Here at Nunawading Homemaker HQ, we believe that the home should be a calming and restful oasis that provides you with an escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. When decorating your home, there are certain ways you can create a calming environment that encourages rest and rejuvenation. Today we are sharing with you our top tips for creating a calming home and how focusing on natural textures and the colours of nature promote this.

Use A Natural Colour Palette

To create a calming and relaxing flow throughout your home it is essential to choose colours that encourage this. Avoid using too many bright and bold colours and instead opt for neutral tones that are pleasing on the eye. We love using a variety of neutral tones throughout our furniture and homewares pieces in tones of soft beige, warm grey and a clean white, whilst bringing colour in through a pale sage, olive green or terracotta. Selecting colours that are found in nature will create a sense of calm, so we recommend sticking to tones found in plants, trees, and the colours of the earth. Head into stores such as Adairs and Provincial Home Living to see their beautiful homewares and decorative accessories in these colour tones.

Carefully Select Your Scents

Scent can make a huge difference in your home and can evoke different emotions and moods. We love using natural scents that create a calm atmosphere and leave the house smelling beautiful at all times. Try using fresh scents such as jasmine and rose or opt for a more natural scent of sandalwood or sweet basil. Place diffusers and candles in rooms that you relax in such as the living room and bedroom to ensure they are always smelling fresh. We love using room sprays in lavender or peppermint to create a calm and tranquil atmosphere too. Bed Bath N Table have a great range of home scents, so be sure to check them out next time you are at the centre!

Soft and Natural Textures

Textures have the ability to change the look and feel of a space not only in soft furnishings and linen, but furniture too. To create calming spaces, we recommend choosing furniture in natural timbers and linen-look fabrics that are soft to touch and have a textural element. For soft furnishings we love using natural linen throw rugs in the living room and bedroom paired with soft cotton cushions in a neutral colour palette. For a calming space, we recommend avoiding textures that are too shiny or embellished and instead choose soft and relaxed fabrics and finishes. Be sure to head to into Adairs and Bed Bath N Table to view their great range of bed linen and soft furnishings to touch and feel them for yourself!

Add Foliage & Plants

Bringing the outside in and reverting back to nature will always create a calm and relaxing environment in your home. To achieve this look we recommend adding plants or foliage to most rooms in the house. This could be in the form of a large vase of greenery on an entryway table or dining table, trailing plants on open shelves, large floor plants in the corner of a living room or a beautiful potted plant on a bedside table. Greenery not only adds a pop of colour to the space and brings life in, but creates a calming and tranquil environment for you to relax and unwind.

Encourage Wind Down Time

When decorating a home to inspire a calm and relaxing space, it is essential that you allow for ways to encourage ‘wind down time’. Of an evening, we love creating a peaceful space by dimming the lights and preparing the body for sleep. This is the time to switch off your electronics, grab a good book and curl up under a cosy blanket. We can’t get enough of Adairs beautiful range of plush blankets for Winter that are perfect for snuggling down under after a busy day at work. Don’t forget to spritz your pillow with a lavender sleep spray and turn on the diffuser to create the ultimate oasis to relax and unwind in.

We can’t wait to see you soon at Nunawading Homemaker HQ and help you find everything you need to create a cosy and calming winter oasis ready for the cooler months. If you are struggling to decorate your space, be sure to book in for your free virtual design session with our stylist Eliza Grace, simply click on the ‘Style Board’ tab on our website.

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 Koala & Tree.

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.

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 Focus On Furniture or Bevmarks. 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 Adairs.

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!

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 Nunawading Homemaker HQ!

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 Provincial Home Living, House or Howards Storage World 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 Nunawading Homemaker HQ stores’ Bevmarks and Focus On Furniture, 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 Adairs. For other rooms in your home, consider the basket designs at Bed Bath N’ Table, 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 Fair Price Gallery and it becomes an artwork for your interior.

The end of a season creates a desire to change up our interior furnishings to bring a different feeling to our home. As summer ends and the temperatures drop, adding some warmth and homeliness to our interiors will make spending more time indoors and snuggling up all the more inviting.

There are many quick and easy ways to add warmth to your interior without an entire overhaul. This allows you to interchange furnishings depending on the season or your mood. For those with more time and who are looking for permanent ways to create that hygge-like feel in your space, we’ve also got you covered.

1. Choose earthy, neutral tones

Neutral tones are trending regardless of your interior style and time of year. However, when adding warmth, neutral colours are an effective way to embrace the seasonal change Autumn brings. Opt for rich, earthy tones that emphasise the feeling of hibernation. For a quick solution, think cushions and throws in rusts, mustards, plums and burgundy like those you’d find on the sofas of Bed Bath N’ Table. For something more permanent, consider shifting your attention to the walls by replacing the stark white to a warm paint colour or installing a neutral, textural wallpaper.

2. Vary your textures

Layering textures is a decorating approach that can elevate your interior and easily inject more warmth into your rooms. Timbers, terracotta, woven products, wool, leather, cork and exposed brick are all textures of choice as we enter the cooler months. These can be incorporated in the form of furniture like a well-crafted oak dining table or a leather occasional chair for your living room. Small accessories such as ornamental bowls, a wool throw or terracotta interior pots can all be used to bring texture into a bland interior space.

3. Pay close attention to your lighting

One of the most effective ways to make an interior feel warm is through beautiful lighting. Lighting gives you the ability to set the mood, it makes people feel good and it improves the appearance of your interior. When adding warmth to your home, think about incorporating multiple sources of light rather than just relying on your ceiling fixtures. Floor or table lamps are a great way to add ambient light and highlight areas of your room. Consider also the globe type as this will greatly affect the feel of your room. Swapping out a cool light for a warm bulb may be all you need to embrace the seasonal change. This is where speaking with lighting experts, like the team at Furn House, becomes invaluable.

4. Play with wall art

Dressing your walls with artwork is a great way to add visual warmth to your space and make it more interesting. And the good thing is you don’t need to spend a fortune at your local gallery to create impact. In fact, wall art that is personally curated and tells a story is often the best way to make the home welcoming and homely. Play with a combination of purchased pieces and your children’s artwork. Get creative with the layout and combinations of frames to create an intentional, yet unique, look.

5. Go on a scavenger hunt

An interior furnished with new pieces can provide you with a fresh and luxurious feel. And who doesn’t love sitting on a brand new sofa? However, in order to add warmth to your rooms, consider finishing your space with some old pieces you’ve picked up at a flea market or antiques that have been passed down in the family. If you’re not fond of going on a scavenger hunt, look for classic furniture pieces that reflect an earlier era or accessories that tell a story like those you may find on the shelves of Adairs. These are also great conversational pieces for when you’re entertaining guests.

6. Consider what’s underfoot

There’s nothing quite like walking barefoot on a thick, textural rug even in the cooler months. Layering textural rugs is an effective way to add a sense of warmth and cosiness to any space. It’s also a great solution for renters or those who like to redecorate their homes seasonally. If your home is naturally cold and you’re planning a more substantial renovation, opting for rich, deep timber floorboards will instantly enhance the feeling of warmth and make your space more inviting.

7. Dress your windows

Hanging curtains or installing blinds can be a quick decorating fix to overcoming drafts and achieving that snug Autumn feel. There are many options you can consider from blinds and shutters to curtains depending on your decorating style and the architecture of your home. Thick velvet drapes can inject a little drama into your space and help with insulating. Soft, flowy linen curtains won’t help much with blocking out any cool draft but they will add an element of luxury and homeliness to your interior. This may be just what’s needed to invite you to spend more time indoors this Autumn.

Planning an interior design project or just dreaming about redecorating your home? A mood board is an ideal tool to collate your ideas and visualise how your space will look and feel. This can help ensure everything works in harmony and help you avoid costly mistakes when it comes time to implement your vision.

When it comes to making an interior design mood board, you have several options whether you choose to create it as a digital or physical product. Here, we explain the options so you can decide what best works for you and share some tips to help your mood board come to life.

Interior design mood board options

There are two main options you can choose from when you create your own interior design mood board. Depending on your project, you might like to choose one or a combination of these to design your dream interior.

1. Digital

Digital mood boards are one of the easiest and more effective ways to plan your renovation or decorating project. There are many ways you can do this depending on your skillset and individual preference. We have a free and very easy to use Digital Mood Board Tool right here that allows you to drag, drop and organise your desired products. Alternatively, you could use other platforms like Pinterest and Houzz Interior Design Ideas. These tools help you create a digital scrapbook with a collection of ideas and products you’ve found online. There are also other digital tools that can help you design and decorate your interior spaces such as Dulux MyColour App or Style Source Book.

For those a little more complete literate, you may like to have a play on Adobe Illustrator or even the free platform Canva to pull your ideas together and make a visual mood board.

2. Physical

If you are an avid collector of interior design and decorating magazines and have a stack in your living room, a physical mood board might be your best option. Simply cut out images of interiors or products you love and pin away! A physical mood board is also ideal if you have material, paint or finish samples that you want to layer into your vision. Just like with the digital option, you can create a physical mood board in many ways including:

• A pinboard
• A foam board
• In a draw or tray
• In a scrapbook

Find yourself getting lost online collecting interior design inspiration but also have samples? Create a digital pinboard, print it out and then use it as a backdrop for layering your samples and magazine cuttings on top.

Tips when creating your own interior design mood board

Creating a mood board might seem a simple thing to do but when you have hundreds of images you like and a growing collection of samples, the task can quickly become overwhelming. To nail your mood board so that you can create your dream-worthy space, take a look at these tips.

1. Gather your inspiration There are so many places to source inspiration for your interior design projects including Instagram, Pinterest, blogs and interior design websites. You can also browse through magazines, scroll on real estate websites or look at the catalogues of homewares and furniture stores or our very own Trend Report.

But don’t forget to get a dose of inspiration from outside influences such as browsing shops, visiting your local gardens or walking your neighbourhood streets. You can simply take photos to add to your digital board or to print out to pin up on your corkboard.

When collecting inspiring images, look for common links in the images. These could be colours, textures, layouts or the feeling of the space. This will help you develop a look for your interior.

2. Collect samples Once you have your images, start collecting samples of materials and finishes you’re keen to use in your space. This might be a fabric sample of a Urban Rhythm sofa you love or a tile you love to use as your kitchen splashback. You may have a wood stain sample for your living room flooring or a sample of a fabric you’ll use for curtains.

Samples are not only helpful when pulling together your design, it also helps add life and dimension to your mood board.

3. Organise your images and samples If you’re decorating more than one space, organise your images and samples in groups for each room. This gives you the ability to ensure your whole interior speaks one language or play on the personality of one or two particular spaces.

You may choose to make a different mood boards for each room or simply organise the layout so that they’re divided upon an oversized pinboard.

4. Start curating your look As a golden rule, when you’re decorating you remove one or two pieces before your space is officially done’. This is also the case when creating a mood board for your interior. You need to think about balance and refinement.

Is there enough variation in colours and textures or is it all blurring into one? Is the design cohesive or too busy? Is the furniture too matchy like a showroom display? Step away from your mood board and come back to it in a day or two with fresh eyes so you can edit.

5. Don’t neglect your floor plan When designing multiple rooms, it’s important not to neglect your floor plan as you start compiling your mood boards. The last thing you want is to find out your favourite Provincial Home Living chair that you’ve been visualising all these months doesn’t fit in your living room design. Put together your mood board in relation to your floor plan; it’s dimensions and layout. Try to collate inspirational interior images that are reflective of your space and keep the samples and up-close shots to the details such as the kitchen cabinetry. You don’t want to buy into a look you can’t realise.

As we find ourselves making the permanent shift to working from home the need for a home office has never been greater. Some of you may have set up a make-shift workspace that needs some TLC, or you may have the luxury of a designated workspace.

Regardless, of size or location, a home office can often become a neglected space with all the functionality but lacks aesthetic. If you’re suffering from cabin fever and your home office is looking a little drab, it’s time to give it a lift.

We share our top tips for styling your home office so you can find working from home more inspiring and productive.

10 tips for styling a home office

1. Assess the position of your desk

Positioning your desk against a wall is often the go-to, but does it best suit your space and working style? You may find the space feels larger and flows better with the desk positioned in the middle of your room. Relocating your desk so that it faces a window can create a more appealing workspace. Simply playing with the position of your desk can reinvigorate your home office.

2. Look behind you

When arranging or rearranging your home office layout, it’s worth looking at what’s behind you. In this current climate, online meetings are the way of the norm. Consider what your colleagues and clients are looking at during a video call. You can style it professionally with artwork from stores like Adairs or curated shelving – much more interesting than a blank wall!

3. Declutter

Decluttering your home office gives you a clean slate to style. It also creates a sense of order and calm, allowing the creative thoughts to flow. Tidy up those piles of papers, organise any cables and wires and clean out your bookcases.

4. Optimise your lighting

If your home office is looking a little drab, consider how you illuminate the space. Instead of relying solely on your overhead lighting, introduce a task or table lamp to add warmth to your study and light up your work area. Koala & Tree has plenty of options for your office space.

5. Incorporate colour and texture

Is your home office looking a little bland and utilitarian? If the minimalist approach isn’t your jam, don’t be afraid to go bold and style with colour, texture and pattern. Experiment with the on-trend stripes or spring colours such as earthy tones, warm oranges and bright pops of yellow. Add richness to the space through textured furniture such as a rattan occasional chair or a timber bookcase. Our tip is to find these at home furniture stores rather than your typical office supplier.

6. Layer with greenery

Being stuck in front of a computer all day is much more pleasurable when there are living plants in the space. Indoor plants also have added health benefits of purifying the air to reduce stress. If you can’t be out there enjoying nature, you might as well bring it indoors.

7. Embrace ergonomics

It may not be a glamourous tip, but styling your home office with ergonomics in mind is important. Considering working from home is here to stay for a while, choosing a chair that is supportive and a desk that allows you to sit in the right position is imperative.

8. Step up your storage game

Storage not only allows you to organise your work and stationary but also enhances your styling ability. A well-styled shelf with books and a pot plant can lift the look and feel of your workspace. Smaller office storage can leave your desk feeling organised and clean while keeping you focused on the task at hand.

9. Decorate with your favourites

Showcase decor pieces that reflect your personality or have deep meaning to you. Think family photos, travel mementoes or favourite artworks. A beautiful rug can enhance the overall appeal of your workspace. Take a look at the extensive range at DecoRug.

10. Keep Inspired

If you’re running your own business or keen to tick off some goals, styling your home office with a vision board can be a game-changer. We’re fans of an oversized pinboard with magazine cutouts, inspirational quotes and photos to help keep you aligned with your priorities.

Getting a good night’s sleep has an incredible impact on your overall health and wellbeing. And a mattress is a huge determining factor in your ability to achieve a quality night’s sleep or wake up feeling unrefreshed and lousy.

Generally, a good quality mattress should last you about 8 years, so taking the time to research the right mattress is important to ensure years of great sleep!

1. Determine your sleep position

Did you know your sleep position will give you an insight into what type of mattress may be most suitable?

• Back sleepers – look for a medium-firm to firm mattress that features moderate contouring to support your lower back.
• Tummy sleepers – a firm or memory foam mattress may be the best option to reduce pressure on your lumbar spine
• Side sleepers – you’ll be more comfortable on a soft-medium firm mattress.
• Toss and turner – a medium-firm mattress will suit those who change positions throughout the night.

2. Consider the mattress design and material

There are a variety of mattress types and materials that can indicate the quality and suitability of the product for you. Some of the most popular include innerspring, memory foam, latex, hybrid or adjustable mattresses.

Exploring all the options available at Nunawading Homemaker HQ in stores such as Adairs, Focus On Furniture and Regal Sleep Solutions will help you find the right mattress for you and your budget.

3. Decide on the firmness

The right firmness for you will depend on how you sleep, whether you suffer from pain, if you need more support and your body type.

Firmness is subjective and can vary from brand and product, even if they are using the same firmness scale. We recommend you choose the firmest mattress that still enables you to get quality sleep. And remember, it can take a few weeks for your body to adjust to a new mattress.

4. Identify your body type

Time to get up close and personal and check in with your body weight and shape. This profile will help you decide which mattress provides you with the best spinal support and comfort.

Those individuals with a lighter frame are best suited to soft-medium. Heavier people are recommended to look for firmer mattress types. If you’re purchasing for a child, it is recommended you consider a larger mattress to accommodate their growth.

5. Determine your budget

Lastly, your budget is going to influence the range you have to choose from, the quality, durability and the level of support they offer. Buying a mattress from an online brand may seem the most cost-effective option, but checking the suitability for your individual body type and the quality of construction is imperative to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. Likewise, the priciest mattress in the showroom may not be the best option for you.