October 2026
We work closely with the talented team at Show Business Interiors to bring considered interior design into our show homes, combining the latest trends with timeless principles to create spaces that are stylish, functional and designed around modern living.
But what goes into creating a home that looks great while working for everyday life? From the layout and flow of a room to colour, lighting, texture and finishing touches, every detail has a role to play.
In this guide, we take you inside the mind of the team at Show Business Interiors to explore how thoughtful interior design can transform a new build Story home. Discover how our designers approach everything from flexible living spaces and cohesive colour schemes to creating interiors that feel personal and welcoming.
Because a well-designed home is about more than aesthetics. It’s about creating spaces that work for you, adapt to the way you live and ultimately feel like home.
Thoughtful interior design begins with understanding how a space will be used. In a modern home, rooms often need to serve multiple purposes, from open plan kitchen and dining areas to living spaces that accommodate both relaxation and socialising.
Alex Godfrey, Interior Designer at Show Business Interiors, explains: “It’s important to make the most of an open-plan space without closing it off. By considering furniture placement, layout and the natural flow between areas, you can create distinct zones for relaxing and dining, ensuring each area has a purpose.”
Colour and texture play a significant role in shaping the personality of a home. A cohesive colour palette creates continuity between rooms, while layering different materials, fabrics and finishes introduces depth and warmth.
For new build homes, decorative features such as wall panelling can be a simple yet effective way to introduce character. Rebekah Earls, Creative Manager at Show Business Interiors suggests “Panelling doesn’t need to be massively intricate. Something as simple as a dado moulding is a great way to add texture and dimension, whilst finishing a wall in a sophisticated way.”
Ceiling height can also influence how colour is used. Rebekah continues “With Story Homes builds offering high ceilings, there’s an opportunity to be more adventurous with colour. You can afford to take richer tones across the entire room, creating a more immersive, cocooning atmosphere.”
Natural light plays an important role in how a room looks and feels, Sophie Connolly, Senior Designer at Show Business Interior explains “The orientation of your home will determine how much natural light fills the space. North facing rooms tend to feel darker which will impact the colours you choose.”
Layered lighting can help highlight key features, establish atmosphere and distinguish different zones within an open plan layout.
Combining ambient lighting with task and accent lighting allows spaces to adapt to different needs throughout the day. From practical illumination in a kitchen to softer lighting in a snug area, these layers help create interiors that feel as comfortable in the evening as they do during the daytime.
Ultimately, successful interior design is about how all these elements work together. When layout, colour, lighting and texture are considered as part of one cohesive vision, a new-build home can become a flexible, welcoming space that feels completely lived in.
Whether you’re moving into a new home or looking for fresh interior inspiration, thoughtful design can transform the way a space looks, feels and functions. At Story Homes, every show home is carefully designed in partnership with Show Business Interiors, combining practical design principles with beautifully curated interiors to showcase the potential of every room.
Visit one of our thoughtfully designed show homes to experience these ideas first-hand and discover how considered design choices can help create a home that feels both stylish and uniquely yours from the moment you move in.
