Five ways to a more fashion-forward home

 A touch of rattan, some cosy bouclé, the softest pastels and a sprinkling of pretty florals and velvet… there are a myriad of different ways to style up your home this season. And good news, they don’t have to involve big expensive DIY projects, instead the look can be achieved with just a few well-selected accessories, a pot of paint and some wallpaper. Here are the five key trends to consider:

1. Take it slow

The concept of fast interiors, like fast fashion, is out. Rather than buying into a ‘look’, the key is to create your own, with handcrafted pieces that show the mark of their maker, and vintage finds (check out the interiors Instagram feed of style influencer Louise Roe, @louiseroehome, for inspiration). Sustainability is a major concern for today’s home shopper – even Ikea is offering to buy back unwanted pieces in a bid to up its eco credentials. Brands such as Toast champion handmade pieces and artisan techniques, and the high street is offering more eco-conscious products, too: H&M’s new rugs are handwoven using recycled cotton and plastic bottles.

For the ultimate in slow interiors, make your own: craft has taken off as we have tried both to beautify our homes and to give ourselves something to do. Candle-making is a hit on Instagram, with 900,000 posts, while sales of traditional craft kits are up 67 per cent at John Lewis & Partners. Tap into the eco-inspired trend for ‘everlasting’ (or dried) flowers by drying your own, or pressing them to make artworks, with a kit from a site such as JamJar Edit.