Find out how you can create a space with staying power with our guide on interior design that never goes out of style.
Whether you’re buying or building your forever home, a holiday home or an investment property, making the right interior design choices is important. For owner occupiers, it’s all about creating a cosy space that suits your style, while investors are looking for interiors that are durable and versatile.
The latest design trends can be tempting, but the wrong choices will quickly make a home feel daggy and outdated. That’s why we’ve put together our list of design tips and tricks to creating a home that’s fresh and welcoming with interiors that never go out of style.
Choose a design style
Before you start making any decisions or purchases for the interiors of your home, it’s important to consider your design style. Start things off with a clear direction and well thought out plan to cut down on confusion that could lead to costly mistakes.
You’ll want to choose an aesthetic and stick to it to ensure your home not only reflects your personal style but also feels comfortable and welcoming.
Neutral tones
While it’s true that bold colours and patterns can add impact to any space, they can also date a room pretty quickly. I mean, we all remember the avocado bathrooms of the 70s and floral everything through the 80s, don’t we?
When it comes to making colour decisions in your home, it’s best to keep bold choices to a minimum. Stick to neutrals for large areas like walls and ceilings.
White is always a great choice because it makes spaces feel larger and filled with light. Sandy tones are also a great choice, adding a hint of colour while remaining versatile enough to go with any soft furnishings you choose.
Beyond the paint, neutrals are also great for kitchen and bathroom elements such as cabinetry and tiles. It creates a great foundation that can support any design aesthetic you choose.
Natural materials
When it comes to the materials you choose to use in your interiors, it’s always good to look to mother nature for inspiration.
Natural materials not only age gracefully, they are also durable — great for owner occupiers and investors alike. It will be a long time before you’ll have to dip into your wallet to replace these elements. They’ll also look great to prospective buyers when it comes time to sell your property.
Think timber floors to add instant warmth to any home, or stone benches for sleek and sophisticated style through the kitchen and bathrooms. And wool carpets wear well and stand up to cleaning if you have children and pets.
Pay attention to the fittings
It’s shocking how much impact the finer details can make in the overall feel of a room. We’re talking all of those little fixtures and fittings throughout the home that really start to add up — taps, shower heads, light fixtures, switches, etc.
Small as they may be, it’s important to take a bit of time when choosing these items, sticking with classic designs to ensure timeless appeal. They’ll always look sleek and will complement any personal styling you decide to add to your home now and in the future.
Quality is important
As the old saying goes, “buy cheap, buy twice.” From the build through to the interior design, it’s important to emphasise quality in your decisions. This will help ensure your home or investment will need minimal maintenance over the years.
You don’t need to break the bank to splurge on name brands throughout your entire home. It’s all about getting the highest quality within your budget. Be smart and put your money where you will get the most bang for your buck.
Think about how you will use each space and invest where it matters. For example, if you love to cook, adding extra money to the kitchen budget for top quality appliances is a good idea. If family dinners are important, invest in a dining table that looks beautiful and will stand the test of time.
It’s all about choosing quality items that you can build your home and your life around.
Bring in storage
Clutter is a killer when it comes to interior style. No matter what design aesthetic you choose, you want it to look clean and tidy. It’s also worth noting that added storage is always a big plus for prospective buyers — it can add to the resale value to your home.
If you’re not able to add built-in storage, never fear. You can always work additional storage options into your interiors by investing in shelving and cabinetry.
How about adding a beautiful timber armoire to that guest room without a closet? Or a post modern sideboard in the dining room to store your tableware? Open shelves in the living room are great for storing books and magazines in a neat and tidy way.
Let there be light
Poor lighting instantly dates a home, making it look drab and dingy. When you’re designing your interiors make sure you make choices that emphasise light. There are a few different ways you can do this, starting with choosing fresh, neutral tones for your walls and ceilings (see above).
Emphasise natural light by choosing window coverings that allow for privacy and filtered sunlight. You can also add feature lighting overhead — just make sure you choose your fixtures wisely so you’re not running to the shops for a more timeless replacement in 6 months time.
If you find that your overhead lighting is lacking in certain rooms, it’s worth considering how you can brighten things up through task lighting or lamps.
