Well, here we are in February and the festivities of Christmas and the New Year are well and truly behind us. Now is the time to take a deep breath and move forward into spring with its promise of brighter, longer days.

At the start of a new year, and particularly a new decade, there’s always a lot of talk about new trends in interior design. For the last decade, pared back Scandi minimalism has been the dominant look for interiors. Moving into the 2020’s, individuality is set to be huge.

Although we may not like to shout about it, here in Bridport, with all the treasures of the Vintage Quarter, we are at the cutting edge of cool. The sustainability movement continues to grow and buying more from vintage shops and eBay inevitably leads to greater originality, even eccentricity. Update and repurpose old pieces of furniture with paint or re-upholster with a piece of fabulous fabric. Another generation would have called it Make-Do-And-Mend.

True over-the-top Maximalism, with its witty mix of pattern and colour, may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but this is a look that allows for interpretation. You could start with a palette of pale neutrals and then add colourful accents with soft furnishings and accessories. Alternatively, create a more dramatic look with a background of darker tones such as deep greens, inky blues or rich chocolate on the walls.

Small changes to your sitting room can actually have a revitalizing effect on your whole house, although rooms that are not used as regularly such as guest rooms and cloakrooms are great places to experiment with. You can be really brave and choose bolder colour and pattern that you may not feel confident to use elsewhere in your home.

Many of us choose to err on the safe side and choose neutral fabric for sofas, but it’s so easy to change the look by swapping plain cushion covers for something bolder. Layer on interest by mixing pattern, texture and shapes. Footstools are an easy update – re-upholstered and finished with some amazing passementerie. Likewise, lampshades can either be revamped with fabulous fringing or even made from scratch from almost any fabric you choose.

Window dressings can make a dramatic statement and the possibilities are almost endless, from sumptuous, interlined curtains to a simple blind made up in a beautiful fabric. If replacing curtains might be stretching the budget, you can update plain curtains by adding a gorgeous trim to the leading edge.

If you want to whet your appetite for a new project, or if you’re in need of help or inspiration, wonder up the narrow stairs to the Aladdin’s Cave that is Livingstone Textiles. From loom state natural fabrics to feather trims and printed velvets – you will not be disappointed.

It’s not difficult to refresh your home by making just a few small changes. Inclination and budget allowing, you could do any one or all of these things depending on the final look you want. You could even add a patterned wallpaper for good measure. As I’ve said before, when it comes to decorating your home there is no right or wrong. Finding your own individual style is far better than following a trend. It’s all about finding colours you love and not being afraid to do what you want in your own home.