It doesn’t take a lot of time, cost or effort to elevate the beauty of your home, says interiors expert Tracy Hawker.

Tracy Hawker has four simple tips for utilising your space while keeping it personal.

1. Keep it simple. Less is more. Don’t try to over-style areas of the home … you can even remove items from an area to change to look and feel for the better.

2. Trust yourself and what you like. Don’t spend time consulting lots of people because they’ll all have different ideas. Ultimately, it’s about appeals to you.

3. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to completely change the look and feel of a room. I find cushions and throws can add colour, texture and warmth very cost-effectively.

4. Light it up. A quick and simple way to quickly change the look and feel of a room or area is lighting. Floor or table lamps can quickly change the look and mood of a room. Some can even make a statement in their own right.

Read about Tracy and her husband Brian’s lovingly restored heritage fire station in the March/April 2024 issue of NZ Life & Leisure.