Selecting colours & finishes
Don't be floored
Carpet gives warmth to an interior and is best used in combination with other lower maintenance materials.
Tiled surfaces or polished concrete give a sleek modern look and work well in high-traffic areas. In some situations they help keep indoor temperatures comfortable by storing heat - find out more about this in the Your Home Thermal mass factsheet. Choose slip-resistant surfaces in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries.
Timber and tiled surfaces are low maintenance and easy to clean. For allergy sufferers they're also a healthier alternative to carpet, which can trap dust and other allergy-causing particles. If you want the cosy feel that carpet provides, you could consider rugs that you can wash or air outside.
'When we painted our old place you could smell the paint for weeks. We're so glad we went with low emission paints this time.'
If you use timber, make sure it comes from certified sustainably managed forests. There are plenty of cost effective and stylish Australian timbers from these sources, so here's your chance to do the right thing by the environment without compromising on style.
You can get natural varnishes for timber floors, like tung oil or beeswax, that look great and don't give off low level toxic fumes like standard polyeurethane finishes do. Ask your builder if they can use a natural product for your floors.
Colour your world
Ideally interior paint colours should be the last thing you choose after cabinets, carpets and floor tiles. This is because there are so many paint colours to choose from, but far less selection with other finishes. White paints have different bases - yellow, pink, fawn and grey - and it's important you follow the 'family colour' throughout, so that your paint selection has the same base as your tiles and cabinets. Your interiors consultant will be able to help with this.
Using light-coloured interior paints improves daylight levels inside your home. As well as creating a light and airy feel you're unlikely to need lights on during the day, which saves money.
Sleek contemporary kitchens are achieved with plain cabinet doors without panelling. White laminates and timbers go well with this look. If you prefer the traditional look, this can be achieved with warm colours and panelling on cupboard doors.
Remember that bright, dominating colours in permanent kitchen fixtures can be expensive to change if you tire of the colour. Think about using wall paints or decorative display pieces instead - they can also provide any bright accents you may want.
Your exterior colour scheme can actually have an impact on indoor comfort! Light-coloured walls and roofs reflect heat and can help to keep your home cool in summer. The roof colour makes the most difference, as roofs usually get more direct sun than any other part of the house.
Some paints are healthier than others
Regular paints give off low level toxic fumes that can cause breathing irritations and headaches. Painted surfaces can continue 'off gassing' fumes for months after painting. The good news is that many paint companies now offer healthier low emission products for the same cost. (These are also known as 'low VOC' products)
If you want to avoid paint fumes altogether, look for paints that contain all-natural ingredients. These do cost a bit extra but are worth it if you have allergies or young children.
Checklist
Our colours and finishes
- The types of flooring in our home:
- The timbers used in our home:
- The paints and varnishes used in our home:
- Examples of colour schemes that we like:
- Have we specified materials that are either low emission or natural products?