Category Archives: Aspley Styleboard

Preparing Your Home For The Warmer Months

Spring has officially arrived in Brisbane, and we couldn’t be happier to see the flowers blooming, warmer days and sunshine in the evenings. With the beginning of the new season and the approaching Summer ahead, now is the perfect time to have a Spring refresh and update your home accordingly. Like a breath of fresh air, today we have a few simple tips and tricks you can do this weekend to prepare your home for the warmer months ahead and wave goodbye to the cold winter days!

Have A Refreshing Spring Clean & Declutter

As cliché as it is, Spring really is the perfect time to have a deep clean and organise of your home. The changing of the seasons is a good reminder to complete the tasks we have been putting off all year such as cleaning flyscreens and windows, sorting out kitchen cupboards and pantries and wiping down those ‘out of sight’ surfaces such as skirting boards, light switches, and ceiling fans. Spring is also the perfect time to have a declutter of your storage areas in the home as you will need to store thicker quilts, flannelette sheets and warmer blankets away for next Winter. We recommend heading into Howard’s Storage World for all the organisational inspiration you need to kickstart the decluttering process in your home.

 

Update Your Soft Furnishings

Brisbane Summers are unlike anywhere else and the last thing we want on a sunny, humid day is fluffy cushions or woollen blankets. Ensure your soft furnishings are reflective of the temperature and use fabrics such as linen and cotton for a lightweight and breathable feel. We love Pillow Talk and Bed Bath N Table’s beautiful range of cushions and throw blankets that are perfect for updating your home this Spring. When selecting your soft furnishings for the new season we recommend choosing colours such as sage green, pastel blue or a soft cream for a refreshing look.

 

Switch Out Your Scents

If you have been reading the Aspley Homemaker City blog for a while now you will know we are huge lovers of home scents and believe they can make a huge difference in the home. By switching out your home scent each season you can completely change the feel of the space and evoke a desired atmosphere depending on the setting. We love using scents such as freshly washed linen or patchouli in the entryway to welcome your family and guests into the home. In the kitchen we suggest using a fresh scent such as gardenia or lemongrass and lime to create a clean and calming feel. Reed diffusers are a great option for these areas as they keep the spaces smelling beautiful all day long. We recommend heading into Provincial Home Living or Bed Bath N Table to pick your perfect scent this weekend.

Add Greenery & Repot Plants

Embrace Spring in your home by adding some fresh new greenery and plants to bring life and colour into your spaces. Whether you are opting for real or faux, we suggest adding beautiful, large floor plants such as fiddle leaf figs, olive trees or birds of paradise to the corners of living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms. These create a focal point in a room, provide a pop of colour and draw the eye upwards by creating height. Freedom has some gorgeous faux plants that require no upkeep and could fool even the keenest gardener. We also love adding trailing plants to bookshelves, floating shelves and surfaces that are in need of some life and colour. Spring is a great time to re-pot any existing plants you have indoors or outdoors and ensure they are thriving with new soil and the perfect sized pot.

 

Update Your Outdoor Furniture

In preparation for the upcoming entertaining season, now is the perfect time to think about updating your outdoor furniture. If your pieces are looking a bit tired and worn, why not try something new like a beautiful outdoor lounge suite or fun bar table and chairs combination. The Furniture Shack have a great range of outdoor furniture and can provide you with advice on what pieces would suit your space, lifestyle and entertaining needs. If you’re in need of a new BBQ, storage solutions or shade umbrellas, then check out Outdoor Living for all your outdoor needs. We also love adding large, durable outdoor rugs and colourful cushions to our outdoor areas to make them feel like an extension of the indoors.

     

If you would like some more help with choosing the perfect outdoor furniture pieces, soft furnishings or organisational solutions for your home this Spring, then be sure to click here or head to the ‘Styling Inspiration’ tab on this website to book in for your free styling session with our Resident Stylist, Eliza.

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.

 

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. Nick Scali sofas are 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.

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.

6 Biggest Trends Of The Moment

As we enter the second half of 2022, we are seeing some huge trends and shifts in the interior design and home styling world. The last few years have seen a more subtle, soft, and subdued interior reign supreme, which was reflective of the state of the world throughout this time. We saw our homes as more of a sanctuary and a place to escape through a long period of isolation. As we enter a new era, we are seeing the return of bold colours, contrasting details and rich timber tones throughout our homes. Are you ready to incorporate some new styles into your home? Read on to find out our favourites!

Contrast

A contrasting interior with black and white accents seem to be filling our Instagram and Pinterest feeds from new builds to renovations and beyond. We are seeing the rise of a sophisticated and chic interior that incorporates black accents against crisp white and bold colours. To try this in your own home we recommend adding subtle black accents through your decorative accessories such as picture frames, vases, coffee tables books and vessels. Head into Provincial Home Living or Bed Bath N Table for a great range of products to suit this trend perfectly. If you want to dive into this trend further you could try a bold, dark coffee table or sleek black dining table chairs. Nick Scali and Natuzzi have some beautiful pieces that are perfect for this style, be sure to check them out next time you are at the centre.

   

Goodbye Beige

As we mentioned above, the past few years have seen a very subtle, soft, and blended interior filled with neutrals, whites and beiges as the most popular design style. As we enter a new season and the world is beginning to open up again, we are noticing an increase in bold choices in interiors and home styling becoming popular once more. Gone are the days of being afraid to use colour as we see more people opt for bold tones of green, pink and blue not only in their home styling but their cabinetry, tiles and wall colours too!

         

Rich Timbers

You may be seeing an overall trend weaving its way through in all the trends of 2022 and that is ‘depth’ and ‘boldness’. This is evident in our timber selections moving forward too as we see a movement towards rich timber tones of walnut, wenge, teak ad Tasmanian oak. When searching for your next furniture piece for the bedroom, living room or dining room we suggest opting for a darker timber that evokes a cosy vibe and has richness and depth. We love Snooze, Beds N Dreams and Nick Scali’s beautiful range of high-quality timber furniture to suit any design style.

       

Large Scale Artwork

Along with bold colours, timber tones and contrast we are seeing large scale artworks become popular when decorating and styling homes. The bigger the better when it comes to adding art to your home with this trend to create a statement look and an elevated interior. Try adding large scale artworks to areas such as the living room, dining room and entryway and choose colours that you can draw from when decorating with soft furnishings and decorative accessories. Next time you are visiting Aspley Homemaker City we recommend checking out Provincial Home Living, Freedom and Pillow Talk for some great artwork choices and styles.

           

Mixing Old And New

We love incorporating antiques and second-hand items into our homes and are happy to see the trend of unique and interesting, old furniture pieces becoming popular once more. The trick to creating a seamless interior when using antiques is to ensure you have a balance of old and new. We recommend using the ratio of approximately 70% new with 30% old to ensure you have a well-blended and sophisticated overall look. Great places to add antique furniture into the home are with a console table in the entryway, a beautiful old floor lamp in the living room and some classic bedside tables in the bedroom. Pair these with contemporary style furniture and accessories for a curated and bespoke interior design style.

         

Subtle Greenery

Plants are an essential part of any home and work to not only breathe life into a space but provide a pop of colour to any room. Another trend we are seeing becoming popular in the interior and home design world is the use of a more Mediterranean or foraged style plant. What we mean by this is using tree varieties such as olive trees throughout your living spaces to create a subtle pop of green from their delicate and silver-toned leaves. We also love the look of a wild and foraged arrangement of twigs and eucalyptus stems in the centre of a dining table or kitchen island bench. This trend allows your furniture pieces and styling to be the hero of the space and the greenery acts to soften and blend into the background.

           

If you want to dive deeper into one of the trends we’ve mentioned today or would like advice on how you can incorporate them into your own home, then be sure to book in for your free styling session with our resident stylist, Eliza this weekend! We look forward to seeing you at Aspley Homemaker City soon.

How To Design Teen Bedrooms

Designing bedrooms for teenagers can be tricky as we all know they can change their minds on what they like each and every day. There are a few key elements to designing a space that will adapt to their ever-changing interests, hobbies, and passions and to ensure they stay inspired, and their room functions well throughout the years. Today we are sharing with you our top tips and tricks for how to design bedrooms for teens in an easy, thoughtful, and functional way.

Timeless And Durable Furniture

Designing rooms for teens often starts at their early adolescents, so it is essential to choose furniture that will withstand the many years of being a teenager and the different stages that come with it. We recommend selecting furniture that is both timeless, durable, and functional. This means choosing furniture in neutral and natural tones such as white, oak timber or black depending on your child’s preferences. Our retailers such as Bedshed, Nick Scali, and Snooze, offer a beautiful range of furniture that is of a high quality and will withstand the test of time. By keeping all the large furniture pieces in the room neutral, this allows you to have fun and play with accessories as they develop, and their interests change over time.

           

Have Fun With Decorative Accessories

Decorative accessories are the pieces you can have fun with throughout a teenage bedroom and they allow you to embrace colour, texture and layering. Accessories include items such as rugs, bedlinen, cushions, lamps, artworks, vases, plants and more. As we mentioned above, we recommend keeping the larger furniture items neutral and classic, to allow you to switch up the colour schemes as and when required in an easy and affordable way. It is much easier and affordable to replace a quilt cover or table lamp in a bedroom than an entire bed or chest of drawers. To achieve a new look, simply update the decorative cushions on the bed from Bed Bath N’ Table, hang a new art print from Pillow Talk and add some faux greenery from Freedom and you have yourself a completely new space!

     

Storage And Organisation

It is a well-known fact that teenagers seem to collect a lot of ‘stuff’. From clothing to tech accessories to school supplies and more, it is a never-ending influx of items that need to be stored and organised in one room. Having practical storage and organisation solutions in teenage bedrooms is a must to ensure clutter stays at bay and encourages items to be put back in their designated areas. Choose a bed with under bed storage, allow for an adult size chest of drawers and ensure the bedside table has drawers or a cupboard for storing bits and pieces. Use large baskets to group items together such as shoes, bags, hats, and hobby equipment in a neat and aesthetically pleasing way. You can purchase some beautiful baskets from stores such as Freedom and Provincial Home Living that look gorgeous in a bedroom.

   

Be Creative With Paint And Removable Wallpaper

Paint and removable wallpaper are the easiest ways to completely transform a space in one weekend. The best thing about these solutions is that they are not permanent and can be changed or updated as and when your teenagers’ tastes evolve. We love using a subtle wallpaper print in neutral tones on all walls to create a beautiful oasis for your child or go bold with a fun paint colour on one or two walls to inject wow factor.

                     

Create Zones

Teenagers spend a lot of time in their bedrooms, so it is important to create zones within the space that adapt to their different needs. You do not require a large room to be able to create zones, it can simply be different corners of the room to cater to a certain requirement. The sleep zone should obviously include a bed, comfortable bed linen, a lamp, books, and any other items that encourage a good night’s sleep such as sleep sprays or headphones. Another area of the room should be inspiring and encourage learning by having a small desk, some storage for homework and school supplies and all their tech needs. We also love to include a ‘hang-out’ zone if the space allows where you can have an armchair or some floor cushions with a floor lamp. This space can be used for themselves when they want to relax in their room or creates a comfortable space they can hang out with their friends when they visit.

 

Our retailers offer some amazing furniture and home styling pieces that are perfect for updating your teenager’s bedroom. Whether you are thinking of replacing their bed and bedroom furniture or simply updating their soft furnishings, we have everything you need here at Aspley Homemaker City. We look forward to seeing you in the centre again soon!

All images sourced via Pinterest

6 Tips For Styling The Kitchen & Bathroom

Kitchens and bathrooms are often the trickiest areas of the home to style and decorate in an aesthetically pleasing way. As these rooms are traditionally utilitarian and for practical use, it can be a fine balance of getting things right when it comes to decorating. Today we are sharing with you our top 6 easy ways you can use styling pieces in your kitchen and bathroom and how you can incorporate them today.

Tip 1 – Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are the perfect addition to any kitchen or bathroom as they allow you to create a styled look, in a practical way. In the kitchen, floating shelves are a great place to display special items such as seasonal glassware, cookbooks, or beautiful serving ware. You can also use them to store your most frequently used glasses, mugs, and bowls for an easy access solution. In the bathroom we love decorating floating shelves with items such as beautifully folded towels, a candle, a room diffuser, woven baskets for toilet paper storage and a plant.

           

Tip 2 – Use Artwork

Artwork is a great way to bring a pop of colour, interest and a focal point to a kitchen or bathroom. We love using colourful artworks to brighten up these spaces and bring a whimsical sense to an otherwise practical room of the home. Pillow Talk have a gorgeous new range of colourful artworks that would be perfect for the kitchen or bathroom and come in various sizes to suit your needs. As wall space can be hard to come by in these rooms, you can have fun with small artworks and make a statement through the use of colour and texture.

         

Tip 3 – Creating Vignettes

We love creating beautiful vignettes in the kitchen and bathroom that tell a story and create a mood. A vignette can be described as a curated group of items gathered together to create a styled display and evoke a mood or tell a story. In the kitchen we love to create a vignette by leaning a wooden chopping board against a splashback with some beautiful salt and pepper shakers, a vase with blooms and a mortar and pestle. We recommend heading into Provincial Home Living to view their amazing range of wooden chopping boards and other kitchen accessories that are perfect for styling up. In the bathroom you can style your vanity with a gorgeous marble tray containing a soap dispenser, perfume, a candle and a jade roller. Check out Bed Bath N Table and Freedom for their beautiful range of bathroom products that will be perfect for styling on your vanity.          

Tip 4 – Ensure Your Cupboards Are Organised

Having an organised kitchen and bathroom makes such a difference to the way the spaces feel. Not only are organisation solutions practical and can make your life easier in so many ways, but they also makes spaces look more aesthetically pleasing through the use of matching containers, baskets and storage solutions. We recommend heading into Howard’s Storage World to view their amazing range of products and solutions that make organising your bathroom and kitchen a breeze. The spaces to focus on that will make a huge difference are the pantry, under the kitchen sink and the bathroom vanity drawers and cupboards.

             

Tip 5 – Bring Life In With Greenery

A great way to add a pop of colour and texture to the kitchen and bathroom is by using greenery in the form of plants, stems and blooms. We love using potted trailing plants on floating shelves and at the end of a bath or vanity to bring life into a space. If being a green thumb isn’t your strong suit, then stores like Freedom and Provincial Home Living are perfect for you. They have a wide range of faux stems, foliage and flowers that allow you to create a beautiful arrangement that requires no maintenance and looks perfectly styled on a kitchen bench or bathroom vanity all year long.

             

Tip 6 – Use Timber & Texture

As the kitchen and bathroom are made up of predominately hard finishes and often in shiny or cold materials, it is essential to style the spaces with natural elements to soften the rooms. We love using a timber stool in the bathroom to bring texture and warmth and to style it up with some folded towels, a body brush, and a beautiful candle. In the kitchen we recommend adding a timber tray to your island bench or creating a gorgeous vignette with the main feature of the wooden chopping board as mentioned above. Head into stores such as Freedom and Bed Bath N Table to view their beautiful natural timber pieces and spark inspiration for how you can style them up in your own home today.

Fun kids’ bedroom design tips

School holidays have arrived, so why not tackle a project as a team and refresh their bedrooms together! The perfect place to unleash yours and their creativity whilst having some fun. The best bedrooms are the ones that captivate a child’s imagination and encourage them to play, whilst still being a comfortable place to sleep.

Here, we share our top design tips and ideas to achieve a fun kid’s bedroom that will impress and delight your child.

1. Get the layout right

As with any room, start by working your layout around the largest pieces such as the bed and wardrobes.

If your space is restrictive, consider a bunk or fun loft bed that does double duty; you’ll find different styles at leading bedroom stores like Snooze or Bedshed. Avoid the urge to overfill the bedroom by mapping out the pieces to ensure there is enough space to move around and play.

2. Go bold with colour

A kid’s room is one space where you can relax a little and be bold with colour. Paint is one decorating move that can be relatively easy to change as your child grows, but sticking with timeless colours such as deep blues, earthy greens, and pastel pinks may help your effort last. If you’re not feeling too brave, an accent wall or painting halfway up the wall may be enough of a visual impact for your child’s space.

3. Frame up art

Gone are the days of bedroom walls and ceilings lined posters stuck up by Blu Tac. Today’s children are much more sophisticated! Framed artwork, posters and photos can make an affordable designer statement.

4. Go vintage

Mix and match your new furniture pieces with vintage items for an aged feel. Style with an old-school lamp, a classic designed occasional chair or a vintage-inspired bookshelf. Rustic timbers and brushed metal can help enhance that authentic aged feel.

5. Be unique with wallpaper

Wallpaper can create a fun visual backdrop for your child’s bed or a bold feature wall. Keep it mature with a simple texture, go girly with a floral print or be worldly with an expansive map. If wallpaper is out of the question try exploring the many decals and removable wallpaper options for something more temporary. You’ll find plenty of designs suitable for young ones at Baby Bunting.

6. Add a sense of play

If you don’t have a playroom or a large backyard, why not create an indoor playground? Items like swings, hanging egg chairs and rope ladders can be woven into a bedroom design. Indoor basketball rings, soccer goals and comfy bean bags can ensure the games just continue and are perfect for kids who can’t sit still!

8 Autumn makeover tips

Shorter days and cooler weather – Autumn has arrived and it is the ideal season to give your home’s interior a bit of TLC. This Autumn we’re coming back home and inviting the outside in. We’re looking to nature for inspiration in our interiors, adding layers of depth to our spaces and finding ways to allow movement to flow through each room. Given you’re likely to spend more time indoors, freshening up your interior will make the cooler days in, all the more enjoyable.

Here we share our top trending 8 Autumn makeover tips to reconnect and breathe new life into your space this season.

1. Cosy up your abode this Autumn – Texture on texture

Layering is key this season, so that you can combine and pare back where needed. Create warmth through colour and tactile patterns that can be draped and layered over furnishings. A cohesive mix between layers of texture that exude warmth and depth will make a living room feel cosier whilst also adding an eccentric touch. For example, consider styling your sofa with a wool throw and opulent velvet cushions. Heavy curtains and faux furs will also help channel an extra dimension to your interior. Visit our Trend Report for more inspiration.

2. Dress your floor – An easy, subtle touch

Whether you have timber flooring, carpet or tiles, you can always add warmth and depth to your living room through the use of rugs. Choose a rug of a size that will help ground your furniture that will unify your design, like those on display at DecoRug.

3. Overhaul your lighting – An easy switch

With the shorter days and lack of natural light, enhance the atmosphere of your living room by overhauling your lighting. Rather than rely on your overhead lights, warm up the mood with floor or table lights. You’ll find a wide collection of modern lights to choose from at Andrew’s Light Up.

4. Play with Muted Tones – Inspired by nature

Muted tones are trending this Autumn and suit almost every design style. We’re talking natural and soft swatches inspired by fibres such as linen and wool. Use pastels in a varied tonal range and strengths to add depth to the room, bringing it to life. Visit our Trend Report for more inspiration.

5. Reconsider your heating – Feel warmth

If you are prepared for a more significant makeover, you may want heating to be up the top of your priority list. Nothing beats a wood fire during the cooler months heading into Winter, but if you want to look at a more energy-efficient solution such as reverse-cycle air conditioning. For a quick solution to keep you warm this season, portable panel heaters can give you the warmth you need and be discrete for your modern design style.

6. Find tranquillity – Immerse yourself

Seek inspiration from nature this Autumn and introduce a sense of calm, returning to nature. This season, consider pairing with linens, natural textures and emanating a softness that relaxes the space, switching off from the stress of everyday life. You can achieve this natural cohesion and depth by layering different tones and shades of green in varying degrees injecting the outside in with texture and richness. Visit our Trend Report for more inspiration.

7. Reconfigure your furniture layout – New season, new purpose

How do you use your living room during Autumn? Do you like to snuggle up with a book, play family board games or binge on Netflix? Think about how your behaviour changes as you spend cold days and nights inside and rearrange your furniture layout to accommodate these activities.

8. Introduce Harmony – Flowing and graceful pieces

Contrast round and organic shapes by incorporating different patterns and textures in a space. This allows movement to carry through the room and appear more welcoming and inviting. It disrupts yet compliments the geometric furnishings we’ve become accustomed to. Visit our Trend Report for more inspiration.

Easter Decorating Trends For 2022

Easter is one of our favourite times of the year here at Aspley Homemaker City. There is a subtle shift in the air as we wave goodbye to the summer months and welcome the cooler days ahead. Autumn in Queensland is a beautiful time of year and celebrating Easter with the family is the cherry on top. We love gathering the kids around for an egg hunt, decorating the table beautifully, cooking a lovely lunch and spending time with loved ones eating too much chocolate! Our retailers are well and truly in the Easter spirit already and have adorned their stores with the most beautiful home décor and tableware to help you decorate your home for this special day. Read on to find out our top decorating trends for Easter 2022 as seen in store!

Greenery Galore

This year for Easter, we are embracing the traditions of the northern hemisphere as this beautiful holiday falls in the Springtime in the north. Here in Queensland, we embrace greenery all year long, so hanging overflowing green garlands and vases filled with blooms comes naturally to us. When decorating your home for the Easter weekend (or season), we suggest adding a large vase of green stems to your dining table or picking up a beautiful Easter foliage garland from Bed Bath N’ Table. They’ve even brought out some gorgeous wreaths with greenery, twigs, and rabbit motifs to adorn your front door!

Home Décor For The Season

We believe that your Easter home décor should be embraced for the entire month of April, not just one weekend. The joy of bunnies, carrots, baby chickens and eggs should bring you cheer throughout the month, just like the Christmas season. Both Provincial Home Living and Bed Bath N’ Table have some gorgeous home décor pieces that are classic, tasteful, and beautiful; you’ll struggle to remove them come May! Try a new tradition of having a twig tree and letting the kid’s hang some Easter Decorations off each branch. Bed Bath N’ Table have an amazing range of ornaments, or you could embrace an arts and crafts day and create your own. We love our retailer’s range of bunny home décor pieces such as book ends, plates, bowls, ornaments and tea towels too! Another simple pleasure you can embrace for April is having your morning coffee in an adorable bunny mug from Provincial Home Living to bring you joy at the start of each day.

Fun Prints

Easter is the perfect time of year to embrace your inner child and try adding printed fabrics, bright or pastel colours and adorable motifs to your home decorating styling. Provincial Home Living have released some beautiful carrot and bunny prints this year that can be seen on their placemats, wrapping paper, napkins and more! We love opting for fun and fresh colours for Easter such as baby blue, pastel pink, sunshine yellow and mint green. Head into Bed Bath N’ Table to view their range of printed tea towels in every colour and design you can imagine! Don’t forget to pick up your special edition Easter printed tote bag when shopping for your pieces at PHL too!            

A Floral Tablescape

We love a traditional Easter tablescape here at Aspley Homemaker City and we can’t go passed florals for this season. Bed Bath N’ Table have released some gorgeous plates, bowls, and platters in subtle floral prints that allow you to mix and match to create the perfect scheme for you. Pair these with a gingham printed tablecloth, linen napkins in pink or green and a floral or herb sprig at each place setting. Line the table with a garland or add a simple floral bouquet to the centre of the dining table for extra greenery and life. Lastly, mix in some decorative bowls filled with mini chocolate eggs and a few bunny ornaments to take your table to the next level.

We can’t wait to see you in store at Aspley Homemaker City to help you feel inspired for decorating your home this Easter! Be sure to tag us in your Instagram stories or Easter posts as we’d love to see the gorgeous pieces you brought home with you! We hope you have an amazing Easter filled with love, chocolate, good food and family.

Family-friendly Storage Solutions

Adequate storage is a fundamental challenge of many family homes. Organising the never-ending, children’s clutter and finding practical solutions for all the “stuff” can seem overwhelming. But living in a clutter-free home can be achieved with practical storage solutions in every room.

The key to tackling family clutter is to incorporate a generous amount of storage that makes picking up and putting away easy. Think a combination of stylish furniture pieces with built-in storage, utilising incidental spaces and having smaller storage options such as containers and baskets on hand for a quick clean-up.

Thankfully, you’ll find plenty of family-friendly storage ideas all in the one place at Aspley Homemaker City!

1. Invest in furniture with storage

There is ample choice these days for family-friendly furniture with built-in storage. From entertainment units and bookcases to coffee tables and ottomans, there are options to suit any home and room. Explore the ample storage solutions at Howards Storage World, Nick Scali or Rice Furniture for ideas to your family’s clutter.

2. Containers, containers, containers

You can never have too many containers! Containers offer a solution to organise toys, bathroom items and pantry products. Beyond your typical Tupperware options, you can find containers of all sorts of styles. For maximum organisation, spend a weekend labelling your containers so your family can see clearly what goes where. No excuses for putting things away incorrectly!

3. Make use of underutilised walls

Hooks, coat racks and wall-hung, slim-lined shelves are a great way to store family clutter especially where space is tight. It also can be a cost-effective solution for adding personality and interest to your home.

4. Utilise the space under beds

The space under your bed isn’t just for losing socks and collecting dust. It’s a great spot to store items such as toys or out-of-season clothing. Some bed designs like those you’ll find at Aspley Homemaker City stores’ Snooze and The Sleeping Giant, are designed with built-in storage. However, you can also find low-height baskets and boxes that will hide away easily under a raised bed.

5. Decorate with baskets

Baskets are a great way to hide clutter and add texture and warmth to any room. For kids’ rooms and nurseries look at age-appropriate baskets and storage options like these at Baby Bunting. For other rooms in your home, consider the basket designs at Provincial Home Living, which are not only functional but will look stylish in any space.

6. Embrace open shelving

Open shelving where everything is on display may not sound like a family-friendly storage solution. But this style actually makes you be more conscious and mindful of how items are put away and how much clutter you gather. With open shelving, there is no place to hide! Style your favourite pieces on display furniture like you’ll find at Freedom and it becomes an artwork for your interior.