DIY
7. Get smart with storageIf you’ve got a small ensuite, you may need to look around for storage opportunities. One solution is to install overhead cupboards – or medicine cabinets. These can be concealed behind mirrored, handle-free doors, and can be recessed into the wall so they lie flush with the wall tiles – this way you get storage without sacrificing any space at all. This is particularly easy to do if you have plaster walls.Tip: Run overhead cupboards from wall to wall so they look like part of the room, rather than add ons. And make sure the mirrored doors extend far enough down so you can see yourself when applying make-up or doing other tasks.
6. Plan your fixture selection to suit the spaceA basic ensuite will at least need hot and cold water, a basin, shower and toilet. If space in your ensuite is tight, it makes sense to choose fixtures and fittings that will make your ensuite feel bigger. By choosing a wall-mounted toilet and vanity over floor-mounted ones, you will maximise floor space. Then, consider installing taps on the wall rather than the basin and a showerhead on the ceiling rather than on the wall, in order to keep surfaces clutter-free. A frameless glass shower screen is the perfect finishing touch, as this will provide an unimpeded view through the bathroom, making the room feel more spacious.
9. Reboot with new handlesLooking for a quick furniture hack to refresh your kitchen? It doesn’t get easier than upgrading your door handles. The design-savvy owner of this home swapped the standard door knobs on the Hemnes cabinet with custom-designed leather handles for an instant style upgrade.Handles and knobs from classy to brassy
2. Location: Townsville, QueenslandWhy we love it: A verdant green vanity is an unexpected – but thoroughly effective – choice for an otherwise plain bathroom in this Queensland family home. A perfect example of how thinking outside the box can deliver fabulous results. Nice job Ethos Interiors.
5. Location: Melbourne, VictoriaWhy we love it: With its exquisite timber grain patterns, this custom-made vanity by Ingrain Designs looks more like a work of art than a functional piece of bathroom furniture. Simply stunning.
Ending the splashback with a shelf, even a shallow one, can give it a nice cap on walls where there are no other particular ending points such as a window or cabinet.
2. Decide what’s going back inNow that you have a clear and clean space under the bed, let’s chat about what you might actually want to store in this space.The ideal is to store things under the bed that you don’t need to access every day. You also want to store things under there that are easy to pull in and out as needed. In our home, we have a ‘memories container’ under each of the kids’ beds. This is where special school work, artwork or mementoes are kept. This is only accessed when they want to either add something in, or when they are feeling nostalgic and want to go through and see the items inside.
5. Give a kick to your kitchenTeal might not be the first colour that springs to mind when painting kitchen cabinets, but this gorgeous wall of Shaker-style cupboards might prompt you to think, “Why on earth not?” A matt teal cabinet has a quiet appeal that fits in with the current move towards artisan, hand-crafted kitchens. Go for a shade with a hint of grey to keep things calm and sophisticated.Embracing the Humble and Handmade at Home
1. Go for a luxurious velvet sofaThere’s something about the richness of teal and the luxury of velvet that makes a glorious combination on a sofa. In this teal and grey living room, a velvet chesterfield has the structure and old-school style to add even more panache. Alternatively, choose a slouchier style for a seat you can’t wait to sink into. In this room, the teal sofa also makes a fabulous contrast to the dark grey walls.
5. Use space wiselyDon’t want to waste a centimetre in your open-plan space? With some clever planning, you can maximise your room – even those areas that aren’t used so much. Here, the designers have continued a run of units to create bench seating in the corner. With the wide seats and plump cushions, the bench is a much better use of space than if they’d chosen a standard dining table and chairs.Browse more inspiring eat-in kitchens
Trolley
Wall colour
German shmeer look!
If the answer is yes, but you’re still set on getting a new gadget, tech item or appliance, donate the old one straight away so you don’t have two of the same kind of thing just taking up space.
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