This family retreat in Coonoor has stone and wood interiors

Put your balcony to good use by making it a pit stop for alfresco meals. All you need are wooden chairs and a small table. You could even throw in a rug to make it more inviting.

The master bedroom in the Coonoor House is in a box like structure, creating a house within a house.

A feature wall doesn’t necessarily have to have textured paint or wallpaper. You could also build a floor to ceiling shelf and stack it with your favourite books. Arrange them according to colour for a greater impact. Image courtesy, Ravi Asrani for Studio Lotus

Large windows allow all levels of the house to bask in ample sunlight. If your house is a fairly neutral shade, add pops of colour through soft furnishings such as cushion covers, sofa covers and even drapes.

Use crevices and niches cleverly to display your showpieces. This helps fill up the odd space so you don’t have any blank corners.

Here’s how you can spruce up your entryway too: A brightly patterned rug and a wall decorated with all your artwork sets a stunning premise for the rest of your apartment.