A DESIGN FOR LIFE :'I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT EVERYONE HAVING THE PERFECT HOME'

INTERIOR DESIGNER KELLY HOPPEN REVEALS THE BEST WAYS TO REVAMP OUR PROPERTIES AND DESCRIBES HOW YOUTHFUL FEARLESSNESS KICK-STARTED HER CAREER

- LISA BLAKE

Award-winning interior designer Kelly Hoppen receives thousands of Instagram messages a day from people asking her to help them transform their properties - and she says she'd love to have the time to reply to everyone.

She currently shares her tips and tricks in a regular slot on This Morning and says she's grateful for the opportunity to help people create spacious, bright and comfortable homes.

Kelly's latest mission is to show people how to create gorgeous surroundings without breaking the bank. She believes having your own sanctuary is crucial for your wellbeing, especially as the cost of living soars.

"I'm passionate about everyone having the perfect home to live in because in terms of mental health, which is something I'm very proactive on, if you don't feel good in your home, you're not going to feel good somewhere else," she says. "And everybody deserves to feel good with the cost of living crisis going on."

She wants to help people find affordable items on the high street while still being able to achieve a "cohesive" look. "It's about creating capsule looks for people finding a rug that will change your room immediately, whether you've got a carpet or wood floor. Also, lighting is key. Most people have down lights, which are the most unattractive things, especially for women. Accent lighting is really important. And change the cushions on the sofa or buy a throw which you can put on a sofa - it will change the look of it.

"If you've got a small entrance hall, put in the biggest mirror you can, because you can create drama out of it. Part of design is about the shock element. It's like in fashion when underwear became outerwear and people wore a little lace cami top with jeans and a leather jacket and everyone said, 'This is so cool.' The same thing applies to the home. It's about not doing what you think you should, it's about adding a twist. It's very individual."