How to Plan & Execute an Interior Decoration Project

The beginning of a new decoration project can be an equally exciting and daunting task. Whether it’s your guest bedroom, downstairs lavatory or your garden room, the key to a successful transformation is effective planning. It can be tempting to order your paint and wallpaper supplies straight away. However, it will pay off to play your project in stages and to test colours in situ before committing.

We’ve put together a couple of tips to help you plan your interior design projects. Follow these key steps and we’re certain you won’t make any costly decorating mistakes down the line. The project will be carefully curated, and you’ll be delighted with the finished result. Besides, we’re certain that you’ll enjoy the creative process too.

How to plan decorating a house - A step-by-step guide

Step 1 – Gather Inspiration

Gathering inspiration is a great starting point. Now is the time to really focus your mind on the colours you want to use. Searching for inspiration can also help you to determine the look and feel of the space you want to decorate.

Pinterest, Instagram and Houzz are brilliant tools for online inspiration. But, don’t forget interior design magazines such as Living ETC, House and Garden, as well as Ideal Homes. Start ‘pinning’, ‘saving’ and ‘mood-boarding’ away, get creative!

For further professional tips on decorating your own home, read an Interview With Our Colour Specialist.

Additionally, our image gallery, split by rooms and colour, is an excellent source of inspiration.

By the end of the planning process, you should have an idea of your desired colour palette.

Step 2 – Request a Colour Card

Before you order any sample pots or paint, make sure you order our complimentary colour cards online. The colour cards will give you a full overview of the available colour range. The hand painted chips within the colour cards demonstrate how our colours look in real life, with a real paint finish.

Remember, colours that appear on your screen will always look different in person. Different devices and screen resolutions can alter the way colours appear. Ordering a colour card will eliminate any concerns and help you to order the correct sample pots.

Spend time testing how the different colours look together to develop your own colour scheme. By bending the card you can use our handy ‘flying chips’ to compare the colours next to fabrics and existing furniture.

You will receive our colour cards in the post after around five working days from placing your order. Use this time wisely to refine your ideas.

Learn more about how to use our Colour Card.

Step 3 – Test paint colours in situ

Now you are ready to order your 60ml Sample Pots. This is a really important step because:

You need to see the colour on a bigger expanse and in situ. Although the colour chips are the exact colour, they are very small in comparison to your wall.
Colour changes throughout the day. So, we recommend painting out a piece of card in your chosen colour sample. Place your painted card around the room and view it at varying times throughout the day. You’ll be surprised how this can alter how the colour reads.
Colour can appear warmer, cooler, darker or lighter depending on the artificial and natural light in your space. For example, what looks like a warm grey in a south facing room, may appear cool in a north facing room. For more information on lighting, read our guide to considering the orientation of a space.

When your sample pots arrive, we would always recommend painting them out on a large expanse (ideally an A3 sized card). Paint at least two coats to achieve full depth of colour. The finish is our Absolute Matt Emulsion which is perfect for testing colour on your own walls. This finish dries quickly and you can easily wash your brush in water.

Order Sample Pots

All of our current colours are available in 60ml Sample Pots. Each order comes with a handy sample brush, so you can put them to the test straight away. You’ll also receive a teabag, so you can unwind and mull over your beautiful colour choices over a cup of tea.

Order Sample Pots now

Step 4 - Choose your paint finish

After choosing your colours, it’s time to consider the finish. Our wide range of interior paint finishes are suited to a variety of surfaces. Consider the sheen level you want to achieve, then choose between matt, eggshell and gloss finishes to match your preferences.

If you have children or pets, opt for our child-safe Intelligent paint finishes.

If you need a hand finding the perfect finish for your needs, explore our guide to choosing a paint finish.

Step 5 – Order your bespoke paint colours

When you have chosen your ideal colour and finish, you’re ready to order!

Our order process is personal. We pick and tint your order by hand. A member of our warehouse team will colour check your paints before they leave our distribution centre - ensuring total colour accuracy.

Little Greene colours are tinted to order, which means we cannot accept returns.

Discover our delivery information to find out when you can expect your order to arrive.

Step 6 – Begin decorating

Now that you know how to plan your home decor project, it’s time to begin decorating. By following this six-step process, your project will be planned to perfection.

If you need practical advice on how to execute your design plans, discover our guide to painting a wall and painting tips.

Browse our paints by colour or finish.

If you have any questions, get in touch with our friendly team.