How to Create an Australian Inspired Interior

It may be the Autumn/Winter season here in the UK but over in Australia they are celebrating the Spring/Summer months with glorious sunshine and long periods of daylight. So what better way to combat the gloomy British weather and dark evenings than with a fabulous Australian inspired interior that will bring a dash of down under into your home.

Surf Style

Weall associate Australia with the gorgeous sandy beaches and laid back surfers lifestyle and this coastal beach inspired ambiance can be introduced into your home interior in an array of simple and stylish ways. Opt for cool and calming colour schemes that feature sky blue, turquoise and yellow that reflect the crashing waves and cloudless skies.

Select natural wood furniture items that feature a weathered or driftwood appearance or painted items in bold tropical tones. Add surfing inspired accessories such as surfboard shelving, wave print rugs and cushions that feature palm trees, Hawaiian print and ‘sun’ ‘sand’ and ‘surf’ slogan designs that will create visual detail and colour in your chosen room.

Native Animals

Australia has a whole host of cute and cuddly native animals (as well as a host of dangerous ones) that make a great addition to an Australian inspired home interior. The obvious choice is the Kangaroo that makes a great print on cushions and accessories and is a simple way to create an outback influence without the need to change your entire interior decor.

I love this fabulous Kangaroo wine holder (left) that will look amazing in both modern and traditional kitchen or dining room areas. No Australian home would be complete without a nod to the gorgeous Koala and this fabulous wall art (right) is stylish and elegant and will make a fabulous focal point on a statement feature wall. Add other famous native animals such as emus, kookaburra, sharks and wombats for added detail and a nature inspired look.

City Style

Australia is not all about the outback and wildlife, Sydney is one of the most famous capital cities in the world and its distinctive backdrop and stylish architecture provides the perfect inspiration for a cosmopolitan interior design. Select crisp white and monochrome colour palettes and add furniture in sleek mirrored glass, chrome and black or white painted designs. Add a selection of indoor palms for a splash of greenery and add accessories that are influenced by the city lifestyle.

Wall prints of city maps and vintage opera posters will create a focal point within your room and a selection of cushions featuring the famous Sydney Opera House, street signs and landmarks will give texture and colour to a seating area or bed.

Outback

If you prefer to embrace your inner Crocodile Dundee then opt for an outback inspired interior design that features natural and earthen elements that are warm and inviting. Select colour palettes that feature a balance of terracotta, orange and brown and hints of green and sky blue.

Choose simple fabrics and textiles that feature a native tribal design or leaf print imagery. Include wooden floors and wall panelling and where possible accent with exposed stone for a rugged and natural finish. Select furniture items that have been crafted from reclaimed wood or have been crafted from, logs, branches or woven rattan for a cosy look and feel.

Aboriginal

Tribal home interiors are as popular as ever and the indigenous Aboriginal people have an array of wonderful artefacts and traditions that will create a detailed and interesting home interior. Aboriginal home interiors should have a balance of rich earthen colour tones and bold and bright tribal colours that will create a focal point in zoned areas of the home. Aboriginal artwork will look fabulous as a large wall canvas on a statement feature wall or as a rug or cushion cover for a burst of vivid colour and patterned detail.

Boomerangs make a great accessory in the home and can be displayed as a piece of wall art or as a stand display on a sideboard or mantelpiece. You can also create an authentic tribal feel using a selection of painted didgeridoos that can be displayed on a stand in the corner of the room or hung side by side on a wall to form a mix and match design or a continuing pattern for an alternative to a wall mural or wallpaper.

For more ideas on creating an Australian inspired home interior, take a look at our latest Pinterest board - Pinterest - Australian Interiors