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Five Hamptons must-haves

The front of a two-storey grey weatherboard home with white trim
Hamptons designer, Natalee Bowen of Indah Island, reveals her five rules to live by for getting the Hamptons look.

Weatherboards are a must

I would suggest that the defining element for an Australian-Hamptons look is weatherboard cladding—it's all about creating long, clean lines and deep shadows. Scyon Linea weatherboard is a low-maintenance and hard-wearing weatherboard alternative to timber, with deep shadow lines, perfect for the Hamptons look.
A Hamptons style house with white weatherboards

Add some wood flooring

Think wooden floors. I love wide oak floorboards in either an American mocha shade or stained dark oak to underpin the floorplan, which should be open to create a breezy flow.
A Hamptons style living area with couches, armchairs, a large palm tree, white shutter windows and a chandelier.

The perfect palette

Traditionally, a Hamptons colour scheme is comprised mostly of variations of white and neutral tones with accents of grey and blue used as complementary shades. It's easy to go astray with floral prints which make the look too flowery and give the interior an English or French Provincial look. Sometimes people also confuse the look with shabby chic, which is also very different. Steer clear of these mistakes by sticking to a pared back colour palette and adding natural textures like jute to break up the space.
A Hamptons style living area with white couches, blue and white cushions, a white coffee table, wooden floorboards and flowers.

Use fabric to add interest

Invest in beautiful fabrics to add an accent to the muted, textured backdrop of the Hamptons look. Cushions are an easy way to add interest, additionally, occasional chairs and ottomans work well. I like to mix a small amount of florals with stripes or geometric shapes to avoid being too matchy-matchy. This multilayered approach adds character and personality to the home.

Set the mood with lighting

This is key. Use a mixture of overhead pendant lighting and elegant lamps as lighting can really change the ambiance of a room. It's all about bringing features to life. For the exterior, structure lights to illuminate the grooves and lines of the weatherboard.

Give your home the Hamptons look

Check out the full range of products from James Hardie or Scyon products to introduce some Hamptons style to your home.

 

Inspiration from the Bunnings Workshop community

Hamptons verandah posts

Workshop member Emma transformed the look of her verandah in one weekend by turning her skinny posts into something fit for a holiday house in the Hamptons.

View project
White outdoor furniture in an outdoor room with white columns
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.