Australia's leading interior stylists share their favourite tips and tricks

Interior stylists have the enviable knack for making any room look like it has been pulled from the pages of a magazine. Sometimes it’s just the simple tousle of a throw, or an effortless reshuffle of a cluster of cushions, or even the addition of an unassuming find from the local antique store.

According to some of the country’s best interior stylists, creating a polished and Instagram-worthy home doesn’t require a costly renovation, but rather just a little attention to detail. These genius interior styling tricks from the best in the business could be the secret to your dream interior.

Juliet Love, interior stylist and founder of Love Style

“My trick to styling a space is to close the rulebook. Don’t get caught up in passing styles that will be short-lived. Find pieces that represent who you are – a photograph of your favourite travel destination blown up and framed can be a source of joy as well as a chic design statement. Items like this help create a personalised and luxurious space. A chic aesthetic doesn’t have to be expensive, either. All it takes is investing in two or three thoughtful pieces to really bring a space together.”

Photo: Supplied

• Related: At home with interior stylist Lucy Fenton
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• Related: The colourful home of artist Kimmi Lee

Jason Grant, stylist and author

“Styling and decorating is all about the edit. Generally, when styling for a magazine, a home or for a client it tends to be about taking things away. Keeping things simple, not cluttered and definitely not over styled – I’m not a fan of adding everything! When styling, I like to move things around, add and subtract until it feels just right to my eye – this is where you need to trust your gut and build your confidence. I’m no minimalist, but definitely less is more.”

Photo: Jacqui Turk

Sarah Cousens, interior and prop stylist

“Always incorporate artwork into your home to give it personality, meaning and originality. I’m a big believer in buying what you love. It should provoke a positive emotional response when you view it. Fine art is an investment and can take on different looks in different spaces. By selecting a piece you love, you will be able to enjoy it for years to come. Do some research on the artist and their artistic process behind the piece, this can help you resonate with the artwork. View the piece a few times before you decide to go ahead with the purchase – if you love it every time you come back to it, then it’s a winner.”

Photo: Photography by Jacqui Turk. Styled by Sarah Cousens for Sagitine. Artwork by Lottie Consalvo.

Emma Blomfield, interior stylist

“My favourite styling tip is to always go up a size with your scatter cushion inserts to make them look extra plush and comfy. If you opt for the size that your cushions actually are, you’ll end up with pancake flat cushions in about a month’s time. If you go up a size and always ensure you use feather inserts your cushions will stay plumper for longer.”

Photo: Supplied

Steve Cordony, interior stylist

“Create a focal point with a hero statement. This could be a graphic rug, artwork, wallpaper or bold fabric. From there, build the room with tonal colour, texture and co-ordinating metallic accents to create a perfectly layered and balanced interior.”

Photo: Jacqui Turk

Natalie Walton, interior stylist and author

“We live in a visual world, and there are many ways we can create a story with our possessions and products. But perhaps the most important step comes before we do a thing. It is to work out our intention. What idea do we want to share? Perhaps we are trying to convey calm, evoke simplicity or celebrate our passion for natural materials. Once we have a true understanding of what we are trying to create and why, then we can let that core idea shape every decision that follows – from the materials we select, to the forms we highlight and the colours we embrace. Form must always follow function.”

Photo: Photography by Chris Warnes for Imprint House. Styling by Natalie Walton.

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