Tag: Interior design

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Design & decor

14 ways to decorate and maintain a small-spaced Airbnb listing

Managing an Airbnb rental is a great way to earn extra income, especially if you have an unoccupied property available.

Although Airbnb rentals are a great way of earning extra income, it doesn’t mean that it easy to do as it requires quite a bit of maintenance and involvement on your part. You have to make sure that you decorate your space to make it more attractive to a range of people.

If you have a smaller space for your Airbnb, you might be thinking that it’s harder to make it stand out from the crowd. Nonetheless, having an excellent decorating idea that you can maintain can help give you a good standing on Airbnb.

Below are some tips that you can try out for yourself:

1. Keep the floor clean

If you have a small space in your Airbnb, then a simple way of making sure that the space doesn’t feel too crowded is by cleaning the floor.

Sure, a great decoration can definitely liven up a space, but if you have little to work with, you should make sure that you have enough working space available.

One way you can create more space is simply by reducing the pieces of furniture or appliances that you have on the floor and creating a minimalistic look.

2. Focus on lights

Another simple solution that you can try to make your Airbnb space look more spacious is the lights.

The right lighting, especially if it’s natural, can help widen a space and has the illusion that you have a bigger space.

If you don’t have much access to natural light, then you should make sure that the lighting fixtures installed don’t get in the way of your floor as mentioned before. Wall sconces are a great choice of lighting for a small space. 

3 hanging white pendant lights in a room with windows leading to a beach.
The impact of natural lighting on display / Source: Visualising Interiors

3. Add mirrors

Another simple decoration that you can use that will help you give the illusion of a wider and bigger space inside your Airbnb is a series of mirrors.

You don’t have to go and install a lot of mirrors but be tactical so that you don’t look like you have a circus-themed Airbnb (unless that’s what you the vision you’re looking to create).

Excellent placement of a mirror is right in front of a big window that brings in natural light. Doing so allows the mirror to reflect the light all around the room.

4. Have indoor plants and flowers

You don’t have to add too many trinkets and installations to make your Airbnb feel decorated and appealing to your guests.

A simple addition of indoor plants and flowers can beautify your space without costing you too much money. Not to mention that it doesn’t take up too much space.

The great thing about indoor plants is that it helps improve the air quality inside your Airbnb, and at the same time it serves as a decoration too.

White lounge room with L shaped lounge, coffee table and indoor plants.
Indoor plants are aesthetic and cost-effective / Source: Visualising Interiors

5. Consider multi-purpose and folding furniture

Since you have a small space in your Airbnb, you want to be able to serve your guests without having to sacrifice comfort and convenience.

The key to being able to balance both is by having furniture that are space savers or, at the very least, furniture that has more than one purpose. For example, you could have a set of stairs that also serve as a cabinet, or you can have a sofa that becomes a bed.

6. Consider a hanging chair

If you want to decorate your Airbnb uniquely, then consider adding a hanging chair inside the living room.

It will be an eye-catching and attractive set in your living. Also, a hanging chair is a great space saver while offering a sitting arrangement at the same time.

7. Play with scale

Just because you have a small Airbnb doesn’t mean that your space should be filled with trinkets and tiny decorations.

It’s important to balance your big decorations in the small space, or you might end up making your Airbnb look smaller than it actually is. 

8. Keep it cozy

The great thing about having a small space is that it can be a lot homier than bigger and more expansive spaces.

You should capitalise on that fact by keeping things cozy and decorating your space with a lot of textures like plush.

A fluffy rug and soft blanket laid on top of your sofas are a great touch as well. It really makes the space feel like a second home.

9. Put your pantry on display

If you don’t have enough space in your Airbnb for a pantry, then why not have a shelving system? That way, it doesn’t occupy as much space as cabinets do.

For example, you can have a sturdy hook and hang baskets where you can put your essential grocery items that is usually going to be in the pantry.

10. Divide and conquer

If you want to divide certain areas in your Airbnb, using wise divisions allows you to do just that without making your space look crowded.

A great way to divide your space is by having rice paper room dividers all around that certain separate areas, but at the same time, it doesn’t crowd your Airbnb.

11. Clean as you leave

At Maid Sailors Airbnb Turnaround Service, we encourage our clients to advise their guests to clean the space itself. That way, it’s easier for you to clean your Airbnb. This is especially important for a quicker turnaround process in between immediate bookings.

12. Colour selection

It’s important to select the right texture and colours for cushions, throws and very importantly linen including doona covers, sheet and towels. Keep them simple not too much over the top prints.

Grey cushioned window seat with 3 pillows next to a small round coffee table.
Make the most of your small space with appropriate colour selections / Source: Little White Label

13. Make it personal

Leave a special check-in surprise for guests. It could be a bottle of wine or a grazing platter, fresh muffins or freshly baked bread and/or rolls and for that special occasion. Maybe a double pass to the local cinema and a voucher for a local Takeaway.

14. Entertaining areas

An entertaining area with books, games and jigsaw puzzles are great to have for guests.

Conclusion

Maintaining and decorating a small space can be a difficult task, especially if your goal is to create an attractive place to encourage guests to book your Airbnb rental.

Although it can be difficult it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. That’s why the tips above will definitely help you level up your Airbnb listing.

From having unique decorations in place to simple maintenance, there are plenty of things you can do that will make your small-spaced Airbnb listing more attractive to guests. Aside from the ones listed above, try and come up with your own ways of boosting your Airbnb or hire a professional interior designer to bring your vision to life.

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Design & decor

How to prepare a baby’s nursery

The nesting instinct will kick in soon and you won’t be able to help pottering around the nursery cleaning and preparing for your new arrival. The best thing you can do to make it easier for yourself once baby arrives is having the nursery completely ready for them to move in.

Choosing a nursery decor theme

Decorating a nursery is a big task, but a simple one if you have a clear plan. Remember, this is the room you and your baby will use the most, so it’s important to make it cheerful and comfortable for both of you.

Source: Shutterstock

Before you begin purchasing items, go through magazines and sites like Pinterest and visit local baby shops to get an idea of what’s available, and what style you like. Keep track of the items that catch your eye, and you should soon see a theme evolving.

Even though you want to give your child the most beautiful nursery, do give priority to practicality over style. Make a list of the essential baby items, such as a cot, chest of drawers, cupboard, and changing table. If you’re lucky, you will get all these items in a common theme or else, pick the item you love the most and use your creativity to mix and match. Another option is to choose plain furniture, and then incorporate your chosen theme with the help of wall decals, printed linen and other accessories.

Interesting Themes for the Nursery

You may choose a favourite cartoon as the nursery theme, so that your baby can enjoy looking at the colourful characters. Animals are another popular choice, but if you have trouble deciding on which one to go with opt for a full-blown jungle theme instead. If you’re a sporting family, you could decorate in a sporting motif, such as football, surfing, car racing or any other sport that your family enjoys. Or lend a softer touch to the nursery by going florals. Once you start looking around, there is no shortage of interesting ideas for nursery themes. The important thing is that it makes you and your baby feel cosy and comfortable.

Future-proofing your nursery

Remember that your baby won’t stay this tiny forever. While buying furniture and accessories to decorate the nursery, leave extra room for expansion as your little one grows. In this way, the amount of money you invested in the nursery will provide value for years to come.

Colour ideas to paint your baby’s nursery

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make when it comes to decorating your nursery is the colour of the walls, after all – research has shown that paint colours can have a comforting and nurturing effect. If you know the baby’s sex, you may choose to go for the traditional colour palette of pink or blue. However, there is a large colour spectrum to choose from that can achieve a beautiful and calming environment for your baby.

When choosing which paint colour to use when decorating a nursery you should also consider what the natural light is like in the room and the size of the room. It’s best to avoid dark shades in a small room that lacks light, as this will make the room feel enclosed and claustrophobic. Think about the longevity of the paint colour you are choosing and whether or not this can be easily accessorised to be suitable for your baby as they get older.If you’re unsure you want to fully commit, some like to have a coloured feature wall that the crib stands against. Here are our top picks.

1. Nice and neutral: Neutral shades such as taupe, beige and brown are great for giving baby’s eyes a rest from the bright colours and contrasts that they have been exposed to throughout the day. It’s also perfect if you’re aiming for a gender neutral theme.

Source: Shutterstock

2. Serene green: Green is a great gender neutral colour choice for nurseries, often associated with nature and has a very calming effect on new mum’s and babies. Studies into the colour green have found that it reduces anxiety and improves concentration. The best shades of green to go for when painting your babies nursery include earthy shades such as sage, apple, olive and moss green.

Source: Shutterstock

3. Lovely lavender & lilacs: Choose pale shades of lavender or lilac for a baby girls nursery. Purple is soothing and feminine whilst benefiting from lacking the babyish look of pink. Accent purple walls with crisp white furnishings for a room fit for your new little princess.

4. Baby blue: The classic baby blue is always a go-to paint colour when expecting a boy. Eggshell shades of blue such as periwinkle, duck egg, powder blue and pale turquoise create a cooling effect on the body and can assist in preparing babies for sleep.

Source: Shutterstock

5. Wonderful white: Whilst white may often be viewed as clinical and cold, it can be used to create fabulous nurseries. White can be used with up-cycled wicker, wood or white shabby-chic furniture to create the perfect sleep sanctuary for your little one.  Crisp white walls can also provide the perfect minimalist backdrop for funky wall murals and artwork that is visually stimulating for your baby.

Other considerations in preparing your nursery

Flooring options

It’s important to consider the flooring of the nursery because it’s where your baby will spend most of their time playing with toys and learning how to crawl and walk. If you have existing carpet, it’s a great idea to get a professional carpet cleaner in to shampoo it so it’s free of dust, dirt, allergens, and stains.

If you need new carpet, choose one that is good for repelling liquids and for its hypoallergenic qualities. Babies tend to drop their bottles and dummies all over the place, so a spill-resistant carpet made from fabric that prevents dust mite build-up is best.

If you have existing floorboards, you’ll need to look closely for any splintery edges that might have come away. Giving them a new coat of polish will ensure they are smooth and safe for baby.

Lighting, heating & cooling

You’ll spend a lot of time in the nursery through the night, checking on your baby, feeding and nappy changes every few hours. This means you’ll need to make sure there’s adequate lighting so you don’t risk tripping on anything like toys left out on the floor.

Look at what existing lighting you have in there – does it need to be brighter? Do you need more lighting options in the corners of the room, not just the centre? Consider where you’ll put the baby furniture as well. Are the electrical outlet plugs in the most convenient parts of the room?

If the nursery is prone to being quite cold in winter and warm in summer, consider installing a heating and cooling system, or give existing ones a service. Some parents like to have dehumidifiers running to keep the air clean in the room as well.

Source: Shutterstock

Windows

Living in Australia means lots of bugs can get through open windows, such as mosquitoes and spiders. Even cats are a safety problem for sleeping babies if they get inside the cot with them. Consider getting fly screens installed by our window and door experts, and get professional pest control a few weeks before baby arrives.

Even with flyscreens in place, you don’t want to risk your baby going anywhere near a window they can fall out of. Windows must be be child-safe compliant and many parents achieve this by having window opening restrictors installed. Our handymen can help you install the right devices to keep the windows safe.

If you’re wanting to paint your nursery, or need the help of other trades to get your nursery ready, post a job on Oneflare today to connect with local experts.

Categories
Design & decor

What is Feng Shui?

The ancient Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui (pronounced “foong schway”) is an interior design principle that aims to create a harmonious space. Literally translating to “wind” and “water”, Feng Shui is all about connecting your home or office space with the natural elements.

While you might think that this ancient art is simply about placing objects in a particular order, it is actually more about designing a balanced setting that supports you and anyone who enters the area.

Source: Lindy de Waal Interiors

What is ‘Qi’ energy?

The practice, evolving from traditional Chinese medicine, analyses the energy that flows through a specific area. This flow known as ‘Qi’ – also sometimes referred to as ‘chi’, literally means the ‘life force’. Qi is said to be a source of energy that has an effect on the overall happiness of those occupying the space. If there is a negative Qi, then this is said to result in one having problems in different aspects of their life. Positive Qi encourages beneficial effects such as happiness and improved finances in an individual’s life.

The Three Different Schools of Feng Shui

The three different schools of Feng Shui include Form, Compass, and Flying Star.

Form School: This school is named for the art of analysing “forms” or physical objects in and around an area. As every form has its own Qi, it is important to take into account how these objects contribute to the area’s total Qi. This school concentrates mainly on how energy flows through the landscape and objects in the area.

Compass School: This school of Feng Shui is concerned with the direction in which the area is facing. Upon discovering this element, the area is divided into nine sectors that represent a different area of ones life.

Flying Star School: This is the most inclusive and sacred school within the art of Feng Shui. It is believed to work by computing the “natal chart” of the area. Once this has been done, the nine sectors divided up in the Compass School are identified.

How to ensure your home has good Feng Shui

Here are some easy to implement improvements you can do to add some positive Feng Shui into your home.

1. Declutter your home

This can take some effort on your part, but the end result will be worth it. Take some time to go through any clutter in your residence Marie Kondo style, and throw out what you no longer need. Importantly, ensure whatever you decide to keep has a home – perhaps investing in some bins and shelves to store your belongings neatly.

Source: Studio Oscar Lea

2. Ensure a warm welcome

In Feng Shui, the front door is an important area of capturing Qi energy and can affect the flow of your entire home. If you want people to feel welcome and relaxed in your house, you should make sure the entrance looks good. Try to keep it open and lit up with natural light whenever possible. You should also decorate the area with decor items like fresh flowers and framed photos.

3. Keep it fresh

You can improve the feng shui of your home by making an effort to keep everything about it as fresh as possible. For example, get rid of dead plants and trim off any leaves that are clearly dead as well. This can keep the energy in your home positive. Even the air needs to be fresh, so avoid stale air by opening the windows and doors at least once a day.

4. Position your furnishings properly

Feng Shui often depends on the proper positioning of furniture and decor. For example, make sure any mirrors on the wall allow you to see your whole reflection or at least your entire face. If it does not, you should reposition it by moving it up or down as necessary. Similarly, your stove should be placed against an interior wall that cannot be seen from your foyer. Even the position of your bed makes a difference, since it should be against a wall that does not have a door, and you need to make sure the foot of the bed points anywhere besides the door to your room.

5. Avoid certain decor

Yet another way to improve Feng Shui is to avoid filling your home with heavy, bulky furniture, opting for lighter pieces instead. In addition, be wary of water features in your house since they can create negative energy in many instances. If you really want a water fountain, consider keeping it outdoors so it does not affect the Feng Shui of the interior of your house.

Creating Feng Shui your bedroom

To achieve a sense of Feng Shui in your bedroom, location, furnishings, colour, and decor all play an important role. While the location of a bedroom is not necessarily something most people can control, colours and materials absolutely are! Here’s how to make chi flow for a harmonious bedroom that might just help you get a better night’s sleep.

Bedroom location

First and foremost, try figuring out the orientation of your bedroom. Is it facing west, east, north or south? Ideally, your bedroom should be exposed to sunlight at dawn to help increase your energy levels. You avoid, where possible, facing the busy street is not a good idea. The ideal location for your bedroom can also depend on a number of lifestyle factors:

  • North-west: mature energy, best suited for parents as it can help boost feelings of responsibility, respect from others, and give you a better ability to organize your life.
  • North: quiet and peaceful energy – best for those who find it hard to sleep or suffer from frequent nightmares.
  • West: best for a couple – can boost romance, pleasure, and contentment.
  • East/South-east: best suited for younger people, chi energy in this part of the house is considered to help anybody wanting to make a good start in life.
Source: Visualising Interiors

What about the bed?

In Feng Shui, the placement of the bed and the materials it is made from are both important factors to consider. The right bed can revitalize your energy and influence aspects of everyday life. Wood is the most favourable material for the bed as metal is thought to disturb chi, and may even alter the local magnetic field. Watch out for bed frames made out of brass and cast iron as they may speed up chi which can cause sleeping problems.

You should also aim to keep the space beneath your bed empty to avoid energy stagnating while you sleep.

Keep it natural

Natural materials in the home are thought to help to calm the body and spirit, and better for overall health. Your mattress and bed linens should be made from natural materials like bamboo or organic cotton, as it means chi can easily flow over it.

In addition to introducing a natural mattress and linens, you need to take it a step further and detoxify your room. Switch out toxic cleaning products with non-toxic cleaning products. Vinegar and water can go a long way, so can baking soda. Eliminate plug-ins and air fresheners, instead opt for a diffuser with essential oils – avoiding any that isn’t tested for toxicity and metals.

Try and keep your bedroom decor natural too, incorporating elements like wood, mirrored surfaces and natural fibre rugs. Adding in a personalised soy candle on your bedside table can also invite a naturally calming scent and positive energy throughout the space of your bedroom.

Colour me calm

To strengthen chi energy, use soft pastels and white with touches of red, silver, and gold. Painters Care recommends starting with painting your walls in neutral tones first, before introducing bolder colours.Red is thought to increase romantic ambience, while pastels and metallic colours create peace and tranquillity.

Designated decor

According to Feng Shui principles, a bedroom should never be cluttered or contain electronic equipment such as TVs as this can lead to disturbed sleep and low energy levels. The same holds true for books. If you have stacks and stacks of books, you will want to remove them from your bedroom, keeping just a single book you’re reading on your nightstand.

The ideal bedroom decor should include wall scrolls with harmonious representations of nature, including flowers and birds. If you have a desk in your bedroom it should be white, and kept clean and tidy. Rugs are okay in the bedroom, but it important that they are the right colour. Red and gold-coloured rugs are thought to improve energy and create warm energy. Fitted carpets are also fine but think about the colour before you go ahead and have them fitted. A wooden floor with natural rugs maybe a better idea when it comes to improving chi.

In the bedroom of a married couple, everything should be placed in pairs. Two nightstands, two lamps, two pillows. This is thought to help to improve intimacy and warm feelings towards each other.

Do I need a professional for Feng Shui?

If you are really interested in improving the Feng Shui of your home or office, then you might consider hiring a professional consultant. They can analyse your space and create a comprehensive chart that identifies all the positive and negative energies present. From there, the consultant will help create an actionable plan that can help you minimise negative energy while maximising positive energy.

To kick off your quest for a harmonious space, seek out a local interior design expert today.