Award winning Devonport based Interior Designer, Amanda Neill, has extensive interior design training both internationally and locally. Having designed residential and commercial interiors for many years, her projects have been published on numerous occasions, showcasing her eclectic style.  With her extensive knowledge of colour and global interior trends, we felt we needed to sit down with Amanda and pin point exactly how you can update one or more rooms of your home on a shoestring budget – and here’s what she had to say…

1. Where’s the Wow?

When you start out its important to choose your focal point and set about creating that wow factor in one place rather than several.

2. A Shift in Furnishings

A simple way to change out a space is in the shift of simple furnishings like cushions, rugs, throws or artwork.

3. The Element of Surprise

Try to keep an element of surprise.  For example, rather than getting balance with two items exactly the same, use contrasting colour, interesting shapes or textures to create a more asymmetrical balance.

4. Do Some DIY

Doing some DIY to some aspects can save money. Upcycling an old chair, or painting a cabinet can bring a sense of freshness and personality to your space.

5. Feel the feeling

Try to tie your interior scheme together by focusing on the feeling.  Ask yourself whether you want the space to feel light and airy, or moody and intimate… then look to select items that will follow that direction.

To hear more tips and tricks on how you can update your interior and get the lowdown on current and future interior design trends – book yourself in to attend Amanda Neill’s FREE Seminar as part of the Design, Renovate and Decorate Seminar Series at the Auckland Home Show, September 6-10 at ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane.  Tickets available now at  www.aucklandhomeshow.co.nz