Sometimes all it takes is a few new cushions, a fresh set of bed linen, a colourful rug or a clever decorating idea to make your home feel completely different.
And the really good news? You don’t need to spend your weekend driving to Chadstone, trekking across Melbourne or waiting for online deliveries to give your home a little makeover.
Right here in Carnegie, Koornang Road has a fantastic mix of homewares retailers, decorating specialists, independent boutiques and cool second hand stores where you can find everything from practical household essentials to those unexpected treasures that give a home its personality.
If you’re moving into an apartment, renovating the family home, updating a tired bedroom or simply feeling inspired to change things around, there’s plenty of choices locally. So, lets get cracking, which room are we refreshing first?
Homewares: Small Changes, Big Difference
You don’t always need a major renovation to transform a room. Sometimes replacing tired towels, adding a new throw to the couch or updating your kitchen accessories can make your home feel fresh again.
Harris Scarfe Carnegie, located in Carnegie Central, is a great place to start. With a broad selection of bedding, manchester, kitchenware, electrical appliances and everyday household essentials, it’s easy to find practical items that also make your home more comfortable.
Thinking about refreshing your bedroom? New sheets, pillows, a quilt cover and a few carefully chosen accessories can completely change the vibe in your room.
Or perhaps your kitchen needs some attention. From cookware and kitchen appliances to everyday dining essentials, there’s plenty of inspiration for anyone who enjoys cooking or entertaining at home. Be sure to ask for seasonal promotions and special offers, you might be surprised how much you can achieve without spending a fortune.
Other homewares store to visit include:
- Little Piggy – Home & Variety for everything you might need for any place or occasion
- Horizon Framing & Gallery for your professional framing needs
Curtains, Fabrics and DIY: Get Creative at Home
Have you ever looked at a room and thought, “geez, something just isn’t quite right?” It might be the curtains. It might be the lighting. Or perhaps that empty corner has been waiting for a little attention for years.
If you’re someone who loves a weekend decorating project, Spotlight Carnegie at Carnegie Central is practically a playground for home improvement enthusiasts.
From curtains, blinds and upholstery fabrics to cushions, bedding, sewing supplies and craft materials, Spotlight offers plenty of ways to put your own personality into your home. You could update your window furnishings, make your own cushion covers, create a feature piece for the living room or finally tackle that sewing project you’ve been putting off.
Spotlight also offers made to measure curtains and blinds, which can be particularly useful when standard sizes don’t quite suit your windows. You don’t need to be an experienced DIY expert to get started. Sometimes a simple project, like changing your cushion covers or updating your window furnishings, can make an enormous difference.
Explore more homewares retailers in Carnegie.
Unique Home Décor: Find Something a Little Different
There’s something really special about walking into a boutique and discovering an item you didn’t know you needed. Maybe it’s a beautiful decorative piece, an unusual accessory or a gift that would look just as good in your own home.
That’s part of the charm of Serenity at 115 Koornang Road, Carnegie. This local boutique brings together carefully selected homewares, gifts, jewellery, fashion accessories and products from local designers and international labels.
It’s the kind of shop where browsing is half the enjoyment. Rather than buying the same mass produced decorations everyone else has, independent retailers like Serenity offer the opportunity to find something with a little more character. If you discover something perfect for a friend, Serenity also offers complimentary gift wrapping!
Local Makers and Handmade Treasures
One of the nicest ways to personalise your home is to introduce something handmade. A unique piece of décor, a creative accessory or an item produced by a local maker can add a sense of individuality that you won’t always find in a large department store.
Retail Space Collective at Shop 4, 23 Koornang Road, Carnegie brings together independent sellers, small businesses and local makers under one roof.
It is changing selection includes handmade creations, home décor, gifts, accessories and new and pre-loved fashion. What makes the concept particularly interesting is that individual makers and small businesses can showcase their products without needing to operate an entire shop themselves.
Better still, your purchase helps support a local creative business. That’s a pretty good reason to shop locally!
Second Hand Treasures: Give Something Old a New Home
Not everything in your home needs to be brand new. In fact, some of the most interesting rooms combine contemporary furniture and accessories with second hand pieces that have a little history.
If you enjoy hunting for a bargain or discovering something unexpected, Salvos Stores Carnegie at 154 Koornang Road, Carnegie is well worth exploring.
The store offers donated goods including homewares, decorative accessories, furniture, books, clothing and other pre-loved items. A decorative vase, an interesting picture frame, a collection of books or a piece of furniture could be exactly what your home has been missing. Second-hand shopping is also a practical way to reduce waste and extend the useful life of household items.
For renters, students and first home buyers, it’s an opportunity to furnish or decorate a space without spending heavily on everything new. And purchases at Salvos Stores help support The Salvation Army’s community programs.
Your Next Home Makeover Starts on Koornang Road
Carnegie has become much more than a place to grab a coffee, enjoy a great meal or do the weekly grocery shopping. It is very cool mix of major retailers, independent boutiques and specialty stores makes Koornang Road a convenient destination for homewares, decorating inspiration and everyday household shopping.
So next time you’re thinking about giving your home a refresh, why not start with a wander down Koornang Road?