New insights from Pinterest have revealed that good things come in small packages, with Aussies looking to better utilise the spaces in their homes, with a 35% increase in searches for “space saving furniture”.
In this evolving economy, less is more and based on their searches, it seems many Aussies on Pinterest are being inspired to shift to a minimalist lifestyle. With people increasingly working from home, making the most of the available space has become more important than ever before. Pinterest insights show a 40% increase in searches for “apartment living” as Aussies search for inspiration to jazz up their compact living spaces.
If your home has been feeling stale with all the clutter, now’s your opportunity to find inspiration to transform every nook and cranny into something refreshing.
In the past four weeks, Pinterest has seen a:
55% increase in searches for “small playroom ideas”
35% increase in searches for “small bathroom interior”
30% increase in searches for “small pantry design ideas”
Whether you’re planning an easy and fun new project this spring or a complete living space revamp, Pinterest can be a great place for interior design inspiration.
A report based on search result data on Houzz has identified home design trends of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home professionals in the past year. Among these trends are dedicated activity spaces, a focus on outdoor living, a rise in bathroom grooming and a deep dive into resort-style pool design. The report also shows that honouring architectural origins and smart storage solutions are more important than ever in 2022.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, people have continued to make their homes the centre point for new avenues of activity and entertainment and it shows in the increased searches we’re seeing on Houzz this year for ‘home bar’ (up by 79%), ‘media room’ (up by 48%), ‘library’ (up by 46%), ‘rumpus room’ (up by 43%) and ‘studio’ (up by 43%).
Hindley & Co on Houzz. Photography by Tatjana Plitt
Outdoor living
Connecting homes to the great outdoors is a trend we’ve seen grow stronger over recent years. It appears more and more homeowners are looking to achieve the idyllic beachside lifestyle, with searches for ‘Hamptons exterior’ quadrupling and ‘coastal kitchen’ doubling in 2022 (up 331% and 116%, respectively). Making the most of alfresco settings continues with searches on Houzz for ‘greenhouse’ (doubled), ‘decks’ (also doubled) and ‘outdoor dining’ (up by 66%) surging higher over the past year. In addition, capturing the open-air Palm Springs-inspired vibe is gaining popularity and searches are up by 56%.
inovasis design on Houzz
Making a splash
Bathrooms remain one of the most popular interior rooms to be upgraded and saw spend by homeowners increase 13% from $15,000 to $17,000 year-on-year. Specific searches for ‘bathroom mirrors’, ‘baths’, ‘wet room’ (up by 64%) and ‘ensuite’ (up by more than 38%) have jumped up on Houzz in 2022 compared to the year prior.
Santamaria Design on Houzz. Photography by Ryan Linnegar
Poolside plunge
People are searching for ways to cool off in style, and pool professionals confirm interest in swimming pool design has certainly heated up recently. Homeowners are diving deep for inspiration with the search terms ‘pool house’, ‘swimming pool’, ‘swim spa’, ‘pool cabana’ and ‘plunge pool’ surging higher on Houzz than the previous year.
Square Design on Houzz
Preserving charm & character
Preserving the original charm and character of a home appears to be top of mind among homeowners . Dramatic search spikes for ‘exposed brick’ (almost tripled), along with ‘balustrade’ (more than doubled), ‘Federation’ (up by 52%) and ‘industrial’ (up by 41%) show that decorative styles and architectural features, that are unique to period style homes, have become popular this year. In addition, ‘Australian native gardens,’ which are well-suited to local growing conditions, saw growth by more than 2.3 times, when compared to 2021.
MMAD Architecture on Houzz
Smart storage
Custom smart storage solutions are becoming increasingly important for homeowners, with more than a third enlisting the help of a cabinet or cabinetry home professional in the past year (32%). Creating a well-functioning ‘butler’s pantry’ more than quadrupled in searches on Houzz in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021 (up 311%). Home organisation is increasingly prioritised with higher searches on Houzz for ‘garage storage’ (up by 90%), ‘built-in wardrobe’ (up by 77%), ‘mudroom’ (up by 64%) and ‘walk-in wardrobe’ (up by 58%).
The Best of Houzz 2022: Australia’s most popular architecture and design
Every year, Houzz.com.au announces its annual people’s choice awards where the Houzz community highlights the renovation and design professionals with…
Sydney property stylist Justine Wilson, who recently worked on the latest season of TV show Space Invaders, shares her top six ways to add much needed storage space around the home. From simple dual-purpose ottomans to storage sofas, vertical shelving and clever but cute boxes and tubs, there’s an option for every room.
“With the start of a new year, it’s always nice to declutter and get your home refreshed and reorganised. Over the past year, storage options and maximising space has been a number one priority for many of my clients due to the pandemic increasing the amount of time spent at home, or the new norm of working from home. Add to that, a lot of impulse online shopping items that need to be stored away!” says Justine.
Below are her favourite easy and cost-effective ways to add extra storage and function to the home:
Storage ottomans
These are very cost effective and are a great multifunction furniture item. A storage ottoman can range from a small round or square size (which can also double as a foot stool) to longer rectangle or large round shapes (that can be used at the end of a bed, as extra seating or as a coffee table).These are great for storing extra seasonal clothing or toys.
Add vertical storage
This is something we tend to overlook but it can really double your storage space.Options include, tall bookshelves, floating shelves or even just hanging hooks. You can have your coats and jackets up off the floor, or display your treasured mementos, books or photos on shelves. A nicely styled bookshelf can also really tie a room together and is a great way to maximise your space and keep all your knick knacks contained in one area.
Sofa beds, storage sofas or storage beds
These are also another great way to add extra function and storage, they often have a storage compartment for the bed linen too or can hide any bulky items required. A storage sofa will convert your living room to a guest room instantly, and a storage bed will help store any general clutter such as boots, Christmas decorations or linen.
Cute baskets, boxes or tubs
Perfect for hiding any loose clutter or messy items, such as electrical chargers, cords, paperwork, or toys. They come in so many styles from wicker, fabric, metal, or plastic that you will find something to suit your overall decor. For larger floor standing baskets, you can store extra throws or cushions, or even slide tubs under sofas or beds. For medium size boxes, arrange artfully on shelves. Smaller baskets are great on coffee tables to contain remotes, pens, and coasters. Grouping items in one place will always eliminate visual mess.
Closed storage furniture
Items like sideboards, buffets, tv units or chests of drawers with drawers or cupboards mean you can contain any messy items neatly behind closed doors. This will make your home look neat and clutter free. These stand-alone furniture items are great as they can be moved from room to room as needed, and as your home evolves over time.
Inbuilt storage
Pantries, wardrobes, cupboards, or study zones can help you to keep all your items located in one central designated area. There are many cost-effective flat pack options at Ikea, Fantastic Furniture and Bunnings that are easy to assemble but will greatly increase your ability to store daily items and help you have a set zone for set items.
Staying in business as a small homewares brand for five years is no mean feat these days, especially when your product is as niche as high end shoe storage. But Sagitine’s Tina Clark is still going and still on a mission to make storage more sexy and stylish!
These days though, her beautiful stands are seen more as statement furniture in their own right than merely storage items. “We started out with a simple colour palate but have evolved into a furniture range with a variety of materials and colours,” Tina says. “We have several very supportive stockists and continue to grow. We started out wanting to design good quality storage but the reality is the products are design pieces with the added bonus of being very functional!”
This year, she’s taken on a part-time business development manager who is working on new marketing strategies and chasing down new stockists. Another change, in the last 18 months, was starting a busy job as a buyer’s agent in real estate, which she now juggles with Sagitine, not to mention being a mum.
“Cashflow remains the biggest challenge in business,” she says. “It’s the whole chicken and the egg theory – if we had better cashflow we could order bigger volumes and get the prices down. It’s hard competing with major chains that have such big volumes but we stand by our quality and appreciate our loyal customers.”
Exhibiting at the famous Milan furniture fair Salon del Mobile, in 2018, was definitely a high for the brand, and Tina personally. “It was just so exhilarating to be part of a talented group of Aussie designers, led by the extraordinary Emma Elizabeth. I soaked up as much design as possible, ate a crazy amount of delicious food and completely fell in love with Milan. The icing on the cake was when the famed Rossana Orlandi decided to take one of my pieces for her design gallery. I am still in shock about that!”
Sagitine now offers a number of customisation options including coloured handles. “In my dreams I have stores in major cities around the world with the walls lined with a kaleidoscope of coloured boxes,” Tina says. “Customers could choose the leather handles in the colour of their choice and have them monogrammed on the spot. They could then choose the finish of their stands, from walnut to oak to brass to chrome. A girl can dream, right?! But yes, customisation has been a big trend for quite some time now and I don’t see any signs of it slowing down.”
There’s a huge variety of things people use their Sagitine boxes and stands for, predominantly shoes but also Lego, jewellery, kitchen spices, accessories, office supplies and props! Perhaps not surprisingly, many interior designers are using the system to store their samples.
“I’ve seen people stack them without stands and make entire shoe rooms,” Tina says. “It’s very fun seeing how everyone uses them appropriate to them and their space and needs! There’s still nothing else like it on the market after five years. There are many types of different boxes and stands but none that even come close to our quality and style.”
Life these days is such a juggle, even Tina’s not sure how she does it, but she does have some tips! “Sagitine is really a side hustle these days as I have been working full-time as a buyer’s agent for the last 18 months, which I absolutely love. Sometimes I feel my head is spinning from one thing to the next and I get really overwhelmed. I have a lovely lady that comes in to help a few evenings a week: folding laundry, cleaning the house and generally holding the fort until I get home. I really can’t imagine surviving without her.”
She adds: “I am a bit of a stickler for good quality homemade food but probably I need to let go of that a bit more often and order in! In general though, get as much help at home as you can, write lists and take time for yourself each week to recharge (even a few minutes!)”
And we couldn’t resist asking Tina for her top tips for looking after your shoes and handbags! “Get them heeled and soled before the first wear. Waterproof them annually and clean as often as possible with polish. They will last way longer if you keep them in a box too, as they are protected not only from dust but from getting damaged by other shoes.”
Seriously stylish shoe and fashion storage from Sagitine
We all know how great storage is and stylish storage is even better. Sagitine have introduced a new range of beautiful storage boxes, designed to transform wardrobe care. And they…
What’s a mudroom, I hear you ask? (I really have heard a lot of you ask this!). I think we’ve seen a few on shows like The Block, only they’re not always an actual room, are they?! So I’m here to demystify a little and tell you why you need one!
They can be a whole room of course, if you have that luxury of space. But the great thing is, you don’t need a whole room with a door on it to get the same effect. The way I look at it, it’s a place between outside and inside. So when you come home, you can sit and take off your dirty outdoor shoes, hang up your bag and coat perhaps, pop your keys and mail down, and in doing so, avoid a whole lot of mess and clutter. It’s my idea of storage heaven, which is why I have one in our entryway, which opens onto our living room!
Mudrooms, or mudroom areas, can be built into the smallest of underused spaces in a hallway or entryway, under the stairs even. And thanks to Australian brand Willow and Wood, you don’t need to go custom to get a great looking and functional solution that suits your home’s size and style, and the number of people in it! They’ve recently introduced a mix and match solution, with a variety of hooks and benches, with or without a wall panel between the two, and whether you want to hide those shoes right away or have them in open baskets. You can even choose a classic all-white solution or something a little more traditional or rustic with some unpainted timber. Or a combination of the two! For the Scandi fans, there’s even a look for you. The options are endless!
We are big fans of this Australian brand started by a father and daughter. 25 years ago, Russell Tyndall helped his 18-year-old daughter Rebecca build a wall-mounted bookshelf that, to this day, still sits in her home holding many treasured possessions. It’s been through 13 moves, five coats of paint and wax and is still as strong as ever! “That’s because it was built with love and made to last, says Rebecca, who went on to start the family business with him. “We take great care to produce quality, functional and beautiful products, all of which are made for longevity and timeless style. Our products are designed by us, right here in our Melbourne workshop, where we hand make all of our prototypes to make sure they are just right. Both our local craftsmen and craftsmen in Vietnam then produce our products to exact specifications to ensure the quality people have come to expect from Willow & Wood.”
Rebecca Tyndall
Rebecca adds: “The Mudroom has slowly been making its way into Australian homes. As a mother, I understand the struggle families face each day to get out the door on time simply because they can’t find shoes, hats or school bags! Now that can all be solved simply and beautifully with a Willow and Wood Mudroom that can be customised through a range of mix and match pieces. Every home needs a well organised space where the family can hang their bags, backpacks, coats and hats in a central location. Our new mix and match range helps ordinary families design a custom look storage station to suit individual needs and styles.”
My own Mudroom from Willow and Wood was one of the first things we installed in our house two years ago and it is a lifesaver! (Photo by Jacqui Turk)
Willow and Wood don’t just sell Mudrooms, they have all manner of storage solutions you didn’t know you needed, trust me, with great stuff for kids’ rooms like their bestselling Bookworm Bookrack!
There’s arguably nothing more challenging for the house-proud than the arrival of a baby. It’s always astounded me just how much little ones accumulate and it only seems to get worse as they head into the toddler years and beyond. For me, whether your toy area is a dedicated room (lucky you!) or simply a corner of the living area, storage and organisation is key in maintaining some semblance of order in the home. And this is a sentiment shared by professional declutter Jo Carmichael of All Sorted Out who shares seven secrets for creating a clutter-free kids environment.
Storage “Getting the toys and games up off the floor is step one. If there isn’t a built in cupboard to use in this space, line book shelves or cube storage along one wall. The different shelf heights means you can easily see and find things. Also, placing a combination of clear plastic or cane baskets onto the shelves or into the cubes, keeps the toys from becoming jumbled,” says Jo who recommends using the top of the shelves to display the big chunky toys.
Like with like “Group the toys and games into the tubs as per a ‘like with like’ system. For example, you should put all the toy cars, figurines, blocks, animals and transport toys into their own separate tubs. If your kids play with cars and trucks together it makes sense to group them in one tub. If there’s volume, maybe separate transport into small and large pieces,” says Jo.
Zones “Create a ‘chill’ area with book shelving attached to the wall, from the ground level up. Have pillows, bean bags and a soft rug there for both kids and adults to lie on and read books or turn pages. This is where learning to read can start when they are only a baby,” says Jo.
Ages “Make a bench area – something like a toy box or chest at approximately 70 cm high would suffice. Pre-schoolers can stand at it to do a puzzle or construct something but it’s also just out of reach of a crawler or younger toddler. With a lid that opens, this bench can also provide storage for bulky toys or ones not in current rotation,” says Jo.
Create
If space allows, a low table and chair set is a great addition to the toy area and is a good spot to store stationery – try looking for one with built-in storage in the table top or drawers beneath. “This could even be a coffee table with chunky stools, which has pots of pencils, crayons, craft scissors, pads of paper and pots of Play-Doh at the ready. Keep messy paints out of reach until an adult can supervise. This is a place where they can learn to enjoy writing, scribbling and making,” says Jo.
Labels “Labels are key to keeping both the toys and the space organised. You can hand write or draw the words describing the contents of each container. Choose a large font so it’s easy to read, as this is a way to introduce reading to your little ones too. Labels remind young and old where to find something and where to put it back,” says Jo.
Pack away
“The secret to keeping the toy room a fun place is to introduce ‘pack away’ time. Make it as fun and musical as you can. Shake a tambourine or put on a favourite song to herald the time,” says Jo who recommends doing this before the next activity or meal to keep on top of the mess throughout the day.
“Keep snacks or meals as a reward for having returned the toys to the correct tubs.
If a construction or game isn’t completed and you know there is still time to play with it later, then put this aside to be finished. When we learn to put things back, we also teach our little ones life skills,” says Jo.
Like so many others, this play room makes great use of the IKEA Kallax storage units. Image source: Pinterest/12oaksblog.com
“If the toy room ends up in a crazy state after visitors or a busy play date, maybe the next play time could be spent resorting it all back into the tubs,” says Jo who recommends making a game of it by asking them what each toy is called and then helping them find the appropriate tub. “They can then toss the toys back into the tubs with a sense of achievement too. The less clutter the more fun!”
With the world currently in the throes of a Marie Kondo inspired mass tidy up (thanks Netflix!), we thought it was time to reveal our favourite storage options. From wall hooks to hanging rails, toy storage and stylish yet functional baskets, these amazing buys will help you kick off 2019 with an organised home.
Willow and Wood Lake House Panel: Jen has this set up in the entry to her home and it’s become an organisational workhorse that she couldn’t live without. It’s a great way to easily organise bags, shoes, mail, coats and more. $349.95
Muuto The Dots wall hooks: Something of a design classic, the Muuto hooks are almost too pretty to use. The upside is that, depending on how they are arranged, they can look rather artful when not in use. $179 (pack of five).
Sketch Tokyo desk: Inspired by the secretaires of old, this modern iteration is no less functional. When closed, it looks like a stylish mid-century inspired storage piece but it also flips out and becomes a cute desk making it a fabulous option for a multi-purpose room. $1850.
West Elm Sweater Knit baskets: Handmade in India, these stylish storage baskets evoke a world-traveller vibe and will help with organisation anywhere in the home. $59 each.
H & G Designs leather strap shelf with hanging rail: Something of a one-stop shop for stylish storage solutions, this small Aussie design company make everything for the wall from ladders to ledges, rails, hooks and much more. From $220.
The brand do a fabulous laundry hanging rail too
Mustard Made lockers: We profiled these fabulous vintage inspired lockers when they launched last year and we still can’t get enough. Whether you’re after bedside storage (The Shorty) or extra wardrobe space or office organisation (The Skinny), the colour selection is divine too. From $199.
Kmart bamboo frame garment rack with storage basket: Simple and affordable, this clothes storage rack is great for a bedroom (ideal for renters) but it wouldn’t look out of place in the entry of a home. $39.
Numero 74 wall pocket: A multi-purpose vertical storage space, this handy item could be used just about anywhere but is ideal for organising small, fiddly children’s toys. $120.
Play and Go mini storage bag: I have a similar item and it’s the best Lego storage solution I’ve found. It opens out wide when the Lego is in use but the simple design makes the clean-up super easy. $39.95.
One Forty Three guitar hook: One for the musos, this hook not only helps you display your favourite instrument but its ideal for when storage is in short supply. $83.
Half of Australia is currently on a tidying mission thanks to Marie Kondo’s new Netflix doco, as well as the usual January urge to clear out and get organised. But with the kids about to go back to school, how can we ensure all that hard work isn’t ruined when backpacks, paperwork and sports kits are coming through the doors every night again?
Houzz have a few smart tips to apply to the home for a smooth transition back to school:
Be generous with storage
Source: Houzz/Margaret Wright Photography
When the children return to school, a collection of school books, uniforms, toys and other knick knacks can quickly accumulate in the home. Readily available storage compartments are a nifty solution to this problem and easily hide mess. Storage units, boxes, baskets and food storage containers are all great examples, which we’ve seen on Houzz in various designs and colours to suit the style of each home.
In fact, in a recent poll* conducted on Houzz found that, 34% of respondents find food storage containers the most useful organisation tool in the home, while 1 in 5 voted storage boxes.
Create a studying area
Source: Houzz/Kaia Calhoun
A designated studying area is a great way to make sure your kids can focus. Younger children may prefer a more communal studying area, where they can easily access their parents for questions, and older kids may like an area that is closed off with no distractions. Images on Houzz show that homeowners are personalising the studying area with stationary, posters, and cushions so that kids feel more creative and comfortable in the space.
Assemble a command centre
Command centres are a great way to keep track of the family’s schedule during the term. Wall calendars, planners, pin boards and blackboards are popular choices in the images on Houzz, and can be accessorised nicely with family photos, magnets and postcards.
Allocate a drop off zone
Source: Houzz/Alexandra Crafton
A well laid out drop off zone will ensure that school bags, jackets, hats and shoes won’t get lost inside the home. Homeowners on Houzz have been quite inventive with their drop off zones, some installing cupboards or benches, others opting for hooks and baskets. Whichever way you choose to design your drop off zone, you can rest assured knowing the items you need as you leave the house, won’t go missing.
*The results from this Houzz poll was fielded between December 2018 and January 2019, and percentages were calculated as of 9 January 2019.
What are your top tips for keeping on top of school clutter?
As regular readers will know, we have been slowly but surely (some would say pretty quickly actually!) updating our family home from the “nanna house” we bought, for a year now. The bedrooms got off to a good start really quickly with carpet, paint, plantation shutters and new lighting. But the wardrobes were seriously letting them down. Until now!
New wardrobe doors in our master bedroom. These are huge wardrobes and the doors have made a massive difference to this room.
One of Seb’s wardrobe doors had fallen off so he’s very happy about the new additions!
Now we can access the spare room wardrobe space so much easier, we’ll be making use of this essential storage! Can never have too much!
Bedrooms are definitely a lot easier and cheaper to refresh than kitchens and bathrooms! But the old wardrobe doors, most likely original from the 60s, screamed DATED. They were wood veneer when we moved in (so much brown!) and we quickly had them painted white which made a big difference but they still didn’t exactly look great.
BEFORE: Seb’s bedroom wardrobes shortly before we moved in.
STOP GAP: His wardrobes looked better painted white but it didn’t stop the door falling off its broken tracks!
AFTER: New wardrobe doors were the last piece in the puzzle of finishing Seb’s room.
The wardrobes not only looked bad, were also really really annoying! In two of the bedrooms, the smaller wardrobes had an excessive three sliding doors which meant the space you could actually access the wardrobe through when they were open was frustratingly small. In Seb’s room they were continually falling off their runners until it got to the point that the bottom track fell out and it was game over. So what great timing it was to be approached by Sydney Doors about working together!
BEFORE: The wardrobe doors in the master were so huge and so brown, there was no missing them!
AFTER: Now they’re a pleasure to look at!
As mentioned, painting the doors white was a decent stopgap but did nothing for the functionality and usability of the wardrobes so we didn’t really use them much. And in under a year, that oil-based white paint had yellowed. Much as we weren’t in love with them, we had so many other competing jobs on our to-do list we didn’t really think about when or how we’d fix them because ripping them out and starting again seemed like such a huge and expensive task. I had no idea it was possible to replace just the tracks and doors.
Sydney Doors, who have been around for more than 20 years, offer the chance to update your wardrobe, or indeed kitchen, for a fraction of the price by simply replacing the doors only. They have loads of designs to choose from and you can have them custom colour matched (ours are Haymes White on White to match our internal doors and trim). They arrive made to your exact size specifications, which is why this works even with decades-old wardrobes like ours, and they’re spray-painted in hardwearing polyurethane with a satin, matt or gloss finish.
A kitchen made over with Sydney Doors doors
There are loads of designs but I was keen for ours to be in keeping with our internal doors and shaker-style kitchen, so the choice was easy. It only takes around three weeks for your doors to be made and then delivered anywhere in Australia. You can then install them yourself or use one of their recommended installers. If you’re not confident of measuring or installing yourself, they definitely recommend you use the services of a professional and can provide a list of people near you.
Our master bedroom wardrobes
An installer came to measure our wardrobes and he suggested we replace the three doors in the smaller wardrobes with two for better access. It was the best call ever! They’re so much more useable now. Meanwhile in the spare room, the existing three doors on the much larger wardrobe were replaced with four, which looks so much better.
I am absolutely delighted with the look of our doors, which have transformed and modernised our bedrooms; they really were the last piece of the puzzle. It’s also amazing to actually be able to use them properly. As we all know, you can never have too much storage and this has made a huge difference to us. The whole process from ordering to delivery and installation was seamless and quick and the end results have exceeded my expectations. This is definitely a great affordable option and I hope something I’ve brought to your attention if you didn’t know about it before, as I didn’t.
READER DISCOUNT
Sydney Doors are offering our readers a 5% discount on all painted kitchen and wardrobe doors until 30 June 2018. Simply quote the code IA5OFF when ordering.
Get a free quote by submitting your door sizes at https://sydneydoors.com.au/quote-or-order/ or make an appointment for a measure and quote with one of their referred installers.
It was only last month that we brought you a list of the latest bathroom wares we were loving and already do we have so many more to add, including a pink bath! I know it sounds outrageous, but my oh my it is gorgeous. So we’ve decided to start a monthly wrap… introducing our November list.
Boyd Alternatives Rodney Bath: This show stopping concrete bath demands attention! Coming in a colour called millennial pink, it is chic and on trend. Designed with greater depth for full body immersion, the bath features clever detailing and a wider brim, to keep the water at optimal temperature. Costing a pretty penny, $7,800 to be exact, it is available from Candana.
Boyd Alternatives Rodney Bath
Kohler Terrace Storage Column: Designed in France by the Jacob Delafon team, this unit showcases modernity in an utterly timeless fashion. Offering vertical storage, some of which is accessible without opening the door, the soft close door can be right opening or left opening. At $2,799, it has a lacquered finish cabinet, three natural oak shelves and a glass partition.
Kohler Terrace Storage Column
Beaumont Tiles Nordic Vanity: Raising the bar for minimalistic bathroom fit outs, the vanity is enveloped in premium exterior-grade birch wood. Both beautifully unique and practical, it resists abrasions and commonly used chemicals, as well as being weather and moisture proof. Coming in a range of sizes, it features a single bowl and push to open draws. The Nordic 1200 WH Vanity (pictured) retails for $2,100.
Beaumont Tiles’ Nordic Vanity
Stegbar Nanoclean Shower Screen: A shower screen that cuts cleaning time by up to 90 percent. Yes please! With a coating that bonds with glass and forms an invisible protective barrier, it is able to minimise dirt and grime build up. To keep clean, simply give it a quick wipe with a microfibre cloth once a week. Upgrading your shower screen to Nanoclean glass costs an additional $150-to-$250.
Stegbar’s Nanoclean Shower Screen
Pressalit Sway D2 Black Toilet Seat: It’s often overlooked when it comes to style and design, yet with this toilet seat, the ‘throne’ takes centre stage! Made with durable materials and quality stainless steel hinges, the Danish design also has a soft close lid. $352.
Pressalit Sway D2 Black Toilet Seat
Kohler Torsion Shower Door: The recipient of two of the most prestigious international design awards, this shower door provides a sleek, streamlined solution. With anodised aluminium frames and 8mm toughened safety glass, it features hidden door mechanisms for easy cleaning and ultra-sleek lines. The shower door comes in four designs: InSwing, Hinged, Sliding and Alcove. Prices start from $1,190.
With the average Australian spending at least three hours a week on laundry (three hours?! I am definitely not part of that average), it seems that an intuitive, intelligent and efficient laundry setup is a must.
“Time and style conscious families want a laundry space jam packed with functionality and storage to create the ultimate in laundry layouts,” says Henley designer Micaela Campbell.
Here are some top tips from home builder Henley for creating a beautiful and functional laundry space.
Storage
A laundry without enough storage is like navy without gold, or a cupcake with no icing. To avoid the modern family nightmare, a combination of cupboards, drawers and shelves is a great way to cover all bases. Eliminate clutter by creating custom fit storage for brooms, detergents, dirty laundry and ironing.
Style
Gone are the days when the laundry was a sad combination of a laundry sink and cheap lino/tiles. Benchtops and built-in cabinetry that match or complement your kitchen create a look of consistency and style. Although built-in washing machines aren’t a trend (yet?), cupboards are a far better option than open shelves to keep the laundry looking neat and streamlined.
Details
Floor-to-ceiling feature tiles aren’t just reserved for bathrooms; they can create opulence and stylish function in an often overlooked laundry. Built-in solutions such as washing and ironing hampers will keep the room feeling organised, even when the laundry pile is high. Air dryers are also a chic add-on that saves energy and money, while an extended benchtop can make sorting, folding and stacking a breeze.
Colours
While white is often the go-to colour choice, light greys and teak trimming can add interesting texture and visual appeal. White and stainless steel appliances will pop against hints of colour in the tiles and benchtops.
Store, sort and stack
The laundry doesn’t have to be a tiny cubicle; larger families will benefit from a larger laundry, as the extra space is perfect for storing assorted items from family members (think cricket bats and dirty soccer boots). However, smaller spaces don’t need to skimp on functionality either, with creatively designed cupboards making good use of odd and awkward spaces.
Doing the laundry might not be fun, but it doesn’t have to be an all-day chore either.
IKEA interior design leader, Christine Gough, shares her tips for decluttering and styling, and uncovering extra storage at home.
There are a few simple ways to eliminate clutter and group items so that they become a beautiful focal point in the room, rather than a mess. Pull similar items together to create an interesting, uniform and organised look. One way to do this is to group items together by material, colour, shape or function, for example books can be grouped or even glass and greenery. Suddenly what seemed to be cluttered objects become a calming inspirational focal point in your home.
You can also match colour palettes to tie your display together. I suggest grouping items in odd numbers as symmetry can look a bit stiff. Use a mix of tall and short items to create a sense of height, use larger or taller objects at the sides and back and then work down towards the middle using smaller or flatter objects in front. This will help frame your display and give it height and depth.
Of course, there are some things that need to be stored, to give you the space needed to live and relax in your home. Before you get to storage, first look at what you have. In each space or room, clear, sort and separate to identify what you will keep and what can be donated or thrown away.
Once you have sorted things, look around and see what areas could be put to good use for storage. All of our homes are filled with lots of odd spots that are seemingly useless or forgotten. But with a little creative thinking, those places underneath, behind and in between can suddenly become essential.
Top IKEA storage items to transform your home in 2017:
Under bed storage. This often unused space is a smart place to store. The IKEA GIMSE bed storage box ($14.99) is a simple, flexible and affordable option and the lid keeps dust from entering.
Use movable storage: The kitchen is the hub for entertaining so get it organised. A trolley like the RÅSKOG ($69) is a great storage solution for plates, sauces and cutlery, it is the perfect entertaining caddy that can move from space to space so all you need is right at hand.
Make the most of outdoor space: The HINDÖ greenhouse/cabinet ($169) looks great and is also a practical place to store items so they are at hand when you need them but out of the way when you don’t. Glass doors mean everything is protected from the elements, it’s perfect for succulents, plant pots and gardening accessories but consider storing plates and outdoor entertaining items, to free up space in the kitchen.
Use your walls and doors: Walls, doors and little nooks around the home are the perfect spot to place a hook to store clothes and school bags while they are not needed over the holidays. Over door hooks like the ENUDDEN ($5.99) have a covered back so they won’t scratch the door.
The top of your wardrobe: The space at the top of your wardrobe is a great spot for storing items that you don’t need to use all the time. The SKUBB storage case ($9.99) is ideal and ventilation nets allow air to circulate and protect items from dust. If space is tight consider SKOGHALL vacuum-sealed bags (from $4.99 for 2 pack) which keep textiles fresh and reduce the space needed for storage.
IKEA Australia will launch a huge selection of products in February, including new kitchen fronts made from 100% recycled materials, unique inserts to style and personalise the cube space in your KALLAX as well as a fun and coordinated range of children’s textiles and accessories.
New range of inserts to pimp your KALLAX
KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts
Here are some of the best new products coming to IKEA Australia in February:
KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts
The KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts are the first in IKEA to be made out of 100% recycled materials. The KUNGSBACKA fronts are made from recycled wood covered in a foil made from recycled PET bottles, making them a sustainable choice that doesn’t compromise on quality, design or price.
The matte anthracite-coloured fronts not only look beautiful, but are easy to clean and feature anti-fingerprint surfaces. KUNGSBACKA fronts fit with the METOD kitchen system so you can create literally thousands of different combinations to squeeze the most out of every centimetre of kitchen space.
New ways to style your KALLAX
The popular IKEA KALLAX range (the new and improved version of EXPEDIT) will get a series of unique new inserts in February to help add style and function to this IKEA staple. Five new items: a hanging organiser, shelf divider, shelf insert, storage with compartments and a wire basket (hello, it comes in gold!) – will allow more flexibility to personalise your KALLAX so it can meet your exact needs.
I think these inserts are absolutely fantastic and will completely lift your storage game! I want to run out and buy myself a KALLAX unit right now so I can pimp it with these gorgeous, expensive-looking accessories. The great thing about the KALLAX is it’s as at home in the home office as it is in the lounge room and with these new inserts, it will definitely look a lot more high end and chic, as well as making it way more useful for storing and displaying your items. Exciting!
VÄNSKAPLIG, a collection designed for children
VÄNSKAPLIG means friendly and has been designed to deliver endless ways for children to mix and match their bedroom textiles and accessories, to express their own identity and create their own style and individual look. The coordinated collection includes quit cover sets, rugs, curtains and cushions.
Other new things to look out for
With a whiff of the 1920s industrial style, the FJÄLLBO storage series is a new range of small furniture pieces combining minimalist design with a rustic edge.
SJÄLSLIGT is a set of three porcelain cacti of different heights that add a humorous touch to the home. A great way for funky greenery, without the prickles.
STENLILLE is a new graphic, low pile rug with coordinated curtains (NUNNERÖRT).
While we’d all love a massive bank of kitchen cupboards and a walk-in pantry, the average kitchen struggles to meet the modern demand for copious storage and sprawling bench space. Often, it’s a matter of making better use of the space we’ve got.
So here are four suggestions to either help you make your current kitchen function better or incorporate into your kitchen reno:
Shelve your plans
This is probably the easiest solution when you’re short on space. All you need is a stretch of wall, and up go the shelves, providing a place to display prized objects or practical storage space for plates and cups. IKEA’s Lack shelves, with their concealed mounting brackets, are a favourite. Otherwise hardware stores have plenty of cheap options.
Drawer the line
For base cabinets, nothing beats deep drawers.It means you can easily see and reach everything without having to scrabble around in the recesses of a cupboard. The more, the better, in my books. For tricky corner cupboards which often end up as dead space, consider a carousel, like the Utrusta from IKEA or the 270-degree carousel from Arova.
Pull some tricks
While not everyone has space for a walk-in pantry, companies like Hafele have a lot of enterprising solutions that compact a load of storage into narrow spaces. The pull-out pantry allows all the contents to be visible, just like in a standard pantry.
Hide and seek
Benchtop clutter takes up valuable space, so be sure to find a spot for the microwave either under bench in an island or in a cupboard or pantry – it’s not exactly a showpiece you need to leave on display. An appliance cupboard is the perfect solution if you have space.
And nobody needs to see an overflowing garbage bin in your kitchen. Always consider including a slideout garbage bin inside your base cabinets, so you don’t have an ugly bin centre stage in your smart new kitchen!
–Cherie Barber is the director of Renovating for Profit, a company that teaches everyday people how to buy and renovate properties for a profit.
You’ve probably noticed that belly baskets are suddenly huge news on the interiors scene – like ours, they’re no doubt peppering your Insta-feed too!
Olli Ella
And while we’re massive fans of their earthy, handmade vibe (a trend that is currently such big news that even IKEA have tapped into it), it’s their versatility that is the clincher. From a laundry hamper to a plant holder or storage for toys, blankets or shoes, these collapsible baskets suddenly feel like a household essential. Our favourite use for them, they’re particularly lovely as a plant holder – pair one with a fiddle leaf fig or rubber tree (the next big thing in indoor plants!) for an instant interior update.
Fazeek
A Vietnamese household staple, they are traditionally hand-woven from seagrass and then used to carry rice from the fields to the market. With plenty of Australian companies selling them at the moment (though we note plenty of them are currently sold out), the latest iterations have a modern, almost Scandi-chic feel and there’s nothing like a fabulous cultural mash-up is there? Plain, dipped, patterned and even adorned with pom poms, there truly is a style for every taste.
Fazeek
One of the brands that kick started the trend, Olli Ella’s belly baskets are some of the most instantly recognisable. Whether dipped in sorbet tones or adorned with pom poms, we’re currently coveting these. Based in Melbourne, Fazeek’s belly baskets are painted with brighter, geometric statement designs — gorgeous. Maison & Maison have more traditional versions and we’re particularly fond of their herringbone design which is ideal for monochromatic spaces.
Maison & Maison
Join the waiting list or pick up one today as, in our view, a belly basket will enhance any space.
After growing up with a dad who made her furniture and later living in New York, where the shopping is (let’s be honest) a lot better than in Australia, Rebecca Tyndall finally came to start her own wall-hung furniture business after having her first child.
“The first item I designed was the Baby Bunting, which is still one of Willow and Wood’s most popular pieces. It’s a really beautiful piece of furniture for a nursery and there just wasn’t anything available to buy here in Australia that was similar. I spent nearly three years living in New York when I was younger and of course they have everything you could possibly want over there. I had serious shopping envy so I thought I would just make it myself.”
That’s when she called on her dad, Russell, a builder, and now co-director of the business. He makes all the prototypes by hand in Sydney and most pieces are then manufactured overseas. “After I had designed a few pieces, everyone seemed to love them so much that in a moment of extreme confidence (because who would just start an online furniture company with no experience?) my Dad and I started Willow and Wood. Not that it happened overnight; in fact, it took about nine months to tweak the designs and get the company and website up and running. We launched with just six products.”
The Bookworm Bookrack is the most popular product by far. “I designed it because we live in a small house but with heaps of wall space because the ceilings are so high. My boys just devour books and even with bookshelves everywhere we needed something more practical that would show off the artwork on the book covers. The artwork on kid’s books is so amazing and why wouldn’t you want to display them all the time? It attracts little ones to the books and because they are easy to access, more books are read. And you can never have too much storage.” Amen to that!
Rebecca says she is her own customer which is great because she knows her well! “Pretty much everything that we design has been in my house at one time or another. It’s because I design what I need and that’s what we sell. Women are the biggest deciders on decor in the home but they don’t just want things to look good. We want things that are also practical and that make our lives easier. And in my world, storage is king.”
Rebecca and Russell recently decided to open a bricks and mortar store in Sydney’s Willoughby, so customers could see the products for themselves. And Rebecca believes what they offer is really unique.
“Most furniture stores have some items of shelving but we are unique in that most of what we sell is wall mounted. We do this to create more floor space in a home. We also like to decorate walls with our products. The Cloud Shelf and the Alps Shelf are cute pieces to decorate kid’s rooms with. You’re killing two birds with one shelf, so to speak.”
They have just branched out into hallway storage with their Cloak Room Series, which is a take on the traditional American mud room and they’ll soon be adding the increasingly popular barn doors to their product line.
“Willow and Wood wouldn’t exist without my dad, Russell. Most weeks, he gets handed a design that has been scribbled on a scrap of paper by me and magically, it appears in the shop a few days later.”
Rebecca with dad (and business partner) Russell and mum Veronica in her shop
Visit Willow and Wood online or at 553 Willoughby Road, Willoughby, NSW 2068.
The bedroom should be for rest and recharging. It’s hard to properly relax though, when surrounded by clutter.
This is so often the case – I’m sure you can all empathise when I say my bedroom seems to be a haven for loose possessions! King Living’s new storage-friendly bed range helps manage this problem in style.
The beds are a super clever storage solution, providing plenty of room underneath for objects large or small. They’re discreet in how they do this, still looking modern and elegant despite the space underneath.
The Serenade bed has a beautiful upholstered headboard (with removable covers that lets you swap between leather and fabric whenever you want) and classy timber veneer frame. You’d never guess that part of it lifts up to reveal a generous storage compartment! Best thing about this? Lifting it is a great cheat when making your bed. No more struggling to reach difficult corners to tuck the sheets in.
Want something more contemporary? The Symphony bed is an edgier take on both sleep and storage. Check out its sophisticated wrap-around bedhead! It also has ample storage underneath, meaning you can hide spare bedding or seasonal clothing out of site.
Don’t have the clutter problem I have? The Encore bed has a fashionable tufted bedhead and no storage underneath. I especially love its hardwood legs.
After several years of hard time as a rental, this Sydney apartment undertook a major cosmetic renovation when its owner decided to move back in, and the results are fabulous.
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
From paint to lighting, window coverings, flooring and storage, the apartment was entirely stripped back making way for a new kitchen, bathroom, laundry and two bedrooms – all in under four months.
“The client wanted a contemporary home with a touch of luxury and she loved black and white,” says interior designer and decorator Anoushka Allum of Smartspace Interiors who accented the monochromatic colour brief with pops of bright colour.
BEFORE laundry
AFTER laundry
“We had a generous budget, given the size of the apartment, which allowed me to use premium features,” says Anoushka.
“The bathroom was the biggest concern, as the client wanted a full sized bath and to achieve this we had to remove a wall,” says Anoushka who used on-trend black bathroom fixtures, and a black and white cement floor tile, for a contemporary finish.
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
The bathroom layout was altered completely to improve its use of space and to allow for the addition of a bath and storage.
The laundry floorplan was reconfigured and major cosmetic changes were made to overhaul the space too. “I added extra lighting and a colourful yellow splash back to make this windowless area brighter,” says Anoushka.
AFTER bathroom
The black and white theme continued in the kitchen which features a black counter, white subway tile and the same floor tile as the bathroom, for continuity – TeraNova supplied the tiles throughout.
The shaker-style doors add a classic element to what is an otherwise contemporary scheme and Castlewood Kitchens created all of the apartment’s new cabinetry.
AFTER main bedroom
AFTER living room
One major change, that you wouldn’t necessarily notice at first, is the addition of thoughtful storage – essential for keeping the interior tidy and making it seem larger. “The introduction of quality storage in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom improved functionality and allows for an uncluttered space,” says Anoushka.
AFTER study
Soft furnishings had a major part to play too with the finishing touches providing colour and texture throughout – King Living, BoConcept, Globe West, Forty Winks and La Maison were the main suppliers. Abstract prints, Morrocan-printed wallpaper and touches of elegant grey all worked to transform the space into a stylish, contemporary abode.
AFTER lounge room
“I added artworks, accessories and soft furnishings and the results were striking. The design has created an impactful first impression which is fun and vibrant whilst still elegant and cohesive,” says Anoushka.
Ages
