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Speed styling
Professional stylists have many interior design home decor tricks, particularly when it comes to quickly and inexpensively refreshing spaces around the house and home. As the season of entertaining approaches, we share expert tips and secrets on how to create your own feel-good holiday haven, with a few simple D.I.Y. projects.
1. Update your home’s entrance
Summer is typically a popular time for house guests – and a welcoming home starts at the front door. Interior designer Lisa Alward of Bella Vie Interiors (bellavieinteriors.com) suggests updating your entrance with a selection of plant pots. “Matching pots either side of the front door, or a trio clustered to one side, soften the space and add interest,” she says. “Tall plants and topiary shapes suit larger areas, while a display of summer flowers or low-maintenance succulents is great for smaller zones.” A new welcome mat, proportional to your front door, will complete the refresh.
2. Create an efficient entryway inside
A well-planned entry hall looks inviting and anticipates a guest’s every need; get the effect with some simple home decor ideas. An artwork, piece of wall art, vase arrangement and other stylish additions will set the scene. Interior stylist Jessi Eve also recommends a bench or console with baskets, where bags can be plonked and shoes kicked off on arrival.
If floor space is minimal, consider wall hooks for jackets and hats. “An entry mirror mounted on the wall is ideal for those quick checks on the way in or out of the door,” says Jessi.
3. Set up style vignettes
If your shelves, consoles or tabletops are cluttered and haven’t been rearranged in ages, clear the decks and start afresh with a spot of do-it-yourself home decor. “Effective styling can be more about editing than adding,” says Lisa. “Paring back what’s on display or where something is positioned can make a big difference without spending a cent.”
Once surfaces are clear, she advises “shopping within your own home” and pulling items from other rooms or out of storage to use as building blocks for vignettes. “A beautiful tray or board is a great foundation to group vases and bowls. A stack of books also works well as a base to elevate smaller or seasonal pieces,” she explains. Another interior design tip? Choose decor items that sit harmoniously together and build layers of interest with varying height, depth and contrasting shapes.
4. Infuse with fragrance
Delight the senses by filling rooms with wonderful aromas, whether it be a summer scent, such as citrus or coconut, which brings a holiday vibe, or woody fragrances like pine, cinnamon and sage, commonly associated with Christmas. Consider scented candles and diffusers, or make a room spray using your favourite essential oil and water.
5. Add festive flourishes to your home decor
“The key to stylish seasonal decorating is to complement your existing decor,” says Lisa. Whether the scheme is coastal Christmas, traditional red and green or opulent luxe, collect a group of ornaments (or even candle holders) in your chosen colour scheme and carry the look across your Christmas tree and table setting.
6. Introduce layered lighting
Layered lighting instantly adds atmosphere, says Lisa, and is an effective D.I.Y. fix. “String warm-white LED festoon lights or solar fairy lights across patios, decks and backyard trees to create a magical glow for outdoor entertaining, with solar lights dotted in and around garden beds,” she says. Indoors, accent corners with lamps and consider updating pendant lighting. “People often undersize pendants, so boost their size and hang at an optimal height (60-80cm above a table) for maximum wow factor,” she advises.
7. Decorate guest bedrooms
As the centrepiece, the bed in your home’s guest room offers plenty of scope to create different looks simply by changing the linen or adding a strategically laid throw and cushions. Position matching bedside tables and lamps either side. Jessi also suggests providing a mirror for guests: “This might be a full-length mirror on the wall or mounted on the back of the door, or a smaller mirror standing on a dresser.”
8. Nurture nature
Flowers and foliage can enhance even the dullest of corners and offer a quick and easy way to decorate your home. For a five-minute fix, cut a few blooms or verdant herbs from your garden, and loose tendrils from flowering vines or leafy stems of glossy citrus. Recycled clear jars, a cut-crystal glass or simple drinking tumblers all work as charming small vessels. You can group several together (an odd number is best) or let them stand alone. Not very green fingered? Artificial plants and flowers are another option.
9. Update the bathroom
Treat yourself and your guests to a high-end experience with bathroom accessories and design touches that add a sense of luxury. “New plush bath towels and a floor mat instantly provide a fresh pop of colour and feel great, too,” says Jessi. On the vanity, use a small tray to corral lovely soaps, body products and a fragrant candle, alongside a plant or vase of flora from the garden.
10. Amp up outdoor styling
Don’t just restrict your house decor improvements to indoors – it pays to think outside the home. Great outdoor entertaining areas feel layered and furnished like a room, says Jessi. To improve the arrangement of existing pieces, remove all the outdoor furniture and reintroduce items one at a time, experimenting with the layout – you might prefer a larger couch, or find a square rather than a rectangular table works best. “Potted plants, cushions and lighting are key finishing touches, as they add comfort and tie the look together,” explains Jessi.
Looking for more ways to decorate your house?
For more home decor ideas, visit our decorating advice page.
Photo Credit: Cath Muscat
More D.I.Y. Advice
Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.
Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.