Start with your colour scheme.
The first step for a head-to-toe makeover on your home is creating a palette. First, think of the basic colour scheme for the entire home and then take that from room to room.
Put investment pieces front and centre.
If you truly love something, you'll want to put it on display. Examples are putting and using your antiques and unique finds, especially in a practical room like the bathroom.
Fake height with low furniture.
Create strong verticals and avoid horizontals. You can also put large mirrors because they add scale to a room. And also keep the furniture low-slung so the room seems taller.
Give window trims a splash of colour.
Window trim is an often-overlooked opportunity to make a statement. You can end up painting them with green, to blend in with the landscape or, sometimes, you can paint them pitch black, so the muntins practically disappear in the evening.
Don’t skimp on the sofa.
Don’t delay a makeover just because of naturally messy kids. Put your money into a comfortable, well-made sofa that you’ll have forever. You don’t have to deny yourself that expensive designer fabric you love — just put it on something small, such as a pillow.
Amplify neutrals with texture.
Neutral decor can be interesting — just include a variety of materials. You can use a range from fine-gauge and open-weave linen to raw silk and taffeta, cotton velvet and distressed velvet. There's also the contrast of matte sheens that absorb the light and lustrous sheens that reflect it.
Implement the 50/150 rule.
For the perfect colour family, mix one batch of paint 50% lighter than the base and another 150% darker. That’s a failsafe method for striping a wall and also a very architectural way of using colour.
Favour value-add paint colours.
A temporary space can look beautiful, even with a small budget. We’re so used to having painters sand for ages to produce mirror-smooth walls, but you shouldn’t spend money to do that in a rental. It turns out the irregular surface just sparkles all the more.
Look to the ceiling to brighten things up.
Kitchens with floor-to-ceiling cabinets may look dark but, to fool the eye, paint the ceiling a slightly paler version of the walls, so the room seems brighter even with just a few windows.
Mix, rather than match, your tableware.
Matching can be so overrated and expensive. You can look online and in thrift shops for beautiful sets of antique and silver flatware. You'll save money and the place settings will feel more special to guests than brand-new ones.
Let gold and silver hang out together.
Metallic finishes add plenty of sparkles already, but the sheen will make a bigger impact in a variety of colours. The mix of gold with silver more often looks so smart together. The key is to use a lot of both; you can't be shy with one or the other.
Go big with dark colour.
Taking the plunge on a strong hue can be intimidating, but the best way is to dive in head first. One of the most successful strategies is to paint a strong colour on everything, from the baseboard and crown moulding to the walls. It works well because it's not contrasted against a different trim colour.
Think of a straw rug as your perfect basic.
You might think of straw as an outdoor textile, but it'll look just as good indoors. Straw, jute, rush — natural materials and neutral tones are always chic. They're the white t-shirt of interior design.
Pile on the pillows for extra luxe.
One pair of pillows always looks skimpy. Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colours, and textures.
Fake square footage using a glass shower.
Most people choose a frosted glass or an opaque curtain for extra privacy, but there's something to be said for transparency. Glass shower doors add instant square footage. To complete the illusion, run the floor tiles straight into the stall. It makes the room feel larger.
Put thought behind your mirrors.
If you’re hanging mirrors, think carefully about what they'll reflect. You want to pick up a great scene, like a pretty chandelier.
Be generous with your kitchen backsplash.
Eye-catching tile can make a statement in your kitchen and bathroom. Cover as much of the wall, as the budget allows, because it may feel more like a French bistro this way.
Play the field with dining room seating.
Dining room benches might not be conventional, but they’re surely cosy. You automatically feel more friendly when you're sharing a seat. It could quickly become corporate if you’re looking at a room full of chairs and mixing it up. You wouldn't have eight identical chairs in your living area.
Anchor a room with skirted furniture.
Too many chair and table legs can make a room nervous. A skirted piece or two will make the space more grounded and provide additional storage.
Try a "more is more" mindset.
It's counterintuitive, but the trick is to use more. It's all about symmetry. You could use prints in pairs so there’s the same textile on one side of the room as on the other.
Let space size dictate furniture placement.
If the size of the space dictates where the furniture goes, strategically think about the pieces. For example, if a bed has to go against a window wall, select a headboard that still lets sunlight in.
Welcome guests with a bar in plain sight.
Cleaning up clutter can be a good thing, but there's one thing hosts should never stow away. Show (not tell) what you're serving with a well-appointed bar. Guests feel more at home when they can help themselves.
If you need help in designing your home, get help from the best painters and decorators in Australia today.