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How Do I... Choose Stylish, Affordable Homewares?
Giving your home a fresh, new look doesn't have to cost the earth – a chain store expert reveals the styles to look for
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Monique Yallouris, category manager for About Home at Big W, shares her top tips for navigating your way through the swathes of designs at your favourite chain stores to find this season’s must-have homewares. We’ve accompanied Yallouris’s advice with images of rooms featuring some of our favourite looks for 2019.
What are some of the hottest design trends we can expect to see in chain stores in 2019?
- Green: It was huge in 2018 and we don’t see it going anywhere in 2019.
- Rose gold: This pretty metallic will continue to be popular in the coming year. It makes a great pairing with marble, giving you a chic, industrial look.
- Classic gold: Combine with rich, forest green for a luxe feel.
- Industrial styling: Think concrete, dark timbers, marble and wrought iron.
What’s the secret to making affordable homewares look fabulous?
It’s all about choosing a particular theme, such as Scandi or industrial, and carrying elements of it throughout your room scheme.
It’s all about choosing a particular theme, such as Scandi or industrial, and carrying elements of it throughout your room scheme.
When I’m in store and surrounded by so many choices, what should I hone in on?
- Pieces with simple lines.
- Classic styles and shapes – these are less likely to date and can be updated with new-season colours and prints down the track.
- Neutral colours for foundation pieces, such as sofas and large furniture.
- Think how a new piece will work within your existing colour scheme and make sure it fits visually (and physically).
- Don’t get too serious – if you love it, buy it.
Image by Big W
How can I make my affordable new purchase pop in my home?
Go for one great piece rather than lots of little ones and keep the rest of the scheme simple so it really stands out.
How can I make my affordable new purchase pop in my home?
Go for one great piece rather than lots of little ones and keep the rest of the scheme simple so it really stands out.
What are your best styling tips?
- Pair an inexpensive piece with a more expensive one to lift the former’s game – for example, place a sleek table on top of a gorgeous, tactile rug.
- Create one or two interesting vignettes mixing your favourite items, or those you’ve picked up on your travels, with inexpensive pieces you’ve purchased on the high street. But keep the groupings fairly small – you don’t want your home to feel cluttered.
- Ground your interior with investment pieces in liveable, neutral tones and add fashionable colours and patterns with inexpensive items, such as scatter cushions, bedlinen and table accessories. This makes it easy and affordable to keep your home fresh and exciting.
- Finish off your room scheme with fresh flowers to add a beautiful scent and a splash of colour.
… and your insider advice?
- Always look for ways to add something ‘opposite’ to a space – it’s a great way to add visual interest to a room and bring it to life. For example, in a room with clean, modern lines, add an artisan-style print, tactile soft furnishings or a round mirror. Or if you have a lot of print and colour in a room, neutralise it with a few classic pieces with simple lines. If you have an industrial-style dining table, soften it with a textured runner or place mats.
Tell us
What has been been your favourite chain-store homeware find and how have you worked it into your decor? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like, share and save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Looking for some help to freshen up your interior? Find a local interior designer here
What has been been your favourite chain-store homeware find and how have you worked it into your decor? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like, share and save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Looking for some help to freshen up your interior? Find a local interior designer here