Interior Design
New Zealand Interior Design
Find great tips and ideas for interior design in New Zealand, with advice on bringing your own unique style to interior designs for home spaces. Create a distinvctive aesthetic for your house, either DIY style or with the help of a professional interior designer.
Are you designing a house in New Zealand and wanting to create a fresh look for your home sweet home? Or are you considering renovation of your existing home by creating new, stylish interiors? Either way, you can work with a professional New Zealand interior designer to create a look that is up-to-the-minute and suited to your lifestyle. Make sure you have input in the designing process by taking a look at top tips for New Zealand interior design. Design your way to a fresh new living space:
Decide on an aesthetic that fits with your house
The style of your design will largely be determined by the space you're working with – a bungalow or villa doesn't easily lend itself to New York loft apartment style décor. In basic terms, decide on the look you want to create. Sparse and minimally furnished? Contemporary? Funky? Homely and cozy? Defining this before you begin will prevent the interior design of your room or house from becoming confused or inconsistent.
If you're working with a big space, you can create cozy areas by seating arrangements, comfy chairs and items that encourage socialising, such as a chess set or an interesting piece or art that might become a talking point. Remember, you'll probably have to live with your decision for some time, so make sure it's something that won't annoy you or quickly appear dated. Browse decor magazines or check out some NZ interior design ideas.
Infuse your space with the essence of You
Make your space say something about who you are: your interests, the people you love and the places you've been. You can do this by incorporating personalised items in the room. Although some people love the 'straight from a catalogue' look, a room without personal items doesn't reflect your personal style or identity. For great interior design, add a framed photo montage featuring holiday snapshots or old family photos; bring out a favourite memento from days gone by; frame one of your child's drawings; or include your favourite interior plants to create a living atmosphere.
Don’t be afraid to combine different eras
Taking traditional pieces of furniture and making them slightly more contemporary offers a refreshing take on the tried and true. For example, a piece of vintage banding or ribbon sewn onto contemporary plain cushions can give a new twist to something old. This will also allow you to keep old family heirlooms in your living space, while at the same time making the space feel contemporary. If you're unsure about what looks right, ask a friend whose home's 'look' you appreciate, and ask for their opinion.
Colour your world
Finall,y colour seems to be fashionable again! But now that we've overcome our chromaphobia, it's still a good idea not to go overboard with your brush and palette. Use colour sparingly, but boldly, to create points of interest in a room. If you use a colour, make sure you balance it with other flashes of the same hue. For example, a green sofa could be complemented with a green rug nearby, a green glass vase or a painting with a similar green. The smaller glimpses of green will be picked up by the sofa and will also neutralise the strength of the green tone.
Light up your life
Lighting is an essential ingredient in any room, making all other aspects of your decor look their best. Interior designers will tell you that good lighting can do wonders for any space. A 100-watt bulb will flatten a room and create a space with no sense of comfort or homeliness. Replace the bulb with one of a lower wattage, to reduce the harshness of the main light source. Dimmer switches are ideal for allowing flexibility in your lighting, from bright to near-nothing light. To create an intimate space, light the room with lamps or candles (not too close to furnishings or flammable items). Three light sources are good: candles, soft lamps and a dimmed light.
The delight is in the detail
Remember that detail and decoration is okay in moderation. Many contemporary spaces embrace the minimalist aesthetic and forget that detail can add the finishing touch to a room, while still being subtle and stylish. Beads, trimmings, ceramics, designer glassware, pillows, decorative throws and trinkets can add beautiful detail to your room. Try visiting a thrift store; they often sell reasonably priced objets d'art that are look-alikes for expensive antiques. Remember, although mixing styles can look good, you should try not to make your space too cluttered or confused.
Looking for more information? Find information on New Zealand interior design in the NZS.com directory.
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Business images from Flickr: Sky Tower, New Zealand Flag and Wellington Buildings.
