Interior designer, 26, transforms his sunroom into a dream sunset bar retreat for after-work drinks - as he shares his simple styling tips on a budget
- An interior designer transforms sunroom into a sunset 'cocktail lounge'
- Jarrod Applebee turned the spare room into a space where he could 'switch off'
- The 26-year-old styled the room with budget items and recycled materials
An interior designer has transformed his sunroom into a 'cocktail lounge' for after-work sunset drinks by using budget and recycled items.
Jarrod Applebee, from Brisbane, decided to turn the spare room in his apartment into a space where he could 'switch off' with his partner after a 'crazy' day at work.
The 26-year-old styled the room with 'soft muted' furnishing colours, mixed with a 'joyous balance of textures and plant life'.
'We are big believers in being able to save where we can, so some key pieces that make this space a "bar", are budget friendly,' Jarrod told Daily Mail Australia.
'For example, the drinking cart is $40 from Kmart. The bar is mostly recycled but the timber top was a steal from Bunnings at under $100.
'Also the rug, which was a must for this space, is only $169 for Ikea - rugs are expensive so whenever you can find a bargain it's a no-brainer.'
Interior designer Jarrod Applebee, from Brisbane, has transformed his sunroom into an oasis-inspired 'cocktail lounge' for sunset drinks after using budget and recycled items
The 26-year-old styled the room with budget items such as the $40 drinks cart from Kmart and recycled materials such as the stools, in which he repainted
Jarrod said the empty room features windows all around, which boasts 'beautiful natural light and a consistent glow throughout the day'.
'We are entertainers at heart, so our home is styled in a way that complements guests and gatherings of friends and family,' he explained.
'So the idea for this room to be converted into a cocktail lounge of sorts was a no brainer. Also, because of the age of the building, there's no balcony or outdoor space, so I wanted to create a space that brought the feeling of an alfresco area indoors.'
Jarrod, who runs a homeware boutique store called Finnley Home, said be built the bar from recycled materials he found lying around the house - and he stayed true to his theme, which is a mix of 'relaxed Australiana meets soft desert vibes'.
'I built it right up to the sill of the windows, making it feel like a balcony or rooftop bar. I then added in some lower seating for comfort and dimension in the space and of course the essential - a summery bar cart,' he explained.
For anyone styling on a budget, Jarrod said you should always spend money on important pieces that need to last, such as lounges and beds.
'These pieces will pay for themselves time and time over, but there is not always a need to spend big money on the small styling pieces,' he said.
'I believe there is a way to style for every budget and that you don't need to go above your means to style a space and create a beautiful atmosphere in your home.
'Work from the key pieces outwards, so start with the couch for instance and then move onto the rug, the coffee table and as you work your way out you can save money on the smaller pieces.'
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Jarrod stayed true to his theme, which is a mix of 'relaxed Australiana meets soft desert vibes'
Jarrod decided to turn the spare room in his apartment into a space where he could 'switch off' with his partner after a 'crazy' day at work
He said just 'be creative' when it comes to designing a space on a budget.
'Whether you're a DIY genius or a savvy shopper, don't just look at things with a standard view,' Jarrod said.
'Whether you have some leftover fabric perfect for a cushion or a bottle perfect for a vase, you can keep the costs as low as you need just by taking some extra time to think.'
For first time stylers, Jarrod said you should avoid over-filling and over-styling.
'When you are restyling a space, start off easy and light, introduce things into the space and live in them for a while,' he explained.
'You will soon be able to see whether you need to remove or add anything. I'm a huge believer in styling items holding their own in a space. Everything in a space should be there for a reason and add to the beauty and feel, not just take up room.'
