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1. Work magic with rugs

"There's nothing worse than a rug that's too small under a dining table, so the chairs sit half on and half off the rug," says interior designer Brigitte Hills.

"It looks silly and can be frustrating when moving the chairs in and out."

However, the rules are slightly different when it comes to a lounge or stoep with occasional chairs. In essence, while rugs are great for demarcating spaces in open-plan rooms as well as adding texture, pattern and colour, there are a few basic principles one should keep in mind...

On trend

Brigitte says the following are hot news:

• The shaggy carpet has made a comeback! It's not exactly pet-friendly, but if you're a bachelor, it could look fabulous in front of a fireplace.

• Whether wool, mohair, sisal, hemp or jute, natural rugs with neutral earthy tones and textures remain on trend. We're also seeing more rugs that boast natural fibres as well as polyester, so you still get a natural look, but the product is more hard-wearing.

• Durable polypropylene carpets are here to stay. I often use them as interior rugs if a client has kids and pets. There are a lot of polypropylene rugs that are sisal lookalikes!

A Moroccan rug on top of a natural sisal carpet adds colour to this space; look at Moroccan Warehouse for something similar.

The right size. In a living room, there are various options when it comes to the size of a rug. It can be oversized and fill the entire seating area with all the furniture sitting on top of it. Another option is to place furniture half on, half off the rug; however, avoid this if you have a very thick pile rug, as the furniture won't sit ‘straight'.

If you have a small rug, you can always layer it with a plainer, natural carpet made from sisal, hemp or jute underneath. This way, you create a cosy textured effect. I often select a rug first and then design the room around it.

Keep it cohesive. Consider the furniture, curtains and accessories in the room; if your window dressing and sofas are quite busy, try a wool cut-pile carpet in a simple style for a cosy and plush feel. If you have an open-plan living area, consider using a gorgeous old Persian carpet under the dining table.

Colour and pattern. Use your existing furniture and d cor as a reference when looking for a rug. You don't want it to clash. So, if your room is already busy with colour and pattern, you might want to tone it down. If the room is neutral and a bit dull, now could be your opportunity to bring some va-va-voom!

Layering Rugs in different shapes, such as a round one or an oddly shaped hide, look better on their own. Less is more in this instance.

When combining prints and naturals, mix it up for visual interest; for example, lay a plainer, natural looking rug next to an old Persian carpet or kilim, or layer them.

2. Curtain lengths

Although the latest trend sees drapes extending all the way to the floor, a recent poll on Home's Facebook page revealed that an overwhelming 61% of readers believe that curtains shouldn't touch the ground. Fabric and d cor specialist Heather Lund-Truter of Exquisite Cuts in Kramerville, Johannesburg says a curtain that sits just above the floor is ideal, especially since she doesn't like her curtains to get dirty.

"However, the gap between the bottom of the curtain and the floor should be as little as 1cm," advises Heather.

"Besides keeping your curtains clean, it also looks neat and tidy!"

A room setting makes a big difference when it comes to curtains pooling on the floor - this look works much better in imposing spaces with high ceilings.

"It's important to remember that not all fabrics will pool effectively; 100% natural fabrics such as cotton, hemp and linen work well. The biggest drawback is cleaning. Expensive curtains that are in contact with the floor and are being opened and closed repeatedly will get very dirty over time and will need to be professionally cleaned."

Should curtains touch the floor? We asked on Home's Facebook page, and you voted: 61% Curtains should hover 1-3cm above the floor. 28% Curtains must hit the floor exactly. 11% Curtains can pool on the floor.

What about the height of a curtain rail?

Nowadays, the ideal position for curtain rods is just under the cornice, instead of about 20cm above the window, as used to be recommended.

"It looks professional and makes a room appear bigger and grander," says Heather.

"This height also allows the curtain to hang better. A curtain rail situated just above the window makes a room look small and ‘squashed'."

There are exceptions, of course.

"If your ceilings are exceptionally high (more than 3m), place the rail at a height halfway between the top of the window and the cornice," recommends Heather.

"This way you still create an elegant look, without having to spend a fortune on curtain fabric.

"Another way to limit cost when it comes to fabric is to line up the rail height with another aspect in the room such as the height of a cupboard, shelf or picture."

The big no-nos

• Make sure your curtains aren't too short (more than 3cm from the floor).

• Curtains that sit in front of the window when opened instead of on the wall prevent you from making the most of natural light, so make sure your rails are long enough.

• Ensure that you use enough fabric - there's nothing worse than curtains that are ‘flat' when drawn. Full curtains have body.

• D cor trends evolve; tiebacks, for example, are no longer a popular look.

Which colour is best for curtains?

"If you want your curtains to serve a purely functional purpose and prefer the other soft furnishings to be more prominent, go for a colour similar to that on the walls - a little lighter or a little darker," advises Heather. "But if the curtains are a feature, I love to go big and bold with colour and pattern!"

We're finally adding beautiful colours, patterns and designs to our curtains and becoming more adventurous with top, bottom and side borders and trims. - Heather

3. Vary your light sources

Does your living room rely on just a few downlighters? Why not amp up your space with table lamps, floor lamps, wall lamps, chandeliers and even candles.

According to interior designer Cailin Wandrag, lighting a home is about creating a mood through layered fixtures that offer ambiance and function.

Layer your lighting. When it comes to choosing light fixtures for your home, it's all about finding a cohesive element that ties each space together. Use overhead lights to draw the eye up to the ceiling and brighten a room. Use sconces, table lamps and floor lamps to add personality and ambiance. LED strip lights will brighten up dark shelves and corners.

Functionality. Lighting is about merging form and function. For example, pendants above a kitchen island create an eye-catching focal feature and additional lighting for prep work. Maximising light in your home goes a long way in creating the illusion of greater space. Consider the function you need your lighting to fulfil. For example, position is key when installing bathroom or dressing table lighting as you don't want shadows on your face when brushing your teeth or applying make-up.

Scale of fittings. Size is important when selecting light fittings, especially when it comes to pendants and chandeliers. Make sure you get the proportions right in relation to the size of the room and the furniture within the space.

Oversized shades are often a beautiful feature, but they can easily overwhelm the eye. DIMMERS allow you to adjust the lighting levels throughout the day and night; this way you can create a more ambient mood for relaxing evenings.

Lighting should be one of your first considerations when designing a home; it's as important as any of the other finishes, such as d cor or flooring. - Cailin

The ceiling light by French furniture designer Constance Guisset looks like a giant hat. The finishes in the rest of the room create an afrocentric look: the emerald tiles around the fireplace are by Popham Design in Marrakesh; the leather-and-grass woven carpet is from Mauritania; the Bamileke stool is from Cameroon; and the throws, ottoman and pillows are from Malawi.

4. Always add contrast

"A room with no contrast feels flat and dull," says interior designer Marion Orpen.

"Even a quiet meditative environment benefits from contrast in light, tone and texture."

"Variety is the most important principle when creating contrast in an interior. Think differences in colour, tone, texture and reflectiveness to create an interesting, multilayered space."

Single colour, different tones It's not necessary to use colours from opposite sides of the spectrum to create contrast. Often, a single colour or different tones of the same colour change as the light moves through the space throughout the day; this creates a lovely canvas for layering.

Textures. Experiment with different textures on surfaces and fabrics and avoid using fabrics that are all similar to the touch. Bring sample swatches into the room and look at how they complement and offset each other. Adding texture and pattern makes a contemporary space more interesting without compromising a pared-down aesthetic. Velvet and slubby linen fabrics can add softness and subtle contrast. Juxtapose old and new furniture and accessories, combining new pieces with vintage finds or family heirlooms.

Don't buy everything from the same shop and take time to add special items. Layering and adding focal points gives a room character and meaning but it doesn't happen overnight; take your time in choosing items that ‘speak to you'.

Use mirrors to create reflection and bounce light off walls and ceilings. An ornate mirror frame in a contemporary space can create a contrasting focal point. Interesting floor or table lamps can provide a completely different atmosphere with texture and shadow patterns at night. A minimal, elegant light fitting in a classical room keeps the focus on the light in the space and not the fitting itself.

For a more sophisticated look, match your fabric colours but choose different weaves or fibres. You can also introduce contrasting textures and colours by way of scatter cushions, throws and rugs.

The ceiling should not be overlooked when it comes to adding contrast to a room. A lovely tongue-and-groove timber ceiling or exposed concrete slab can add natural texture and warmth to a contemporary space.

Printed plastic tiles create a feature above the fireplace. Homeowner Daleen Stewart bought them in Italy a couple of years ago.

Books displayed in bookcases or in stacks on tables is one of the easiest ways to add contrast. The spines of second-hand books often feature a variety of rich colours and they're more interesting than mass-produced knick-knacks.

5. Mix up your shapes

Most homes are defined by straight lines and lots of square or rectangular furniture, so it's important to add variety and interest with a combination of different shapes, especially in the living room.

"I love the trend of large and oversized organic shaped coffee tables, especially in combination with a clash of materials such as stone and marble tops with wood and metal bases," says interior designer Lara Myerson.

"These curvaceous lines fit together beautifully and create a large and bold central area."

Avoid a living room set Combine a sleek modern sofa with two antique armchairs or an heirloom couch with contemporary occasional chairs. Rather use pieces you love than force things to match! Layout will depend on how you use your space. I love to split the living area up into two separate furniture arrangements, if space permits.

Varying heights is important in creating a good balance within the room. Use corners to create interest with hanging plants, focal lighting or an interesting artwork.

Oversized items should not scare you, even in small spaces. For example, an oversized armchair, large-scale painting or bold mirror in a small room can add an element of surprise and whimsy.