Interior Design in Islington
Interior Design in Islington: Thoughtful, Individual Interiors for Islington Homes
Islington is one of London’s most characterful areas, with a wonderful mix of Georgian and Victorian terraces, period conversions, contemporary apartments and homes that have evolved over generations.
Gibson Square stands out for me as a wonderful example of Regency perfection and community, with handsome properties surrounding a central garden.
The oldest residential property in Islington can be found in Canonbury. Canonbury Tower dates back to the early 1500s and has housed many famous residents; Thomas Cromwell and Francis Bacon both spent time there.
Beautiful facades and famous residents aside, how you live within these walls is what matters, and making modern life work, especially in a period property, can be challenging.
Whether you’re renovating a period property, furnishing a new apartment, updating a rental or simply struggling to make the most of an awkward London layout, considered interior design will completely transform the way a space looks, feels and functions.
A Recent Islington Project: Rental Bathroom in Packington
I was recently asked to transform a small bathroom in a rental property in the Packington area, in the heart of Islington, for a landlord with long-term tenants. I designed it remotely, without needing to be on site, and the work had to be done quickly and tidily while the tenants were still living in the flat. With careful planning and preparation, I created a stylish yet functional and hardwearing bathroom, with a walk-in shower, glossy navy tiles, a wall-hung vanity and marble-effect porcelain, that pleased the tenants and the landlord alike.
If you are a landlord planning to refresh a let property, I can take care of the design and specification, and with my Remote Design service it can all be done without you needing to be on site. Get in touch to talk it through.
“She made what could have been a stressful experience feel incredibly straightforward… The old bathroom was completely transformed. I’m absolutely delighted with the result.”
Landlord, Islington (Google review)
Interior Sources for Islington Homes
Islington has a wealth of interior history and design inspiration.
In Camden Passage you will find a wonderful array of antique and vintage shops for unique finds. Design showrooms run from the sleek Twenty Twenty One to the eclectic After Noah.
A sofa or bed is an important purchase which requires much thought, and with Swyft in Angel as a local resource you don’t have to go far to test the comfort and feel the fabrics and textures you will live with and use every day, an opportunity a swatch sample doesn’t afford.
For colour and pattern inspiration, look no further than Cross Street, with both Farrow & Ball and Little Greene for paint and wallpapers.
Islington also borders Clerkenwell, one of London’s largest design areas and home to a vast array of design showrooms: everything you need for your home, right on your doorstep. I wrote about some of my favourite finds in Clerkenwell Design Week 2025.
Creating Homes That Work for Modern Islington Life
Space is always at a premium in Islington, which means good design needs to work hard.
You don’t always have to get the builders in to make the most of your space. Layout, lighting and clever solutions can solve even the most challenging of rooms. I love to find these opportunities, the details that make a home feel easier to live in without compromising on style.
Good interior design isn’t simply about how a room looks. It’s about how everything works together.
If you’re considering updating an Islington property, whether it is one room or a whole house, I offer interior design consultations, colour advice and full residential interior design across North London.
I also design homes in Muswell Hill, Highgate and Hampstead, and across North London.
Written by Lucy Kelvie, founder of Lucy Kelvie Creative and interior designer working across North London.
Create a home with that unmistakable Islington vibe, but completely and wonderfully yours.
Image: Chris Whippet / Geograph Britain and Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0