By Zephyr and Stone

What if we told you it’s entirely possible to achieve that interior design look that you see on Instagram, Pinterest and your favourite Home interior design magazines without breaking the bank? It’s true! We love a good cost-effective interior design solution as much as the next person, so we’ve put together some of our favourite ways to create a beautiful, designer home without breaking the bank!

Interior design at home round wooden dining tale with white chairs in contemporary coastal dining room design guide for home interior — Zephyr and Stone • Contemporary Coastal Project Dining Room Interior Design In Home

1. Planning and #lessismore

First and foremost, no matter your budget, planning every room and space is always key to making your dollar go further. Decisions made at the eleventh hour or furniture that’s purchased on a whim can often result in costly mistakes, regrets, or furniture pieces that don’t really work in any space and end up on Facebook Marketplace!

Planning out finishes, products and home furniture in advance and ensuring they’re the right size, colour and fit will not only save your budget but also save you time and headaches once your project is in full swing. Start by creating a mood board for each room or space and then progress to planning products and finishes in colours, textures and an overall style to match your design intention. Remember that less is more when it comes to furnishings, and one quality piece can often create more impact and cost the equivalent of several budget pieces. Planning will not only save you money, but it will also result in a better result and a budget that goes further so you can afford those home interior design pieces and features!

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2. Choose Timeless

It can be tempting to jump on that bandwagon of each interior design trend that comes along, but if you want your home to stand the test of time and avoid re-buying pieces that no longer suit, remember to opt for neutral, timeless pieces that will remain contemporary and current as styles or trends change⁠.⁠ You can’t go wrong with tones in whites, beiges, greys, and materials like oak timber and marble.

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3. Be Selective

Creating an interior design home doesn’t mean you need to have all the available features in every room! One considered feature in a room can be just as effective as opting for all the bells and whistles!

It’s also quite acceptable to save feature or premium finishes and products for principal rooms, bathrooms and the master bedroom - and opt for more cost-effective alternatives in occasional rooms. Window furnishings like sheer curtains are a great example and can transform frequently used areas of the home into luxury spaces, alongside more cost-effective options like block-out blinds in rooms like kid’s bedrooms. Being Selective about which spaces you include any interior design features, can result in a luxury home for considerably less!

interior design ideas home for Modern bedroom with grey sheer curtains and black furniture in retreat house bedroom design guide — Zephyr and Stone • Retreat House Bedroom Interior Design Ideas Home

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4. Go Oversized

In addition to our #lessismore approach when furnishing any home, opting for oversized pieces is an extremely effective way to make a statement. This idea can be applied throughout your home, especially when it comes to oversized furniture pieces, lighting, mirrors or artwork. The sheer size or scale of a piece not only will not only look impressive in your room or on your wall, but it can also be an instant talking point for any guests.

And don’t be afraid to use larger pieces in smaller spaces! As long as the furniture is positioned to allow fluid movement and flow in a room, larger pieces generally result in a room that feels bigger, as opposed to smaller pieces which can make a space feel ‘full’, cluttered and smaller.

Monochrome dining room with black dining table and grey chairs and engineered wooden flooring — Zephyr and Stone • Retreat House Dining Room

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5. High + Low

It’s a bit of an industry secret, and all your favourite designers do it — mixing high and low pieces to create an interior designed look! What this means is combining quality, investment pieces such as sofas, dining tables and other home furniture you hope to keep for years to come with more affordable home decor. Not only does this help your budget go further when furnishing your home, but it also gives you the flexibility to switch up your colour scheme and style with smaller more affordable accessories as your style or trends change. Affordable pieces like cushions, vases and books can pair seamlessly with quality pieces, to result in a space that looks like budget was not on the agenda!

Round wooden dining table with white bar chairs in contemporary coastal kitchen design guide — Zephyr and Stone • Contemporary Coastal Kitchen

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6. Small Features That Pack A Punch

It’s vital we also mention, some of those small details that work wonders to transform simple walls, cabinetry and spaces in your home. Inclusions such as wall lights, feature handles, shaped and framed mirrors or fresh foliage arrangements, work to create balance and can elevate a room to achieve that interior design look.

A feature as simple and cost-effective as a wall light installed along a hallway, in a living room, at a bedside or in a bathroom - can transform a space by day and night, and although only a small part of the space, create impact and style for a relatively small outlay.