7 easy interior design tweaks that will make your home look more stylish

Interior design trends come and go but we’re often guilty of being too slow in making changes to our rooms. That’s why some solutions, that used to be a big hit, might now appear outdated. Here are a few simple tweaks that will refresh the look of your home.

Toss pillows that match your couch. They might’ve come with the couch or you’ve spent hours trying to find that exact shade of beige, yet matchy-matchy is no longer a thing in interior design. Play with textures, colours and patterns to create a bold and positive look instead.

If it’s heavy and dark, it must go. Has the ‘sophisticated’ space with dark wool curtains and black furniture, turned out to be just gloomy and overbearing? This comes as no surprise. Take inspiration from bright and light ‘tropical’ houses that fit so well into New Zealand landscapes and swap thick curtains and heavy blankets for airy, warm-coloured and lush elements.

TV and fireplace don’t belong together. Hanging the TV above the fireplace is one of the most popular solutions for the living room, yet it’s the fireplace that should be the focal point of the entire space not both of them. Give yourself an opportunity to enjoy cosy time by the fireplace without the distraction of a screen!

Accent walls belong to the past. That statement wall of a different colour in the master bedroom – a bold solution we were all so proud of! Yet, it’s so… permanent! We all change and, it goes without saying, our tastes change with us. So, instead of colouring something for life, create a focal point of easy-to-remove pieces like art, photos, plants and mirrors. You can always tweak them as you wish or even get rid of the entire installation whenever you feel like it. Here are a few more tips on how to refresh your bedroom quickly and for free.

No more tiny carpets. No matter how much you love that cute little rug, if it’s too small for your room, it makes the entire space look cheaper. How to know if it’s too small? For example, a rug in your dinning room should fit not only the table but also the chairs when they’re not pushed in. Here’s a little more about the best flooring trends and ideas for your home.

Basic tile is too boring. Cream or white and symmetric – this is what tile and backsplashes used to look like in most homes for many years in a row. Modern interior designers agree that symmetry and predictable colours come off as dated, there is no personality in them. Experiment with shapes and colours to add your personal touch to your home, especially when designing interiors for house and land packages.

Fake plants are a big no-no. A bright pop of green can certainly make a statement but when it’s a faux plant, it’s nothing else but a big dust magnet. In spite of our expectations, fake plants don’t last long and only cheapen the entire look of the room instead of elevating it. Here are 14 amazing ways to clean your house like never before, by the way.