From shag carpeting to shabby chick to IKEA, this interactive infographic visualises a history of interior design.

1950s interior design was characterized by modernism and influenced by the Danish design movement, with crisp, sweeping lines and vivid coloring.

During the free love movement of the 1960s, interior designers reacted to the wholesome, traditional family values of the ‘50s with post-modernist riffs on elements of the past (Victorian and Georgian-inspired furniture) and the imagined future (groovy lava lamps).

The 1970s saw the birth of DIY culture, Space Age-influenced styles (like that pod chair), and the hippie movement’s preference for rustic, “natural” furniture of teak and pine.

The 1980s saw the birth of “shabby chic” and the avant garde Memphis Group in Milan, with furniture in bold geometric shapes and colors. The decade of excess also brought plenty of chintzy, ostentatious interiors.

1990s interior design reigned in the excess of the '80s, opting for more minimalism and lots and lots of pine furniture.

The 2000s saw the Ikea flatpack furniture takeover and a bigger integration of tech into interior design, with flatscreen TVs channeling home cinema.

In the 2010s, self-expression has come to define the approach to interior design. So has economizing–the recession has led to smaller furniture with built-in storage.

Inspired by FastCoDesign; Images from Harvey Water Softeners

1. Print vintage labels and stick them to old cans for retro storage baskets

2. Sew a pocket onto your couch cushions for television remote storage

3. Paint wooden stairs two different colors to add detail and depth

4. Use blackboard paint on kitchen cupboards

5. Make your hat rack an artwork

6. Fill a tray with pebbles for a practical and pretty shoe rack

7. Use a plank of wood as a tea light holder

8. Make a rope basket

Inspired by thenewdaily; Images from Country Home, Good House Keeping, House and Garden UK, House Beautiful, Lushome, Martha Stewart, Coastal Nest, Cupcakes and Cashmere

There are people who drink, and then there are people who have drinks.

Those who own a bar cart certainly understand how sexy it is to display a good collection of booze. But apart from stocking alcohol, did you know that there are other creative ways to put it to use.

1. As a Nightstand

2. As a Plant Stand

3. To Store Dishes and Kitchen Supplies

4. To Store Towels and Bath Necessities

5. Or Simply to Stock Alcohol and Make Your Home Feel Baller

Inspired by AtHomeInLove: Images from AtHomeInLove.

All you need is some creativity and paint to pimp any scruffy piece beyond recognition.

Here are some fresh ideas and inspiration on how to restore and re-love old furniture!

Green Energy

Prettier In Pink

Black & White Bliss

Ray of Sunshine

Peppermint Breeze

Zesty Orange

Denim Delight

Ruby Relish

Terrifically Turquoise

Truly Blue Baby I Love You

Crispy Grey

Bright White LIght

Lively Lime

Clad in Coral

Rope Remake

Inspired by Scraphacker; Images and sourced from: ImpatientlyWaitingForPatience, UserEverywhere, PlumLife, ApartmentTherapy, TodaysNest, FineDivingChicago, DesignSponge, ScrapMeBaby, SimplySalvage, Centsationalgirl, MabelsHouse

2014 may not be the year of emerald according to Pantone but the Couchelo team still loves all shades of green when it comes to decorating the home (it is our signature colour afterall!). In honour of St. Patrick’s day, we’ve rounded up our top unique ways of incorporating green into your home:

1. Green wallpaper

We love this unexpected forest photo print wallpaper for any living space which evokes a sense of tranquility and brings the outdoors inside

2. Green headboard

If committing to an entire green wall is too much for you, why not try changing the headboard of your bed and there’s a million and one possibilities in terms of colour and fabrics to play with.

3. Green chairs

Bright green chairs with a neutral dining table is an easy way of adding a pop of colour to the space. We adore the sculptural shape of the chairs here as well.

4. Green statement carpet

Don’t just confide green to the walls, have green carpets line a white stairwell or star as the centerpiece in a white room to keep things looking fresh. The matching emerald lamp in the corner is a nice touch too

5. Green kitchen appliances

This mint fridge is retro-chic but fits in perfectly with in the clean lines of a modern Scandanavian-designed house like above. 

6. Green cabinets

These chic olive cabinets will never go out of style and complement the rustic wooden bench perfectly.

7. Greenery

Succulents are the latest in house plants right now, not only are they strangely beautiful but very low maintenance as well, perfect for those without a green thumb.

Text by Jessica Li. Images sourced from Fresh Home; Because It’s Awesome; Keltainentalorannalla; Life as a Moodboard; House Beautiful and the Brickhouse

At Couchelo, we often find ourselves green with storage envy while browsing on interior design blogs, particularly at spaces that effortlessly incorporate meticulous organisation into interior design. We’ve collected our favourite storage solutions to help inspire you next time you’re thinking about buying another closet or box from Ikea:

1. Showcasing your closet

Instead of hiding your beautiful pieces away behind closed doors, why not make them the centerpiece of your bedroom? In an otherwise all white palette, the bright splashes of colour are refreshing on the eyes.

Put your best foot forward and opt for this shoe rack that doubles as wall art which will guarantee ooohs and aaahs from friends when they come over.

2. Ban kitchen chaos

We love how practical this kitchen setup is with all the utensils and pots and pans within easy reach. This is particularly great for small kitchens with little built in storage.

Having dinnerware permanently on display is a big commitment so be prepared to say no dirty dishes or mismatched sets. Try sticking with a colour scheme to keep things simple.

3. Bathrooms that doubles as art galleries

An otherwise unused piece of bathroom property is perfect place to put a vanity tray displaying your cosmetics. The flowers and photo add a wonderful personal touch too.

Open shelving means you can play around with patterns and colours for everyday items such as towels and soaps.

4. Organised offices and living spaces

Rather than having a heap of files or photo albums, try creating a collage for your office space. That way, you call look at your favourite images all at once.

Smart storage is building additional shelving above the TV and framing the TV with vases and flowers to create a warm and inviting space.

5. For the knick knacks

For storing random knick knacks, a stack of vintage suitcases makes for an interesting and stylish talking point.

Storing musical instruments can often be difficult and hanging them together up on a blank wall is a great way to exhibit your passion.

Text by Jessica Li. Images sourced from CasaSugar; Apartment Therapy; Indulgy; Sacramento Street; Shelterness and Deborah Wood Murphy.