Tag Archives: Decor

How to Incorporate Earthy Tones Into Your Home

There’s something deeply comforting about walking into a space that feels grounded, calm, and connected to nature. That’s the magic of earthy tones. From sunbaked terracotta to soft clay, warm mocha to sage green, these hues have long been a staple in interior design, but right now, they’re more relevant than ever.

Whether you’re embracing this palette in full or simply introducing touches of it throughout your home, earthy tones offer a timeless way to bring warmth, texture and authenticity into your space. And with Mocha Mousse named Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2025, this grounded palette is officially in the spotlight.

Why We Love Earthy Tones

Earthy tones aren’t just a trend – they’re a response to the way we want our homes to feel. In an age of digital overload and fast-paced living, we’re craving spaces that feel calm, connected, and restorative. Earthy colours remind us of natural landscapes; think sandstone cliffs, clay-rich soil, dried leaves, and sun-drenched timber. They soothe the senses and bring a sense of stability that many of us are seeking more of at home.

Unlike cooler neutrals or punchy brights, earthy hues strike a balance between warmth and sophistication. They’re versatile, grounding, and endlessly layerable. And perhaps most importantly, they make a space feel lived-in and loved.

What is Mocha Mousse?

One of the standout earthy tones this season is Mocha Mousse, a rich mid-tone brown. As 2025’s Pantone colour of the year, it’s been described as indulgent, but soft and comforting; like a warm hug in colour form. It evokes cosy cafés, worn leather, and the joy of small indulgences, which are perfect for creating rooms that feel inviting and deeply personal.

Mocha Mousse is a fantastic base colour to build around, pairing beautifully with creamy neutrals, sandy beiges, muted greens, and even gold or brass accents. It’s ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, or any space where you want to feel instantly at ease.

Earth Tones We Love

Terracotta & Rust: These sunbaked peachy tones add energy and warmth, great for cushions, vases, or accent walls.
Olive & Sage Green: Soft, grounding, and incredibly versatile—perfect for upholstery or kitchen cabinetry.
Clay, Camel & Sand: Use these as base colours in larger furniture pieces, rugs, or wall paint.
Charcoal & Stone: These deeper tones work beautifully as grounding neutrals for contrast.
Ochre & Mustard: A bolder take on earthy tones that pairs well with timber and natural textures.

Styling Tips: Bringing Earthy Tones Into Your Home

Start With One Statement Piece

A velvet lounge in olive green or a mocha armchair can instantly ground a room. Try Freedom Furniture or Casa Blanco for curved silhouettes and plush finishes in warm, earthy shades.

Layer Natural Textures

Earthy interiors come alive through texture. Think boucle, linen, aged leather, raw timber and stone. Nick Scali offers beautiful wooden side tables and coffee tables, while Eureka Furniture and Early Settler are your go-tos for rustic, reclaimed timber pieces with plenty of character.

Create a Tonal Colour Story

Mix and match tones like mocha, taupe and terracotta for a rich, harmonious look. Introduce contrast with dark charcoal or creamy white by layering warmly coloured bedspreads and throws from Adairs in the bedroom, and introducing plush earthy-toned towels into the bathroom from the Sheridan Factory Outlet. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours, as earthy tones are surprisingly easy to blend.

Add Organic Accessories

Complete the look with decor made from natural materials. Think jute rugs, ceramic vases, rattan baskets and woven lampshades or lamps with marble or stone bases from Freedom Furniture or Domayne. TK Maxx is a great go-to for wooden or woven decor you won’t find anywhere else.

Don’t Forget the Details

Even small updates like clay-toned cushions on your lounge or bed, terracotta coloured tableware, or a wooden tray or salt and pepper shakers make a huge difference. Browse Kitchen Warehouse for warm-toned kitchenware and serveware that subtly complements an earthy interior.

Make It Personal

Earthy tones pair well with both vintage and modern elements, so don’t feel boxed into one style or get rid of everything you already have. Add pieces that tell your story, whether it’s a rustic timber-framed print or an olive-toned throw pillow that feels like a little luxury. Remember, it needs to be a look you love – and one that feels like home!

Bring Earthy Elegance Home

From calming colour palettes to tactile, nature-inspired textures, earthy tones are the perfect way to create a space that feels grounded and effortlessly stylish. Whether you’re drawn to the buttery richness of Mocha Mousse or the raw beauty of timber and terracotta, they’re easy to live with, easy to love, and perfectly suited to the way we want to feel at home right now.

Whatever look you choose to embrace for your home, there’s no shortage of inspiration waiting at Homemaker The Valley. Explore standout pieces from TK Maxx, Adairs, Nick Scali, Eureka Furniture, Freedom, Casa Blanco, James Lane, Oz Design, Sheridan Factory Outlet, Domayne, Kitchen Warehouse, and so many more stores, and start building a space that feels warm, effortlessly stylish and completely you.

Elevate Your Mood with Dopamine Decor: The Power of Colour and Joyful Design

Your home should be more than just a place to live; it should be a sanctuary that lifts your spirits and energises your day. Enter dopamine decor, the latest trend in interior design that’s all about surrounding yourself with colours, patterns, and textures that spark joy. But what is it, and how can you incorporate it into your home? Let’s explore how this vibrant design approach can transform your space into a mood-boosting haven.

What is Dopamine Decor?

Dopamine decor is a design philosophy centred around using bold colours, playful patterns, and nostalgic elements to create an environment that makes you feel happy. Named after dopamine – the neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and motivation – this trend encourages personalisation and joy-driven design choices. Unlike minimalism or maximalism, dopamine decor strikes a balance by focusing on what makes you feel good, whether that’s a bright yellow armchair, a funky patterned rug, or a gallery wall of your favourite art.

How Dopamine Decor Boosts Your Mood

Research in environmental psychology has shown that our surroundings significantly impact our emotions. Bright, warm colours like yellow and orange can stimulate energy and optimism, while blues and greens promote calmness and focus. By incorporating elements that resonate with you personally, dopamine decor can help create a space that not only looks good but also feels uplifting and energising.

Key Elements of Dopamine Decor:

Colour Drenching: Say goodbye to neutral palettes and embrace vibrant hues like cobalt blue, fiery orange, emerald green, and sunshine yellow. These colours can be introduced through statement furniture, accent walls, or even small accessories like cushions and vases. Metallic accents work well with the bold colour palette too.
Playful Patterns: Geometric prints, floral motifs, and abstract designs can add a sense of fun and movement to your space. Consider adding patterned rugs, wallpaper, or bedding to inject personality into your rooms.
Nostalgic Touches: Incorporate items that bring back fond memories, whether it’s vintage-inspired furniture, retro artwork, or sentimental keepsakes from holidays, special moments, or your childhood. These elements can evoke positive emotions and make your home feel uniquely yours.
Textural Variety: Mix and match different textures to create a sensory-rich environment. Think plush velvet sofas, woven baskets, ceramic vases, and soft wool throws, all of which add depth and warmth to your space.
Statement Lighting: Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood. Opt for colourful pendant lights, quirky table lamps, ornate or oddly-shaped sconces, or neon signs to add a playful touch to your décor.

How to Incorporate Dopamine Decor in Your Home

If you’re ready to embrace this interior style, here are some easy ways to get started:

Start Small

You don’t need to overhaul your entire home to enjoy the benefits of dopamine decor. Begin with small changes like swapping out neutral cushions for bright, patterned ones, adding a colourful throw to your lounge, or even just a uniquely shaped or bold-coloured candle holder, vase or fruit bowl to your kitchen or living room.

Mix and Match

Don’t be afraid to combine different styles and colours. It’s all about personalisation, so trust your instincts and choose pieces that make you smile.

Focus on Key Areas

Target spaces where you spend the most time, such as the living room, bedroom, or home office. A vibrant rug, a bold piece of artwork, or a statement chair or cabinet can instantly uplift these areas.

Shop Smart

Knowing where to shop—and where to seek inspiration—is key to bringing dopamine decor into your home. Stores like Adairs, TK Maxx, Sheridan Factory Outlet, Casa Blanco, Domayne, Eureka Furniture, Freedom, Oz Design, Secret Sofa, The Furniture Shack, and Kitchen Warehouse offer a wide range of pieces that complement this vibrant trend, from colourful homewares to bold, statement furniture.

Start with Sheridan Factory Outlet, Adairs and Domayne for unique, colour-rich cushions, bedding, towels and decorative accessories. TK Maxx is perfect for fun kitchenware and one-of-a-kind homewares that add personality and charm. For playful furniture, Eureka Furniture has vibrant statement armchairs that can instantly lift a space. While Casa Blanco leans towards a more neutral palette, their bold silhouettes, geometric shapes, gold accents and luxe finishes offer striking contrast ideal for creating a dopamine decor-inspired centrepiece

Bring Joy Home with Dopamine Decor

Dopamine decor is more than just a trend—it’s a way to create a home that truly reflects your personality and brings you joy. By incorporating bold colours, playful patterns, and nostalgic elements, you can transform your space into a mood-boosting haven. Ready to find inspiration and refresh your home? Visit Homemaker The Valley today and discover a world of vibrant, joyful design that will elevate your everyday living. Whether you’re starting small or going all-in, our stores offer everything you need to create a home that feels as good as it looks.

Hop into your Easter style with our décor guide

Easter is the perfect excuse to give your home a fresh new feel — whether you’re hosting lunch, planning a long weekend at home, or just want an excuse to style your space with a few seasonal touches. This year, we’re celebrating your Easter, your way — with three distinct décor styles to help you find the perfect look.

Whether you’re team minimal, love to go all out, or stick to timeless tradition, Homemaker The Valley has everything you need to create a space that feels festive and fabulous.

MINIMALIST: Freedom PEKIN Throw Blush Sheridan Jardin Citronella Candle. MAXIMALIST: Early Settler Aruba Scallop Edge Stripe Lilac Kitchen Warehouse Villeroy & Boch Boston Highball Tumbler Kitchen Warehouse Robert Gordon Claire Ritchie My Mug. TRADITIONALIST: Domayne Alana Caramel Cushion Adairs Provence Pink & White Pot.

The Minimalist

Clean, calm, and effortlessly chic — minimalist Easter décor is all about subtle details and soft natural tones. Think pale ceramics, timber textures, and muted pastels that whisper ‘Easter’ rather than shout it.

Head to stores like Freedom and Sheridan for woven textures, linen runners, and simple tableware that feels fresh and elevated.

Top tip: Keep your palette neutral and bring in interest with texture — matte finishes, woven baskets, and soft fabrics work wonders.

The Maximalist

If you live for colour and can’t say no to a seasonal theme, maximalist Easter styling is your moment to shine. Think bold pastels, layered textures, and whimsical touches that turn your home into a joyful, bunny-filled wonderland.

Check out Early Settler and Kitchen Warehouse for vibrant Easter décor, playful prints, and standout pieces that bring instant personality to your space.

Top tip: Mix and match patterns, pile on the colour, and don’t be afraid to go big on your Easter table centrepiece — more is more!

The Traditionalist

For those who love the comfort of classic Easter charm, traditional styling brings all the soft pastels, gingham, and bunny motifs you grew up with — but with a modern twist.

Domayne and Adairs offer sweet heritage-style pieces perfect for a warm, nostalgic Easter vibe. Think floral arrangements, ceramic rabbits, and charming little details.

Top tip: Set the mood with soft lighting, a vase of fresh tulips, and a curated Easter basket display to give your home that timeless, heartwarming feel.

Shop Easter Home Décor at Homemaker the Valley

No matter your Easter aesthetic, Homemaker the Valley has everything you need to bring it to life — from centrepieces and seasonal styling to soft, cosy details that turn your home into the ultimate long weekend escape.

So hop to it, head in centre, and let your Easter style shine.

Everything you need to know about colour drenching

Colour drenching, the practice of bathing every surface in a single uniform colour is gaining a whole lot of momentum at the moment. This bold yet surprisingly simple technique has the power to elevate any room, making it feel more spacious, serene, and right on trend. But don’t be fooled, colour drenching is not just about slapping on a coat of paint; it’s an art form that requires careful consideration. By eliminating visual noise and creating a sense of continuity, this technique can make even the smallest spaces feel airy and expansive.

The colour drench design approach has its roots in the Impressionist era when artists like Claude Monet experimented with bold, unifying colours. Fast-forward to today, and it’s experiencing a renaissance of sorts. Designers and homeowners alike are embracing it, and the results are ten out of ten.

So, why should you consider colour drenching for your next design project? For starters, it creates the illusion of space by erasing visual boundaries, colour drenching makes rooms feel larger and more open. It also hides imperfections – that unsightly air conditioning vent or uneven surface? Making them all but disappear.

Ready to give this technique a try? Here’s how to make it work.

Adairs Nouveau Rug $549.99, Casa Blanco Roma Console $4,400, Casa Blanco Triah Chair $780, DecoRug Crescent Framed Canvas Wall art $84.96, Domayne Spots Olive Large Vase $109, Early Settler Finch 3 Seater Sofa $1,699, Early Settler Vaani Round Side Table $249, Freedom Cosh Table Lamp $69.95, James Lane Olive Tree $349.95, OZ Design Bella Feather Fill Cushion $89.95, Provincial Home Living Lucerne Compote $169.95, Provincial Home Living Talia Basket $69.95.

Step 1: Choose your canvas

First up, you’ll need to consider where you’d like to apply this trend. Although you can incorporate it in any space, colour drenching works best in bathrooms, hallways, and stairways – anywhere you want to create a sense of flow. You’ll notice that many luxe hotels and hospitality hot spots often opt for a single-hued bathroom featuring monochromatic terracotta colour tiles or sage green.

Step 2: Select your shade

Be sure to consider the room’s purpose and the furniture you’ll be using before selecting your colour. Rich, bold colours can add depth and luxury, while softer hues create a sense of calm. If your goal is to make the space appear larger then steer clear from dark hues. It’s wise to think about the furnishing to be used in the room also. If you have a stunning navy armchair, this same hue or something a touch darker or lighter would be ideal for the paintable surfaces.

Step 3: Paint with purpose

Don’t be shy when it comes to painting – coat every surface, from ceiling to skirting boards. This step is a non-negotiable when it comes to colour drenching every surface must be painted with the same colour to create a seamless look.

Step 4: Add subtle pops of personality

When it comes to colour drenching, your décor plays a vital role in enhancing the overall effect. To add depth and visual interest, incorporate smaller pieces that break up the space while complementing the dominant colour. For instance, if you’ve chosen pink as your primary colour, select an artwork that features pink prominently but also includes a splash of orange. You can then subtly introduce more orange through flowers or a vase, creating a cohesive and harmonious look. By thoughtfully incorporating artwork, flowers, or vases, you can add layers of visual interest and break up the space, preventing the colour from feeling overwhelming. Once you’ve finalised your furnishings and décor options, your colour drench space is complete.

Ready to try colour drenching for yourself?

There you have it, colour drenching is more than just a fleeting design trend – it’s a game-changer that can elevate any space. By embracing a single hue, you can create a harmonious, visually appealing space that leaves a lasting impression on all who enter. So why not try it out for yourself? Introduce this innovative technique to your home and discover chromatic bliss!

For more home inspiration, join the Homemaker Collective to stay in the loop.

How to Style a Queenslander Home

The Queenslander house is synonymous with our sunny state’s leisurely lifestyle. The Queenslander was designed to cater to our particularly humid climate, with wide verandas to provide shelter from an afternoon storm and long hallways with French doors to provide ample air flow. Built predominately in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the Queenslander is still a popular style for new homes today.

If you’re lucky enough to be living in an iconic Queenslander home, you may be wondering how to style these architectural marvels. A traditional Queenslander house interior is quite minimal, but a modern Queenslander house deserves its own unique look that aligns with the aesthetic taste of its owner (or renter!). So, how do you style a Queenslander, whilst also showcasing the home’s beautiful details and history? To help you out, we’ve put together a quick guide, so you know how to find a lovely balance between modern and traditional style in a Queenslander house.

Play with colour

The colour palette for traditional Queenslander style homes has varied throughout the years, but in modern Queenslander homes, you’ll always tend to find walls in a soft off-white shade. When you start styling your Queenslander, think of these walls as a blank canvas. Having light off-white walls provides you with ample freedom to play with your favourite colour palette through your furniture, wall art, and treasured home décor pieces. Heritage greens, deep burgundies and, royal blues paired with beiges and browns are a great colour combination for anyone looking to create a more country-style home, while burnt oranges, olive greens, and mustard yellows paired with dark browns and sleek gold tones are a solid selection for anyone who loves a mid-century modern look.

Get vertical

The Queenslander house is famous for its high ceilings and VJ panelling, which immediately draws the eye upwards when you walk through the front door. Utilise the height of the space by using styling tricks and lighting to accentuate these fantastic features. We love using floating shelves in the kitchen, bedroom or living rooms to add interest to walls, as well as an extra space to display your treasured trinkets. Bring personality into a space by styling the shelves with your favourite books, a trailing plant or a beautiful arrangement of decorative pots and vases. Gallery walls are an amazing feature to add to the long hallways of a Queenslander home, as you can display your gorgeous artworks and photos in a more creative way. We love the frames on offer at Frame Today because they not only come in different shapes and sizes to inject depth into your gallery wall, but they also have a wide variety of textures and colours.

Embrace the outdoors

A main feature of a Queenslander house is its sprawling veranda and large surrounding outdoor space. You should always make use of these gorgeous areas by creating chill-out zones and furnishing them for a variety of uses. Add a large outdoor dining table and accompanying chairs to the veranda that’ll allow you to eat alfresco during the summer months and invite friends and family over for long lunches. We love the dining sets from Freedom and Early Settler – they’ve got great combinations to suit every design style from country cottage to mid-century modern.

Rug up

Traditional Queenslanders predominantly have timber floors, high ceilings, long hallways, and open living areas. As they were built to withstand the gruelling, hot Queensland summers, they can feel a lot colder when winter rolls around. So, to ensure your home feels comfortable and inviting all year long, we recommend adding rugs to the living, dining and bedrooms, to ground the space and add a bit of extra warmth and texture to your Queenslander. You can opt for neutral colours that complement the timber flooring such as light grey, cream or oatmeal or go for a more eclectic look with a bold colour or pattern piece. DecoRug, Carpet Call and James Lane have some beautiful rugs in a variety of sizes, textures and colours to suit any space.

As you can see, it’s easy to create a beautifully styled Queenslander house that balances the traditional details of the home with a more modern aesthetic. When you’re looking to start styling your Queenslander, be sure to pop into Homemaker the Valley to get everything you need to create the chic Queenslander of your dreams.

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