.
- Add one fresh element: A vase of fresh flowers, a bowl of fruit, or a freshly brewed cup of coffee in a beautiful mug. This adds life and prevents the space looking sterile.
- Shoot from the doorway: The most flattering angle for room photography is from the doorway, shooting inward at roughly chest height. This gives the widest view and the most natural perspective.
These simple steps are exactly what professional photographers use when shooting new build show homes for developer brochures and websites.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, there are common pitfalls that can undermine your show home styling efforts. Here are the mistakes that most frequently trip people up, and how to avoid them.
| Mistake | Why It Happens | The Show Home Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Too many colours | Buying accessories you love individually without checking the palette | Stick to 3–5 colours. Photograph your palette and check it before every purchase |
| Art hung too high | Hanging at standing eye level rather than seated or relative to furniture | Centre of the artwork at 145–150cm from the floor. 15–25cm above the sofa |
| Matching cushions in pairs | Buying a set of identical cushions | Coordinate, do not match. Mix textures and sizes within the same palette |
| Cluttered surfaces | Daily life accumulates items on every flat surface | Limit each surface to 3–5 intentional items. Store everything else |
| Cool white lighting | Using default builder-installed bulbs without checking colour temperature | Replace every bulb with 2,700K warm white. Budget: £2–£5 per bulb |
| Single overhead light only | Relying on the main ceiling light without adding layers | Add at least two table lamps and use the ceiling light on a dimmer |
| Oversized furniture | Choosing the largest sofa that fits without considering visual weight | Leave at least 60cm clear around each furniture piece. Choose slim profiles |
| Ignoring the hallway | Focusing all styling effort on the living room and bedroom | The hallway sets the tone. Add a mirror, a print, and warm lighting as a minimum |
| Visible product bottles in the bathroom | Convenience of keeping bottles where you use them | Decant into matching pump bottles. Takes 10 minutes, transforms the room |
| No greenery | Worry about keeping plants alive | Use high-quality faux plants from IKEA or Dunelm. No maintenance required |
Bringing It All Together
Show home style is not about perfection or spending a fortune. It is about understanding a small number of principles — colour coordination, textured layering, strategic lighting, curated displays, and disciplined editing — and applying them consistently. Developer show homes are wonderful sources of inspiration precisely because they demonstrate these principles in the exact rooms and floor plans that you live in. The layouts, proportions, and window positions are identical to your own home, which makes every show home idea directly translatable.
The UK high street has never been better for affordable homeware. Retailers like Dunelm, IKEA, Primark Home, H&M Home, and TK Maxx make it genuinely possible to achieve a polished, show home-worthy result for a few hundred pounds. Start with one room — your living room or main bedroom is usually the most rewarding place to begin. Define your colour palette, layer your cushions and throws, style your surfaces with curated groups of three, hang your art at the right height, add a mirror to bounce light, bring in a plant for life, and layer your lighting for warmth.
For more ideas on styling and furnishing your new build, explore our guides to kitchen design, garden ideas, choosing the right flooring, and lighting design.