Interior designer Olivia Caplan has earned an impressive reputation online for bringing her experience to a wide audience.

Recognising that not everyone can afford to pay for her expertise, Olivia has made it her mission to share her practical advice with homeowners looking to make the most of the spaces they have.

‘I like to help people make smart design choices when they’re renovating’ she explains.

We sat down with Olivia to get her thoughts on how you can use architectural details to enhance your home. Take five and watch the video, or read on for the highlights.

Lighting

‘When it comes to layering the lighting in your home, I want you to think about the three key areas of overhead lighting, wall lighting and lower-level lighting.

‘With overhead, you’re looking at pendants, spotlights and downlights. Then on the mid-level, we’ve got wall lights. Then at the lower level we’ve got things like lamps and more decorative lighting.

‘If you think about these three layers, then you’ll make sure you cover yourself for task-based lighting as well more ambient and atmospheric lighting.’

So where should people start on such an involved journey?

‘I think people should look at the proportions, look at the scale, and look at the purpose of their lighting.

‘You need to look at your floor plan, but not just the footprint, but also the ceiling heights, because that’s the volume of space that you’re trying to light.’

‘In the case of fitting downlights, for example, look at what other lighting you have in your space. Do you have wall lights? Do you have pendants? Do you have some integrated lighting, particularly if we’re thinking about kitchens and bathrooms?

‘Then look at what the dead spots might be and infill with the downlights rather than just peppering them across the space and covering it off, because otherwise you can end up with a bit of a runway.’

Hardware

‘When it comes to combining hardware, you’ve got to go with what fits your home and your personality.

‘The one thing I would say is stick to the same style of finish, so whether that be bronze, antique brass or [polished] nickel, keep within that family. But you can absolutely change up the shape and style of the pieces themselves.’

Switches and sockets

‘You can either make them a feature or you can make them blend in and it really depends on the environment.

‘If I had a room with a really bold wallpaper or colour, I might use a paintable or clear [plate] just to help that wallpaper stand out.

‘Whereas in a simpler, more pared-back scheme, I probably would use a lovely brass switch or socket to create a feature. They’re so beautiful in their own right, why wouldn’t you want to make a feature of them?’