Interior designers reveal the household items worth splurging on

Some household items are worth spending a little more on. “Anything we can do as consumers to provide longevity and limit landfill is a good idea,” says interior designer, author and judge from The Block, Darren Palmer. “It costs more money initially, but you will be doing the right thing by your family and the environment, and will actually save money long term.” 

Kitchen

“A good cooktop is definitely worth the splurge, especially if you love cooking,” says Justine Brown from ChocolateBrown Interior Styling. “Mine is a stainless steel cooktop with a slick industrial edge. It’s nice to be surrounded by functional items that are aesthetically pleasing. It makes the kitchen feel less like a work room.”

Palmer agrees. “I designed my entire kitchen around the fridge,” he laughs. “It’s an LG SIGNATURE refrigerator so it makes a huge statement visually. It’s dark titanium on the outside and stainless steel inside, streamlined and extremely beautiful to look at.”

It is highly efficient, too. A sleek, black glass front panel allows easy access inside – without even having to open the door. “It reads like a black screen,” he says. “With a tap on the glass, it lights up so you can see what’s inside.”

Palmer says the door open light projection feature makes it family, and dog, friendly. “If my arms are full, I can open it with my foot. Amazingly, the fridge knows if one of my dogs has accidentally activated the feature, and it simply shuts itself. It’s brilliant.”  

Bathroom

Belinda Nihill of Nest Interiors says the right tiles can prove transformative. “They can change the look of a room in a heartbeat,” she says. “Even if you are on a budget, you can apply minimally for affordable luxury.”

So too are beautiful finishes, says Alex Hopkins of Studio Tate. “Loom towels feel luxurious and add elegant muted colour,” she says. “One hundred per cent cotton, they are absorbent, whilst feeling light and luxurious.”

Replace your towels with luxurious bath towels like these ones from Loom. Photo: Mikala James

It may be a wet area, but artwork still has a place in the bathroom says Paul Conrad of Conrad Architects. “It provides unexpected pleasure, and talks to all the elements that should be present – luxury, calmness, intimacy.” 

Bedroom

Linen sheets are the ultimate bedroom luxury for stylist Lisa Koehler. Picture by Mike Baker, styling by Emily Ward.

For Palmer, clean air equals a good night’s sleep. “My LG SIGNATURE Air Purifier is in the lounge, but I am considering one for my bedroom. I have four dogs and a dust allergy,” he says. “The air purifier clears dust, odours and pollutions.  Having something that actually gets rid of air allergens is life-changing.”

As a bedroom addition, Palmer says it is beautiful and easy to use. “It’s got a cool little indicator light that tells me if there are lots of allergens in the air,” he says. 

For Conrad, a modern king-size bed is the ultimate luxury. “It’s a life-long investment,” he says. “My pick is the Maxalto King-Size ‘Alcova’ Bed, a modern interpretation of the classic canopy bed. What is the price of a good night’s sleep?” 

Stylist Lisa Koehler agrees but says it’s how you dress your bed that matters. “Beautiful linen breathes and I love its organic nature. A linen-dressed bed looks perfect, especially with lots of layers.” 

Lounge room

A beautiful lamp, like the Oda lamp by Pulpo, made from hand-blown glass, is an item architect Paul Conrad thinks is worth splurging on. Photo: Hub Furniture

Comfort and good looks go hand-in-hand says Koehler. “The sofa is the hub of the lounge room, so it needs to be aesthetically pleasing, functional and snug. For me, the Ghost 14 Sofa by Gervasoni at Anibou is worth it.”

So is a good reading light says Conrad. “A piece like the Pulpo Lamp is worth it.  You are paying more for hand-blown glass, complete with its small bubbles and fissures. It makes it unique and the amber glass casts a beautifully warm glow.” 

Once comfy, good quality entertainment is essential. “My LG SIGNATURE Wallpaper TV provides a full cinema experience,” Palmer says. “Its image quality is sharp, contrasting and clear, and the colours beautiful.”

Palmer says that the days of an appliance with a singular directive are gone. “My TV can be operated like a stereo, and when off, is a static frame for viewing photographs. It’s like a piece of art.”