Irina

How to use the ‘lemonading’ mindset when designing your home

Posted on 29th May 2025

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – could this concept be applied to interior design, too? We investigate…

First, what is ‘lemonading’? It’s a playful perspective on life, much like the popular saying, according to researchers across the pond at Oregon State University, who have conducted a study which revealed the impact of reframing the way we approach challenges to see the possibility of positive outcomes even during difficult times or unpleasant situations while remaining clear-sighted. Which got me wondering, can you apply this mindset shift to interior design, too? I’ve asked the experts.

Pastel kitchen design with pops of yellow, pink and mint green, with a bench dining area upholstered in floral fabric. — Bespoke kitchen design from Makers Furniture. Kitchens start from £40,000.

“The ‘lemonading’ mindset is about turning challenges into opportunities – embracing imperfection, finding joy in the unexpected, and designing with optimism,” Pia Pelkonen, creative director at Pia Design, tells me. “It’s about staying open to what I call ‘happy accidents’ – those unplanned moments during a project where we have to think on our feet, and the result often turns out even better than the original plan.”

So, how can you embrace this concept when renovating your home?

Lemonading in interior design

Awkward layouts, low ceilings, and architectural details, for example, are often seen as lemons, but they hold so much potential to be turned into lemonade. Instead of working against those features, why not embrace them, says Carina Raymond, interior designer and founder of Studio Raymond.

“The first step is to stop seeing unusual architecture or tricky proportions as problems to hide. Instead, ask yourself: how can I highlight this? Can it serve a purpose or become a talking point? Whether it’s leaning into colour, building in storage, or creating a moment of drama with materials or joinery, these are opportunities to add depth and individuality,” she explains.

An open-plan kitchen with pale pink cabinetry, wood flooring and island, exposed brick, and bold green ceiling beams. — Instead of concealing ceiling beams, why not turn them into eye-catching features like in this modern kitchen design by Piqu with soft pink cabinetry, warm wood textures, and exposed brick? Piqu kitchens start from £40,000. Photography: Chris Snook.

A cocooning loft bedroom design embracing the Lemonading mindset by enhancing the ceiling and wood beams. — Interior designer Nels Crosthwaite Eyre of Eyre Interiors was tasked with transforming the loft of a large Queen Anne house in Hampshire into a cosy and calm guest bedroom. “We had to contend with lots of very wonky wooden beams and unusual shapes. I decided the best way was to fill the whole room with flowers and go up and over the ceiling. I think it’s important to embrace the quirky features of these beautiful old houses,” says Nels. Wallpaper from Barneby Gates. Photography: Katrina Lawson Johntson.

A luxury bathroom with classic charm, featuring a double vanity unit, a back-to-wall toilet, a storage alcove, and marble wall and floor tiles. — Sophie Harrold of Simply Bathrooms Ltd. (Surrey) originally planned half-height boxing behind the vanity and toilet. However, the drainage plan changed partway through the build. “Instead, it had to be full-height and much deeper, so I opted for a back-to-wall WC and a feature alcove above for easy access, which worked out much better in the end.” Tiles by Ca’ Pietra. Photography: Adam Carter.

So, using the ‘lemonading’ concept when decorating your home is all about turning design challenges into creative opportunities. “In interiors, this can mean repurposing old materials, redesigning overlooked spaces, mixing new with vintage, or choosing uplifting colours and textures that spark happiness,” says Pia.

Or if you’ve got awkward alcoves, you can turn them into arched bookcases or mirrored nooks; you can also enhance exposed pipes or beams with metallic finishes or paint, and transform tiny cloakrooms into maximalist spaces using bold wallpaper designs, playful lighting, and unexpected accessories, advises Carina.

A dining area embracing the Lemonading concept by turning a dead space into a cosy window nook with bench seating. — Carina of Studio Raymond embraced the ‘lemonading’ mindset in this design by transforming an awkward bay window, which could have been a dead space, into a cosy, inviting seating area, layered with bold textiles and complete with a built-in banquette.

A pastel bathroom design with a double vanity unit and a compact roll-top bath. — Gerladine Tan of @littlebigbell wished for a roll-top slipper bath but often, they come in large sizes. To overcome this, Ripples‘ senior designer Jo Sangster sourced a compact version, which was a great space-saver and matched the aesthetic perfectly.

“Another key part of this mindset is celebrating what the client already owns. While some might see inherited or existing pieces as a constraint, we see them as an invitation, a chance to build a space that reflects our client’s personality and life story, rather than starting from scratch. The result is a home that feels both curated and deeply personal,” adds Pia.

So, are you ready to take your home’s lemons and turn them into lemonade?