by on 29-09-2014 in Around the Home

Whether you're moving into a new flat or purchasing your first home, it can be challenging to see those vacant, white-walled rooms as a beautiful future living space. Fortunately, home design is now easier than ever due to the ever-growing number of sites dedicated to home renovations and design inspiration.
To make things easier for you, we've compiled this list of our favourite Australian home design resources on the web. Regardless of what you're looking for, you're sure to spark your creativity by viewing these stunningly-designed homes.
Is there one particular room that you're looking to renovate? Are you looking to re-design your exterior living space as well? Either way, you'll find yourself inspired by the hundreds of photos available on the Home Improvement Pages website. The site features a variety of subject-specific photo galleries, allowing homeowners to browse design ideas for their dining rooms, bedrooms, gardens, and more. The site is particularly suited to those looking to complete specific home improvement projects, as it features galleries specifically dedicated to cabinetry, patios, fencing, fireplaces, curtains, staircases, and more. If you're looking to re-do a particular part of your home but aren't yet sure how you'd like to remodel it, the Home Improvement Pages are a great place to start your research.
The Home Life website is a fantastic resource for renters and homeowners alike. The site provides helpful pictures and articles to help you get started with your home improvement projects. The site's "Style on a Shoestring" section is especially handy, and contains articles with tips on how to achieve designer style on a budget, as well as checklists and advice for homeowners who are uncertain as to whether they should renovate their home or not. This fun site also offers readers the opportunity to participate in great giveaways for items ranging from bedding to washing machines. For the beginning home renovator looking for easy tips and design ideas, Home Life is an excellent resource.
The Queensland Homes blog is a fantastic place to get authentic Australian home ideas. The website, which also provides readers with a directory of interior designers and home furnishing experts, contains pages upon pages of high-quality content regarding interior and exterior home design. One of the site's most unique features is its monthly profile of a real Australian home. These articles feature genuine lived-in homes and delve in-depth with the homeowners, outlining their style while highlighting their design choices with stunning high-resolution pictures. If you're seeking both verbal and pictorial inspiration, make sure to check out the Queensland Homes blog.
Inspired Spaces, a design consultation business, has an extensive portfolio of home design photos on their website. Unlike other sites, many of the re-designed rooms also feature a "before" photograph, giving viewers an idea of how significantly the room has been modified. Though the images are not profiled in-depth, the designs featured in this portfolio are ideal for new homeowners, as these design ideas are truly attainable, rather than purely aspirational. This site is a great way to get easy, realistic home design ideas.
This awesome Pinterest pin board, moderated by Australian law firm Think Conveyancing, is packed with awesome interior design ideas. The pinned design ideas range from ultra-modern to rustic, but all have a distinctly Australian flair to them. One of the most interesting design ideas involves using a large triangular planter as a way to bring a hint of the Australian outback into your living space. Many of the featured rooms provide great inspiration for those seeking simple, sleek décor with a touch of mid-century flair. If you aspire to have a home that's both rustic and clean-cut, you'll definitely be inspired by these images.
Though the internet has made home design easier than ever, sometimes it's best to get away from the glare of our laptops and really explore the world. Here are our top suggestions for finding inspiration offline.
Though many individuals are inspired by the décor they see whilst shopping, few of us actually "window shop" in such stores. Shopping in furniture stores without the pressure of needing to make a purchase can be quite liberating. The set-ups at home goods stores can often be inspiring, and display realistic room templates that will most likely fit your budget. If you're working with a smaller space, consider visiting a local IKEA store as well. Finding inspiration in-store is the perfect way to find realistic, budget-friendly decorating ideas.
What are your favourite places to visit? Do you love bright, sunny beaches or do you prefer cozy, rustic cafés? By visiting your favourite buildings or locations, you can find your own personal "design feng shui." If a particular aesthetic makes you feel good, take note of it. The most creative interior designers find inspiration in their everyday lives. Pay attention to the colours, patterns, and materials that you're drawn to. In doing so, you'll be able to tap into your innate interior designer.
Inspiration can hit us when we least expect it. Antique stores are one great place to find off-beat creative ideas. You don't need to love retro design to find the products in antique stores highly interesting. Many of the objects in antique stores are one-of-a-kind and their unique designs may surprise you. If you can't find a shop in your area, consider browsing home furnishings on Etsy for interesting styles from the past. Even if you're not a lover of antiques, styles from the past can help you generate great ideas for the future.
In Conclusion: Inspiration can be found almost anywhere. Whether you're looking to complete a full home makeover or are simply looking to spruce up your bathroom or kitchen, these resources should lend you a hand in getting started. Don't hesitate any longer. Relax, take a deep breath, and start exploring design ideas today.