Author Archives: dev

comfortable living room

Creating a Communal Space with Furniture and Decor

In today’s fast-paced world, creating a sense of community within our homes has become increasingly important. By thoughtfully incorporating furniture and decor, we can transform our living spaces into inviting communal areas that foster connection, conversation, and togetherness. Let this seasonal trend show you how specific furniture pieces, natural colour palettes, and clever design choices can contribute to making a space more communal.

1. Choosing Communal Furniture To encourage interaction and conversation, select furniture that promotes face-to-face engagement. Consider incorporating a large dining table, like one from Nick Scali that features with comfortable seating where family and friends can gather for meals and engaging conversations. A farmhouse-style table, for example, provides a warm and inviting atmosphere conducive to communal dining experiences.

Additionally, modular or sectional sofas offer flexibility and versatility, allowing individuals to sit together comfortably while facilitating group interactions. La-z-Boy has a wide selection in a range of colours and fabrics to suit all spaces. Arrange the seating in a circular or semi-circular formation to create an inclusive and communal seating arrangement.

2. Embracing Natural Colour Palettes Natural colour palettes play a crucial role in creating a calming and welcoming environment that encourages people to gather and connect. Opt for earthy tones such as warm beige, soft browns, soothing greens, and serene blues. These colours evoke a sense of harmony with nature and provide a relaxed backdrop that enhances social interactions. You can incorporate these colours through soft furnishings like cushions, throws and rugs, which Bed Bath N’ Table has in abundance.

Integrate natural elements like wood, stone, and plants into your furniture and decor choices. Wood furniture pieces, for instance, can add warmth and a touch of nature to communal areas, while plants bring life and freshness to the space.

3. Open Concept Design An open concept design encourages fluidity within your home and allows everyone to be connected. Creating a seamless flow between different areas of the home, enables people to move around and connect effortlessly, especially when having guests over.

Utilise furniture strategically to define spaces within the open concept layout. For instance, a low bookshelf or a console table, that you can find at Eureka Furniture can act as a subtle divider between the living area and the dining space, maintaining an open feel while creating a visual distinction between areas.

4. Functional and Multipurpose Furniture To maximise the communal nature of your space, invest in functional and multipurpose furniture. Consider pieces like storage ottomans, coffee tables with built-in storage, or bookshelves that double as room dividers. These furniture items not only serve their primary purpose but also provide additional functionality, such as hidden storage, which helps maintain an organised and clutter-free environment, adding to the open layout and allowing for movement to flow.

5. Thoughtful Arrangements and Focal Points Arranging furniture with intention can enhance the communal atmosphere. Create conversation zones by arranging seating around a central focal point, such as a fireplace, a cosy rug, or a large coffee table that you can find at Freedom. This arrangement encourages interaction and makes the space feel more inviting and inclusive.

Incorporating furniture and decor strategically can transform any home into a communal space that nurtures connections and fosters a sense of togetherness. By selecting the right furniture pieces, embracing natural colour palettes, adopting an open concept design, investing in functional furniture, and arranging the space thoughtfully, you can create an environment that encourages social interaction and strengthens the bonds among family members and friends. Remember, a communal home is a space where cherished memories are made, and relationships are nourished.

productive home office decor

Designing a Productive and Comfortable Home Office

In the era of remote work and digital connectivity, creating a home office that combines comfort, functionality, and productivity has become essential. The Modern Academia interior decor trend draws inspiration from modern aesthetics while incorporating warm wooden furniture, cosy soft furnishings, ample lighting, and inspiring decor elements. This article will guide you through the key elements of the Modern Academia trend to help you design a home office that promotes a productive workflow in a comfortable and stylish environment.

1. Incorporating warm wooden furniture Central to the trend is the use of deep, rich wooden pieces which exudes a sense of sophistication and natural beauty. Opt for a sturdy wooden desk, like one from Nick Scali that has ample workspace and storage options, such as built-in drawers or shelves. A solid wood desk not only adds visual appeal but also provides durability and a connection to nature.

Complement the desk with wooden bookshelves or a storage cabinet, like one from Freedom for organising books, reference materials, and office supplies. The combination of wooden furniture pieces creates a cohesive and timeless aesthetic in your home office.

2. Cosy Soft Furnishings To create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere in your home office, incorporate soft furnishings that invite relaxation and provide support. Invest in a comfortable and ergonomic office chair that promotes good posture and prevents fatigue during long working hours.

Add plush cushions and throws to your seating area to infuse a cosy ambiance. Consider incorporating a comfortable reading chair or a small sofa, like ones found at Pillow Talk for moments of relaxation or contemplation, further enhancing the academia-inspired atmosphere.

3. Adequate Lighting Proper lighting is crucial for a productive workspace. Embrace natural light by positioning your desk near a window to benefit from daylight and a connection to the outside world. If natural light is limited, complement it with ambient lighting options, such as a stylish desk lamp or pendant lighting. You can find plenty of stylish options at The Lighting Superstore. Consider a focused desk lamp or adjustable spotlights to illuminate your work surface effectively. Layering different types of lighting creates a well-lit and visually appealing home office environment.

4. Inspiring Decor Elements Incorporate inspiring decor elements that reflect you and stimulate creativity and productivity. You can make this a DIY project and find prints that you like to hang on the wall including motivational quotes, inspirational artwork, or framed prints of literary works on the walls. You can even incorporate interesting pieces from Bed Bath N’ Table to add flair to your space. These decorative pieces help to infuse your workspace with individuality.

Integrate a chalkboard or a whiteboard for jotting down ideas, reminders, or creating to-do lists. Additionally, display a collection of books, either as a backdrop for your workspace or on open shelves, to showcase add visual interest.

5. Minimalist and Functional Organisation Maintaining a clutter-free and well-organised workspace is vital for productivity. Embrace minimalist storage solutions such as sleek desk organisers, file cabinets, or wall-mounted shelves to keep your essentials within reach and maintain a clean aesthetic. Be sure to visit Howards Storage World for even more storage solutions.

Invest in functional storage options like boxes, baskets, or magazine holders to neatly store papers, notebooks, and stationery. A clutter-free environment helps reduce distractions and allows for a more focused and efficient workflow.

The Modern Academia interior decor trend combines modern aesthetics with warmth, comfort, and functionality to create a home office conducive to productivity. By incorporating warm wooden furniture, cosy soft furnishings, adequate lighting, and inspiring decor elements, you can design a workspace that reflects sophistication, supporting your work needs, and inspiring a productive workflow. Remember, a well-designed and comfortable home office enhances your focus, creativity, and overall well-being.

bedroom décor

4 Steps to Pinterest-worthy Bedroom Décor

There’s a reason we love interior-designed spaces, and there’s no denying that interior stylists have an uncanny ability to make any space look luxe, inviting, and comfortable (especially when it comes to bedding and bed styling). They certainly know all the tricks of the trade, from the latest interior trends, right down to choosing the perfect pillows. But have you ever tried to recreate a perfectly- styled bed in your bedroom without the help of a stylist? The outcome is never quite the same. So, here at Aspley Homemaker City we set out on a mission to uncover the best ways to achieve that effortlessly- styled, yet totally Pinterest-worthy bed. The best part? All you have to do is follow the four steps below and your room will look like it’s straight out of a magazine in no time.

Step one: what lies beneath matters

A luxurious bedroom starts with a comfortable mattress. We’re talking about the type that you’re already subconsciously sinking into with just one glance. But if you’re not quite ready to replace your mattress, then opt for a mattress topper instead. Mattress toppers are a great (and affordable) solution to add the comfort you need for a good night’s sleep whilst also helping contribute to the overall plush look that is synonymous with a Pinterest-worthy bedroom.

Secondly, mattress and pillow protectors are a must all year round, particularly as our weather warms up. We recommend opting for a bamboo material because it’s naturally antimicrobial, breathable, and thermal regulating. You can find a variety of options from Bed Bath N’ Table.

bedroom décor

bedroom décor

Step two: invest in quality sheets

Quality sheets are the hug you didn’t know you needed! Sheets not only feel great but when you purchase the right set, they’re bound to last throughout the seasons. We recommend steering clear from plain white sheets and going for a fun colour and pattern instead. Pair your bold sheets with a plain coverlet for a playful contrast that will suit any room. For those who are not a fan of ironing, we hear you! Try linen sheets from Bedshed to achieve that unmade bed look that interior stylists always master.

Step three: choose the right bed cover

It’s time to roll away the heavy feather duvet and embrace a lightweight coverlet. This lighter counterpart to a duvet is cooler in the warmer weather but is still heavy enough for those who love being snuggled under a blanket. For neutral lovers, embrace a textured coverlet or quilt cover to, add a subtle sense of luxury to your bedding. If you really want to finish off that luxury look, buy a size up in your coverlet or quilt – allowing the edge of your bedding to touch the floor.

Step four: layers and textures are a must

Finally, the ultimate way to achieve that Pinterest-worthy bedroom is with layers and textures! What better way to add more texture to your room than with throws and cushions? They’re always making an appearance on interior trends lists. So, here’s how you can use them:

Throws

  1. Enhance your bedding by casually draping a lightweight throw at the foot of your bed.
  2. Avoid being too meticulous in its arrangement to achieve a more relaxed and inviting look.
  3. Add visual intrigue to a plain knit throw by opting for one with tassels.
  4. For a laid-back luxurious appearance, consider a 100% cotton throw with raw edging.

Throw cushions

You either love them or hate them, but cushions are here to stay – having become a staple in trend interiors! To create a luxurious and comfortable look, be sure to mix and match cushions in similar tones and various textures. Whether you choose velvets or linens, a mix of both is sure to create a visually pleasing vignette. We recommend cushions with feather fillings to provide a plush and inviting feel.

Voila, you now have your own bedroom that looks like it came straight from a Pinterest board. No need to search “interior stylist near me,” instead follow our guide and head to Aspley Homemaker City for all the necessities! Once you’ve stocked up at all the furniture stores in Aspley be sure to share your new bedroom with us on Instagram – we’d love to reshare it! Don’t forget to tag us @aspleyhomemakercity.

decluttering

Decluttering Guide: 5 Dos & Don’ts

We’ve all been there; over time our homes build up with clutter, and before we know it, there’s not a spare cupboard or shelf in sight!

Decluttering and re-organising the home can often feel like a daunting or insurmountable task, but it doesn’t have to be. With our helpful decluttering tips, you can feel empowered to transform your space into a clean, clear, and organised haven – now, and into the future. From using Pinterest for inspiration to investing in functional furniture and finding long-term storage solutions, we’ve got you covered. Read our decluttering guide below to get started on your journey to a clutter-free, stylish abode.

DO: Create a Pinterest Board for Inspiration

The First DO in our decluttering guide? Find some inspo! Pinterest is an amazing tool that provides endless inspiration for every aspect of your life, from health and wellbeing to style and fashion to interior design and home organisation. We recommend creating a dedicated board for decluttering and organising your home. Fill it with images that resonate with your style and inspire you to declutter without sacrificing aesthetics. You could even break this down further by creating separate boards for decluttering separate rooms. What is it about the spaces that inspire you? It could be the rattan boxes they use for odds and ends, the blanket box they use for toys, or the way they store their makeup brushes and toiletries. Once you have your ideas, make a list of the storage pieces, breaking the list down into what you need for each room for ease of tackling your decluttering project (we suggest taking on just a single room at a time). Head to Howard’s Storage World to pick up all the items you need. Soon you’ll feel more motivated to organise all the other rooms in your home as well and decluttering will be a breeze – and enjoyable!

DO: Invest in Functional Furniture

One of the most effective ways of decluttering and organising your home when you’re short on storage space (or space in general), is to invest in furniture that’s dual purpose. Storing your linen inside a bed frame with drawers, blankets inside an ottoman, and your favourite magazines and books within your coffee table are all great ways to declutter home areas and overcome a lack of storage space, while ensuring you aren’t giving up on style. Freedom has a fantastic selection of functional furniture that will not only suit any aesthetic, but also get you excited about decluttering and organising your home. This is also a clever way of getting rid of unwanted items too – if you forget you have the toys, linen, knick knacks once stored away, or don’t use them over the next 12 to 18 months, it may be a sign it’s time to sell, donate or bin!

 

DON’T: Overcrowd Your Countertops

The first DON’T in our decluttering guide: clear those countertops! Your kitchen counter can sometimes become one of the most cluttered areas in the house. This could be for a variety of reasons, but to help declutter your countertops, one of the best things you can do is minimise that which lives on your countertop by giving it a home – and styling everything that needs to stay!

Remove any mail, catalogues, paperwork or other household items out of your kitchen and find areas to house whatever’s left. Create a coffee corner for your coffee machine and mugs or place your utensils in a small utensil holder if your drawers are already full of kitchen necessities. Try to source storage items that match your countertop or kitchen style, while also providing ample space or functionality. If bench space is at a premium, think of ways you might be able to move things elsewhere – opt for paper towel holders that can be attached under cupboards, and coffee pod rails or spice racks on the inside of doors.

House also has an incredible selection of drinkware, glassware and dinnerware to help make your kitchen look super chic.

DO: Implement Long-Term Storage Solutions & Practices

After decluttering your space, focus on sourcing long-term storage solutions and decluttering methods you can implement to maintain or managed your organised home ongoing. This step must always be done last, so you know the exact number of solutions you need and what your home is lacking, and the exact size and space of where you will be storing them. If you love glass jars or containers for your pantry or fridge, we recommend being consistent by sticking to one style of clear jar in varying sizes (rather than accumulating containers of all styles, shapes and sizes – unless that’s your aesthetic).

Baskets in cupboards are a great way to keep like-minded items together to avoid any unnecessary clutter – decide if you prefer baskets with lids, or without, and what style will best suit your space and it’s desired function. You may even want to implement a practice of going through these every 3 to 4 months to see if there’s anything in them you need to throw out.

Howard’s Storage World, Freedom and Provincial Home Living have a great range of storage solutions perfect for decluttering. For more permanent solution, Kitchen Connection can help with kitchen redesign, and storage solution inserts such as corner storage solutions, wireware, rubbish, recycling and clutter solutions and sink accessories. We suggest you scroll through the Aspley Homemaker City website for more decluttering and home organisation tips and tricks before you head to the centre.

DON’T: Chuck Everything Into a Box & Forget About it

Last but not least in our decluttering guide: Don’t feel tempted to just chuck stuff into a box or drawer if that’s not a good home for it. If you don’t have good decluttering practices in place, it can be all too easy to open a door or drawer, shove your clutter in, and hope to never see it again.

Find common-sense homes that will help you remember where things are, and don’t be afraid of the label maker! There’s nothing worse than coming back to something you’re forgotten about in your fridge or pantry and wondering what it is (or used to be), or rifling through unmarked boxes for that international power adaptor the night before an international flight.

Decluttering Your Home Made Easy at Aspley Homemaker City

Decluttering and organising your home can be a stress-free and enjoyable process – provided you put some practices in place and make a plan. Use Pinterest for inspiration, invest in functional furniture, find long-term storage solutions, and style your countertops for a clutter-free and aesthetically pleasing home. With the help of Aspley Homemaker City’s fantastic retailers and the dos and don’ts in our decluttering guide, you’ll become a decluttering pro in no time, achieving a clean and highly-functional living space. Get started today and you’ll enjoy a clutter-free home in no time!

Living Room Styling

5 Living Room Styling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When it comes to styling your living room, there are some tips and tricks to implement and mistakes you want to avoid to ensure it looks the way you’d like it to look, while ticking the boxes in terms of functionality and liveability. After all, your living room shouldn’t just be nice to look at; it’s also a space you’ll want to entertain guests, where you can relax and put your feet up, spend precious time with your family and binge-watch your favourite shows.

Creating a comfortable, stylish, and multifunctional living space doesn’t have to be a daunting or expensive task. There are so many simple style tweaks you can make to enhance your living room to not only maximise space, but also make it feel incredibly inviting to absolutely everyone who visits. If you’re looking for some new living room ideas to make it feel more spacious, more functional or more stylish (or a combination of all three), then read on. We share our living room styling mistakes to avoid, styling tips to embrace, and the retailers at Aspley Homemaker City, where you can stock up on everything to bring your living room styling dreams to life.

Living Room Styling Mistake #1: Your living room is cluttered

When it comes to living room styling, storage is key! It can hide a multitude of sins, and makes it tidying up much easier – the more you can put behind closed doors, inside ottomans, underneath a table or on floating shelves, the better. Eureka Furniture has a great selection of coffee tables with ample storage space, so you can store anything from linens to your favourite magazines away, without compromising on style. They also have wall shelves in different shapes and sizes you can add to the wall of your living room to create your own vertical shelving.

Living Room Styling Mistake #2: Your TV is in the Wrong Place

The best way to free up space in your living room is to mount your TV on a wall. When you mount it, you want to make sure that it’s not blocking any precious window light or reflecting any window light. No one wants glare disrupting their TV viewing experience now do they? If you’re not able to mount your TV, you can also place it on top of a sleek entertainment unit that not only has storage options, but also enhances the look and feel of your other living room furniture. Freedom has a massive range of entertainment units available in shades of natural timber that’ll easily elevate your living room without taking up too much space.

Living Room Mistake #3: Your Room is Too Dark

Lightening up the colour palette can make all the difference when it comes to creating a sense of space in your living room. If you’ve got a smaller living room, a styling tip for making it feel bigger is to paint your walls an off-white and keep furniture light-coloured or tonal. If the space feels too clinical for your tastes, you can inject colour and warmth into your space through furniture and decor items. Nick Scali has so many lounge and sofa options available in a variety of colours, so whether you love a dark brown leather look or a pastel palette, you’ll be able to find the perfect centrepiece to enhance your living room styling vision. You can add light or creative cushion colour combinations for added interest, changing up as the seasons and trends change.

Living Room Styling

Living Room Styling

Living Room Mistake #4: Your Sofa is Too Big or Too Small

Many people fill their living rooms with furniture that is too large or chunky for the space, especially when it comes to sofas. This, of course, will make your living room look a lot smaller. So when it comes to choosing living room furniture, try to choose sofas that leave 18 inches (or 46 centimetres) of space on either side and don’t occupy the entire length of the wall. If you only have space for a two-seater, trick your brain into thinking you have more space by investing in an ottoman, so you can extend the couch when you need to, and place it elsewhere when you don’t. Provincial Home Living have ottomans to suit every style of sofa, whether you love a colourful velvet fabric or prefer a tonal linen piece.

Living Room Mistake #5: You’re Missing Mirrors

There aren’t many living room styling pieces that can make your space look bigger than it is, whilst also enhancing its overall aesthetic. One home décor piece that can is a sleek mirror. There are so many different mirror styles to choose from that it’s now easier than ever to find one that truly shows off your creative flair, whilst also making your living space feel comfortable and inviting. Of course, you also need to find a minor that balances your space, otherwise it may overpower it. If you’re wanting an oversized mirror for your living room, opt for a small frame as a larger frame can make your living room feel even smaller than it is. If you’re wanting a smaller mirror to place on a wall, find one that can be placed at the average person’s eye level (roughly 154 centimetres from the floor to the centre of the mirror) and leave enough space around the frame for the piece to breathe. We recommend popping into Bed Bath N’ Table and checking out their range of mirrors to see which size would suit your living room best.

Avoid these Living Room Styling Mistakes at Aspley Homemaker City

It can sometimes be tough styling living room furniture when you have so many competing interests on your wishlist; your living room is one of the busiest rooms in your home, so how do you make it feel comfortable, stylish and functional in a way that works with you rather than against you? Well, that’s where we come in! From large furniture items to home decor and storage solutions, Aspley Homemaker City has all you need to bring your living room styling ideas to life.

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Interior Decorating Trends?

Question 1: In which 20th century decade were rattan and cane furniture most popular? a) 1990’s b) 1920’s c) 1970’s d) 1930’s

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Question 2: What colour timber is most popular in the Scandinavian design trend? a) Oak and pine b) Merbau c) Spotted gum d) Teak

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Question 3: Frank Lloyd Wright was a renowned architect popular during which era? a) Art Deco b) Mid-century Modern c) Post-War d) Rococo

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Question 4: I am opulent, glamorous and bold in my style. I use a lot of geometric shapes and love metallics such as gold and silver. Which interior design style am I? a) Hamptons b) Art Deco c) Mid-Century Modern d) Bauhaus

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Question 5: What are the most popular accent colours in the Hamptons design style? a) Red and orange b) Pink and purple c) Yellow and Brown d) Blue and Green

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Question 6: Who is a popular furniture designer that has replicas made of their work to this day? a) Charles and Ray Eames b) Phillipe Starck c) Hans Wegner d) All of the above

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Answers: Question 1: C – 1970’s

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Question 2: A – Oak and pine

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Question 3: B – Mid-century modern

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Question 4: B – Art deco

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Question 5: D – Blue and green

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Question 6: D – All of the above

6 Hacks For Keeping An Organised Home In The New Year

If you are like us, one of your new year’s resolutions is to have a more organised and structured home. In today’s post we are sharing our top hacks for not only implementing organisational solutions but staying on top of them long term. We have so many handy tips and tricks we’ve used time and time again and suggestions on the perfect storage solutions that will transform your home life. Read on to find out more!

1. Start The Year Fresh

The festive season is one of abundance, decadence and overflow, so it is no wonder we all feel like cleansing and minimising once the new year rolls around. For most people the start of January can be a calm time where work is quiet, and you can reset both yourself and your home. We suggest setting a day aside to have a thorough declutter of the highest traffic areas of your home such as the kitchen, pantry, wardrobe, kid’s bedrooms, playrooms and garage. Sort through all items and get rid of anything that has not been used recently, has been replaced with something new or that no longer brings you joy. By starting off the year with a declutter and organising day this allows you to head into the new year with a fresh perspective and a clear mind.

 

2. Create A Drop Zone

Creating designated drop zones in the home allows for clutter to be contained to one area and avoids it building up throughout various areas of the home. We recommend creating a ‘drop-zone’ that is separate from the kitchen or living area in a space such as the entryway, home office or towards the garage. Create a drop zone by using items such as baskets, in-trays, boxes or containers and label them with each family member’s name. You can pick up some beautiful baskets from Freedom or some great storage containers from Howard’s Storage World that would be perfect for this. The key to keeping drop zones under control is to dedicate a couple of minutes each week to sorting through and actioning any items that need to be actioned and putting things away that have a separate home.

 

3. Go Label Crazy

Labels are a lifesaver when it comes to organising your home. Not only do they look aesthetically pleasing, but they help each member of the family know where items belong. We recommend labelling key areas of the home that are constantly having items picked up, put back, used, and taken in and out. For example, categorise your pantry using wire baskets for different food types and use swing tags to label. The linen cupboard is another great area of the home to use beautiful baskets to categories like-minded items such as sheets, quilt cover sizes, towels and more.

 

4. Purchase Your Storage Solutions Now

December is the perfect time of year to pick up a bargain as the Christmas and Boxing Day events are in full swing! If you have the time, we suggest making a list of items such as baskets, containers, drawer dividers and turntables and heading in store to grab yourself a saving. We love Howard’s Storage World for all our kitchen, wardrobe and bathroom storage solutions and Provincial Home Living and Freedom for gorgeous baskets.

5. Set A Timer

When thinking about decluttering and organising your home it can often become overwhelming as you do not know where to begin. As the saying goes, the easiest way to achieve something is to ‘just start’. We love setting a timer to either 15 minutes or 30 minutes and having a ‘fire round’ of decluttering, picking up items that are lying around, sorting a drawer or deep cleaning an area that has been neglected. You will be surprised how much you can get done in a short amount of time if you set your timer, put your phone on silent and pop on some inspiring music to get motivated!

 

6. Lock In Maintenance Days In Your Calendar

Implementing organisational solutions in your home such as categorising, labelling and decluttering is the first step in creating an organised home. The second and arguably most important step is to ‘maintain’ the spaces long term. Having an organised home is not a matter of ‘setting and forgetting’, rather a system that is put in place and maintained regularly for optimum performance. Maintaining your organisation solutions simply means to set aside time in your calendar every quarter to check in on the systems put in place. This can include going through the pantry and throwing away expired foods, sorting through each family members in tray and ensuring all items are put back in their designated category baskets in the linen cupboard and playroom.

Our Top Kitchen Organisation Hacks

The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home and as such is required to be not only a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing space, but a functional one too. Whether you are cooking dinner, packing lunches, emptying the dishwasher, or doing homework with the kids, the kitchen functions for all types of activities. In order to keep the space functioning well and to avoid frustration, the kitchen needs to have systems and organisation tools in place. Today we are sharing with you our favourite tips, tools, and products to help you organise and create flow in your kitchen.

Create Zones

The working triangle is a common term used when designing kitchens as it refers to where the dishes are done, the food is stored, and the cooking is undertaken. Zones can also be created in other ways in the kitchen such as in your pantry, cupboards and drawers. To ensure breakfast time runs smoothly as a family and cooking dinner is a breeze, we recommend setting up zones within the pantry to enable this. Group like-minded items together such as cereals with spreads and pastas and rice with spices, sauces and oils. This saves you time in the long run as you know where everything is and can easily access the items you require. Zones can also be created within your cupboards and drawers by storing cooking items such as pots and pans near the stove and plates, bowls and glasses near the dishwasher for easy access when unloading. Create zones in your kitchen this weekend and thank us later!

 

Use Baskets And Containers To Categorise

Baskets and containers are one of our favourite tools to use when organising a kitchen and pantry. In the pantry we suggest grouping likeminded items together and dedicating a basket for each category. The most common categories to use and are snacks, cooking, meal kits, baking, rice and noodles and of course backstock. Freedom and Howard’s Storage World have some gorgeous baskets that would up level any pantry and create a beautiful look in your home. Clear or white containers are great for areas such as under the sink where you can group items together such as cleaning, dishwashing, paper towels, sponges, and bin bags. Our biggest tip is to ensure you measure each space before purchasing to make sure you are buying baskets that fit correctly and utilise the space properly.

 

Label

To create the ultimate Pinterest and Instagram-worthy organised kitchen and pantry you cannot forget to use labels. Labels not only look pretty but allow for each member of the family to know where to put things, helps with maintaining systems and makes it easy to know what items you require when creating your shopping list. We suggest adding labels to items such as decanted pantry staples in containers or jars, the categories of each basket of food products and the containers for your under-sink storage. Swing tags, acrylic tags or clips are best for baskets with handles whereas printed vinyl labels are perfect for containers.

 

Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers are the saviour for any kitchen drawer, and we love using them to up level our kitchen organisation. The utensils drawer is the perfect place to use drawer dividers as you can sort by likeminded item and this in turn allows you to avoid rummaging around for the utensil you are looking for. They are also great for drawers that house your zip lock bags and food wraps to ensure these are stored in a neat and organised way. Other areas you can use drawer dividers in the kitchen are if you store your Tupperware, plates, bowls and pots and pans in drawers. Howard’s Storage World have some great options, so be sure to head in store to check out their range soon.

 

Maintaining Systems

Once you have implemented your organisational systems in your kitchen and pantry it is essential to spend a little bit of time every few months to maintain them. Like everything in life, maintenance is the key to ensuring things run smoothly and avoids any build up. We recommend that at the beginning of each season you complete a once over of your kitchen drawers and cupboards to ensure all items are in their correct zones and nothing has been moved or shuffled around. We also suggest checking your fridge and pantry for expired foods and throwing out any items that are out of date or donating items that will not be used.

 

Organise Your Kitchen at Aspley Homemaker City

We look forward to seeing you soon at Aspley Homemaker City and helping you with all your home organisation needs. If you would like any advice on ways to organise and what storage items would suit your needs, simply click here book in for your free styling session with our Resident Stylist, Eliza.

nick scali sofa

How to Choose The Right Sofa

Sofas are one of the biggest investment pieces you’ll ever make when styling your living room and take up a large amount of floor space, so getting the right sofa for your space is absolutely essential. Not only do you need to consider the size of the sofa you want to purchase, but you also need to think about the sofa’s shape, size, upholstery, colour, and whether a Nick Scali sofa is the right one for you or if Freedom has what you need.

With so much to think about, choosing the right sofa for your living space can feel a bit overwhelming. So, to help you find the perfect piece, we’ve created a quick and easy guide to choosing the right living room sofa for your space. So, without further ado, here are the key things you need to consider when purchasing your next living room sofa.

The size of your living room

It might seem obvious, but one of the key mistakes people make when choosing a sofa for their living space is buying one that’s either too big or too small. When considering the right sofa for your living room, make sure you measure the area you’re wanting to put it in first. You’ll need to make sure there’s enough space for people to walk past or around the sofa once it’s in position and whether it’ll obstruct any window views.

Also, when you’re measuring your space, try to take into consideration any other furniture you have in your living room, such as coffee tables, floor lamps, entertainment units and bookshelves. You’ll need to make sure that people can walk around all your other living room furniture as well when your new sofa is in place. Finally, don’t forget to measure the doorway! The last thing you want is to have to return your dream sofa because it can’t fit through the door.

If you’re short on space, consider a sofa that’s raised off the floor with narrow arms, to create the illusion that your living room is larger than it is. Nick Scali has a great range of sofas like these that’ll make your space feel incredibly roomy, despite the small floor area.

nick scali sofa

nick scali sofa

 

The shape of sofa you need

The shape of the sofa won’t just be dictated by the size of your living room. It’ll also need to ensure it aligns with not just your lifestyle, but your aesthetic as well. Think about the overall concept of your space as you explore different sofa shapes. Do you want a sofa you can stretch out on? Does it need to accommodate several people? Is it for a formal living room or a bustling family space?

Modular sofas are an incredibly popular shape, as they offer both comfort and flexibility. You can stretch out at one end and curl up with a good book at the other end (if you include a chaise), it’s large enough to seat multiple people and can also help frame your living space. Freedom has a great range of modular sofas available in so many different colours and styles, however those with a smaller living room may find a modular sofa slightly too big for their space.

If your living room floor area is a bit tight, instead of opting for just one living room sofa in a specific shape, it may be beneficial for you to invest in two smaller sofas. A Nick Scali sofa ia always a good choice when it comes to chic living room furniture, and they also have great two-seater sofas with slim legs that you can place in your living room to make it both spacious and stylish.

Your sofa’s upholstery

When considering the upholstery of your sofa you have two main options: leather or fabric.

Leather sofas may have a higher price tag, but they’re easy to clean and durable. They may show signs of age after a few years of use, as well as the usual stains, scratches and creases every sofa is susceptible to, however the great part about this is that, like a fine wine, leather sofas tend to get better with age as they’re more comfortable and give your space a bit more character.

Fabric sofas tend to look cosier than their leather counterparts and have a wider range of colours, patterns and textures to choose from. We’re talking everything from the on-trend boucle to linen, velvet and or just good old woven fabric. These sofas tend to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter, whilst leather is generally cool all year round, they are also more difficult to clean and are less forgiving when it comes to stains.

If you’re leaning more towards a fabric sofa, Freedom have living room sofas in so many on-trend textures. We recommend getting your sofa Scotchguarded before it’s delivered, for an extra layer of protection.

For leather sofas, you may want to cast your eye over Nick Scali’s sleek selection or pop into La-Z-Boy to check out their range for a leather sofa with built-in recliners.

Your budget

Finally, when it comes to choosing the perfect living room sofa, you’re definitely going to have to consider how much you’re able to spend. Sofas can range from $200 to $20,000, with designer and bespoke pieces even exceeding those numbers, so when you’re shopping for a new sofa, the biggest questions you’ll probably want to ask yourself when considering your budget is whether you’re looking for a new sofa or a forever sofa.

If you’re looking for a forever sofa, you’re going to want to invest in a piece that’s durable and high-quality. Sofas are one of the most used items of furniture in your entire home and often must survive jumping, long periods of sitting, spills, and the odd relocation or two, so when browsing for a forever sofa, pay close attention to the quality of the fabric, craftsmanship, internal cushioning, springs, webbing and stitching, as well as the price tag.

If you’re simply looking for a new sofa to replace one that’s reached the end of its long life, then you can probably afford to be more lenient when it comes to craftsmanship, although it’s still important to make sure your sofa is durable and will last a long time.

If you’re unsure about how to check a sofa’s quality, you can book a consultation with our Aspley Homemaker City stylist, who’ll help you work out what to look for.

Find the Perfect Nick Scali or Freedom Sofa at Aspley Homemaker City

Shopping for the perfect living room sofa shouldn’t be overwhelming. So, if you’re not sure about which sofa to choose, just follow our guide and soon you’ll be relaxing on a new piece that not only feels comfortable, but also looks amazing in your space. Shop