Whether you are designing your dream home from the ground up or looking to refresh your existing space, keeping on top of what’s trending in the interior design world takes more work than you think. Luckily for you, the experienced team at Empire Steel is here to help you choose an interior design theme you’ll adore for years to come! Lockdowns enforced the need for homeowners to enjoy the place they live in, so the interior design has become more important than ever to help you create a space you’ll love to relax, work and entertain in.
The stunning scenery and idyllic weather of the Sunshine Coast lean towards several beautiful interior design trends anyone can base their living space around – here are two of our favourites:
1. Coastal
Inspired by the enchanting beaches of Noosa, Mooloolaba and Alexandria Bay, the coastal interior design trend allows you to bring the natural beauty of the surf into your home… without the sand! The coastal style in general pulls from all sorts of traditional coastal aesthetics, including the shaggy beach shack, stoic lighthouse interior, nautical theme and even tropical getaways.
What you are left with is a delightful blend that takes the best of these themes and brings them together in a cohesive look. Here are some of the hallmarks of a coastal home you can implement in your own space:
- Fresh colours – walking into a coastal-inspired home should be like a breath of fresh air for your senses, and the main way we achieve this visually is through colour. Cool whites are the main hue you’ll see in coastal homes, often found on the walls, roof and accessories. Offset the sometimes harsh colour of white with soothing blues, greens and browns to create a space that is somehow warm and cool at the same time.
- Exotic textures – natural plant-based materials will help create a more tropical, holiday-themed feel inside your home. Look for materials like jute and seagrass for rugs underfoot, and wicker and cane for furniture like side tables and baskets. Pendant lights made of similar materials will lend your space an airy, rustic feel while helping make your room feel more spacious thanks to their ‘floating’ look.
- Dreamy light – speaking of lights, coastal home is at its best when natural light is let in at every opportunity. Sheer curtains will soften any light coming through your windows and create a diffused, almost glowing light indoors that is perfect for relaxing in. Stylish steel window frames are perfect for this, as they’ll let in all the light you need while also withstanding the warm days and nights of the Sunshine Coast.

Source: The ultimate guide for achieving a coastal interior style – Style Curator
A coastal theme is a timeless style that never goes out of fashion!
2. Scandi
Short for Scandinavian, Scandi style pulls from its Nordic roots to offer a contemporary interior design that pulls from nature. Combining simplicity, function and beauty, the Scandi style features a mostly neutral palette with a few pops of colour and a fuss-free design that lets the beauty of your home’s structure speak for itself.
Scandi style suits the Sunshine Coast well, thanks to its dreamy colours and focus on natural materials like wood and stone, allowing you to surround yourself with the best of the outdoors that we enjoy every day. If you love the idea of an elegant but minimalist home, a Scandi interior design is the one for you! A Scandi home should have:
- Neutral colours – white walls inside your home will allow you to highlight the natural light coming in from outside, which can help brighten up even the dreariest of homes. You can then add other neutral colours like brown, beige, grey and even soft pinks and blues to create visual interest around your home – think soft pink couch cushions, brown shelving in the living room or even a modern grey steel handrail for your stairs.
- Natural, strong textures – because it originates from a place abundant in natural resources, it’s no wonder Scandi design loves its wood and stone interior decor! A stylish stone fireplace creates not only attractive colour and texture but a focal point in your living room as well. Or choose a wooden side table in a rich brown to help add some warmth to an otherwise cool colour palette.
- Fresh sunlight – natural, unfiltered sunlight is the best way to light up a Scandi-style home and take advantage of all the bright colours you have adorned your home with. Sleek, modern steel windows are an excellent way to let in all the gorgeous Sunshine Coast sun – choose colours like matte grey or smooth black to fit your Sandi colour theme.

Source: ArtStation – Modern Australian Home – Scandinavian Style
If a modern, minimalist and stylish living space is what you’re after, choose the Scandi interior design for your Sunshine Coast home!
Choose Empire Steel Windows and Doors For All Your Interior Design Needs
Thanks to their clean lines and durability, steel windows and doors are perfect for the coastal and Scandi interior designs – their minimalist look, coupled with simple colours, ensures they’ll help bring your dream home to life. Discover our bespoke steel windows and doors online today!