5 Styling Tips To Create Character And Personality In Your Home

Recently, I’ve been amazed at some of the properties we manage on behalf of owners on short-term rental websites such as Airbnb and Stayz. There are so many styles reflecting the different tastes of owners and characters of the homes.

One such home we manage is an apartment in the premium location of Pyrmont with panoramic views of the Anzac bridge. The owner, however, had left the spacious apartment with minimal furnishings, resulting in guests leaving reviews that the apartment lacked soul and didn’t feel like a home.

Conscious that with a few minor touches the entire environment of the home could be drastically improved, we took on the challenge to give it some personality using five simple styling tips anyone could follow.

By applying these styling tips, guests would be willing to pay more to stay in the apartment and also leave better reviews about the home.

The existing fittings, colour palette and furnishings were all streamlined and modern, so it was a natural fit to style the home toward a “contemporary luxury” feel.

With a budget of $3,000, we set out to create a suite that could belong to any boutique hotel. Below are the results from five simple styling tips anyone could apply.

1. Colour and soft furnishings

Soft furnishings bring life into a home. Don’t be afraid to explore bold canvas prints and matching cushions. A concept board can help you build a cohesive look for your home. Start with a neutral tone and 2 or 3 accent colours to build your colour palette. Check out these before and after shots of the same room:

2. Size Matters

The size of a room with respect to all the existing furniture is a key consideration when deciding what statement pieces to buy. Given the spacious size of the apartment, curating a piece of artwork will add sophistication and flair to your home.

With a sofa over 3m wide, a large 1.6m x 1.2m canvas of ethereal floating clouds makes a bold statement without being overwhelming. Adding a rug will also soften and frame the living area.

3. The devil is in the detail

Small personal touches are the heart and soul of a home. It shows an owner’s unique personality and will go a long way toward making guests feel like it is a home, which is a major reason why people book through Airbnb. Guests don’t want to stay in sterile, tactile hotel rooms but rather a home which feels like one.

With the help of two quaint poodle bookends, we turned an unused space on top of a cabinet into a small library.

Clusters of treasured objects from similar colour palettes of different height, like the trio of ceramic cacti on the side table below, will give your home character and also showcase your treasures.

4. Plants and greenery add life to a home

Not only can plants be a centrepiece of a room, they can also freshen the air inside and clear pollutants. Adding greenery can also help lift the mood and ambience creating a soothing environment for guests to unwind.

Mature plants out of your budget I hear you say? Don’t worry, raising your plants on a stand will give them additional height.

If taking care of a plant is an issue, artificial plants are a great alternative as it still adds greenery without the hassle factor.

5. Aesthetically functional

Think about how to maximise the use of your home. A kitchen counter, for instance, serves a great dual purpose. By placing some bar stools behind the kitchen counter you can turn a utilitarian kitchen into an inviting space for a quick bite or a conversation hub when entertaining.

Pendant lights above the kitchen benchtop are a great statement piece. However, for this particular project, the concrete ceiling, unfortunately, made it impossible to install any new lights. It is a good idea to get advice from a qualified electrician before buying any expensive non-refundable lights.

By following these 5 simple styling tips, we transformed our property from a characterless apartment into an inviting and relaxing home.