Interior decorator / interior designer (affordable)

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  trustnoone on 06/03/2017 - 23:04

  +1

  How did you ozbargain your home styling?

  https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-sydney/free+stuff/k0l3003435

  Congrats on your new house by the way!

  • 

    littlemisslovely on 08/03/2017 - 21:34

    Thanks trustnoone :)

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  garetz on 07/03/2017 - 03:07

  +2

  The best advice i can give you is take your time, find what you like, dont feel like your pressured into filling your house with furniture asap, in the end it will just take up space, and feel like a waste of money later on if you become unhappy with it.

  From my experience, never buy that pleather shit, it will feel uncomfortable, and doesnt last more than 2-3 years, after that it starts disintegrating. Quality over cheap shit, cheap shit never lasts. Don't always buy new, there is alot of affordable furniture that is antique, or reclaimed.

  Take your time, and dont pay a designer, thats for rich people. That money can go towards more furniture.

  • 

    PJC on 07/03/2017 - 03:14

    All good advice. Consider Gumtree and garage sales.

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  try2bhelpful on 07/03/2017 - 08:31

  +1

  Start with a few good pieces and then work around from that. Good quality comfortable couches, good quality bed, dining table. Op shops can be quite good for dining tables; (I wouldn't buy a couch from them). Look up magazines, go to open for inspections in the better quality neighbourhoods and see what they are doing. I would take pictures of your rooms, before you go shopping, and envisage how a piece would look in a room and how you would use it. Enjoy home ownership.

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  littlemisslovely on 08/03/2017 - 21:37

  Thanks everyone.

  It's so hard working out what styles work with lighting in the rooms and putting it all together. Wish designers / professionals were a bit easier to reach (considering I'll be spending money in their stores..). All quotes I've gotten start at $4000

  Looking forward to getting started. Until then I'll embrace the minimalist look :)

  • 

    Euphemistic on 09/03/2017 - 09:39

    Just do your own research, discover what works and what doesn't for other people, then make up your own mind. Interior designers may have an eye for what works, but some of the stuff I've seen them put together looks pretty ordinary so wouldn't want to be paying someone for that privilege.

    It seems that we are heading down the path of the USA where you 'need' a consultant for everything. It's not true, its just other people playing on your insecurities to take your money for for work that isn't actual work, just making decisions for you.

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  ZippyRoo on 10/03/2017 - 10:07

  I believe West Elm gives free design service and you're not obliged to buy their stuff, they just give you ideas and indications on what sort of furniture and decor you will need to deck out your new pad. However, their furnitures are expensive, even when they go on sale, they're not the cheap. They do have sales all the time on their decor items and you can find some good bargains every now and then. Though I think you need to worry about your big piece furnitures first, then find small decorator items to suit and compliment your large pieces. I agree with what everyone said here also, do your research and find what you like first. Maybe start with a general style first, do you like mid-century, industrial, country or provincial styles? Once you decide on that, then you can just find furnitures in these categories, look for neutral colours and get a brightly coloured vase, throw rug and cushions to add an extra touch. I find sofas from Focus On Furniture to be good quality, with excellent designs and are quite streamlined to suit smaller spaces. You can also find cheap items in Ikea, for example, their planter pots and glass vases are very good value, and they'll look a million bucks once you put a nice plant in it or add nice cut flowers. A jute rug is also cheap there and can add a nice warm touch to your kitchen or outdoor space.

  A designer can give you ideas but what's the fun in it if you don't get to design your new space yourself and risk someone decorating a space that might not even suit you.