The Nova Nilla makeover treats the house as a single “menu” of finishes and repeats those choices room by room, so nothing feels random. If you’re standing in a room mid-refresh with paint cards in hand, that consistency is the thing worth copying first.
This guide pulls out eight design lessons you can copy in your own North West London home makeover, or any home, with practical swaps for smaller budgets and rented spaces. The figures and specifics available in current research are limited here, so where costs and standards matter, this piece shows you how to check the right current guidance for your area rather than guessing.
Start by copying the “whole-house menu” approach
The quickest way to get the Nova Nilla look without copying every item is to decide your “menu” up front: one wall colour family, one metal finish, one flooring direction, and one style of trim and handles. Mix old and new; repeating finishes stops the house feeling like it was decorated in separate weekends by different people.
From the Nova Nilla house tour coverage, the home reads as cohesive because key choices appear repeatedly: confident colour, considered details such as cornicing, handles and switches, and a balance of spending where you touch with savings where wear and tear is likely. In a family home, that is the equivalent of planning dinners for the week and batch-cooking the base so you’re not starting from scratch every night.
Before you buy anything, do a ten-minute “walk-through audit”. Note what stays (radiators, internal doors, existing flooring you’ll keep), what must change for function (a doorway, improved lighting), and what you only dislike because it’s tired (yellowed paint, dated handles). That last group is where you can get the most visible improvement for the least disruption.
Set your budget like a meal plan, then choose splurges
Ideal Home’s 2020 feature about Nova Nilla Design’s North West London project states the renovation budget was £50,000 after purchase costs; the owners did not add an extension. The piece highlights a method you can borrow even on a far smaller figure: spend thoughtfully on a few items that set the tone, and use lookalike materials elsewhere to protect the budget.
You’ll make faster decisions if you split your spend into three baskets: “must work” (plumbing, electrics, heating, anything that affects safety or daily use), “must last” (kitchen doors, worktop, flooring in a high-traffic hall), and “must lift the mood” (a hero colour, a statement light, one roll of premium wallpaper on a small wall). The third basket is often the cheapest, yet it’s what makes the room feel finished.
Where you’re unsure about costs in 2026, collect live quotes rather than relying on averages. Ask for itemised quotes, the lead time for delivery, and who is responsible for making good around the work, such as plaster repairs and paint touch-ups. If you’re renovating in London, availability can matter as much as price.
If you copy just one principle from the Nova Nilla makeover, repeat a small set of finishes across rooms and allow yourself one “hero” spend per room. In the available research, the full renovation budget was £50,000 after purchase costs, and the only structural change mentioned was adding a doorway.
What you will need for the key DIY swaps and updates
- Painter’s tape and dust sheets (borrow if you only decorate occasionally)
- Step ladder (hire or borrow for ceilings and high walls)
- Filler, sanding block and a good-quality caulking gun for gaps
- Screwdrivers and a drill/driver for handles and fittings
- Mask, safety glasses and gloves for sanding and dusty prep
- Degreaser suitable for kitchens, plus clean cloths. Never mix cleaning products, and never combine bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other acids, as this can produce dangerous fumes.
- Sample pots or peel-and-stick samples for testing colours
- Measuring tape and a notebook for a “room recipe” list
If your plan involves electrics (switches, lighting) or plumbing (taps, boilers), book a qualified professional. Don’t attempt electrical work yourself; the safe approach is to decide positions and finishes, then have a registered electrician fit and certify as required in your country.
Choose colour confidently, then repeat it calmly
The Nova Nilla house tour coverage makes one point clear: colour carries the room. The kitchen in particular centres on a strong blue, chosen deliberately rather than as a compromise. In many homes, the “safe” choice becomes the expensive one because you repaint twice.
Lesson 1. Choose one confident colour, then repeat it. Pick a main shade that you can live with at 7am and 10pm, then repeat it in smaller doses elsewhere. Repeats can be as subtle as a lamp base, a cushion, or the spine colour of books, but paint is the easiest repeat because it’s controllable.
Lesson 2. Build a background that can take colour. Strong colour looks sharper when the surrounding finishes are quieter. Whites, warm neutrals, pale greys and natural wood tones give the colourful moments space to breathe. You don’t need every room to be colourful; you need the colourful moments to have space around them.
Lesson 3. Stop colour clashes at the doorway. If you like different colours in different rooms, give yourself one “transition rule” for the landing and hall. For example, keep skirting and architraves the same and maintain the same metal finish so the eye reads continuity even if wall colours change.
Test with sample boards or patches and hold them next to the things you cannot change quickly: flooring, worktop, sofa and any big pieces you’re keeping. View them in daylight and under your evening lighting, because colour temperature shifts can turn a favourite shade muddy.
Prioritise touch points, use lookalikes and create tidy lines
The Ideal Home write-up notes decisions that explain why the Nova Nilla makeover reads as finished rather than painted: investing in cornicing, choosing good-quality light switches and door handles, and using cheaper materials to mimic pricier ones where damage is likely. These are practical choices because they control wear and the daily feel of the house.
Spend on what you touch every day
Handles, knobs and switches are small-ticket items compared with furniture, but you use them constantly. A coherent set in one metal finish, brass tones for example, creates a quiet thread through the home. If you’re updating on a budget, fit the “public route” first: front door, hallway, kitchen, downstairs loo, then bedrooms later.
In a rented home, check your tenancy agreement before swapping hardware and keep the originals bagged and labelled. It’s the interiors equivalent of freezing leftovers in portioned containers; future-you will thank you.
Use lookalikes in high-wear areas
The research mentions choosing laminate instead of real wood where it will be damaged easily, especially with younger children. That’s a lesson you can apply anywhere you have muddy shoes, pets or heavy footfall. The aim is to choose materials that stay presentable with normal living.
For shopping picks in 2026, focus on specifications rather than brand hype. When comparing floors, ask about durability, water resistance and suitability for underfloor heating if relevant. Retail staff can point you to the right category, but the manufacturer’s current datasheet is what you rely on.
Add character with crisp edges rather than clutter
Cornicing was highlighted as a high-impact detail because it adds character. If you can’t add it, whether for budget reasons, ceiling issues or rental restrictions, copy the effect with clean lines. Fill gaps, caulk skirting neatly, replace tired silicone around sinks, and repaint trim carefully. The room looks higher-end because the joins stop shouting.
If you’re doing any sanding or dealing with older paint layers, take safety seriously. In older homes there can be lead paint or asbestos-containing materials elsewhere in the building; you should not attempt removal yourself. If you suspect either, stop and get advice from a qualified professional in your country.
Choose kitchen options that stay flexible over time
The kitchen is often where a makeover turns into a renovation, so these lessons need to protect your budget and reduce rework. In the Nova Nilla house tour coverage, a few priorities stand out: a blue kitchen, solid-wood cupboard doors that can be repainted later, and quartz worktops plus brass details such as hardware and a boiling water tap.
Lesson 4. Pick cabinet doors that can have a second life. The feature notes solid-wood doors as an investment because they can be repainted in future. If you’re choosing new doors now, ask what finish they come with and what it takes to repaint later, since some finishes need specific prep. If you’re keeping existing cabinets, you can often replace just the doors or just the handles, which changes the look while keeping the layout.
Lesson 5. Keep expensive drama to a small, controlled area. If you love a premium wallpaper, use it where you need only one roll, as the article suggests. In kitchens, use a hero finish where it won’t be destroyed by heat and grease: a statement pendant, a painted island, or bar stools. Save behind-the-scenes areas with simpler tiles and standard shelves.
Boiling water taps can be convenient but they are not a casual DIY add-on. They involve plumbing and electrics under a sink, plus safe temperature and child-safety considerations, so follow manufacturer instructions and use an appropriately qualified installer. If you have children in the house, plan how you manage access to hot taps and kettles, and speak to the fitter about built-in safety features available on current models.
A room-by-room guide with shopping picks and DIY swaps
This section is built like a weekly prep plan. You do the same base steps in each room, then add one signature element to match the Nova Nilla makeover energy: colour, a detail, or a statement piece. The shopping picks are categories, not brands, because the research does not provide a product list, and availability varies across Europe.
Make the hall and stairs feel intentional in the first 60 seconds
Start here because it sets the tone and it’s usually small enough to finish. Patch and sand wall damage, paint with a durable finish suited to scuffs, and upgrade the main ceiling light if it’s dated. A single runner-style rug or stair runner adds warmth; measure carefully and check fire-safety and installation requirements for your setting.
Shopping picks: one statement pendant or flush mount, plus a hard-wearing mat and matching door hardware. DIY swap: repaint the front door and internal doors if they’re in decent condition, then add new handles for a transformed feel.
Layer calm in the living room, then add one punchy note
The living room in a family home takes knocks, so build a forgiving base. Keep walls in your chosen neutral, then bring in a confident colour through a feature wall, artwork, or a large rug. If you can’t afford new sofas, change the soft furnishings, such as curtains, cushions and lampshades, then reassess.
Shopping picks: a lamp with the same metal finish as your hardware and curtains that reach the floor for a more tailored line. DIY swap: update skirting and architraves with careful prep and paint rather than replacing them.
Choose the hero colour for the kitchen, then protect it
If you’re copying the Nova Nilla approach, the kitchen is where a bold colour can lead. Paintable or replaceable elements are ideal for colour because you can change them later without ripping out the room. If you’re specifying a worktop, choose based on how you cook, not how it photographs: heat, staining and maintenance matter.
Shopping picks: solid cabinet doors if you’re replacing, plus quality handles and good task lighting. DIY swap: if a full kitchen is out of scope, start with handles, lighting and a fresh wall colour, then add a new tap via a professional when budget allows.
Keep patterns simple in bathrooms and spend on surfaces
Bathrooms date quickly when there are too many competing finishes. Choose one tile shape and one grout colour, then keep metal finishes consistent with the rest of the house if you can. For anything involving waterproofing, plumbing or electrics, use professionals; fixing leaks and poor sealing costs more than doing it properly once.
Shopping picks: a mirror that improves the light and a well-made shower screen if you’re replacing. DIY swap: repaint walls with a paint suitable for bathrooms, following the manufacturer’s ventilation guidance, and replace accessories like towel bars to match your chosen finish.
Repeat the palette in bedrooms and upgrade lighting
Bedrooms benefit from the same palette rule as the rest of the house, but you can go deeper in tone. If you want a darker wall colour, keep ceilings and trim consistent to avoid chop-and-change. Lighting matters more than people expect; a single overhead light can make even good colours look flat.
Shopping picks: bedside lamps or wall lights, fitted by an electrician if hard-wired, and simple wardrobes you can improve with handles. DIY swap: paint an existing chest of drawers to echo the kitchen colour, then change knobs to match your menu.
Design kids’ spaces for change, not perfection
The feature mentions a family with children, and the home choices reflect real life. For children’s rooms, keep the expensive items neutral and put the fun into things you can swap quickly: bedding, posters and a painted strip or half wall. Check age grading on any furniture, anchor tall units to the wall using the correct fixings for your wall type, and follow current safety guidance for cots and beds if relevant.
Shopping picks: wipeable paint where needed, and storage that’s easy to use. DIY swap: label boxes and keep one outgrown crate in a cupboard so you can rotate toys and books without a full clear-out each month.
Keep changes reversible in small spaces and rentals
If you’re working in a small North West London flat, the repeat-finishes rule helps because sightlines are short. Limit yourself to one or two paint colours, keep large furniture on legs where possible so the floor reads as continuous, and use mirrors to move light around. In rentals, focus on lighting (plug-in where possible), textiles, and removable hardware if your landlord agrees.
Avoid starting several projects at once. Finish one room to a usable standard, then move on. You’ll live better during the work, and you’ll make clearer decisions because you can see what the first set of choices looks like in your actual light.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see the Nova Nilla house tour details that sparked this makeover?
The available research for this piece comes from the Ideal Home feature published in 2020 and updated in 2022, which describes a North West London home makeover led by interior designer Clare Pater of Nova Nilla Design. If you’re searching now, look for that publication date and outlet so you know you’re reading the same coverage. For the most current updates, check Nova Nilla Design’s own official channels, as projects and product availability change over time.
How do I copy the Nova Nilla makeover look on a tighter budget?
Start with what you can finish quickly: paint, handles and lighting. The research highlights using cheaper materials to mimic expensive ones in high-wear areas, so prioritise durability in hallways and kitchens. Keep one small hero spend, such as a premium wallpaper where only a single roll is needed, and save on large surfaces where you can choose a lookalike without losing the overall feel.
What is the one change that makes a North West London home makeover feel done?
Consistent touch points across the house make a bigger difference than most people expect. The feature specifically mentions investing in good-quality light switches and door handles, which creates a joined-up feel from room to room. Combine that with crisp paint lines and tidy trim and even older rooms read as intentional rather than still in progress.
Is it safe to change my own light switches and fittings?
Electrical work should be handled by a qualified, registered electrician, because it involves safety and, in many places, compliance and certification requirements. You can still control the design by choosing the finish and style, planning where you want switches and lights, and then booking the work. If you’re unsure what’s permitted where you live, check current local regulations and your building’s rules.
How do I choose a bold kitchen colour without regretting it?
Test it in your kitchen’s real lighting and alongside fixed elements you’re keeping, such as flooring and worktops. Live with a sample for a few days so you see it in morning and evening light. If you’re nervous, use the bold colour on paintable elements like doors and keep the rest of the kitchen calm, so you can adjust later without rebuilding the room.
What should I avoid doing first if I’m copying this kind of makeover?
Avoid buying big furniture or committing to multiple feature finishes before you’ve set your whole-house menu of colours and metals. It’s also wise to avoid ripping out serviceable kitchens or bathrooms until you’ve had professionals check what is needed for plumbing, electrics and ventilation. Start with the low-risk work, such as paint, hardware and a lighting plan, then move to larger purchases once the house is telling one coherent story.
This article is for general information. Electrical, gas, plumbing and structural work should be carried out by a qualified, registered professional, and materials such as asbestos or lead paint must be handled by licensed specialists. Building regulations, permits and standards vary across Europe and change over time, so confirm the requirements with your local authority before you start. Never mix cleaning products, keep plants that are toxic to children and pets out of reach, and treat all prices and timings here as indicative.