The major misconception around using a design service at home is that it’s just for big houses and big budgets, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. ‘I had a client who was buying her first home and all her friends said there was no way she could afford John Lewis throughout, but we were able to design the whole house on a really tight budget,’ says Partner & Home Design Stylist, Sally Downey.

Another of Sally’s clients was down-sizing to a retirement apartment. ‘We edited her existing furniture, keeping the important things, and we were then able to fill in the gaps with smaller scale pieces,’ she adds. ‘The small scale projects are great fun and a real challenge. I loved designing a teenager's bedroom with a room divider, sleeping area and desk to make it like a little apartment.’

Having spent so much time at home over the last year, it’s not surprising that many of us are feeling jaded by our interiors – and not just by the way they look.

We’re wanting different things from our space than we did just a year ago. Dreams of open-plan living may have given way to a very real need for a quiet home office, a comfortable place for school work and even a home gym. And you might have found that key pieces such as a sofa, bed or office chair are not as comfortable as you’d like them to be.

Any sizeable home project is an investment with big decisions to make on new furniture, curtains and flooring, not to mention choosing a colour scheme that works with your light. It’s not unusual to be overwhelmed by the amount of choice available or to struggle to find what you want. A stylist can also help if you have absolutely no idea where to start. 

All branches of John Lewis with furniture and furnishings departments have Home Design Stylists. During lockdown, they offered a virtual service, helping clients via video link while normal service involves consultations in store surrounded by great products and inspiration.

‘When we see customers in store, we focus on bringing things together by looking at fabrics, paint, papers and furniture,’ says Partner & Home Design Stylist, Emma Valerio. ‘Everyone gravitates towards cushions,’ she laughs, ‘but that’s no bad thing – we can use the pattern, colour or fabric as a starting point.

‘The most common scenario is that people want to update their home and are not sure how to go about it. We’re often helping with a job they’ve been putting off for ages, whether that’s by choosing some simple accessories or by redesigning the entire space – no two jobs are the same,’ she adds.

Partner & Home Design Stylist, Bethan Harwood agrees. ‘It can be as simple as helping someone decide what to put on their bedside table or a complete blank canvas. One of my projects was a townhouse for a family moving from overseas. It needed everything, from the interior design and ordering all the furniture, to creating the children’s rooms and choosing details like the cutlery. It’s such a creative process.’

So what’s the best way to assess the space you have now and to see what it could be? We asked Bethan for her top tips for preparing for a redesign:

1. ‘Always start with the practicals and how you plan to use the space. How many people will use it? What activities will take place here? If the function of the room is staying the same, what are its patterns? We often say to parents, “If the toys stack up in one corner, that's where the toy storage needs to be."'

2. ‘Look at the light. Is the room north or south facing? This will affect colour choices but also the best type of window treatments for the room.’

3. ‘If you’re struggling for inspiration, do some research, see what’s out there, but also look to the things you love. Whether it's an art print or a favourite jumper, it can provide a useful starting point.’

4. ‘Couples may have opposing styles but there’s always a way forward. Again start with the practicalities as they’re neutral ground. Problem-solving here often reveals where compromises can be made.’

5. ‘Keep an open mind. Whether you’re doing your own research or working with a stylist, don’t be too fixed. The surprise choices are often where the magic happens.’