Don't let convention stand in the way of achieving the bright and quirky home of your dreams. If you're looking for home decorating ideas that are outside the box, why not start with purple? It's one of the most provocative colours and is more versatile than you may think, so find out some unique ways to introduce the hue into your home.
Curtains
Curtains are a great way to update any room, and the right colour and design can really make a splash. Instead of sticking with the tried and true neutral varieties, why not take your window finishings to the next level with a shimmering violet tone?
Designers and renovators tasked with bringing a corporate office into the 21st century needn't panic. Remodelling workspaces can be fun and easy, as long as you have the right knowledge and pay attention to current trends. Check out these tips to follow when considering your next office interior design job.
Open plan or closed offices?
The debate between having an open plan office or keeping things behind closed doors continues to rage. A recent Knoll research paper explored these differences, finding both positives and negatives to each design.
Corridors and hallways throughout the home are often overlooked when it comes to designing a new house or doing renovations. While these small spaces may often feel simply like avenues to get to and from various rooms in a building, with a bit of know how and design inspiration, they can become fashionable and functional areas in their own right.
Make them feel bigger
Hallways can feel small and cramped, especially if filled with a lot of clutter. However, this space is often where visitors get their first impressions of your home, so it pays to spend a bit of extra time making hallways feel inviting and spacious.
Interior designers, decorators and architects all have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to renovations. If you're planning to redesign, redecorate or completely start from scratch in your home, take your cues from them for a finished product that is as unique as you are.
Read through these secrets from the experts for tips on where to start.
Utilise ceilings
Your ceiling is one the most neglected spaces in your home, and should be treated as the fifth wall of a room. While designers don't suggest cluttering this space with artwork and family photos, they do recommend considering how this area can have an impact on the room as a whole.
Unused studies, empty children's rooms and spare spaces can all be turned into functional and fashionable home offices. With more and more flexible workplaces offering employees the chance to work from home, homeowners are looking to update areas in the house to act as in-home offices.
While some people may be happy to potter away at their work from the couch or dining table, many are more productive and less distracted when they have dedicated work environments. Find out how to maximise this space with these interior design tips.
If you're thinking about renovating your interior design with a few splashes of paint, you might like to consider hiring a professional tradesperson to ensure that those splashes of paint don't end up on your dining table.
Even though many of us have the DIY gene, sometimes we just don't have the time, energy or ability to do the job the way we'd like to – and remember, you're going to be looking at those walls for a long time to come, so it's important that the job is done right.
Why should I hire a professional?
Leaving it to the pros can be greatly beneficial for a number of reasons.
Obviously, it will save you the time and energy of doing it yourself, but painting can be dangerous, when it involves roofs, ceilings or ladders, so leaving it to someone with the correct training and expertise for the job can be a lot safer.
Painters also come with all of their own tools – physical and mental. They will bring their own brushes, rollers, preparation and clean up equipment, as well as having the knowledge required to easily sort out problem areas.
Where can I find someone I can trust?
Resene offers a free Find-A-Painter service, which will help you to track down a reliable professional painter.
A maximum of three tradespeople will receive your job details and will get in contact with you to arrange a quote. We recommend taking the time to meet all three so you can get a good idea of who will best meet your needs and do it for a good price.
Check out our tips for things you should consider when deciding which painter to choose and making sure you have everything you need sorted before the job starts.
Eco-friendly homes are more popular than ever. It's not too late for you to help the environment – if you're planning home renovations, take the following tips into consideration.
Flooring
One flooring option you may not have thought of is cork floor tiles, as they're made from a completely renewable resource – bark. If you're put off by the traditional brown colouring of cork, never fear. Cork floor tiles can be stained with Resene Colorwood then finished in a clear coat to protect the cork colour and surface.
There's good news for anyone planning to undertake a painting project in the near future – it's safer than ever before, thanks to new paint technology.
It's well known that some solvents can have a detrimental effect on the environment. Many manufacturers have realised the need for improved paint safety, and are releasing products which are gentler on the environment.
Resene Zylone Sheen VOC Free is one brand of paint that is doing its bit for the planet. It has no added volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been found to have a damaging effect on the ozone layer. VOC emissions can also cause health problems such as nausea and allergies, so it makes sense to minimise them where possible.
When it comes to painting your home's exterior, you'll need to use the right paints to achieve the most durable and long-lasting finish possible.
If you're scratching your head over which paint to use on your surface, take a look at this easy guide to get you started.
New concrete surfaces
To prepare new unpainted concrete surfaces for their fresh colour, start off by washing them down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove grit, grime and residue. This will also help maintain the paint's longevity. Then fill in any cracks with Resene Brushable Crack Filler to ensure the smoothest possible finish. Finish this off with a primer such as Resene Concrete Primer before finishing with a waterborne paint in the colour of your choice. Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss waterborne acrylic or Resene Lumbersider low sheen waterborne acrylic are popular choices.
We're sure you clean the inside of your house on a regular basis.
Have you ever considered it's just as important to clean your home's exterior paint?
You don't have to do the latter chore nearly as often – once a year should suffice. But it's absolutely vital that you take the time to clean your home's exterior paint if you want to keep it looking fresh and inviting for years to come.
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