Be a brave decorator

Stuck on neutrals because you've lost confidence with colour? Here's how to break the rules and get away with it.

Decorating Dilemma: Dark walls make your room feel gloomy.
Rule Breaking Solution: Dark walls with pale furniture is welcoming - rich colours create an intimate feel that's perfect for a bedroom. You'll need to contrast the deep tones with light colours – here, a white window frame, a pale wood bed and bedside cabinet, an ivory chair, bed linen, lampshade and artwork mean the room feels welcoming rather than gloomy.

Damasque carpet, £57 per sq m, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen collection,
Brintons



Decorating Dilemma: Blue is cold
Rule Breaking Solution: The right blue is soothing- but you need to follow a few rules. Blues with a hint of violet or a pinky tint have a warmer effect and can even be used in rooms that don't get much natural light. Blues with a cool green tinge are fine for a room that gets a lot of sun, where they'll create a relaxing atmosphere. If in doubt, go for pinky blues on walls and use more intense shades for accents, such as cushions, so you don't overpower the space.

Curtains and furnishings made in Alaska, £19.99 per m, Crowson Fabrics



Decorating Dilemma: Black looks scary
Rule Breaking Solution: A little black goes a long way - in a scheme for a sophisticated look, but for a large piece such as a sofa, charcoal is a softer, easier-to-live with shade. Position the sofa under a window and pile on a few contrasting cushions, especially those with a touch of shimmer. Team charcoal with dark mulberry shades and glossy surfaces to keep your room light, too.

Burgess two-seater sofa in Hopsack Charcoal, £1,200; blinds; floral cushion; both in Erin in Cherry/Charcoal, £20 per m; all Laura Ashley


Decorating Dilemma: Fashionable buys date too quickly
Rule Breaking Solution: Buy what you love - for a fashionable look that keeps on going, invest in a key piece such as an occasional chair that can be re-covered every so often with an up-to-date fabric, and moved from room to room as you want to plan schemes around it. The key is to pick a shapely design with distinctive lines.

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