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How to design a feng shui bedroom

Want to turn your bedroom into a calming space where you can rest and reset every day? You’re in luck! Our top feng shui bedroom ideas will help create a space that’s as beautiful as it is peaceful.

But first, let’s get back to basics: what even is feng shui? In a nutshell, it’s an ancient Chinese philosophy to do with harnessing the power of energy (or “chi”) to create a space that feels super balanced. The word ‘feng’ means wind and ‘shui’ means water – so, together, these symbolise the way of wind and water (aka the flow of life).

Ever since the 1970s, feng shui has evolved in Western culture and has become a thoughtful approach to designing spaces through balancing furniture, décor, and layout to maximise the flow of good vibes (and minimise the bad).

We bet you’re wondering how exactly to design a feng shui bedroom. Simply read on and follow our eight essential feng shui design tips. Let’s get started!

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Tip 1: Choose the right bed and placement

According to the feng shui principles, your bed influences wealth, health, and relationships. To harness its full potential, place your bed at the farthest point from the door, facing south, without directly facing any doors. Ensure your bed is at a comfortable height, allowing energy to flow freely underneath. This placement will promote restful sleep, vitality, and a deeper connection with yourself and your space.

Tip 2: Invest in a supportive headboard

In feng shui, a headboard represents stability, security, and support in your life. Be sure to choose a solid headboard with a smooth, perforation-free design. Opt for soft, rounded edges to promote energy flow and ensure it’s securely attached to provide a further sense of safety and comfort.

Tip 3: Buy a bedside rug

Use a bedside rug to absorb energy and create a cosy atmosphere. Place one on each side of the bed if two people share the same room.

Tip 4: Opt for a neutral colour palette

Create a peaceful ambience with a neutral colour scheme. Feng shui experts recommend warm earth tones like cream, peach, and tan, plus calming blues and greys. Be sure to avoid bright colours for a more calming atmosphere.

Tip 5: Focus on balance and symmetry

Use identical bedside tables and lamps to create symmetry and balance. Ensure you leave equal space on both sides of the bed so that the room remains aligned and even.

Tip 6: Incorporate soothing scents

Scented candles enhance the senses and create a warm, healing atmosphere. They also clear energy and uplift the bedroom’s feng shui. Be sure to regularly cleanse your bedroom with sage or sweet orange oil for a refreshing boost.

Tip 7: Minimise electronics

Remove any technology such as a television or computer as they give off a lot of unwanted energy. Instead, the bedroom should be a distraction-free zone for relaxation and contemplation.

Tip 8: Be mindful of mirror placement

Avoid bedroom mirrors, as they reflect and bounce energy, causing restlessness. If a mirror is an essential, consider placing it behind a closet door instead.

And there you have it! By incorporating these simple yet powerful design tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a space filled with good energy. Ready for more? Check out our latest seasonal trend report, featuring centre stylist Eliza Graces’ perspective on feng shui.

For more home inspiration, join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

End of financial year sales at Aspley Homemaker City

As the end of the financial year approaches, Aspley Homemaker City is gearing up for its biggest sales event of the year. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your living room, refresh your bedroom, or find the perfect kitchen gadgets, this is the time to score incredible deals on high-quality home goods.

For those who may not know, the end of the financial year sales are a prime opportunity for savvy shoppers. Big retailers like Bed Bath N’ Table, House, and Sleepy’s are looking to clear out their current stock to make room for new arrivals, which means significant discounts on a wide range of items.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect from this year’s end of financial sales.

Sleepy’s

Sleepy’s is currently offering a fantastic end of financial year sale with discounts of up to 50% off on mattresses. This special offer is available until Sunday 14 July, providing a limited-time opportunity to upgrade your sleep experience with premium mattresses at a fraction of the price. Terms and conditions apply, so be sure to check the specifics to take full advantage of these incredible savings.

Bed Bath N’ Table

Bed Bath N’ Table has announced their clearance sale, offering up to 60% off on a variety of items. This is a perfect chance to upgrade your home décor and essentials for much less. From luxurious bed linens to stylish home accessories, there’s something for everyone in this sale. Be sure to take advantage of these fantastic discounts before the sale ends on Sunday 4 August.

House

House is also offering an exceptional sale that you won’t want to miss! When you purchase the Baccarat Stone Cookset 10 piece, valued at $1,699.99, for the incredible price of $399.99, you’ll also receive a FREE Baccarat Damashiro Mizu Knife Block 7 piece, which has a recommended retail price of $839.99. This deal represents an astounding 84% savings, combining high-quality kitchen essentials with unbeatable value.

Snooze

Snooze is offering up to 50% off on a wide range of mattresses and up to 40% off on stylish bed frames. This means it’s time to upgrade your sleeping arrangements with high-quality products at significantly reduced prices. Whether you’re in need of a new mattress for better comfort and support, or a new bed frame to enhance your bedroom’s aesthetic, Snooze has you covered.

Provincial Home Living

From Friday 7 June to Tuesday 11 June, enjoy 20% off storewide at Provincial Home Living. Be sure to get in quick for huge savings on furniture, homewares, bed linen, bathroom accessories, kitchen and dining, and so much more.

DecoRug

On the hunt for a new rug to cosy up your space? Luckily you can enjoy up to 80% off a wide selection of clearance rugs and cushions at DecoRug until Sunday 30 June.

Don’t miss out on the incredible EOFY sales at Aspley Homemaker City. With substantial discounts across all departments, now is the time to invest in your home. Mark your calendar, set your budget, and get ready to shop smart and save big!

Looking for more home inspiration? Join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

How to cosy up your living room this winter

There’s no denying that the living room is one of the most lived-in areas of a home, especially during the winter months when it needs to be ready for two things; hibernating and hosting. Whether you find yourself curling up on the sofa with a warm blanket, a favourite book, or in front of the flickering glow of the TV with friends and family, your living area should be gearing up for a busy season ahead. This means it’s time to spruce up the space with winter home decor!

So, to get you inspired, we’ve rounded up five tips to cosy up your living area – from the right lighting to use to the best accessories to style with. Keep reading and prepare to feel toasty.

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Use warm colours

First up, consider the colour palette – we recommend choosing warm and inviting colours such as deep reds, earthy browns, or warm neutrals like beige and cream. These shades will make the space feel warmer than it actually is and help make your living area feel cosier. This is because warm hues are associated with passion, joy, and playfulness making them a good choice for rooms that see a lot of activity.

Incorporate ambient lighting

Set the mood with the correct lighting. During gloomy days when you need to get work done, then a natural glow or overhead white light can be energy-boosting and help you stay focused. When nighttime arrives and you’re wanting to relax, a warm light will help you unwind. We recommend using soft, warm lighting to create a cosy ambience in your living room. Opt for table lamps, floor lamps, or string lights with warm-toned bulbs rather than harsh overhead lighting that is more suitable in the daytime. You can also use candles to add a flickering, comforting glow.

Add layers

The secret to a cosy living room? Layering! There’s nothing quite like sinking into a plush sofa with soft cushions and warm throws to snuggle up in. Be sure to opt for a mix of throws and cushions in chunky knit, faux fur, wool, and linen fabrics. The blend of textures will not only enhance the visual appeal of the space but also contribute to a delightfully snug environment, promising both style and comfort.

Decorate with natural elements

Since we’re bound to be spending more time inside during winter, why not bring the outdoors in as much as possible by using natural-inspired décor? Think driftwood, branches, stones, and botanicals. By incorporating these organic touches, you can create a serene atmosphere that reconnects you with the great outdoors.

Create cosy seating

Design your own reading nook within the living area for ultimate comfort and relaxation. Select a plush armchair, cosy cushions, and a soft ottoman for added comfort. Arrange the reading nook furniture thoughtfully to maximise the cosiness. We recommend having the chair face towards the warming glow of a fireplace or out the window. This arrangement invites you to sink in and escape into the pages of your favourite book. Watch us create a reading nook here.

With these winter home decor ideas, your space is about to become the heart of your home this winter. Don’t forget to swing by Aspley Homemaker City to gather all the essentials. Let’s make this winter your cosiest yet!

For more home inspiration, join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

Image: Bed Bath N’ Table

Winter table decor for a cosy Sunday roast

As the chill of winter settles in and we retreat inside, it creates the perfect opportunity to gather your family or friends to enjoy a cosy Sunday roast. Picture this, the living room is filled with lively conversation and the table is set and waiting while the aromas of a home-cooked roast waft from the kitchen. Sounds enticing right?

With a few simple tips and tricks, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of this beloved tradition with minimal stress and effort. We’ll guide you through setting a winter table, preparing hearty recipes and creating a sense of occasion for the whole family to enjoy. Everything you need awaits at Aspley Homemaker City.

Setting a warm winter table with decor

There’s something to be said for setting a winter table. While summer is all about bright colour palettes and the outdoors, a winter table is defined by a warm, moody atmosphere. The best way to achieve this is to play with colours and shadows.

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First up, you’ll want to choose your colour palette, think deep blues, rich burgundies or forest greens. Don’t be afraid to mix and match! From there, the key to a balanced tablescape is layering. Start with placemats as the foundation, then build upwards with dinnerware, silverware, glassware, and napery. This strategic layering adds depth and visual interest to the setting. Finally, tie it all together by adding a centrepiece. This could be a vase with seasonal flowers or a collection of candles to add an extra element of warmth and height.

With these simple steps and your own personal touch, you’ll create a winter table setting that will wow your guests and turn any meal into a special occasion. Now that the table’s set, it’s time to plan the menu!

Preparing hearty recipes

We can all relate to the stress of hosting, especially when it comes to balancing cooking duties with entertaining guests. That’s where the beauty of a Sunday roast lies. By minimising the time spent in the kitchen, you can focus on enjoying the company of your loved ones without compromising on flavour.

Start by choosing a quality cut of meat and season generously with your favourite herbs and spices. While that’s in the oven, cut up your vegetables like carrots, onion and potatoes and place in the oven alongside the meat. While they’re cooking you can mingle with your guests, and before you know it, it will be time to serve up! Of course, no hearty meal is complete without a sweet treat to round off the evening. Indulge in the comforting flavours of the season with decadent desserts like a warm fruit crumble or a rich pudding. The best part? These desserts can be prepared ahead of time and left to cook while you enjoy your roast.

Create a sense of occasion

Transforming an ordinary dinner into a memorable occasion is easier than you think, and it’s all in the small details that make the difference.

Add a touch of personalisation to your table with handwritten place cards, or sprigs of greenery tied with ribbon to each place setting. Not only does this thoughtful gesture add a touch of practicality to the table setting, but it also makes each guest feel appreciated. Another effortless but effective way of creating a sense of occasion is by structuring the meal itself. This might mean pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, setting the stage for lively conversation, followed by the main course – a hearty roast and finished off with a dessert to savour the conclusion of the evening.

By paying attention to these small yet significant details, you’ll create a sense of occasion, setting your Sunday roast apart from every other dinner. So go ahead, embrace the art of hosting, and watch as your guests’ faces light up when they see what awaits them.

Now all that’s left to do is embrace the cosiness of the indoors with a warm Sunday roast! Don’t forget to experiment with a palette of rich, seasonal colours and textures to complement the cosy atmosphere of your dining space. For more home inspiration, join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

Winter Living Room Inspiration From Freedom Aspley

With the changing of the seasons comes the perfect time to switch up your soft furnishings and décor items in your home. We recommend heading into Freedom Aspley to check out their latest cushions, throw blankets and cosy items in the latest colours and trends to suit any interior design style. As the days get cooler it is important to rotate your soft furnishing items in the bedroom and living room to a thicker and warmer fabric to ensure we stay warm throughout winter. If you are feeling uninspired and an entire living room redesign is in order, Freedom Aspley have you covered for this too with the latest styles and finishes to suit your needs. Read on to find out our favourite ways to update your home this Winter and our top recommendations you can implement today.

Soft Furnishings

One of the easiest and quickest ways to update your home this winter is to switch out your cushions and throw blankets to create a more winter themed living room. When styling your living room for the cooler months we recommend opting for softer and chunkier textures in your soft furnishings. Textures such as faux fur, chunky knitted wool and beautiful thick cottons will give you a luxurious and cosy feel within your space. We love the Snowy Throw Blanket from Freedom Aspley in the smoked wood colour that is so on trend this season. Colours such as rich browns, burnt orange, soft beige and deep olives are huge this winter, so be sure to incorporate these when updating your soft furnishings.

Stylish Accent Furniture

When undertaking a living room redecoration or redesign it is important to think about the smaller accent furniture that finishes off the space. Often, we focus on the sofa and occasional chairs and leave the coffee tables and side tables as an afterthought. Freedom Aspley is the perfect place to visit when searching for living room inspiration as the store is laid out with settings and combinations that help you envision the pieces working together in your own home. This season we are seeing natural stone coffee tables and side tables growing in popularity for their wow factor and textural design. The Porteno Coffee Table is one of our favourite pieces as it is a natural travertine paired with a rich teak wood in a round shape, which makes it perfectly on trend this Winter season.

Decorating and Styling

The living room is the perfect space in the home to test your styling skills and use a variety of home décor pieces to create a look that perfectly reflects you and your taste. As the living room has a number of different surfaces, we recommend taking the opportunity to add home décor pieces such as books, vases, trays and candles to up-level the space. For the coffee table we love placing a beautiful tray with a vase, coasters and candle inside and a stack of thick coffee table books to the side for a styled look. Entertainment unit styling can be kept simple by placing a beautiful vase with faux flowers on one end and sentimental framed photo on the other. We love heading into Freedom Aspley to see what’s new in home décor and styling as they regularly release new and on-trend pieces.

The Finishing Touches

Lastly, when decorating your living room for winter it is important not to forget about lighting and artwork. Both aspects help to set the mood for the space and create a signature aesthetic and vibe upon entering the room. We suggest adding a tall floor lamp to the corner of the room or above an occasional chair to create a beautiful moment and focal point within the space. Add large artwork to blank walls within the living room in a style and colour palette that sets the tone for the space and brings your personality to the room.

Shop Your Dream Winter Living Room Pieces at Freedom Aspley

Create the cosy and comfortable living room you’ve been dreaming of this Winter by heading into Freedom Aspley for all the inspiration you need. Be sure to check out their living room merchandising and take note of the beautifully styled homewares and cosy soft furnishing combinations you can replicate in your own home.

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!

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