Insider tricks, trends and budget-friendly hacks for revamping your quarters this season

We caught up with interior decorators and TV stars Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan to discuss everything from the coolest ways to update your home to the spring 2018 decor trends with staying power.

What trends are you excited to inject into homes this spring?

1. Texture. 
Rattan and woven items in baskets (a great way to add texture to plastic potted plants) and storage stools are a great trend for 2018, especially if they create additional storage to keep home items organized. Clutter is NOT a trend for 2018!

2. Monochrome tribal.
A key trend for 2018, bold black and white print fabrics are sure to make a huge style statement wherever employed. To make them really pop, add a splash of colour via a jauntily toned throw pillow or team with timber details for a completely natural look.

3. An Insta-worthy shelfie. 
On shelves, create mini vignettes with stacked books and accessories to add colour and texture. The Colin and Justin rule is that every sight line must be perfect: we learned this as ‘photo stylists’ with some of the world’s best interior magazines (Living etc, House Beautiful and BBC Good Homes), long before moving into TV!

Image: Teddy Chau, Walmart

 

What spring trends do you see staying around for a while?

Mixing metals continues to be a huge trend in 2018, and brass continues to make a big comeback.

For those on a budget, what are some inexpensive ways to refresh your home for spring?

New bedding will totally transform your bedroom with virtually no effort whatsoever. Hey — simply whip off the old and pop on the updated! Walmart has a well-priced, tribal monochrome collection with coordinates that allow you to layer for less and create a cohesive bedroom design as you go. A sofa can be instantly revamped with some new cushions and throws. Accessorize a blank dining table with a row of vases or lovely, textural objects to create a simple centrepiece. 

Image: Teddy Chau, Walmart

What are your favourite colours to use in homes this spring?

Millennial pink continues to impress us — it makes our cheeks flush! Bring on summer with jaunty pops of yellow, mixed metallic accents and natural elements like chunky carved wooden bowls and dreamy, textural woven baskets.

Image: Teddy Chau, Walmart

What are your tips for ensuring a home doesn’t look too basic or predictable?

Curate your taste — creating a home is about finding your voice and then applying it to a beautiful, functional and rewarding space. If you have collections — learn how to showcase them to create form not clutter. Use personal choices in art to add individuality and personality and don’t be afraid to seasonally adjust your home with accessories. 

How do you get homeowners to branch out with their décor instead of playing it safe?

We encourage a lil’ risk taking. We always advise finding the balance between staging your home to enhance its value and creating a valuable life space that brings out the best in you (and your family) on a daily basis. Use every inch of space for something valuable — if you have an unfinished basement use it to problem solve upstairs by adding a TV/media room or extra bedroom.