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  • 21 Bedroom Decor Ideas to Elevate Your Space

    Your bedroom is the space in your home that tends to reflect your personality the most. It's your safe space, and the spot you should always love being in. If you're looking for some inspiration on what you can do to add to your bedroom, this post will cover 21 different ways to breath some new life into your space: Choose a Statement Headboard Product: Wicker Headboard via Dunelm Headboards are a super effective way to create a focal point in your space. With a huge variety of styles to choose from, you won't have to look far to find one to match your space. Due to having so many different options to choose from, it's down to preference as to whether you want your headboard to blend in with your space, or stand out making it the key piece of decor in your space. You can achieve either effect through the shape, colours and patterns of the piece you want. Add Panelling To Your Walls Product: Acoustic Wood Wall Panels via The Wood Veneer Hub Creating a similar effect as a headboard, adding panelling to your wall/walls is the perfect way to add sophistication to your space. Most panelling designs come in wood, adding some more texture to the space. Due to the difference in texture, you can paint the panelling the same colour as your walls for extra coherency. But to add some more visual interest, consider a contrasting colour for the panelling. Use a Rug as Your Centrepiece Product: Leesentec Modern Rug via Amazon Any space can use a rug to liven it up a little. Whether that's a small piece or one that covers the whole floor, they'll never fail to be a centrepiece. There are tonnes of different shapes, sizes, colours and patterns that you can find a rug in, so you won't have much trouble finding one that blends with the rest of your decor. There's also not much that can add more warmth and coziness. Put Woodwork To Use A timeless and super effective way to add warmth and texture to your bedroom is through wooden furniture. With different types of wood finishes available for so many pieces of furniture, you have endless opportunities to incorporate wood into your bedroom decor. The most popular pieces of furniture are shelves, drawers, storage crates and bedside tables. Some larger pieces that also shine in wood is things like bookshelves. Make Your Room Pop with Bold Accents If you aren't looking to paint your entire room in that bold colour you like, consider using it for accent in your bedroom instead. Opting for multiple bold colours for accent can add even more interest to your space. You'll have the best results with these colours by applying them to pieces such as pillows, blankets/throws and aesthetic accessories. For the rest of the room, neutral colour palette will be best with making these accents pop. Consider Wallpaper for a Statement Wall Product: Borneo Powder Wallpaper via Graham and Brown Besides panelling, using wallpaper for a statement wall has always and always will be a super effective way to bring new life into your bedroom. Something that wallpaper does best is the countless numbers of options you have. No matter whether you have a calm, neutral space or a bold, eccentric space, a pattern Dive In For Deep Blues One of the most impactful colours you can apply to a space is deep blue. Unmatched in sophistication, this colour will transform you bedroom into a relaxing, strong space. Another great thing about deep blues is how many different secondary colours you can pair with it. Going for wooden materials for you decor will contrast the blue whilst blending together seamlessly. Lighter shades of solid colours will also create the same effect. Add to Your Wall With Wall Art Product: Abstract Wall Art via Next Wall art will always be a staple in home decor. Especially today with the rise of digital artists, you have endless options on what piece to place on your wall. As your bedroom is your no.1 personal space, choosing a piece that has meaning to you will go a long way in creating that personal space. If you don't fancy this idea, places such as Etsy are full of unique designs and quotes that will fit right within your space. Add Patterns to Your Pillows Product: Circular Knit Abstract Cushion via Dunelm A piece of decor that you'll always have in your bedroom, adding visual interest to your pillows is a great way to liven up your space. Due to not being that big of a piece, you can really go for it with the patterns you choose. Naturally, your pillows will be centred in your room on your bed, so selecting colours that contrast you bed sheets will amplify the pillow's pattern. Use Soft Lighting For a Calm Space Product: Floor Lamp via Amazon Your bedroom should always be a space for you to relax and unwind. The one element that effects the mood of a space the most is lighting. Opting for softer lighting will always help you achieve that. Bright overhead lights tend to overbear a space, almost removing the effects of the rest of the decor in your bedroom. Decentralising the light sources and using smaller softer lights will lead to a warmer, more welcoming space for you to sink into. Don't Shy Away From Pink A colour scheme that people might shy away from is all kinds of pink. When people think pink, they go straight to the brightest shade imaginable. However, using softer pinks can create a pastel themed, light-weighted space. Pairing pink with either whites or woods will contrast the pink creating visual interest, but will maintain the softness the pink gives off. Play Around With Patterns Besides only using patterns for singular pieces of decor, mixing and matching patterns for different pieces of decor will elevate your space visually like nothing else can. When choosing your patterns, be sure to not place too similar patterns next to each other as it will eliminate the effect each pattern creates. A good idea would be to use patterns as accents throughout your decor with walls and larger furniture being solid colours. Create an Art Feature wall When looking for wall art for your space, consider choosing multiple to fill a dedicated space in your bedroom, creating a feature wall. This can act as a great personal focal point in your bedroom. Selecting pieces that both differentiate from each other whilst also being coherent may be a challenge, but it will stop your feature wall from being overbearing in a space that needs the opposite. Utilise Plants With a Hanging Garden Product: Bari 8 Wall Planters via Dunelm Another super effective way to texture and depth to your bedroom is through the usage of plants. More specifically, a hanging garden. the verticality allows your space to feel bigger, whilst taking up less space. Mixing and matching the plants you use will assist with adding more texture and depth, whilst naturally blending together as nature intends. Keep It Simple Keeping it simple with the design of your bedroom will be one of the most effective ways to create a zen, calm space. You could take this idea in two different ways, the first being having a similar colour palette and use a few different textures throughout. The second is to lose the texture variation and have more different colours instead of decor. All Green Green is one of the most versatile colours due to the amount of shades there are, that can all flow together seamlessly. Using darker greens as your primary colour, i.e on you walls paired with light green accents is one option that can be super effective. Greens bring in a sense of nature, leading to a calmer space overall (a hanging garden would fit right in!). If you need an extra bit of texture, a light wooden accent would only add to your bedroom. Focus on the Contrasts Having a contrasting colour palette with both your primaries and secondaries can create a visually interesting space, as long as you choose the right colours. When choosing your colours, always choose two colours that separates the space whilst not making your bedroom feel like two different rooms. Popular combos are black/brown and whites, red and black, lavender and teal, and red and off-white. Add Warmth with Natural Materials As well as adding warmth to your space, natural materials are undefeated in adding texture to your decor. With wood, the many different colours and feels give you endless opportunities with each piece of decor. Woods also tend to match well with neutral paint colours, amplifying the natural feel the wood gives off. Other materials such as silk, wool and cotton can give your smaller pieces of decor such as blankets and sheets will create a similar calm, neutral effect. Pairing all different types of natural materials is one of the best ways to create a warm, coherent bedroom. Look Into Your Mirrors Especially in smaller spaces, mirrors can create the illusion of space like no other piece of furniture. As well as being super functional, they reflect the space back at you creating a false sense of size. Mirrors also come in a range of shapes and sizes, meaning you can find one for any area of your room. They can also make great focal points in a room, similar to what wall art does for a space. Find Function In Your Furniture Product: Greenleaves Vintage Wooden Storage Box via Amazon With bedrooms, you'll most likely have quite a few things you need to put away. To stop your space from being crowded with clutter, invest in functional furniture to minimise mess whilst maintaining your desired aesthetic. Popular pieces of functional furniture include under-bed storage, extendable side tables, convertible sleeper chairs/sofas and loft beds with an integrated desk and storage. White on White A scheme that people may also shy away from due to it being perceived as boring, is white being used throughout. Whilst you lose colours in your primary features, using white throughout is a great way to create a mind clearing bedroom. By using white as your primary colour/shade, it opens the door for accents. To maintain the clearness that the white gives, opt for light woods or pastel colours to add that slight texture without creating a big contrast. Overall, designing the space that is YOUR space to match your preferences as much as possible will lift your mood when your home. There are many different options you can look into, hopefully this post gave you the inspiration you've been looking for.

  • Sustainable Interior Design: Eco-Friendly Ideas for Your Home

    In today's world, being as sustainable as possible has become a necessity. As we continue to push for a cleaner planet across the board, one way that we can make a difference is by incorporating sustainable practices into our home design. Sustainable interior design is about creating a living space that is both beautiful and eco-friendly. Naturally, using certain materials and techniques can give you a healthier, cleaner feeling space that's always relaxing to be in. In this post, we'll cover some eco-friendly ideas you can implement into your space for ultimate sustainable living: Incorporate plants into your decor Choose sustainable materials Recycle and repurpose Opt for energy-efficient lighting Use low VOC paints Maximise natural lighting Incorporate Plants into Your Decor Perhaps the best way to create the sense of eco-friendly living, incorporating plants will breath so much fresh air into your space. There's many different ways to include plants due to the many different types of plants themselves. Depending on your space, different styles of plants will complement your space more than others. With smaller spaces, vertical plants can add a sense of height to your room making it feel larger. If you want include more plants into a smaller space, consider a vertical garden to create the same effect. With larger spaces, you have the freedom to choose the layout you feel would best fit your space. A great way to create visual interest is to mix and match the plants you in each space of your room, depending on the characteristics of said space. Choose Sustainable Materials The first key to creating an eco-friendly home is focusing on using sustainable materials wherever you can. The best part of using these materials is that there's opportunities to use them in every room in your home. The most popular materials to use are bamboo, cork, recycled wood, and natural fabrics such as organic cotton, linen and hemp. Your main pieces of furniture will suit the wooden materials; pieces like your table, chairs, shelves and drawers fall into this. When it comes to natural fabrics, you can easily find decor such as rugs, blanks and even bigger pieces such as your sofa that are built using these fabrics. You can also create a softer feeling space through these materials, as they tend to be a lot calmer and lighter than alternatives. Scanning your space and finding as many as you can implement sustainable materials can be a super effective way to move your space in an eco-friendly direction, whilst simultaneously adding visual interest into the same space. Recycle and Repurpose Moving into the DIY zone, recycling and repurpose gives you the fun of creating something yourself, and means you don't have to spend anywhere near as much. Instead of throwing old furniture away, consider whether you can find a new, more practical eco-friendly use for it. For more tips on what DIY projects you can dive into, check out this post! No matter what piece you're think of throwing away, there's most likely a purpose for it. One of the easiest ways you can do this is by recycling materials such as glass and plastic, and incorporating it within your decor. You can create beautiful light fixtures, plant holders and more with old pieces you don't see a purpose for anymore. On the more larger scale, you can even take things like old ladders, and turn them into a unique bookshelf. Or craft a rustic, appealing side table which would fit right in with the stripped back eco-friendly design aesthetic. Opt for Energy-efficient Lighting One of the things that uses up a lot of energy in our homes in the lighting. There's a few different routes you can take with this element, even some ways to be more efficient with your current lighting. As new lighting can be fairly expensive, finding ways to minimise energy usage with your current lighting can go a long way in transitioning into an eco-friendly space. Always keeping the lights on a dimmer setting than usual and making sure lights that aren't in use are off sound simple, but are often overlooked. When looking for new lighting, opting for more sustainable lighting options such as LED and CFL bulbs use much less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Paired with the right lampshade, you get the same effect in your space whilst using much less energy in your home. You'll also save a good chunk of money on your bills! Use Low VOC Paints Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that are released into the air as your paint dries, leading to harmful effects on human health and the environment. Luckily, low VOC paints are becoming increasingly popular, resulting in benefits across the board. Low VOC paints lead to improved air quality due to the lack of chemicals, which also leads to the paint giving off less of an odour. Some paints can give off super strong smells, so it would be nice to get rid of them. The lack of chemicals is also the key reason why these paints are so eco-friendly. Don't worry about the quality of the paint not being as good as traditional paint, as the results come out just as good. They come in a wide range of colours and finishes, so you won't struggle to find a shade to amplify your space's visual appeal. Maximise Natural Lighting Not only does natural lighting mean you can save energy leading to reduced utility bills, it can create a more bright, warm, welcoming space wherever you maximise it. The main way for any space to let natural light in is through simply keeping your windows clean. Sometimes looked over, having build ups of dirt on your windows can prevent natural light from coming in. Removing obstacles from these entry points can also allow the maximum amount of light in. Sheer window treatments instead of heavier pieces can also do wonders for letting natural light in. Heavier curtains can also sometimes make your space feel cramped. In general, maximising natural light can both lead to less energy usage through artificial lighting, whilst creating a calmer space overall for you to enjoy. Overall, there are many different ways you can transform your home into a more eco-friendly, sustainable space for you to enjoy. No matter the shape or size of space you live, implementing any of the ideas in this post can help you achieve such a positive space.

  • 8 Easy and Creative D.I.Y Projects to Elevate Your Space

    If you're in the mood to change things up in your space without having to dip too much into the bank account, DIY projects are definitely the way to go. Not only being super cost-effective, but they can be the best way to add your own personal touch to your home. A super rewarding and fun process, here are some easy DIY projects that you can try: Repainting a Room Refinish Furniture Create a Vertical Garden Update Your Light Fixtures Make a DIY Terrarium Build a Bookshelf Make Your Own Curtains Create a Gallery Wall Repainting a Room The most popular and probably the easiest DIY project is painting your space a new colour. Despite being one of the easiest projects, it's one of the best ways to transform your space. No matter what design style you have in your room, there will be so many options for you to choose from. But be careful when choosing your paint, because there might be a couple of things you haven't considered. The type of paint, whether that be matte, eggshell or gloss, can be a massive decider in whether the paint will work in your space. If you have a more bold, eccentric design, a gloss paint would definitely be a good choice for you. On the contrary, a more calm, subtle space would be best complimented by a matte paint, maybe egg shell. Another tip, neutral coloured furniture tend to prefer more neutral coloured paints, whilst bold paint colours go better with vibrant furniture. Refinish Furniture A similar sort of DIY project as repainting a room, refinishing furniture is a super easy, cost-effective way to breath new life into your space. You can refinish almost any piece and depending what material the piece is, you have more opportunities to get creative. Before refinishing, always remember to sand down the piece of furniture. Depending on what look you're going for, simply leaving the piece after sanding will add warmth to your space, as the clean wood comes to the surface. If you're looking for a full recolour, be sure to make sure you're using the right tool, whether that be a brush, roller, spray gun etc. A much simpler idea that can still add a lot more to your space than you would think, is adding new hardware. Purchasing pieces such as knobs, pulls or hinges can give your furniture a completely new look, especially if your new piece is pretty different to your current. Create a Vertical Garden Leaning into the projects that take a little more time to complete, a hanging, vertical garden is a great way to add greenery and scenery to your home. It's a super effective way of bringing nature indoors, especially if you don't have much outdoor space. The first and obvious step is choosing the location for you indoor garden. Opting for a wall/space that has plenty of room with easy viewing access will be key. When actually choosing the plants, make sure to consider the light and moisture needs to make sure the space you choose can maintain that of what each plant needs to flourish. When it comes to what your hanging your plants, you have a fair few options to choose from, all of which complement different styles. Macrame planters and wire baskets have always been a popular choose, and for good reason. The designs are timeless, and blend in easy with your space. Recycling items in your home for containers such as mason jars or cups can add some unique style to your garden whilst simultaneously making the project more cost-effective. You can also find pre-made holders for indoor spaces like the option below: Find this product HERE Update Your Light Fixtures Updating your light fixtures is another super easy, affordable DIY project. A less of a visual impact compared to other project in thus post, but retaining the ability to freshen up your space. There's so many different styles of fixtures you can choose from, making it a lot easier to find one for you design style. Due to this piece of decor not being the biggest, you can definitely find some that will suit any style. Light fixture styles such as industrial, mid-century modern and rustic all thrive off a minimalist, clean-edged vibe. These styles will obviously look best in a space with the corresponding style, however the simplicity means they can still fit right in with any room. If your not looking at spending hardly any money on updating your fixtures, no need to worry. Similar to refinishing furniture, you can easily sand down and/or paint your current fixtures in whatever finish you want to subtly breath new life into your space. Find this product HERE Make a DIY Terrarium Back to the topic of nature, a much simpler, easy project you can complete is making your own terrarium. A perfect accent for any space, you have so much freedom when it comes to how you actually design one. Choosing the right container for your terrarium will be the first key element with this project. You can use pretty much any see-through item you have or buy that can hold things in for a terrarium (try you best to find one that complements your space!). When it comes to filling your container there are a few things to make sure you include for the best terrarium. Once you choose a container, add a layer of gravel to prevent water build up. Secondly, if possible, add a layer of activated charcoal to filter the air and prevent odors. Lastly, add your soil and fill your terrarium with beautiful plants. Try to use a variety of plants with different textures and sizes to create depth, and an overall increase visual interest. Adding in small items such as rocks and shells can help a ton with this also! Build a Bookshelf Perhaps the biggest project and the most time consuming, building a bookshelf is the perfect DIY project if you're looking for something bigger. A functional piece of furniture that can be the defining piece in any space, especially if it's hand crafted by you. After you've checked off all the necessities, those being gathering you tools to build with and measuring up the space you want to put your bookshelf, there are multiple ways you can make it your own whilst blending it in with your spaces' style. When it comes to the wood you use, the type of wood/colour will be the deciding factor on whether it will work in your space. If you're looking for a sleek bookshelf, most types of woods will work just fine. However, I recommend looking into either reclaimed wood or wood with an interesting pattern/grain if you want to create a bolder piece for your space. Incorporating other materials through hardware and accessories can be a great way to add the finishing touches to your project. Materials such as glass, stone and metal can add even more texture to your bookshelf, adding to its overall visual interest. Make Your Own Curtains Another major money saving DIY project, making your own curtains is a fun project that you can personalise more than most on this list. This project also takes more work for that matter, but if you love to create decor for your home this will be perfect. When choosing a fabric, making sure that it matches your interior design style. Be sure to consider the weight and texture of the fabric, as well as how much sunlight you want to let in. For a design style that focuses on light, neutral colours will prefer lighter curtains to maintain the open feel the colours already have. Bolder colours on the other hand, will suit the heavier type. When it comes to adding your personal touch to your curtains, there are a few different things you can do to do this. The first idea is adding trim, such as tassels, fringe or pom-poms. Another method is using stencils or paint to create a truly unique pattern. You can also consider layering fabrics to thicken you curtains! Create a Gallery Wall To truly add a personal touch to your space, creating a gallery wall gives you home a dedicated space to display all the things that are most important to you. Besides this, you can put together all of your favourite artwork together to create the same effect. Depending on the surrounding space of the wall, there's a few different ways you can make the most effective display. After choosing the pieces you want, planning out your layout on the floor is a great way to visualise how your ideas will come to life. Be sure to experiment with loads of different variations before deciding! To create a cohesive look for your gallery wall, trying you best to maintain a colour scheme throughout your pieces would be ideal, but if you can't, maintain a colour scheme through the frames you use. If you do manage to create a similar palette through the artwork, then be sure to mix and match the frames to add visual interest. Don't forget to vary the shapes and sizes of the art to break up the monotony. Overall, there are so many different DIY projects you can dive into no matter what shape or style your space is. These projects are the best way to add a unique, personal touch to your space, and more importantly, they're so much fun!

  • Designing Your Dorm Room: Top Tips For Your New Space

    Designing a dorm room should always be a fun and exiting experience for all students. It's the perfect chance to create a personalised space that reflects your style and personality. But due to how much freedom you have, it may be a little daunting when deciding what you want to do. In this post, we'll give you the key components to consider when designing a dorm room that can hopefully give you confidence before you move into your new home. Dorms can be pretty small, check out our post on maximising small spaces HERE. Planning Ahead A common mistake people make that they don't realise until later, is what they actually need/want to have in their space. Everyone tends to have a different lifestyle at college, but don't consider if their dorm fits in with that. You might want to focus your dorm as a place to chill, unwind from your day at college. Designing a space around your comfort with a sense of calmness could include a larger bed, with comfy pillows and blankets screaming at you to cuddle up in. Another purpose that peoples dorms have is being a place to socialise. If this is something you think would be perfect for you, consider having as much of an open feeling space as you can so no one is left out of the conversation. Of course people need places to sit; beanbags can act as a comfy alternative to simple chairs, creating a warmer, more inviting place for you friends to come over to. There are some things that you need to consider no matter what purpose you give your dorm, such as storage, study space (if you want it), and places to keep your personal items. However, depending on the purpose, you can base your decisions about these elements around the said purpose you choose. Choosing the Right Colours and Textures The colours and textures that you choose for your dorm room will make the biggest of difference when it comes to how it looks and feels. Due to dorms usually being pretty small, meaning the colour palette effects are amplified. If you're looking for a calm, open-feeling dorm, opting for light colours like white or cream can no doubt give you that tone. If neutral colours are a little boring for you, pastel colours will create the same effect, whilst adding a little colour to represent your personality. Adding small pops of bold colour through accessories, creating depth in your dorm. If you're thinking of using bold colours, it's a great way to truly put your personality on show. Be careful though, it may make your dorm feel much smaller if you fill it completely with bold vibrancy. Experimenting with patterns is also a super effective way of using bold colours; finding items like rugs and wall art are some of the best options if you're interested in this idea! Collaborate with Your Roommate: If you have a roommate, it's a good call to collaborate with the design of the dorm. To prevent your dorm from having 2 polar opposite styles, discussing your idea sand preferences will go a long way in creating a space you're both as comfortable as possible in. Sharing a Pinterest board/ mood board with each other can make it clear where both of your ideas are, making it easy to visualise how your space will turn out. Compromises will most likely have to be made if you have a roommate, but it will without doubt be worth it when the 2 sides of the space blend together better. If needed, you could consider using dividers in the space to prevent two different styles from taking anything away from each other. Communicating will be key when designing a dorm with your roommate. Being open and cooperative with them will without doubt allow you to create an interesting, welcoming space that you both can enjoy together. Make it Personal The best way to fully make the space your own, adding in personal items/decor that mean the most to you. It doesn't usually matter what design style you decide on with these things due to the meaning they have to you. These could be pictures of family/friends from home, or physical items you've brought with you. If your personal items go too much against the rest of your space, there are some routes you can take to minimise this. If you've gone for a simple/neutral colour palette, consider dedicating a space to hold these items together. This can be done through shelving or a cabinet in your chosen colour scheme; having all your personal items together will act as feature for your space. It won't take away from the colour flow due to them being together. There are different ways that you can implement your personal items into your dorm. If possible, fitting them in with your design style with of course continue to the correlation with the rest of the room, but as they all have so much meaning to you, if they don't blend as well as other items, the meaning behind them just about eliminates the lack of correlation. As you'll be in your dorm for the next chapter of your life, creating a space that truly represents you as a person will raise your mood whenever you're there. Although the space will be a a little smaller than what you may be used to, but that doesn't stop your creativity from flourishing!

  • Design Styles For Small Spaces: Finding the Best Style For You

    Choosing a design style for you space can easily become a headache. with some many different options for you to choose from, it can get overwhelming. There are several factors that come into designing a small space; for some general tips on elements across all design styles, click HERE. In this post, we'll give you 9 different design styles that can create a cozy, stylish space for you to hit the ground running with. These include: Minimalist Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Industrial Bohemian Art Deco Coastal Rustic Traditional Note: the images in this post don't all depict small spaces, they're for your inspiration aesthetically! Minimalist Design: Minimalism tends to be one of the styles people settle on when designing their small space. the design style is all about simplicity and functionality, making it a great choice for spaces with little room to work with. The most effective elements to consider when designing a minimalist space is the colour palette, smooth lines and simple furniture. In regards to colours, opting for a neutral colour palette will maintain the simplicity aspect that makes minimalism so effective. These colours can also help you creating defining lines in the space. For the furniture and decor, selecting more simple products that fit in with your chosen colour palette with also enhance the minimalism in the space. Focusing on making the room feel as empty as possible whilst having all the necessities on whatever room you're designing. Scandinavian Design: Scandinavian design is another great choice for smaller spaces. Taking some elements from the minimalist style, the focal points of this style is the use of natural materials, light colours and functional furniture. Coziness is at the core of Scandinavian designs. Thoughtfully using these different natural materials is the key to creating this in your own space, those materials being light-coloured woods, natural feeling textures like linen and wool. Applying these materials to the best suited furniture (for example: a light-coloured wooden table or linen curtains). The conventions of Scandinavian designs allow you to add warmth and texture, whilst utilising the best parts of minimalism to create a welcoming small space without it feeling cramped. Mid-Century Modern: The mid-century modern design style is a timeless option for a small space, and for good reason. It allows people to quite literally show their true colours through the decor they choose, whilst maintaining a spacious feel in the room. Like Scandinavian designs, mid-century modern also uses natural materials, but opts for for bold, vibrant materials such as leather wood and stone. These materials can help but make furniture and decor a centre piece in any space, but you have to be careful not to overfill the room making feel cramped. The use of space-saving furniture is always popular with mid-century modern designs, especially in small spaces. Pieces like modular sofas and built-in storage units means you take up less space, without loosing any functionality or the timeless design of the furniture itself. Industrial Design: As the name might give it away, an industrial design a style that draws inspiration from the visuals of factories and industrial spaces. Characterised by its hard, exposed, unfinished materials, its emphasis on functionality make it perfect for small spaces. A common route people take (and for good reason) is having exposed brick and/or concrete. A hallmark of the industrial design, these materials add texture to what would usually be a solid colour wall. By adding these textures, you create a more interesting space without the need of extra decor, which retains simplicity which can be key in a small space. Other popular materials include wood, which can be used to create more exiting furniture while keeping it minimal. Wooden finishes can subtly add that extra bit of warmth and life into a space due to the extra texture it provides. Bohemian Design: Perhaps the design style in this post with the most vibrancy (along with Art Deco of course), the bohemian design style, commonly known as boho, has come back into the mainstream in recent times. Characterised by its inspiration from so many different cultures worldwide, there's so much you can do with this style; something that means so much to you. One the main elements that is a staple for boho spaces in layered textiles such as blankets, rugs and pillows. This is one of the pieces of decor that can be inspired by different cultures, due to the patterns available. These are the same patterns that will create visual interest to your space. Carefully applying bold colours and patterns throughout will assist in creating a vibrant space full of life. Similar to other design styles in this post, boho designs can also incorporate natural materials to add warmth and texture. Which materials you choose can correlate with the cultural influences you're adopting to closer connect you said with the said culture you take inspiration from. Art Deco Design: Art Deco is the sort of design style that if you want to apply it, you have to go all in. Art Deco can create some of the most unique spaces, as there are so many options for you to dive into. The main convention of Art Deco is the use of geometric shapes like triangles, circle and squares. Often incorporated into multiple aspects of the design, such as the furniture, lighting fixtures and addition decor like pillows and wall art. When blended together, these shapes create visual interest in the space, along with complexity. If possible, utilising luxurious materials for both the main furniture and accessories can go a long way when designing an Art Deco space. Materials such as Marble, Brass and exotic woods will without a doubt add so much sophistication to your space, adding a sense of richness throughout. Coastal Design: Coastal design, also known as a nautical design, is one of the best style choices for a small space. The style is ideal for creating a light, airy space that has room for plenty of personalisation. The key components of coastal design is light, airy colours paired with corresponding natural materials. Light blues, greens and whites are the obvious main colours, reflecting the coast. Besides reflecting the ocean, these colours naturally created a sense of calm and tranquility, perfect for a small space. In regards to the materials used, things like light woods and wicker will seamlessly blend with the coastal colour palette, as they carry the same sense of softness/calmness. Alongside the materials themselves, used the natural colour palette for pillows, curtains and just about any accessory will also complement the room just as well. Keeping with the natural theme, natural light will boost the space like nothing else can. The whole idea is to bring the coastal colours indoors; the best way to bring these colours to life is to use the light they're made to receive. Not obstructing the access points for natural lights will complete the calmness in the space. Rustic Design: Another design style that has been resurgent in recent time is the rustic design. With a sole focus on earthy, natural materials, you can't help but create a welcoming, cozy small space. A popular way to encapsulate the earthy feel is through reclaimed materials. These materials, whether that's wooden beams, barn doors or other salvaged pieces, they add so much more personality to the space. They will always stand out as their own unique, eye catching element. Similar to the industrial design style, rustic spaces also incorporates natural materials such as wood, stone and brick. By blending all of these components together, you can develop a warm colour palette that doesn't cause your small space to be overcrowded, whilst retaining the earthy feel that's at the core of this design style. Traditional Design: The traditional design style is of course a timeless style, drawing its inspiration from classic architecture. Like some other styles in this post, there are so many different routes you can take in regards to the colours and furnishings in your small space. When it comes to materials, this design often incorporates rich feeling materials, such as velvet and sink. Using these materials on your furniture (mainly sofas and pillows) can create a sense of luxury and elegance to your space. Ornate pieces like coffee tables can complement these materials, leading to a sophisticated tone overall. Opting for deep colours, such as reds, greens and blues can really add boldness to your space, highlighting the traditional design. However, this may make the room feel a little crowded, so if you want to avoid that, pastel colours are another great option for this design style, as they will still define your furniture, but will feel much lighter overall. When designing a small space, there are so many options in regards to design style that you can choose from. Be sure to take some time to consider each style, and decide which one with suit both your space and your personality the best.

  • Akari Light Sculptures: Choosing the Best Piece for Your Space

    Ever since the unique light sculptures where first designed in 1951 by the renowned artist and designer Isamu Noguchi, they have become a staple piece in interior decor. Being crafted with traditional Japanese paper and bamboo, they perfectly encapsulate the design culture from the country, after being inspired by Japanese lanterns and by the name 'Akari' translating to light in English. The light scultpures quickly gained popularity across Europe and the USA, and haven't stopped growing since they first caught wind. Now with over 100 products, organic forms are at the centre of these decor pieces. But these pieces are quite expensive, so be prepared! Image via: SCP / Photo by: Dan Budnik Due to the materials used for the lights, Noguchi had the ability to develop all kinds of different deisgns. This means that there are dozens and dozens of different sculptures for you to choose from. Another benefit the materials have is they can blend in with all kinds of design styles. Some of the lights have unique designs on them; hopefully at least one of them will blend in with your space. Here are some of my favourites that I feel can fit with most spaces (note: I am not paid in any way for this post!): Akari 70F Product: Akari 70F via Noguchi Shop One of the most popular choices for an Akari light is the 70F design. This design is a ceiling hanging light, and is one of the more simple designs compared to others. Its simplicity is the main reason for its popularity, as it can blend in with so many different design styles. Whilst being so simple, the uniqueness it holds manages to give it its own personality in a space, even if you already have other decor pieces that have a similar effect. But don't worry, it won't take anything away from these pieces, it will only add to your space overall. If you're looking for a simple, yet unique ceiling light sculpture, definitely save the 70F as a potential option, no matter what your design style may be. Akari 2A UKAI Product: Akari 2A UKAI via Noguchi Shop Leaning into the more graphic type designs for the sculptures, the 2A UKAI design adds that little extra tradition to your space, with the traditional Japanese art work printed on the paper. Much smaller than the 70F, this lamp is perfect for sitting on desks, drawers, or anywhere you have a bit of extra space. A similarity it shares with the 70F (and pretty much every other sculpture) is that it makes such a statement whilst being on the simpler side of decor design. This is the case especially with this lamp due to the extra graphic design, which isn't used for many others. For a smaller light that has some additional yet subtle details compared to other lights in the Akari range, the 2A UKAI will best the best choice for you. Akari UFN-33N Product: Akari UFN-33N via Noguchi Shop The first of the floor lamps in this post, and is one of the most popular choices for this style. It's one of the few designs that features a spiral design, making it so interesting in any space. In regards to where you actually end up placing this lamp, you have a lot of options due to the simpler design. Like most lamps in the collection, they can blend in pretty much anywhere whilst retaining a unique profile. The swirl design used for the UFN-33N adds even more character to the lamp whilst retaining the simplicity aspect. The height of this lamp also means that it can create verticality, which can work wonders in smaller spaces to make them feel bigger overall. See our post on optimizing small spaces HERE. Akari BB1-30DD Product: Akari BB1-30DD via Noguchi Shop Being one of the sculpures that features a pull-chain switch, the essence of tradition is at the forefront of this design. The lamp is 12" x 24", so you'll be best having this in a space such as your office or bedroom to add a little warmth. The paper itself doesn't feature any additional graphics and comes in the traditional spherical shape. To me, this style is the smoothest of the range and is the easiest to blend with any space. Especially due to the size, it's ideal for adding a little softness to a roomthat may lack it. The curvature throughout the design reinforces the softness that it creates, doing wonders in creating a relaxing space. Akari 30P Product: Akari 30P via Noguchi Shop My personal favourite sculpture of the ceiling lamp range, the Akari 30P moves away from the traditional curve-based, smooth design and embraces bold geometry instead. Whilst retaining some of the softness thats almost impossible to avoid due to the paper material that's used for all the lights, the use of stacked rectangles makes this light more of a feature piece. The size of this lamp (19.6" x 65") means it can easily be a feature piece in your space, as it can be hung by itself, in it's own dedicated space. By focusing on hard lines instead of soft curves, the 30P will stand out in your space more than others, however it will still complement your home style no less than other products in this post. Due to the same organic materials being used across the entire range, it retains the softness that these sculptures have become known for. Akari 10D Product: Akari 10D via Noguchi Shop Moving back to the standing lights, the 10D combines so many of the perfect qualities of other sculptures to make one of the smoothest, calmest lights in the range. The tall, super thin legs used for this lamp make it so versatile when it comes to where you can place the light. With smaller rooms, standing lights can be fairly difficult to find, however the 10D's legs help create a free, open feel to a small space, whilst adding warmth and coziness through the light and paper. As with larger rooms, there may be a gap that your not sure what to do with. This light can seemlessly blend into your space due to the simplicity of the design, whilst adding such a difference to your overall lighting. Overall, no matter what size space or what design style you have, you'll have no trouble finding an Akari lamp to complement your space.

  • How to Choose the Perfect Mirror for Your Space

    Choosing a mirror for your space can be a pretty difficult task. There's so many different options out there, making it overwhelming at times. But once you land on the perfect one, they can enhance your space dramatically. There's a few main things to consider when making that decision, such as the shape, size, placement and style. By the end of this post, hopefully your choices have been narrowed down to best suit your space. Determine the Purpose of the Mirror One of the key decisions you have to make when choosing your mirror is what's going to be the main purpose of it. If you want one for a decorative piece, you'll need a different style compared to one that would be used for looking at your outfits for the day. If you're looking for that mirror that you can see if your outfit looks as good as you imagined, searching for a free standing, tall mirror will be the way to go. Coming in a variety of styles, you shouldn't have too much of a hard time finding one to fit your style style, especially as they tend to be more minmalistic. Image: NeuType Arched Full Length Mirror Standing mirror best ofs: They can be moved easily, giving you flexibility to change the layout of your space. They can be used as a divider for your space due to the size, and can create the illusion of depth and space due to this size. They can reflect much more light than other mirrors, creating a generally brighter, more lively space to be in. They can be easily used as a decorative piece rather than just a boring mirror, filling that gap in your space. Rather than checking out your fit, you might be wanting a table mirror that you can use sitting at your desk, maybe for doing your hair and/or makeup. As with standing mirrors, this style of mirror also comes in a wide range of design styles, meaning you'll be sure to find one that suits you spaces design studio (always remember to match it as best as possible!). Image: IKORNNES Table Mirror from IKEA Table mirror best ofs: They can easily blend in with your desk layout The mimimalism element they typically provide due to their size helps them to blend in. They can add a little bit of life/brightness to your desk/workspace if it's lacking. They're extremely versatile, meaning you can easily move it from space to space without any trouble. They're great decorative pieces for your space along with being super functional. Choose the Right Shape of Mirror The shape of the mirror you choose could make or break its effectiveness in your space. It can determine the overall look and feel of the room. Just buying a mirror because it looks great by itself, doesn't mean that it will work with your design style. Round Mirrors: Round mirrors tend to a popular choice amongst buyers, and for good reason. They typically work well in a variety of spaces, including bedrooms, living rooms and entryways. The reason they work so well is due to their curve, softening the angles that the rest of the room may have. Going for a simple frame for this style of mirror can help to enhance this compared to a bolder, more specific designed frame, as it can take away from the softness. The wide nature of these mirrors makes them great at reflecting the space they're in, so you won't have to worry about the frame taking anything away from your style. Keeping on the topic of the wideness aspect, round mirrors can enrich small spaces by making them feel more spacious than they actually are. That's partly down to how much of the space they can reflect, and partly due to the softness created by the curvature. Rectangle Mirrors: Image: Large Black Rectangle Mirror from Melody Maison The more timeless option for shape, rectangle mirrors are great for alot of different reasons that a round mirror isn't quite capable of. Most often used in bathrooms and dressing rooms, their clean cut, straight edge nature helps them blend in to spaces that have similar characteristics. These characteristics that the mirror shares creates a modern, clean look, perfect for minimal spaces. Their length make them great for seeing things first hand such as your outfit, whilst blending into your sleek space seemlessly, offering aesthetics along with functionality. Another way the functionality shines through with this mirror style is how they can be hung either vertically or horizontally, giving you that option to decide which way you want to hang yours to best suit your space. Irregular-Shaped Mirrors: Image: Bala Irregular Shaped Frameless Full Length Pond Mirror from Daals A style that has caught on more recently, irregular-shaped mirror in all shapes and sizes have been popping up in peoples spaces. While round and rectangular shaped mirrors may be more functional, they can't compete with the impact this unique style. The main reason why irregular-shaped mirrors have grown so quickly is due to the unique, unexpected element to a space. Rather than just having the basic uses of a mirror, they serve as their own piece of art, similar to a wall print. They're perfect as a focal point for your space whilst serving a practical purpose. No matter what design style you've chosen for your space, these mirrors can complement eclectic to miminalist rooms without overwhelming the rest of the space. In conclusion, irregular-shaped mirror can add much more character to a space compared to other shapes, creating a focal point wherever they're hung whilst maintaining the function and practicality of a regular-shaped mirror. Consider the Placement of Your Mirror Hanging your mirror in the right place can make or break whether it works well in your space. No matter what type of mirror you selecting, choosing a position where it compliments to overall spacial design is key. The no.1 pointer I can give it dedicating a section completely to your mirror. Due to it relfecting the space back at you, having too many other decor pieces surrounding it can cause your space to feel overwhelming/cramped. The best thing about mirrors, they don't need anything else around them to become the most interesting part of your space.

  • Maximising Small Spaces: 7 Tips On How To Make The Most Of Your Space

    Designing a small space in your home can always be tricky. You're pretty limited on what you can use to decorate your room, however doesn't mean that you can't make your space look just as inviting. By the end of this post, hopefully you'll have the perfect idea on how you're going to decorate you space. Note: I'm not paid for featuring any products in this post, I'm just sharing some of my favourites! 1.Using Multi-fuction functional furniture A super easy way to make the most of your space is through the use of multi-purpose furniture. It's something that has been utilized for a long time now, a truly timeless idea. Nowadays, there are so many pieces that can maximise your small space with. Sofa beds are one of the products that come in so many different shapes and sizes. Finiding one that fits into your chosen design style and colour palette won't be as hard as you think, with so many furniture companies capitalizing on such a useful product. Miminal style sofa beds tend to work well with most designs, such as the one produced by next to the left. Image: Stella Click Clack Sofa Bed Other multi purpose furniture pieces such as coffee tables that act as storage units can go a long way with a small space. You can fit more essential items into a beautiful table that could be the final touch to your design. 2. Utilize Verticle Space Image: Habitat Jessie Modular Wall Shelf As you don't have as much room on the floor, using the walls as a place for storage can both be practicle and bring a sense of fullness into your space. The best choice for this would be verticle shelves, which like sofa beds come is countless different styles to suit your personal style. Both the colour and material used for the shelf can decide on the overall tone that your space will have. If you're looking to achieve a light, soft room, opting for a light wood/white shelf can without a doubt help you achieve that. On the contrary, a moody or even cozy vibe can be achieved with darker woods/colours like browns, blacks and deep reds. Something that you should also take into account is the spacing between each shelf, which can lead to the wall either feeling more spacious or busy. Other ways to utilize verticle space can come in the form of foilage or wall decor such as posters. Including tall plants and portrait posters can allow you to add more to the room without sacrificing as much space as the contrary to the two, meaning you can incorporate more elements into your design without cramping it up. 3. Focus on the Lighting Centering your design around your lighting can also determine the overall feel of your space. Natural light will always be the no.1 source of light to create an open feel in any space. This especially goes for small spaces, as it can create an illusion of there being more space than there actually is (light colours on walls do wonders paired with this!). If you're really liking the idea of an open feeling space, purchasing a soft, yellow coloured light can carry this feel through the night after the sun sets. A soft yellow can also create a cozy vibe at nights for when you want to snuggle up. Sometimes, embracing the small size of a room in the right way can increase the coziness of the space. Applying dimmer lights like darker yellows can instantly warm the space up. Besides the use of lights, you could go down the timeless route of using candles as a light source. As well as being the go-to light source for when you wrap yourself in a blanket to doze off, the scent of a candle can add so much to the personality of a room. And there's definitely not a shortage of options on that front. 4. Choose Furniture with Exposed Legs Another way to create a sense of opensess in your small space is to use furniture with exposed/thin legs. Without loosing any more space than you wood with more condensed furniture, the exposure can be a great way to let light into as much space as possible. This can reduce dependance on artificial light, saving costs in the long run. By doing this, you can unlock more space within the room, creating the illusion of the room being larger than it actually is. The simplicity of these furniture pieces make them versatile when it comes to implementing them with your opted design style. 5. Create Zones To maximize the functionality of a small space, creating zones can be great way to organize your room allowing it to be as efficient as possible. Giving each section of your space a purpose can make the smallest areas seem spacious. There are a few different ways that you can implement this concept into your design: The most effective way to create zones in your small space is through your furniture layout. Using pieces like sofas, shelves/bookshelfs can divide the room into multiple zones, making the space more cohesive and efficient overall. It's also one of the best ways to create privacy in a space that you might not thought could have it. Other pieces of furniture that achieve the same effect are rugs and carpets, which also come in countless designs and materials. When creating zones in a small space, the most important thing is to make sure you have a design style that's consitant throughout. Changing it up can lead to your space feeling cramped, rather than having a cohesive space. 6. Invest in Mirrors Image: Apartment Leaner Mirror Back to the topic of illusions, a large mirror (free standing or not) can do more for your space than you can imagine. Whilst they may take up a fair amount of space, they reflect the space, creating the illusion of depth. In a small space, doing everything to make it feel bigger will always benefit. Mirrors can also be great focal points for a small space. It can take the place of wall art and whilst creating depth, mirrors also draw the eye as soon as you enter the room. There's a wide variety of mirrors to choose from out there, so you shouldn't have too tough of a time finding one to fit in with your design style. No matter what your style is, the depth a mirror will give your space will do wonders for it. 7.Use Plants When it comes to choosing the right plants for your small space, you have to be pretty careful with your choice. Due to the environment, opting for low maintance plants such as ferns, succulents and spider plants don't require much sunlight and can thrive in your room. As plants come in all shapes and sizes, you can mix and match different plants to bring life into your space. But always be mindful to not overfill the space with them as you'll loose any sense of openness. Verticle plants can help with creating depth, as they make the space feel taller. They can also make great use of floor space due to this. Going back to creating zones in a smaller space, larger plants can be a much more subtle way to divide the zones instead of furniture. Plants will take up less space, creating more air flow throughout the room. To summarize, there are multiple methods that you can use to design your small space in the most effective way. No matter what design style you choose, these tips will go a long way in making the most of it: Utilizing multi-functional furniture to create more uses whilst including less in the space. Focusing on vertical space to allow the room to feel taller, leading to an overall increase in space. Applying lighting strategically to create the mood you desire. Choosing exposed legged furniture, to clear up space, to create more of a flow between each piece of furniture. Creating zones in your space to give each section of the room a purpose, creating a more organized space. Using mirrors to create the illusion of depth in your space, ultimately making it feel more spacious Including plants in your space to bring life into your small space, while saving space compared to using furniture.

  • How To Use Neutral Colours In Your Space

    You've probably seen a lot of talk about the use of neutral colour schemes in homes coming into 2023. The colour scheme has started to grow more and more popular recently, and for good reason. Neutral colours can create a sense of stillness that no other scheme can. In this post, you'll find different ways you can bring as much calmness into your space as possible. Using Whites for Highlights If you're looking for the ultimate sense of warmth using natural colours, having beiges and browns as the primary colours in your space is the way to go. Having the warm tones be the focal point of the design allows for you to use lighter tones to add a little pop. Whites, greens and even lighter browns can prevent your space from being a pretty bland room, whilst maintaining the neutral colour palette your basing your design off of. Having light cushions, plant pots or coffee tables can really make the difference in creating a cohesive, serene interior space. Utilising Different Natural Materials To spice up your space whilst maintaining the neutral colour scheme you're aiming for, experimenting with different materials could do wonders for you. Luckily, there's a decent amount of materials that come with the neutral tones, like woods and stones. A super easy way to use these neutral materials is through decor such as weave baskets, a lot of which use light coloured wood to be made with. These can act as extra storage in your space whilst adding to your neutral space. Using different materials for your decor pieces can allow them to stand out whilst creating depth in your space. Taking into account the potential colours and materials you can use, how you actually apply them will be key to creating a cohesive space overall. This is where layering comes in. Using either different shades or different colours entirely, how you pair them togteher will determine whether your space has depth, which can go a long long way in completing your room. Not placing too similar colours/textures next to each other can prevent your space from becoming bland; mixing and matching will never not benefit you. By using careful planning, this trick can create a layered, neutral, timeless space full of life and colour. Add Pops of Colour Through Decor Another method that you could use is using different decor pieces to add pops of colour in your space. Whilst the main elements such as the walls and furniture will still be promoting these neutral colours, there's many different ways that you can add these colour pops. These include: Artwork: The most common form of wall decor, artwork for your wall can comes in so many different styles and fonts. Places such as Etsy and Pinterest are great places to search for artwork that can complement your space best. Decorative Pillows: Another super common piece of decor that any space can benefir from, opting for a pillow with an interesting pattern and/or colour scheme can add that highlight you're looking for. Pillows are also a great way to experiment with textures! Curtains: Something that tends to be on the bottom of peoples list when designing their space is curtains. But what a lot of people don't take into account is the impact carefully selected curtains can have. As well as having the ability to create a more open feel (or the opposite), they're one of the largest pieces of decor you will have. Therefore, utilizing them for a colour pop will be one of the most effective ways you could achieve it. Area Rugs: something that would probably create more of an impact in decor of a colour pop is a rug. Whether you want a large or small one, the countless different textures, patterns and colours available makes it super easy to find one for your space. Plants: Maybe the easiest way to add some colour to your neutral space is through plants. This is the best option if you don't want to cause too much of a pop, as green itself is used as a neutral colour. However, using a bold-coloured plant like a montsera can still draw the eye when you walk in. A colour pop in a neutral space can add a unique, personalized touch to your neautral coloured space if considered carefully. Be sure to explore the options above to see if the piece your missing is out there waiting for you! Use Lighting to your advantage No matter what design style, what layout or what colour scheme you have, lighting will always be one of the most important factors in your space. The type of lighting that you choose will determine the overall tone of your space, so you need to make sure to consider art carefully. When it comes to neutral coloured spaces, opting for soft, gentle light would create more of a seamless flow between the lighting and the overall decor. Using bold, bright colours will overwhelm the space, removing all the calmness that you've spend so long building up. But besides artificial light, utilising natural lighting will do wonders for your space. The neutral colour palette is based around Earth tones, therefore paired with natural light will blend each element in your space seamlessly. Keeping windows clear, carefully planning you layout to the light hits the right spots will amplify the feel of a natural, earthy feel in your space. Overall, designing a space with neutral colours can be the perfect place for you to unwind after your day, or fill your day will serenity if you spend most of your time at home. With careful consideration of the elements in this article, you will no doubt be able to create that neutral coloured space you've always dreamed of.

  • Bringing Nature Indoors: How To Implement Natural Elements Into Your Home

    Every new year brings in new design trends for your inside space. Each time it's something pretty different to the last, this year is no different. Whether it's down to us being locked inside for the past few years, the latest trend is to open up and let nature inside. People have taken the idea of bringing the outside indoors, leaving a lot ideas on the table. If you're liking the sound of it, hopefully we can help you decide whats best for you. Foliage Central There's Never Too Much Green Opening up Embrace Natural Textures Let Natural Light Brighten Up Your Space Add Some Personality With Botanical Prints Use Natural Tiles Throughout Foliage Central The most popular way people are embracing nature is by filling the gaps in their space with different types of foilage. Almost every interior design style welcomes the colour green, in all shapes and sizes. Most of us have a little spot thats empty on our fireplace or a bookshelf somewhere in the house, why not add some life (literally) to your space. There's hundreds of types of small plants that will go perfect in any spot you have free. As well as spots for little plants, you might have some extra space next to your chair or sofa. Investing in a larger, standing plant can bring so much life to you life, simply by adding a bold, natural colour to it. Paired with your pot of choice, you could be looking at the missing piece to you empty space. There's Never Too Much Green Another way to fully embrace nature is not just with new foilage, but painting their walls with it. The best thing about the colour green is how it can be both harsh and soft, with the different shades blending together perfectly. Or, if you're feeling bold, matching your wall with your foilage can really make the room pop with natural life. To compliment the bold colours on the walls, using the sofas and chairs as the highlight colours, maybe a white or a beige, can stop the room from just being one big block of the same colour. Using a neutral colour will work best for maintaing the feeling of nature being brought inside. Opening Up Something that isn't quite as easy to manage, but if you can, do not hesitate to see it could work for you house. If you have a decent sized garden with visible green space, opening up the wall that backs on to your garden can connect you with nature like nothing else. Creating a seemless flow between the indoors and outdoors can also make your home feel bigger, as it allows your outdoor space to feel like it's own room. Embrace Natural Textures Using natural textures throughout your home is another super effective way to implement elements of into your home. There's ways to do this in almost every area of your space, whether that be through a wooden dining table, stone/marble countertops or a stylish rug like a Jute rug. Another popular way to incorporate natural textures is through accents, such as stone bowls for your dining tables, slate coasters and so on. Having a healthy balance of these materials dotted around you space can add much more texture than you might think. Let Natural Light Brighten Up Your Space When in comes to lighting, there's no better way to capture the sense of the outdoors than to embrace natural light. As well as the light itself, natural light will warm up your space, making it so much more enjoyable to be in. Natural light can also bounce perfectly off of the colours that you might include in a nature inspired space, included the foliage if you choose to implement it. Keeping your entry points clear of too much furniture is the best way to bring the light in, as well as lighter blinds/curtains that can suppress the light if natural, but still have similar effects. Add Some Personality With Botanical Prints When it comes to decor, wall art will always be at the top of the list for adding personality and overall visual interest to a space. They're perfect for further enchanting whichever design style you choose, especially in nature inspired prints. The best thing about botanical prints is how many different designs there are on different marketplaces like Etsy, FyShop and Drool Art. Whether you have a minimal space or a eccentric space, a simple or bold design will fit right in. Use Natural Tiles Throughout Image Credit: Victoria Plumbing When it comes to spaces such as your bathroom or Kitchen, applying natural tiles such as stacked stone or wooden tiles can easily transform these spaces into a natural oasis. Natural tiles also add tons of texture, creating a more aesthetically pleasing space all round. When it comes to wood, there's so many different spaces from oak to walnut that can complement different existing colour palettes. Stone tiles also pair perfectly with natural themed colour palettes, becoming the focal point of a space. Also, with the colours of nature being on display, it can give you endless inspiration on what colours to use for you interior, with greens, browns and blues all avaibale to utilize. Overall, every home can incorporate the feel of nature, whether thats through accessories/decor, colour schemes or physically connecting your home to the outdoors, the calming vibe it will give you will be tough to beat.

  • Designing Your Kitchen: Choosing Your Colour Palette

    So you've decided to renovate your kitchen, or maybe you're just looking for a little switch up for the space you spend so much time in. No matter the reason for wanting a switch up, choosing the right colour palette can always be tricky. There's so many options out there in regards to materials and finishes, so hopefully we can whittle you choices down by the end of this post: Option 1: Air and Space - Light wood and White If you're looking to have a kitchen that feels spacious and light, utilizing bright colours can reinforce this feel more than anything. As well as being similar in tone, light woods, such as birch or cedar have just enough of a contrast without disrupting the flow between elements. Either colour can be used for different elements, for example the cupboards could be light wood with white counter tops, or vice versa. The best thing about this palette is how versatile they can be in regards to materials, being used constantly for woods, marble and granite pieces, just to name a few. Highlights can work wonders with this palette, such as using dark, heavy tones like black/grey for appliances and acessories to give the room that ever so slight pop. For a spacious, open-plan style layout, opting for a light, neutral coloured palette is the way to go for the calm space you desire. Option 2: Mid-Cetury Modern Warmth - Dark Blue The use of dark blue in kitchens is a great choice for so many different styles of kitchen. From modern to mid-century (or a blend of the two), pairing such a bold, heavy colour with a soft cream can add so much character to the space. Using the blue for the cabinets is always the best bet for this palette, to really make it stand out in the kitchen. Having the counter tops in a cream or white colour, whether that be a wood finish or a solid rock material, it splits up the space making sure your kitchen isn't a big dark void. The cupboards can stand out as the feature this way by bouncing off the light, neutral tone it's paired with. Option 3: Embracing the Dark - Black and Dark woods To really make your kitchen it's own character, opting for a completely dark themed kitchen trumps pretty much any palette in doing that. This scheme can be used in all kitchen's from sleek, modern kitchens to country style spaces. Using black or a dark grey on your cabinets instantly sets the tone for a warm, moody space. The use dark wood as the secondary element takes nothing away from the atmosphere created by the black, it only adds to it. Dark woods are undeafeted in creating a warm space, especially in the kitchen. Not being dissimilar to the black, your kitchen will seemlessly flow together with this scheme. Like the light wood & white option, this colour palette is perfect for accents such as golds, whites and even some dark greens can add go a long way in completing your kitchen space. Option 4: Green, Green & Green (with some white) A timeless palette for kitchens, and for good reason. The earthy colour has so many different shades that can be easily used in the same space due to its range from softness to boldness. The favourite amongst designers and customers is to use the darkest shade for the cupboards, do add the block colour effect. The boldness drags you straight in. The lighter shades of green can come in through the rest of the space, for example with the seating you select, decor, foilage or accents (mainly appliances). The white comes into play most notably with the worktops. Having a solid white base above and behind the bold greens allows the focus to be kept on the said greens, whilst giving the counter tops their own profile. The white can also create a seemless blend effect between the two tones. When planning a new design for your kitchen, finding two (or more) colours that seemlessly blend together whilst maintaining their own profile should be no.1 on your checklist. Finding the design style you love and the products that come with it becomes so much easier once you've settled on that beautiful colour palette.

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