Sunshine Coast Renovation: Top Interior Design Tips

Interior Design Tips for Your Sunshine Coast Home Renovation

Planning a home renovation on the Sunshine Coast? Whether you’re updating a beachside unit or giving your family home a large-scale makeover, thoughtful design choices made with intent make a big difference to the finished project.

As a renovation builder-designer duo on the Sunshine Coast, we’ve seen firsthand how small details create big impact. Here are 5 Insider Tips from a Sunshine Coast Designer- you’ll wish you knew these sooner!

1. Match All Your Whites – Every Time

This is the number one mistake we see in home renovations. Whites are NOT all the same- they can be warm or cool, and throw reds, yellows, or blues, depending on the tint and undertone. Mixing different white undertones can make even high-end finishes look mismatched and cheap. The best way to avoid this is by laying all your samples together in natural Sunshine Coast light to test how they play together. If you still can’t tell the difference, get it touch with a local interior designer.

Make sure your wall paint, 2-pack cabinetry, white tiles, ceiling + cornice and laminates are all in the same white family (warm or cool). This simple trick ensures cohesion and a seamless finish. Go the extra mile and only introduce the same white tones in your furniture fabrics, timbers and linens.

Tip: Although it’s dearer than flat white ceiling paint, we like to paint our ceilings and cornice in the same white as the wall paint. This creates a seamless, open effect and enhances the ceiling height.

Tip: Lay all your samples together in natural Sunshine Coast light to test how they sit together.

2. USE EPOXY GROUT IN SHOWERS

If you’re renovating a bathroom, especially near the coast, choose epoxy grout over standard grout. Epoxy grout is made from epoxy resin and filler powder, and is an excellent non-porous grout solution for bathrooms and kitchen splashbacks. It’s waterproof, stain-resistant, mould-resistant and longer lasting in humid climates like the Sunshine Coast.

It costs considerably more than standard cement-based grouts, but we believe it’s a small upgrade that protects your bathroom and keeps it looking brand new – a smart investment for any Sunshine Coast home renovation.

3. ALWAYS START WITH THE FLOORING

When planning your renovation, start from the ground up. Flooring influences every other design decision – colours, materials, layout, and overall aesthetic.

Popular options for Sunshine Coast renovations include:

Engineered timber
Polished concrete
Coastal hybrid flooring
Natural stone for indoor-outdoor flow

Choosing your flooring first creates a clear foundation for your interior design vision and sets the tone for the entire space. We always advise clients to choose the best flooring they can afford – it’s a decision you won’t regret.

4. EVERY ROOM NEEDS A HERO FEATURE

Every space should have a focal point — something your eye is naturally drawn to. It adds energy, interest, and structure to your design.

Examples:

Feature wall with VJ panelling or stone
Pendant lighting over a kitchen island
Large artwork or a statement occasional chair
Custom cabinetry or fireplace

This is a core principle we use in all our design and build projects across the Sunshine Coast.

5. BALANCE AND CURATE- DON’T JUST ‘MATCH’

One of the biggest design mistakes? Buying “matchy-matchy” furniture sets from the same store. It can make your home feel like a showroom from a Homemaker centre, not a lived-in, established space..

Instead, focus on balance and curation. This can be in the form of mixing traditional pieces with new; an interesting blend of shiny, sleek finishes with natural or patina finishes; or pairing leggy furniture with solid pieces. This type of intentional styling infuses your home with history and stories, which is much more interesting than a matching furniture package from a nice shop!

Bring Your Renovation Vision to Life

At Coco Interiors, we’re a builder and interior designer team offering design and build renovation services across the Sunshine Coast.

From Caloundra to Noosa and everywhere in between, we help homeowners create spaces that are both functional and beautiful – crafted to suit the coastal lifestyle.