Styling your new abode is one of the most exciting parts of becoming a new home owner and can help to turn your new house into a home. We sat down with Bold Living chief operating officer Arlia Boulton to find out the top tips and tricks for achieving an interior design that will give you the luxe look year-round.
For more design inspiration, make sure you drop in to Bold Living's display homes at the Everleigh Display Village to see these ideas come to life.
THINK AHEAD
One of the many benefits of building is you have the opportunity to choose a floorplan and fittings that will accommodate the furniture you need in each area of your home, says Arlia.
"Use your floorplan to do a rough sketch of furniture placement to ensure there is plenty of space, and consider choosing flooring, cabinetry and appliances that will complement the 'look' you want to achieve," she says.
DEFINE YOUR 'LOOK'
Choose a 'theme' you can use to set the look and feel of your home, whether it's cool coastal colours reminiscent of the beach, earthy tones and plants that take you back to nature or a modern-minimalist approach with a monochrome palette.
"Once you've chosen your base tones, you can 'dress' different spaces in your home using decor in bold accent colours," says Arlia.
"Cushions, throws, rugs, towels, plants and kitchenware are all small statement pieces that can be easily updated over time to refresh your home, while maintaining its overall style."
KEEP IT SIMPLE
One of the most important rules of styling is to create space, which means avoiding 'clutter' by only purchasing furnishings that are practical and necessary.
"It can be tempting to 'over-style' a space with lots of decor and detail," says Arlia.
"Try to stick to the basics and keep it simple."
CHOOSE QUALITY
Even if you're on a budget, it might be worth purchasing a higher quality piece of furniture with a warranty than a cheaper item that is unlikely to last.
"Try to choose furnishings that are neutral rather than on-trend, so they don't date too quickly and complement any style updates you make down the track," advises Arlia.
BE PRACTICAL
Arlia says you should always style your home for comfort, not for 'show'.
"Consider how your family uses each space in your home, and ensure your styling can practically meet your day to day needs," she says.
"A young family might make good use of a large corner suite, while a more mature family with older children might prefer a smaller lounge paired with recliners and occasional seating.
"Remember that anything old can be made new again with a bit of creativity. Upcycling is becoming a popular way to renew old furniture with a lick of paint or a new cover. It may be more practical (and affordable!) to refresh your existing furniture than to buy new."
The Everleigh Display Village features 19 homes by 12 of Queensland's leading builders. For more information on the village, opening times and virtual tours, please visit https://everleigh.mirvac.com/about/display-village.