Category Archives: Stories

12 Simple Tips To Make Your Living Room Feel More Spacious

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Downsizing and micro-living are become more trendy as people choose to simplify their lives by living with less and living in smaller spaces. After all, there are a number of benefits to living in a smaller home, like less cleaning, reduced running costs, and of course the affordable price tag. Smaller spaces can be a practical option over mansion-style living; it means less furniture and a certain feeling of cosiness and homeliness.

While it may have been your choice to live in a small townhouse or apartment, creating the feeling of space is a very high priority for many. Having a small home is one thing but living in a pokey space that feels cramped and claustrophobic is another thing entirely.

How To Create A Resort-Like Outdoor Living Area In Your Own Backyard

Have you ever arrived home from a tropical vacation and immediately missed being back on holiday, relaxing with a cool, refreshing drink and surrounded by the sound of running water and tropical plants? How would you feel if you knew you could create the feeling of a tropical resort in your own backyard and feel like you were on holidays again? Of course you could always put up a stunning new patio, whack in a pool, and spend a heap of money on landscaping, but these are not practical ideas for most of us who don’t have either the space or the money. However, you can create a tropical-style outdoor living area and channel resort vibes without breaking the bank.

Rattan: Hot Interior Trend for Winter 2021

As we move into autumn and get ready for the colder months, we’re still seeing Rattan as one of the hottest interior trends for 2021. Rattan has become one of the few trends that manages to look ultra-stylish yet relaxed at the same time. And it’s an easy style to create.

If you’re interested in integrating this durable material into your home’s interior style, the styling experts at Abide Interiors are happy to share their tips for embracing this look for the coming winter months. Check out their ideas below, then check out their fabulous rattan living collection.

Black and White Interior Design Colour Schemes

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Colour trends are forever changing and sometimes it’s difficult to keep up; to know what’s in and what’s out. What we do know, though, is that black and white are two colours that are always in style. In this post we’re going to learn the correct colour terms and discover how to make this classic theme work in your home. Perhaps how we use these colours may change over time, but this is a classic partnership that works in many different settings, and one that’s always on trend.

Many people refer to the black and white colour scheme as being ‘monochromatic’ but that’s not actually correct. Let’s begin by sorting out the difference between the terms ‘monochromatic’ and ‘achromatic’.

The intensity and vividness of a colour is represented by its saturation. Colours can broadly be divided into ‘chromatic’ and ‘achromatic’ colours, depending on the absence or presence of this saturation. A chromatic colour is any colour that has the slightest amount of hue while an achromatic colour lacks hues – like the colours white, grey and black.

How to Style a Small Entrance or Hallway

If you knew that your entrance or hallway gives guests a hint at what lies beyond, do you think you would style this small but important area with more thoughtful and practical decorating items? Many people do of course, but way too many of us use our entrance or hallway as a drop-zone for absolutely everything – from kids shoes and schoolbags right through to coats, parcels, umbrellas, and shopping bags – and we forget just how lasting first impressions are.

Learning About Different Types Of Materials Used in Interior Design

A lot of thought and planning goes into interior design and designers must choose very carefully, selecting the right materials for budget, durability, safety, comfort, and flexibility.

In this post we’re taking a closer look at just a few of the more common materials used in interior designing finishes, like timber, rattan, leather, velvet, and linen. Each material adds a different personality and perspective to a space and it’s important that each material’s strengths and weaknesses are considered when used in interior design.

Mixing Timber Tones and Getting it Right!

More and more we’re noticing people becoming adventurous with styling their homes, and one question we’re often asked is how to mix timber tones in a room – and get it right! Many people say they’d love to experiment but are hesitant to combine different timbers in a space. Fortunately, mixing wood tones in a room can work beautifully, but there are a few basic rules to follow.

Top Autumn Interior Trends At Abide Interiors

Zen chair and St Lucia coffee table

Everyone here at Abide Interiors loves autumn, and now that we’re already into the first month of autumn we’re thrilled to bring you our top interior trends for 2021. Our buyers have selected their own favourite pieces from across our entire range to help you maintain a fresh and stylish space this season.

Sitting between summer and winter, autumn can be a confusing time of the year. It’s not hot anymore, even though there may be a few remaining warm days, but it’s not cold either.

We feel this is the perfect time to take note of your furniture and ensure that all pieces and other decorative accents in your home transition easily across all seasons. Below we’ve listed interior trends that do precisely that.

How To Create a Hamptons-Style Outdoor Area

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As a nation of beach-lovers, it comes as no surprise that Hamptons Style interior design has taken off so quickly in Australia. But Hamptons styling is not just about interior design – it can also be about your outdoor living area. Lounging outdoors on comfortable furniture, catching the cool, evening breeze, what more could any true-blue Australian want from their outdoor area? If coastal outdoor living appeals to you and you’re inspired to create your own Hamptons Style outdoor area, read on to discover how you too can create a luxurious yet comfortable, natural yet elegant, outdoor entertaining area.

Choosing The Perfect Height For Your Bar Stools

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Choosing a bar stool shouldn’t be a hard task – after all, a bar stool is a bar stool, right? Many people are surprised that choosing the right stool for their bar, club, home, or café is not as easy as it sounds. That’s because there are a few important facts you need to know, and if you haven’t done your homework you could well end up buying the wrong product.

For starters, what height should your bar stool be; does it need to swivel; do you need upholstered or cushions; do you want the bar stool to contrast with the bar counter, or match it?

Doing some quick research and a few measurements can save you the time and hassle of having to return stools, or alternatively, having to put up with stools that are a bad fit for your area. There are plenty of bar stools to choose from, so do your homework and you’ll have no problems at all finding the perfect stools to suit your room.