STYLING TIPS FOR EVERY ROOM

The style experts give an insider look at the clever and creative tricks they use at home and work

ENTRY

This is typically the first point your guests see on arrival into your home, so have a bit of fun with it and give visitors a taste of what lies beyond the front door. Investing in some key pieces and combining them with inexpensive items is the trick to a successfully decorated entry. A striking piece of artwork is a great place to start. Build on two or three colours from the artwork to choose other items such as a hall runner, table lamp, mirror and trinkets for a table. Don’t forget about your everyday needs: do you need a place to stash keys on the way in, or is it a dumping ground for mail and school bags? Thinking ahead will pay offff in the long run, so make sure you keep this in mind. Emma Blomfield, interior stylist: @emma.blomfield. Look out for Emma’s new book, Home: The Elements of Decorating.

DINING TABLE

When planning to a tablescape, it’s important to take into account the reason for the occasion and the individual personalities of the guests, and then focus on the design elements of style, colour, shape and texture. I find if I plan this initially, I don’t end up wasting time and money. Look at the shape of each piece from the side and at eye level, as this is often the way your guests will view and enjoy the table. Variation in height and repetition of items – as well as adding ‘real’ moments with flowers, food or artwork – can often be a simple way to create interest. Texture is also very important and this can be as simple as a handmade ceramic bowl or fringed linen napkin. Claire Delmar, stylist: @clairedelmar

CONSOLE TABLE

Playing with scale is an essential trick of a stylist’s trade and experimenting with objects of different shapes and heights can make a big impact. Here, texture and colour take centrestage with the long and spindly branch, stacked picture frames, velvet horseriding helmet and the length of blue-and-white striped Japanese fabric creating a bold layered effect. Sibella Court, The Society Inc.: @sibellacourt

“Look at the shape of each piece from the side and at eye level, as this is often the way your guests will view and enjoy the table”

HOME OFFICE

The key to a good-looking office space is being selective with how your storage is presented. Use consistent colour-blocked files to keep all the messy bits sorted and keep on top of loose paperwork on the desktop. A clear workspace allows you to include something sculptural and inspiring to look, such as a beautiful light or object. And for the home office, dining chairs or stools work just as well if you aren’t sitting at them all day. Doing away with the traditional office chair allows for greater flexibility in terms of shape, colour and style. Romy Alwill, Alwill Interiors: @alwillinteriors

BEDROOM

Bedding in soft, subtle tones is perfect for a room dedicated to rest and relaxation, but you don’t want a bland room that makes you yawn for all the wrong reasons. Add definition and depth with layers in darker tones of the same colour. For instance, pair a soft-grey quilt cover set with white sheets, then add a charcoalgrey throw and cushion to give the arrangement some depth. Jessica Bellef, head of styling, Temple & Webster: @jessicabellef

BATHROOM

My best styling tip for the bathroom is to inject your personality. Be brave with tiles in a fabulous pattern or colour, or with just a dash of coloured grout. If you’re not feeling quite so confident then luxurious, patterned towels are a great option. For benchtop storage, I love using pieces from my favourite local ceramicists. Think small vases or cups to hold your toothbrush, and tiny porcelain dishes for soap or for keeping jewellery safe. And plants! Greenery in beautiful vessels adds a wonderful freshness and vitality to any bathroom. Petrina Turner, interior designer: @petrinaturnerdesign

KID’S ROOM

Kids’ rooms can end up a bit of a mish-mash, so it’s important to start with a clear idea. At the very least, begin with a particular piece of furniture and build your style from there – using something tangible as inspiration can open your mind to possibilities you wouldn’t have thought of when faced with a blank space. If you’re keen to style the room around a theme, make sure you have a clear reference, whether it be from a film, a place, a book or an artwork. Find three key elements that instantly speak to the theme, such as a rug, pendant light and artwork – and from there, the other elements will follow. Jessica Hanson, Inside Out style editor: @jessicahansonstylist

OUTDOOR LIVING

Australia has a wonderful climate for eating outside and often, resolving the outdoor dining and entertaining spaces is paramount to our briefs. The first thing I look at is a home’s architecture and its relationship to the outdoors, and the balance between built form and deep soil landscape. In some cases, I recommend no external dining or entertaining spaces and that’s the approach I’ve taken in my own home (pictured). If the house is open-plan and the internal dining and lounge spaces are adjacent to the garden, divided by windows, there’s often no need to double up on furniture, as it can begin to feel cluttered. I love when gardens come right up to the glazing line, as when you’re inside the home you can still be connected to the green space. Less becomes more and it’s very cost effffective, and pleases council in the planning process. William Dangar, landscape designer: @williamdangar

“I love when gardens come right up to the glazing line, as when you’re inside the home you can still be connected to the garden”