Kate Kerin Interiors

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Kate Kerin Interiors Kate Kerin Interiors is a residential design practice in Sydney's North, specialising in downsizers and smaller homes.

My discerning clients value good design and clear guidance, and my focus is refined, timeless interiors that feel warm and personal. Kate Kerin is a Sydney-based interior designer. Qualifications include a Diploma in Interior Design (Interior Design Institute), Masters in Policy (UNSW), Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance (Kaplan), Graduate of the Australian Insitute of Company Directors (GAICD), Graduate Diploma in Arts Management (UTS) and Bachelor of Arts (USyd). She lives on the lower north shore with her husband and two young-adult sons.

20/10/2026

Thinking about downsizing in the new year?

Downsizing is rarely a single decision. It is a process, and getting the steps in the right order makes an enormous difference to how smoothly it goes. Knowing what will fit in your new home before you start sorting through the old one, for example, can save a great deal of time and money.

Whether you are planning your own move or supporting a parent or friend through theirs, you do not have to work it all out alone. Helping downsizers is at the heart of what I do, and I would love to guide you through each stage so the move feels exciting rather than overwhelming.

I am now taking bookings for in-home consultations, so if you would like to get the ball rolling before Christmas, book via the link in my bio or visit kkinteriors.com.au.

19/10/2026

Helping Mum and Dad downsize? Start with your own boxes.

When parents decide to downsize, one of the kindest things we can do as their adult children is to take responsibility for our own belongings. I speak from experience here, as I also had things stored in my parents’ garage for decades. If something is yours, collect it. And if a piece holds real meaning for you, such as Grandma’s wedding china or the armchair you remember from childhood, take it home now and give it a new life, even if that means a trip to the upholsterer.

But if you do not want it, and your children do not want it either, please let your parents let it go. Selling a piece or giving it to charity is not a rejection of family history; it is a practical and generous way to help someone begin a new chapter. Our parents should never be made to feel guilty for the decisions that will make their move lighter.

Downsizing is a big emotional step at any age. Giving your parents permission to let go may be the most helpful thing you can offer them.

If you are helping a parent through a downsize, follow along for more ways to make the move a little easier.

When you downsize, the kitchen often becomes the heart of the whole home. It is where the kettle goes on, where friends ...
18/10/2026

When you downsize, the kitchen often becomes the heart of the whole home. It is where the kettle goes on, where friends gather around the island and where a quick visit from family turns into a long lunch. That is why I believe a smaller kitchen should feel every bit as welcoming as the one you are leaving behind.

In this downsizer kitchen, the warmth comes from the details. Soft leather stools invite guests to pull up a seat, while a generous bunch of Australian natives and a pair of fruit artworks bring colour and personality to the calm, cream palette. Rich timber floors ground the space and keep it from ever feeling cold.

Of course, a kitchen also needs to work hard. Floor to ceiling cabinetry keeps everyday clutter out of sight, so the benchtop stays clear for cooking and conversation.

A welcoming home is not about size. It is about creating spaces that reflect who you are and make the people you love want to linger. When every piece earns its place, even a compact kitchen can become the room everyone gravitates towards.

If you are downsizing and want your new home to feel just as warm and inviting, I would love to help. Book an in-home consultation via the link in my bio or visit kkinteriors.com.au.
Image: Homes, Interiors & Architectural Photographer

17/10/2026

One of the joys of downsizing is a fresh start in a new community, and that often means meeting new neighbours. Some arrive with a warm welcome and a plate of biscuits. Others prefer to make their entrance at nap time.

Moving into an apartment or a smaller home can take a little adjusting. There are new sounds to get used to, and neighbours who live a little closer than before. In my experience, thoughtful design makes a real difference. A quiet reading corner and soft finishes that help to absorb sound can turn your new home into a calm retreat, whoever happens to drop by.

If you would like more ideas for settling happily into a smaller home, hit follow and stick around for more.

15/10/2026

Small kitchen. Different thinking.

Last weekend I presented on the Home Stage at the Sydney Home Show, talking about small kitchens and why they deserve a design approach of their own. A downsized kitchen is not a large kitchen scaled down. Shrinking a family kitchen carries over all of its old assumptions about storage, appliances and how many people are cooking, and many of those no longer apply.

Designing a smaller kitchen starts with how you live now. The appliances you actually use and the way the kitchen connects to the rest of your home should shape the plan. When those decisions are made with care, a smaller kitchen can feel generous and be a genuine pleasure to use.

I particularly love working with people at the very start of the downsizing process, when there is still time to plan thoughtfully rather than in a rush.

If you are considering downsizing, I would love to hear from you. Book an in-home consultation via the link in my bio or visit kkinteriors.com.au to learn more.

Planning a move in 2027? Now is the time to start. As the year draws to a close, I am taking bookings for projects in 20...
13/10/2026

Planning a move in 2027? Now is the time to start.

As the year draws to a close, I am taking bookings for projects in 2027. If you are thinking about downsizing or updating your apartment next year, starting the conversation early gives us time to plan properly and make thoughtful decisions without feeling rushed.

Downsizing is a big step, and it often brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty. You may be wondering what to keep, how your favourite pieces will fit or whether a smaller home can still feel like yours. These are exactly the questions I love helping my clients answer.

Renovating a full family home is just as daunting. There are so many decision to make, and it feels like no time to make them in.

A good plan also makes the whole process simpler. When the scope and budget are clear from the start, decisions become easier and there are fewer surprises along the way.

Every project begins with an in-home consultation, where we walk through your space together and talk about how you would like your next home to feel. Let’s do the consultation now, and book the project for early 2027. That way you’ll be sure of the way forward.

If 2027 is your year for a fresh start, I would love to hear from you. Book an in-home consultation via the link in my bio or visit kkinteriors.com.au to get started.

A smaller home can still hold everything that matters. Calm, elegant spaces give you room to settle in with a good book ...
11/10/2026

A smaller home can still hold everything that matters. Calm, elegant spaces give you room to settle in with a good book and enjoy the life you have created.

This downsizing project in an over 50s resort was all about creating a home that feels restful from the moment you walk in. And yes, that is me, putting the reading chair to the test before handing it back to its rightful owner.

Leaving a family home behind can feel overwhelming. Many people worry that a smaller space will mean losing their sense of style, or the feeling that a home is truly theirs. In my experience, the opposite is often true. When every piece earns its place, the things you love finally have room to shine, and a comfortable chair in good light can matter more than an extra room ever did.

Calm does not happen by accident, though. It comes from a clear plan and a process that respects both your time and your budget, so the move feels exciting rather than exhausting.

If you are planning your next chapter and would like a home that feels calm and completely yours, I would love to help. Book an in-home consultation via the link in my bio or visit kkinteriors.com.au.

Limits can be the start of something lovely. Moving into a seniors’ community often comes with rules about what you can ...
07/10/2026

Limits can be the start of something lovely.

Moving into a seniors’ community often comes with rules about what you can and cannot change. That can feel frustrating at first, particularly after years of making a family home entirely your own. But I genuinely enjoy working within limits, because they focus every decision on what will make the biggest difference.

With Pam, that meant concentrating on the elements she could change. We chose furniture and floor coverings that suit the way she lives now, and settled on a subtle new colour scheme that ties the whole home together. Her kitchen was updated as well, and it is now as practical as it is beautiful.

Downsizing into retirement living does not mean giving up on style or comfort. With the right guidance, even a home with restrictions can feel fresh and entirely yours. Thank you, Pam, for your kind words; it was a pleasure working with you.

If you are moving into a retirement community and are not sure where to start, I would love to help. Book an in-home consultation via the link in my bio or at kkinteriors.com.au.
Image: Homes, Interiors & Architectural Photographer

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Willoughby, NSW
2068

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+61429334701

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