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IKEA before and after: a family living room transformed

By Amy Collins-Walker • 1 Comment

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As part of its commitment to providing relevant interior design solutions, IKEA regularly ventures out into Australian communities to find out what people really need and want in their homes. “IKEA visits homes all around Australia to interview families in the local community, and find out what they dream about for their space and what frustrates them about their home. Our interior design teams sift through this information and use it as inspiration to design the unique and creative solutions you see in the showrooms in store,” says Christine Gough, interior design leader. Almost 500 homes are visited every year.

Before picture
BEFORE

And for the first time, the IKEA interior designers have put their design solutions into practice in real living rooms including this one in Adelaide’s Hallet Cove. “Our interior designers worked with this family to find out what frustrated them about their space and how they could make their living room dreams a reality,” says Christine who shared her trade tricks with us too.

Living room - after
AFTER – Josh and Lauren in their new living room

Create dedicated spaces for parents & kids
The young family of four aren’t fond of clutter but given the space is used for playing, office work, relaxing and getting the kids ready for the day, that is a challenge. “We created dedicated areas for kids and adults to help zone off the living room. Lauren and Josh now have their own customised wall mounted computer station using SVALNAS. It is incredibly compact and still fits in with the aesthetic of the room, so Lauren can watch the kids as they play while she gets on with her work,” says Christine.

Computer nook
The new computer nook

In the opposite corner of the room, the kids’ area houses toys, nappies and blankets. “It is important to keep it low to the ground so the kids can reach their toys and have access to the storage so they can put their toys away!” says Christine.

kids' corner
The kids’ corner

Personalisation
“This family have started to create a lovely boho Scandinavian vibe in their house which is simple and neutral. This was a beautiful base to work with and allowed us to have fun with bursts of colour. From sea shells and sand in vases, to Buddha statues and macramé hangers, they have a well-established unique style. It’s important not to hide these things away, as your favourite trinkets and collectables add character and spirit to the space,” says Christine.

Kids' nook on left

The designers further personalised the space, and created a cohesive feel, by using a palette of repeated textures and colours. “In this home, we framed beautiful pieces of fabric and added them to frame galleries to add interest and depth and popped them all around the room. The beauty in this solution is that not only is it super simple to do, but really affordable!”

Substitute shelves with hooks
The home’s owner, Lauren, makes a lot of handmade items and the IKEA team decided they’d be better presented using hooks instead of shelving. “We wanted to move away from the traditional wall shelf used to stack frames and find a way to really bring to life this fantastic brick wall. Instead we opted for wall hooks that allow us to show off Laurens amazing handmade items. The KUBBIS rack is only $19.99, so it’s a really affordable and easy way to transform the wall,” says Christine.

Wall hook
The IKEA KUBBIS rack is a great alternative to shelving

The wall hooks also incorporate greenery and hats and provide an ever-changing tableau. “The best thing about this solution is you can easily change up the look on the daily, weekly or seasonally – whenever you feel like it!”

TV area

DIY wall art
A favourite look for IKEA, the gallery wall gets a different treatment here with the family’s vinyl collection on display. “The gallery wall is incredibly sleek and stylish and allows you to create an ever-changing feature that shows off your personality,” says Christine who recommends putting your belongings into groups of like objects. “This will help create symmetry and balance within your space.”

DIY vinyl wall art

DIY vinyl wall art

Shop online | Check out a fabulous IKEA kitchen

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March 7, 2018

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When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!👌🏻 This is just one room fr Play room goals!👌🏻

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍 Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

More from Before & Afters

Before & after: this week’s Selling Houses recap: Roselands, NSW

Will's favourite room in the home

Before & after: rundown boarding house to beautiful heritage home

A massive en suite gets style to match its size!

New bathroom & laundry layout brings beauty and functionality

AFTER lounge

Before & after: This week’s Selling Houses recap, Ipswich QLD

Before & after: This week’s Selling Houses recap, Maroubra

1890s Victorian house gets a new, modern and luxurious extension

A playful and exciting revamp for a mundane dining room

Before & after: This week’s Selling Houses recap, Elanora QLD

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Comments

  1. AvatarRhonda says

    March 14, 2018 at 9:59 am

    Was the lounge from IKEA?

    Reply

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