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Expert advice: how to plan your next interior design project

By Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence •

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Starting an interior design project can be both an exciting and an overwhelming venture. You have an array of ideas and want your design to come together, and you risk jumping in head first before you even have a plan.

To help Aussies looking to transform a space, Luke Davidson, interior designer and co-founder of online interior design platform Inscene, shares his top tips to translate your design dreams into reality.

1. Discover your personal style

The process of interior design is deeply personal. Not all design styles will work for everyone, so it is up to you to decide how you want the space to feel. One way to help figure this out is to look at your closet. You can spot the colours and patterns that work best for you, giving you an indicator as to what you should look for when designing.

2. Determine what you don’t like

It may go without saying, but another tip to help you find out what styles you like is to eradicate everything you don’t like! This can narrow your options considerably, giving you a smaller pool of design styles to choose from and keep you from being paralysed by having too many choices.

3. Understand your needs

Be sure to focus on the practicality of each space of your home. You’ll want to consider the location and surroundings of your property. This will help you figure out the appropriate styles and materials for your interior design. Additionally, accurate room measurements are vital to ensuring that what you buy fits in your space. Measuring each room ahead of time will prevent purchases being disproportionate to your design or the room itself.

Before and after of an Inscene project

4. Create a mood board and sample everything

Crafting a mood board can help you visualise what your space will look like and is a valuable resource in planning that can help you avoid costly design mistakes. It is also best to sample materials such as paint, flooring, and surfaces. Observing the paint in natural light both in the morning and at night can help you determine how the paint makes you feel when it’s on your walls and not on a little swatch. The same can be said for flooring and surface samples.

5. Quality doesn’t always mean expensive

Quality is always essential, especially when it comes to building materials. Skimping out by going with the cheapest option may save you money upfront, but it will cost you more in the long run when you need to redo or replace it. In saying this, though, quality doesn’t always translate to the most expensive. You can find durable materials that mimic the aesthetic of more expensive ones at a fraction of the cost. Don’t be afraid to mix high and low-price points, either. Filling the space with affordable and practical pieces can allow you to splurge on one or two hero items that will stand out even more. 

6. Plan rooms one at a time

Breaking down your interior design process by planning one room at a time can help a larger project become more manageable. This can also help you focus on the individual room and its unique needs. For those worried about the final design not being cohesive or rooms clashing, don’t be. If you have a plan, you can keep on top of this. For those with an interior stylist, they will ensure everything looks seamless when the project is finished.

7. Hire a professional

We all appreciate input from our family and friends, but too many opinions can be overwhelming and confusing. By hiring a professional, you get the expert opinion and help of one qualified individual. You can avoid common interior design mistakes and be confident that the end result will match your original design dream, if not better.

For more information.

AFTER kitchen
Before & after: 90’s kitchen renovated on a budget using DIY
Originally built in the 90’s, this home’s original kitchen was in dire need of some love when Melbourne’s Haus of Cruze design studio began overhauling it recently. Completed as part…
Before & after: A fabulous $550 DIY bathroom makeover in Adelaide
When writer, stylist and former magazine editor Alexis Teasdale bought her 1920’s Tudor-style home in Adelaide a few years ago it was with a view to renovating it. But with…

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April 20, 2021

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Looking for a little inspo for your 2026 kitchen a Looking for a little inspo for your 2026 kitchen and laundry projects? Look no further than @kaboodlekitchen's free digital download edit magazine. Featuring trends commentary from yours truly!

Find out more via link in bio/stories now.

#ad #2026kitchentrends #diykitchens #kaboodle kaboodlekitchen
I've been meaning to post about getting out of hos I've been meaning to post about getting out of hospital in time for Christmas and spending a magical time with my beautiful family and friends for days now, but I was staying in the moment and off my phone. My wish came true and it really was amazing to enjoy that Santa magic.

Sadly, the day after Boxing Day, I ended up back in an ambulance after an internal bleed where my hemoglobin levels dropped dangerously low. I'm not very good at explaining the medical side, but after surgery and a couple of nights in ICU, I'm now on a ward and recovering well, hoping I get to return home ASAP.

I have so many thank yous to say for the incredible GoFundMe donations and kindness and support I've received. I really am blown away and so grateful. There are so many good people in the world, both strangers and those I'm lucky enough to know.

And having now received 6 bags of blood transfusion myself, another huge shout out to all donors. I felt so good to know I've done my bit donating over the years when I received someone else's life saving donation. Please consider doing the same and potentially saving a life.

Before ending up back in hospital, I was settling in well at home with daily visits from nurses and I'm hoping I can get back to that new normal again soon. 

Thank you again to everyone for their kindness. And biggest thanks to @damianfrancis for truly spoiling me at Christmas and once again holding the fort at home. Our boys are so lucky to have you ❤️
Edit: the winner of this giveaway is @wholehearted Edit: the winner of this giveaway is @wholeheartedstudio Congratulations Hayley!

To thank you all for your beautiful messages of support after sharing my very vulnerable big news the other day, I've teamed up with the talented @katenixon_official to give one follower the chance to win this stunning prize worth almost $600.

It includes:

Ines 3-Piece Marble Bathroom Set (soap dispenser, tumbler and tray) worth $169

Ines Marble Bowl, worth $135

Ines Marble Container with Wooden Lid, worth $79

Lola Marble Tray, worth $89

Sawar Scalloped Bowl, worth $109

They're all part of NOMAD by KATE NIXON, the Sydney interior designer's considered new curation of beautiful, storied objects for the home.

For your chance of winning, please follow @interiorsaddict and @katenixon_official, tell us the name of the collection and tag 2 friends by midnight Sydney time on Sunday 14 December 2025. Winner will be chosen at random and announced here. 

You can even style the marble trays and bowls elsewhere in the home – why should the bathroom get all the fun?!

Good luck. Giveaway is not endorsed by or associated with Meta in any way. Open to Australian residents only. 

#katenixon #sydneyinteriordesigner #luxurybathroomdesigns #bathroomstyles
Trigger warning: cancer. Home is SO important to Trigger warning: cancer.

Home is SO important to me, I even made a job out of talking about it. And having been stuck in hospital for 5 weeks, away from my sanctuary and my boys, I've never craved it more. 

I'm going through the hardest time of my life and I'm finally sharing it here in the way I hope you've always known me to; with authenticity, realness and hope.

I've been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It's devastating and life-changing news and feels very vulnerable to share. Sadly it's causing me so much physical pain, I can't manage it at home. Being stuck in hospital, on top of keeping this secret, has been very isolating. 

Our precious boys are our number one priority and we are being very well supported by our medical team and amazing friends and family. I can't say enough about the huge role my husband is playing in keeping us together.

I've continued to work when possible because I love it and it's a big part of my identity. I want as much normalcy, distraction and positivity as possible right now. Some days I put my lipstick on and face the day with gratitude for all the good stuff, like my world class friends and amazing healthcare. But I'm only human and other days, I just can't.

Despite the gravity of the situation, I only have to look at my boys to know I cannot give up hope. 

Thanks for all the love and support I know you'll throw my way but please respect my boundaries by not asking medical questions or making medical suggestions, and know that I won't be able to reply to everyone. 

This beautiful community has supported me for over a decade and I'm sure your kindness will help me no end. And if you want to support me, keep reading the blog so my work isn't wasted!

I'll still be the main point of contact for Interiors Addict but things will look a little different as I continue my chemo (3 rounds down) and get used to my new way of life. 

Right now, my only wish is to be discharged to my family for Christmas. 

Because I can no longer give blood, if anyone would like to make a festive donation of blood or plasma on my behalf and share it with me here, that would really make my day ❤️

PS. Nurses are worth their weight in gold.
This modular home was built in 6 weeks and install This modular home was built in 6 weeks and installed in just 4 days and can even be added to later if its family outgrow it. It's @mill.built's first prefabricated modular home – a breakthrough in speed, performance and affordability. And it sits in the Yarra Valley's net zero carbon estate, @liveatthecape , which is Australia's first.

Head to the blog now via link in bio to read all about the latest in sustainable living.

#prefabhomes #prefab #modularhomes #prefabhouse
You know what I love? Pink & red together! And str You know what I love? Pink & red together! And stripes! And bows! If you do too, @kmartaus Christmas stuff is starting to drop and you won't be disappointed. It's also largely generic enough that you could use it all year round, if that's your vibe.

See more on the homepage now, via link in bio.

#kmartchristmas #kmarthome #pinkandred #pinkandred #stripesonstripes #christmastabledecoration
Fanciest matchbox EVER. Fact. Swipe for silver. W Fanciest matchbox EVER. Fact. Swipe for silver.

Who wouldn't LOVE one of these as a gift?! $69 from @blackblazesydney's new Vesper collection. Available to preorder now. 

Comment 'matches' and we'll DM you all the details.

This is a great way to elevate your everyday!

#matchbooks #matches #littleluxuries #housewarminggiftideas
This once 90s kitchen is now reflective of the Mid This once 90s kitchen is now reflective of the Mid Century home it's the heart of, and its stylish owners who love vintage glass and other Marketplace finds.

Head to the blog via link in bio to see more of this transformation by @howardlanedesigns Designer Tamiko Gleeson says: "I love that the kitchen now truly serves Peter and Trish – functionally and aesthetically. While every finish is new, there’s a bold sense of nostalgia and confidence in the selections. I love the Jamaican Walnut joinery with its subtle peek of Botanical Green, and the vertical timber slats in the sliding doors and wall-hung bar.

“I love the checkered tiles on the splashback and the way they add a playful rhythm to the space. But what I love most is how the design shines even brighter when layered with their Facebook Marketplace finds."

Suppliers can be found in the blog post.

#mcmkitchen #midcenturykitchen #mcminteriors #checkerboardtiles 

Pix @bridietomkinsphotography
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About Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence

Caoimhe is interning at Interiors Addict as part of their degree studies at the University of New South Wales

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Comments

  1. Adam the builder says

    June 20, 2022 at 6:17 am

    Every ideas lookore interesting if the column òf sample any design provide slighly a few spec like -material,placing,budget, avantages,disavantages,optional choice etc

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