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2023 interior design trends for children’s rooms

Creating personalised space, comfort, a connection with nature (biodynamic design  and sustainable design) and cosy nostalgia are the underlying themes of  interior design for 2023. In child friendly homes this would translate into the use of organic shapes, colours and textures along with joyful colours and warm neutrals. The interiors of the 1970s will be a huge influence on interior design trends for 2023- so rounded furniture, brass fittings, earth hues especially shades of brown as well as the use of strong pattern and bold shots of colour will be used widely in 2023.

 As we spend more time in our homes there is less love for open plan living – so there is an uptake on room dividers to give more flexibility.

Personalised space

Your home should be a reflection of your family and after the last few years it has become clear that we are all spending more time at home and want our space to bring us comfort and joy! As well as being our office, gym and after school care that is. never going to go out of style, showing who you are through your design choices is evergreen and therefore personalising your space should be the main interior design trend of 2023 that you take on.

Artefacts

Adding art, photographs and mementos to your home will instantly make it feel more personal to you- the same can be said of letting your children collect treasures which they can then choose to display in their rooms. Letting them surround themselves with items and possessions they love will help them feel comfortable, confident and relaxed. It may even help them to develop an interest.  See blog on happy home

Colour

Colour schemes should make you, the home owner, feel happy and comfortable. Embrace more colourful interiors and be more individual in 2023. A great way to try this out is to start by adding colour in your child’s room, playroom or downstairs WC. Start small and you will see what a difference adding colours to your space can make. If painting walls seems too permanent or too much like hard work then consider adding colourful and textured layered textiles, unique items of art with a mix of old and new furnishings to create your own personal haven. 

Be careful when you choose your shade as colour can affect your mood and change your perception of space. The effervescent use of colour, texture and pattern has been termed Dopamine Dressing. Your child’s room can be a great expression of this cosy, joyful, relaxed style which will greatly enhance their happiness. See my post on how to get children to sleep better and the effects of colour https://kidsruleinteriors.com/2019/03/.

Use your children’s artwork in surprising ways

Have a little fun and be playful with your child’s room design.  Incorporate your children’s art in their room decor ( and around the house too)  in surprising ways using collages or custom screen-printed textiles or by getting their art made into a rug (see http://www.rugyourlife.com). This unique piece will create an instant wow factor and make the space so personal to your family. 

Your child’s artwork can be made into a beautiful rug by http://www.rugyourlife.com

Comfort 

Rich, tactile materials 

Reflects our longing for connection and interaction after surviving a global pandemic. With humans seeking tactility, sensibility and natural materials while pursuing wellbeing. Tactile fabrics and furnishings, lime stone and plaster walls, varied textures will all be used as part of this interior design trend.

Cocooning 

Hanging chairs are a great example of a cocooning chair especially for a child. Bunk beds also back – cosy up in the bottom bunk all nestled in. Feeding into the trend for coziness and for kids needing smaller, safer places to cope with the repercussions of Covid. A desire to cocoon in our homes is still prevalent – with the focus on self care spawning spathrooms and more space in the home being given over to wellness. 

Nature

A connection with nature through Biophilic design and the use of sustainable furnishings as well as the use of a colour palette based in nature are part of the trend for connecting with the outdoors. Ways to bring nature into your child’s room design are using child friendly plants, natural materials and colours based on nature’s palette. I can’t go on more about the benefits of bringing the outside in and of connecting with nature! See the Benholm Group’s guest blog about Biophilic design for children’s rooms https://kidsruleinteriors.com/2020/02/27/an-introduction-to-biophilic-design-for-childrens-spaces-from-the-benholm-group/

Biodynamic lighting 

Biodynamic lighting where artificial lighting is designed to mimic daylight will be used in 2023. In fact making better use of lighting generally and using lighting fittings as art will also be on trend this coming year. The use of more flamboyant decorative light fittings as well as better designed lighting plans will come to the fore. 

Sustainably sourced materials

Sustainably sourced materials such as cork flooring and reused and up-cycled furniture will be of growing importance this year. 

Organic shapes/ soft curves and handmade furniture and fittings are another expression of our connection with nature in 2023. Tying in with the search for individuality in our interiors. Think local and craft made items to enrich your environment. 

Low VOC  and clean furnishings are taking centre stage to keep children’s rooms toxin-free. 

Cosy Nostalgia

Reusing and moving pieces around

Setting up your furniture and playing around with layouts in your home is a great way to reuse what you already have and create a cosy feel in your home. 

A smattering of heritage

Heritage pieces add to a sense of wellness and belonging in your home by using vintage pieces along with your personal treasures and your new sustainably sourced furnishings (like low VOC mattresses  for children) your home will gain that cosy nostalgic vibe. Stripes, checks, tartan, statement rugs, patterned wallpaper will all be used to create that cosy nostalgia feel.

1970s

Shades of brown, rounded shapes, brass fittings, patterns and shots of bold colour. 

Room dividers

Innovative ways to break up our open plan spaces to provide zones for different activities are being sought as we spend more time in our homes still working from home, entertaining and relaxing. 

Multi functional design 

This includes zoning for different activities as in my method for designing children’s rooms as well as multifunctional furniture like stools that turn into desks.  See my blog post https://kidsruleinteriors.com/2022/12/07/designing-and-organising-the-indoor-environment-for-children/ on how I design children’s rooms.

Non-binary/gender neutral design

The trend for more sophisticated abstract wallpaper designs in children’s rooms with broader range of colour options will continue to grow. I personally love gender neutral rooms as I feel they allow the people who inhabit them to explore and grow. here are some examples of using sophisticated wallpaper designs in gender neutral rooms on some of my recent projects.

Colours for 2023

Natural palette – greens blues earth tones, sunset tones including gentle gold and  Dulux’ s Colour of the Year – Wild Wonder a gorgeous warm neutral based in nature.

Exuberant, happy colours such as Pantone’s colour of the year “Viva Magenta is a “hybrid” shade that’s symbolic of our existence in the physical and digital world. ” are also going to be popular in 2023.

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Designing and Organising the Indoor Environment for children: How the rooms I design help your child’s cognitive, physical and emotional development. 

Environment affects mood and behaviour

Studies have shown that children with a positive perception of themselves grow up to achieve good social and academic skills later in life. To enable this it is essential to encourage your child’s hobbies and interests and let them explore a variety of activities that will allow them to develop essential skills. A well designed indoor environment can increase efficiency, improve mood and develop talents. 

When I design child-centric spaces, be it a bedroom, playroom or family room, I constantly refer back to my list of essential play zones. I know that each of these are essential for the early years and can be worked into any space. As children grow these zones merge and some disappear all together so a fluid approach and flexibility need to be woven into your room design to accommodate the changing needs of your child. 

I like to break up the zones so that (though sleeping is the main focus of the room) your child’s other needs (play, exploration, relaxation, music etc) are also catered for and given the space to be encouraged. 

a monochrome concept for a Montessori inspired toddler room.
A Japandi style toddler’s room concept using the principles of Maria Montessori where everything is accessible to the child.

The zones

1- Gross Motor Play Area

This usually involves ride on toys, swings or climbing and is mostly catered for outside. With enough space and creativity it can be included in an indoor setting. For example by adding a swing seat or climbing wall to a playroom or bedroom. 

2- A cosy corner

As a quiet area or reading nook. Twos could be on a bed with easy access to books and a light or it could be in a den or tepee, cushions in a corner near a bookcase. To create a cosy, contemplative space for relaxation and quiet time. Popping a book shelf within reach of the bed or cosy corner will encourage a love of reading and make it a habit for the rest of their lives. 

A maximalist teen study room with practical storage and a cosy reading area.

3- A fine Motor Station

Usually involves a child sized table and chair with access to puzzles, threading toys, games and kits which would be stored in a nearby bookcase or storage unit so children can independently access them (and tidy them away!). this could equally be at the kitchen table with a little more supervision for younger toddlers so that all the puzzles don’t come out at once!

4- A Construction Area

Where children use building bricks, wooden blocks, train tracks and other types of linking toys to stack, link and connect parts to create structures. This often falls part of their small world play – creating a backdrop for their action. 

5- An Arts and Crafts Area

Often the kitchen table with an area set aside for storage of all the supplies – often a cart or art box works best. To encourage self expression through the creation of visual art such as sculpture, junk modelling, mark making, drawings and paintings using a variety of mediums. If you are lucky enough to have a separate playroom then this could be the ideal spot for an easel, table and chairs with art supplies on shelves within easy reach of children that can then be out away(out of reach of younger children) when you are not there to supervise! 

A Toddler concept room with child height table and chairs for fine motor skill play and plenty of storage near open floor space for construction, small world and imaginary play.

6- A Sensory Area

To allow children to stimulate their senses of touch, sight and hearing need not be a defined zone. It could involve having a sand/water tray outside, exploring bubbles in the bath, playing with play dough at the kitchen table. 

7- A Small World Area

This involves having floor space near to where the small world toys are stored so that it is easy for children to access the toys and they have enough space to play with them. This is where children create small worlds to tell stories and often re-enact real life situations to reaffirm their learning. Farm sets, doll’s houses and character figures are all examples of such toys. 

8- An Imaginary Play Zone

This is where children make believe and tell stories. Having free access to costumes and fancy dress, play kitchens, baby dolls, phones and puppets helps children in this type of play.  A child height clothes rail or hooks with costumes or hats along with a play kitchen or shop are great ways of implementing imaginary play into your home. 

A pre-schooler’s room with plenty to explore.

9- Musical Play Area

This involves having some instruments such as drums, a keyboard or a whistle so that your child can explore making different sounds and music. These do not need their own physical space but should be stored together near a floor space so that they can be pulled out and easily played with. 

Be Flexible

These zones are fluid and really require each type of toy being stored together within reach of a place to play with them and within reach of your child. So small world, musical and construction toys need to be near a floor space where they can be played with. Fine motor toys near a child sized table and chairs, arts and crafts in an easy to clean area either in the play room or at the kitchen table, some sensory experiences around the home and gross motor skill toys like a tricycle, outside. I highly recommend creating a cosy area for reading and quiet time in the child’s own room to promote a connection with their own space and encourage their notion of privacy.     

The zones will amalgamate and change as your child grows so the physical space needs to be flexible. 

These zones work in tandem will allowing your child to express their individuality and interests in their room, so that they can forge a strong sense of individuality and good self-esteem. 

To encourage open ended play it is crucial to have accessible toys and space to play with them. I cannot stress enough the importance of a tidy, quiet and calm home environment for the development of self-regulation (the ability to understand and manage your own behaviour and actions) in children. Good design will encourage your child to feel proud of their home, filling them with happiness and a space to explore and thrive. 

Design your child’s environment in a way that will respect them and help their cognitive, physical and emotional development. 

I hope that this post has helped to show you a bit more about how I work and the fundamental ideas behind why I design for children. Should you need any help with your child’s room please take a look at my services and feel free to contact me.

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How to Design children’s rooms: Tips for designing better kids rooms

A Parisienne style baby girl’s nursery concept.

There are many things to consider when thinking about how to design your children’s bedrooms but function and safety are the most important. Everything has to work – from storage to play space to cosy nook to getting in and out of bed to finding clothes for the mad early morning dash. Everything should be safe – from plug sockets to bookcases to baskets to curtains and blinds. Children’s rooms should feel cosy, have the correct sense of scale and shape. They should be tidy, adaptable, colourful, light filled, personal, private and let’s not forget- fun.

So dig in for some tips and things to consider as you embark on designing your child’s room.

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Fit for purpose. 

Allowing children access to their belongings helps them to feel a sense of achievement and accomplishment. So I create spaces with child height storage for toys and clothes to encourage the quest for independence and autonomy. Open cube storage with baskets and versatile deep shelving is a practical solution to allowing easy child access to their belongings. 

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Safe 

When children feel safe they can get creativity through lessening their stress. Soft. Surfaces and rounded edges can help with fearless and undisturbed exploration and playtime, encouraging confidence in your child and you, their parents, will worry less about them hurting themselves. Think non-slip flooring, covered sockets, child safe blinds – all the practical, safety precautions you can implement in your home. 

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Cosy

Children love to cuddle so filling your child’s room with cuddly toys and cosy cushions and throws so that they can learn to self sooth and become more independent is important. Fluffy rugs and soft bedding provide a cosy backdrop to your child’s interaction with their space. A “cosy corner”, den or fluffy rug are good examples of how to add a cosy feel to your space.  Take a look at my cosy living blog for more details

A Bohemian baby girl’s nursery concept.

How to design children’s rooms so that they are the Correct Scale 

The scale of a space can have an affect on child behaviour- a lower ceiling (or at least the sense of a lower ceiling) can make  the space feel more intimate and comfortable and encourages younger (smaller) children to cooperate as they feel less overwhelmed. So for spaces with more height, adding in a mezzanine, mobiles, canopies or sensory surfaces can help to create a more intimate space for your child to thrive in. You could even try painting your ceiling in a darker tone to give the appearance of lowering it. 

How to design children’s rooms so that they are the Right Shape

Spatial layout impacts children’s behaviour too. Linear spaces bring attention and  focus to the end while radial spaces encourage movement around the space. Play with the layout of your child’s room until you find the right flow. For instance, by creating floor space for play, enough child accessible storage, a quiet area and a study/craft zone. 

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Tidy

I know- this one is controvercial, I’m all for free expression but please hear me out…

Tidiness encourages clear thoughts and structure. A clear path can make a room look more open, inviting and dynamic as well as more spacious.  If your child’s belongings can be put away easily their room will be tidier and your child will be happier and less stressed.  Having a tidy room limits overstimulation and therefore stress. Chaos causes sensory overload which in turn leads to anxiety  – so having a place for everything, and everything in it’s place is key when design a child’s room. It is crucial to make a lot of storage and to make it flexible so that it grows as their interests develop. it is also crucial to make it accessible to the child so that they can easily access and then tidy away their toys and possessions.

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Flexible 

Babies change almost daily so having a flexible nursery space that grows with your child is vital. 

A child’s room needs to reflect who they would like to be in the future, not just who they are now. Your child’s room should grow and change as your child grows physically and their interests change and develop. Use adaptable furniture and multipurpose furniture.  Flexibility in the use of space also promotes your child’s creativity. Themes are fleeting so should be interpreted loosely with items that can easily be changed such as accessories and bedding. Incorporating extra beds for sleepovers or desks for homework into your child’s room from an early age will future proof your design and allow for your child’s growth and changes in how they use their room. If you can create a space that is peaceful, comfortable and houses their interests and caters to their needs your child will feel more positive and secure. 

A rainbow themed playroom concept.

How to design children’s rooms so that they Bring the outside in (Biophilic Design) 

Bring the outside in using natural textures such as wood, wool, linens etc, indoor plants and taking inspiration for your palette from nature’s own colour palette. Openness and access to nature give a sense of freedom, independence and liberation to a child’s room which is essential in mental development. Wall art can be used to bring the outdoors in – try to use photos over paintings as photographs help children to look at the details around them and to connect to the world around them. Please see the Benholm Group’s guest blog on Biophilic design for children’s spaces for further details. For the some interesting effects of Biophilic design head to Benholm group’s biophilic design study.

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Colourful – embrace colour psychology

Colour affects mood so choosing the correct colour for your child friendly space is important. Children’s bedrooms are often multi purpose rooms where they can nurture their growth and exploration, their rooms also need to be oasis of calm and restfulness. Using a calming palette with fun exuberant highlight colours in zones is a useful way of fulfilling both briefs. 

This is why I use colours that brighten a room and that make children feel happy and calm. 

As babies see mostly in shades of black , grey and white a monochrome colour scheme with contrasting patterns and shapes in a nursery will give baby plenty of visual stimulation. Colour blocked artwork works well for the first 5 months of baby’s life as they can see it and then is a lovely focal point tin the  nursery as your baby begins to toddle. Please see my blog on how to help your children sleep for more ideas.

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Light and airy

Light really has a huge influence on the psychology of design and space. Natural and artificial lighting need to work in balance so that the room can fulfil all it’s functions no matter what time of day. 

Bright natural light helps boost mood and concentration, especially in young children. Research has also shown that morning sunlight exposure can help prevent erratic and delayed bedtimes and problems with children’s circadian rhythms. And we all know that in order for children to behave well and perform at the top of their game they need to have slept well. In an ideal world your child would have one room to sleep in, one to play in and another to study in – we find that in most homes children do a combination of all of these in their room – though truth be told, you should associate their bedroom mostly with sleep so choosing calming tones in at least the sleep zone of their room will really help.  Please see my blog post on how to make your child’s room happier for more details.

Bright natural light boosts mood and concentration. Consider the view out of the windows and skylights which can help provide a visual release for children while helping to regulate their circadian rhythm. To ensure you make the most of your natural light ensure your curtain poles are long enough to allow the curtains to be fully pushed back away from the window when open. 

A lighting scheme can make or break the design and feel of a room and is vitally important in a space used by children. Use full spectrum light bulbs, not fluorescent  or spiral bulbs – poor lighting which can be too yellow, too cold or too blue-white can cause anxiety and depression. 

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Personal – Let them reflect their personality

Interior design helps you give meaning to your space, it reflects your likes, interests and lifestyle – this is especially true of children’s spaces. Studies have shown that children with positive perceptions of themselves go on to have good social and academic skills later on in life. To help promote this in your children ensure that there is space in their room 9or the den or the kitchen or the family room) where they can indulge in their hobbies. A strong sense of identity is crucial to your child’s development and nurtures good self-esteem and individuality. This sense of themselves can be encouraged by creating a space for them to display their awards and trophies, or to show off their treasures and using wall space to display their art. 

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Private

The need for privacy is a natural part of growing up. They start out life unable to be left alone and a few years later we have to allow them to take the first steps to solitude and independence. Space privacy is a psychological impact of interior design. Allowing your child to explore this newfound independence in a safe and interesting environment can build familial trust and a sense of competence which in turn help with decision making skills and resourcefulness as they grow older. Add a mezzanine, a secret room or space in a wardrobe, or divide your child’s space into zones, pop a tepee in a corner, hang a canopy above their bed. Any little nook like under the stairs or a hall landing can be transformed into a little person’s idyll. 

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Fun and whimsical

Even though your primary goal when designing your child’s bedroom should be a room for them to sleep in – calm and cosy, exploring and whimsy should also feature in your child’s room design so that they are interested in and engage with their surroundings. Adding a mezzanine to separate sleeping from play or work zones, adding a secret door, or dividing the room into sections with dividers all add to the sense of theatre which a younger child’s room should have. Creating an environment where your child finds it easy to play and to be active physically will greatly enhance their creativity. Add a climbing wall, swing chair, tepee, tunnel, slide or hidden reading nook to bring some childish delight and whimsy into your home. 

How to design children’s rooms so that they are Acoustically pleasing

The materials you use within your child’s room can be used to help sound from bouncing all over the room – think soft. So rugs on wooden floors, curtains, fabric blinds, throws and cushions will all help to soften the acoustics. Keep their noise in and your noise out of their room. 

Summing up How to design children’s rooms

There are many aspects to designing a room that is child focused – it needn’t overwhelm or frighten you – take on one aspect at a time but think ahead so that you don’t create extra work for yourself. Alternatively you could hire me to worry about all these details and get presented with the design for a beautiful, practical room where your child’s emotional, physical and mental development will be catered to.

Which aspects of designing your child’s room are you struggling with?

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Getting “Back to school ready”

In line with my article in MADE Magazine jul/aug 22  about getting ready for “back to school” by creating a great desk/study area for your child I thought I’d tackle a few more pain points for parents on the run up to the start of term so that you can start the new school year with a bounce in your step.  Making space for home work and music practice, for storing PE kits and school bags all takes a little thought. Here are some tips to help you get ready for the new academic year. 

Well hi, here I am standing by a completed study space that I designed.

Trying to get the kids to get ready for school independently? to keep School uniform tidy and ready for the morning rush?

Create cupboard space that is accessible for your growing child so that uniform is within reach. In this way your children feel more independent by dressing themselves and tidying their own clothes away, making them more responsible and independent.

Overwhelmed by shoes, trainers, wellies and football boots?

Pop a shoe wrack near the door or in the under stairs hall cupboard or within the cupboard in your child’s room so that it is accessible and fit for purpose. If you are lucky enough to have the space you can create a mudroom with cubby holes or lockers for each member of the family by the front or back door. 

A simple fix is to add hooks to the back of their door and store all bags, blazers , lunch boxes and PE kits on them so that everything is in one place.

Sports equipment everywhere and can’t find the PE. Kit when you need it?

Install a locker or storage baskets so that it is all tidy and organised – hooks on the back of a door or hallway cubbies are a great example of this. Stored in its own bag, the P.E. kit can be kept with the school bags, lunch boxes, coats and school shoes in a designated spot. 

Even the smallest of spaces can accommodate a study desk and shelving for supplies and books. This desk has integral storage for colouring pens and pencils so acts as a great desk for younger artists!

Is your child needing their own space to study?

Study space can be created wherever suits your family – at the kitchen table or a desk in a bedroom or in a communal area. Homework paraphernalia and supplies can easily be stored within reach of the study area either in easily stowed baskets, a chest of drawers or shelves. 

For smaller spaces, corner shelves like this one can create more storage.

Too many books? Can there ever really be too many books?

Bookshelves can be fitted into the smallest of spaces and a regular clear out and purge can help keep the quantity of books under control.

Trying to encourage instrument practice? 

Musical instruments need to be accessible and within view so that they get played daily. The trick is to do this so that they are not in the way at the same time as they are ready to be practised. Leave the music stand in  a corner of your living room and incorporate the instrument into your decor- your everyday so that it is part of your child’s everyday environment. You could hang guitars on the walls for example. 

Does your child find it hard to find space to play or relax?

The space needed in which to play changes as your child grows. From floor space to child height furniture to desks or cosy seating  – having a few options  at each stage allows your child explore and play with different items, in different ways. So floor space, a den/tipee, table and chairs and a cosy place to curl up are the main zones you need to cater for – not necessarily all in your child’s room, within family spaces too if you need. Creative spaces are often at the kitchen table when children are younger, this may change to their own desk in their bedroom, the garage or a studio at the bottom of the garden as they get older. Messy play, art and music all need to find a place in your home. Cosy, reading nooks are a great addition to any family home. Bed is a great place for children to read and relax. A blanket on the sofa or an armchair also provides a great space to be cosy and read. Exploration can happen for kids in everything they do when they are younger so facilitating this is really important – space to play and learn. 

Hopefully this blog helps you to get on top of things before the daily grind of the school run begins again in earnest.

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2022 Interiors Colour Trends: How to use them in your family home

Bold colours in accessories

A 2022 Interiors Colour Trend is to inject personality and fun into your home by adding colour and texture using accessories.  After nearly two years of varying degrees of lockdown people have been spending more time at home and realising that their home should reflect them. To this end more personalisation, especially in colour choice is trending for 2022.

Green

Green retro influenced living room with strong ties to nature.

The 2022 Retro Interiors trend ties in well with the use of many different shades of green from olive to fern combined with other nature inspired tones like terracotta, browns and beiges. These 2022 Interiors Colour Trends are obviously still taken from nature to create a calming, welcoming home in contrast the wider, more chaotic world.  Green velvet sofas, sage or olive walls. Other rich coloured velvets on furniture add to the cosy luxury we have been seeing since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Blue nursery evoking nature and whimsy. Items available from my new collaborators Blue Almonds Boutique.

Blue

Dulux’s colour of the year, Bright skies, is a warm blue that evokes the natural world and again is calming and centred on bringing the outdoors in and therefore great to use in bedrooms. Working with the ideas of biophilic design and bringing the outdoors in. Soothing and calming it evokes all the wellness that we want to recruit into our homes in these unprecedented times.

A soft and cosy bedroom with a Lilac mural as a centre piece and lilac accents with natural wooden, textured natural fabrics and white furniture pieces.

Purples

The Pantone colour of the year 2022 is Very Peri – a joyous blue with red undertone. It recalls all the fun and frivolity we want from our homes these days. Bringing joy and creating a cosy warmth within the home.

Colour co-ordinating Image credit

Colour co-ordinating

Another 2022 interiors Colour Trend we will be seeing is more coordinating of colour – painting the radiators to match walls and woodwork painted the same as the walls to create an integrated and modern look with more cohesion. This effect creates less visual business and adds to the sense of calm. Creating a background that allows only what you choose to stand out. It makes rooms feel larger and more contemporary.

Defined zones

Open plan spaces will have more defined zones with clear delineations for work, rest and play areas. As we are all fitting work into our homes more permanently.  Colour blocking is another 2022 Interiors Colour Trend. An effective way to create zones in open spaces and will carry on into 2022 hot on the heels of the colour blocking trend.

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De-cluttering – why it is important  by Auntie K

Hi there, As winter settles in most parents’ thoughts turn to preparing for Christmas. I’m delighted to welcome parent consultant, the lovely Aunty K to my blog where she will share the importance of having a good clear out before Christmas. Enjoy…..

Aunty K

Bio: I am Kirsty, also known as Auntie K – a parent consultant based in Surrey. I have been working with young children and their families for over 20 years and I am also a mum of two myself. My work involves me supporting parents in all areas of parenting, from sleep, weaning and potty training to behaviour, mental health and getting children school ready – I literally cover all areas! I am often seen in the national press sharing my opinions, tips and advice and I have lots of useful information over on my website too – www.auntiekschildcare.co.uk

Christmas is fast approaching and for some, like myself, there may be a child’s birthday looming too. For my family, this is a great opportunity to have a sort through of all the toys, books and games and to de-clutter. We tend to have a good sort through twice a year to keep on top of everything, which I highly recommend.

It is easy to get overwhelmed with toys, and children are notorious for telling you that they have to keep absolutely everything, but the reality is that in doing so, not only does your house become cluttered, your children become overwhelmed, which means that they struggle to play – their brains have gone into overdrive and they find it difficult to know what to play with, jumping from toy to toy, not knowing what to do next.

Research shows that, provided with fewer toys, kids will engage in longer periods of play and play more creatively, but the benefits don’t end there and here is why de-cluttering the toys in your home is important.

Less stress –

Physical clutter creates stress. This can reduce your ability to focus and can diminish how satisfied you feel in life. By reducing the number of toys within the home, you will not only be helping to decrease the levels of stress in your child but also yourself. It will also help both of you improve focus and satisfaction.

Less time tidying up –

Sounds obvious, I know, but having less, means less to clear away, which means more time for other things. You will also find that your child is more likely to help with tidying up if there is less to do.

Children will care for their possessions more –

Having less and feeling less overwhelmed will help your children to care about their possessions more, and take pride in keeping things tidy, which means they are more likely to tidy without prompting.

where to start-

You may be wondering where to begin. If you have a lot spread throughout the house, it can be hard, so here is what to do:

Pick one room at a time – Decide which room that you want to tackle first. Is it one of the kid’s rooms? Or perhaps the playroom? 

It is much easier to take each room, one at a time so start with where you feel needs sorting first.

Pick a time where you have time – De-cluttering can take hours, and it is best to finish a room on the same day that you have started, or you will run the risk of more clutter and less enthusiasm!

Pick a time where you can take the whole day if you need to, and where you can take your time – the aim is to make life less stressful, not more!

Get the kids to help – I think it is important for kids to help, not only so they learn vital life skills but so that they understand that it is important to de-clutter. You can explain that to have new toys/books/games, they have to get rid of some of the older ones. You could suggest to older children that can sell some of their things to make some money, but it is also important to give some things to others too.

Keep these questions in mind – 

  • ” Does my child play with this?” – think back throughout the year – how often have they played it?
  • ” Has my child outgrown this?” – Are there toys that they are now too old for? Nostalgia can play a part in keeping some toys, but they might not be getting anything out of toys that are more suited to a child two years younger
  • ” Does my child really love this?” – If the answer is yes, then keep. If no, get rid!
  • “Would my child realise that this is gone?” – When it comes to getting rid of toys, children often suddenly decide that they love everything. The reality is though, they seldom do, and those toys that you know they have shown no interest in for the last year, are very much going to be the ones that they will not miss.

If this article peaked your interest do take a look at the related guest post by the Mess Goddess and my post on how to get your child’s room ready for Christmas.

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Cosy living this autumn/winter

“Cosy – giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation.”

oxford dictionary

How are we all feeling with the nights getting longer and the temperatures starting to drop? As the wind and rain blows the leaves from the trees and we wrap up warm I thought you’d enjoy  a look at all the different terms and ethos that embrace cosiness at their core. let’s get you cosy living and you can nuzzle in with a hot chocolate and a good book in the knowledge that you’re totally doing it right!

Inspiration for this post!

Hygge 

Well, unless you’ve been living under a rather large rock for the last few years, you’ll have heard of this one. In a nutshell Hygge is the Danish word that encompasses the feeling of taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things, a feeling of home, surrounded by the people and the things that you love in a comfortable, unguarded way.  Soft lighting, (especially candlelight), cosy, natural soft furnishings, furniture arranged to encourage conversation are all Hygge and a way to carry on cosy living.  

A cushion and a cosy throw on a comfy rocking chair next to a stack of books ready to be read – cosy indeed

Ikigai

This is the Japanese term which encompasses the happiness of always being busy. From Japanese words iki, meaning “life,” and gai meaning “value,” it is sometimes translated as “your reason for being”. Ikigai encourages you to surround yourself with things you love while pursuing the things you like to do. It relates to care and attention and this translate into interiors. To have a home filled with Ikigai you must design for beauty and functionality using simplicity, raw materials , minimal clutter and natural light, in this way creating spaces for cosy living.

Ikigai office space., embracing nature. Image credit: Pinterest

Koselig

The Norwegian term explores cosiness in a more social way and almost requires you to share your sanctuary to experience it. It is cosiness while enjoying the company of others and a connection with nature. Think of turning your armchair to face the window and enjoy looking at the weather with a cuppa under a blanket by firelight while chatting happily with family, now that’s cosy living.

Mysig

Swedish word for taking time out to enjoy being cosy while eating comforting foods. Think of all those cinnamon buns you could eat under your blanket on your sofa!

Gezellig 

Dutch word that is untranslatable and goes beyond meaning cosy – it encompasses everything from cosy to friendly, from comfortable to relaxing, and from enjoyable to gregarious. Your space can be Gezellig with warm colors, warm ambiance, many books, plants and knick-knacks. It ties in with another related Swedish term of Lagom. 

A Gezellig nook. photo credit : Pinterest

Lagom

This Swedish term refers to the art of balanced living – having just the right amount of something and balancing work life and home life. Lgom is about decluttering your life and home creating an honest space where you can enjoy spending time with family and friends. Its encourages moderate, conscious consumption without clutter to create a peaceful home. This combined with minimalist Swedish furniture and the Lagom assertion that functionality is paramount mean that to follow a Lgom lifestyle ones home would be minimalist and clear of clutter with everything built to last with good storage. One wall decorated in wallpaper is Lagom as decorating the entire room would be too much. Sustainability is a big part of Lagom so reusing and up cycling as well as sourcing sustainable new pieces also follows Lagom. 

A Lagom kitchen/dinner with clean, simple lines and lots of storage. Photo credit

Gemütlichkeit  

German word that encompasses sensations of coziness, contentment and warmth. The term can also be extended to refer to the sense of social acceptance and well-being. Think of attending a German Christmas market or having a beer in a beer garden with friends – that is the feeling this word covers. At home this feeling can be enhanced by creating a warm comfortable space to welcome guests. 

Còsagach  

A Scottish Gaelic word meaning cosy and snug also evokes warm fires and cosy blankets and indeed the term “Coorie in” means snuggle in and can be used to invite you to join in a story, game, drink, meal or chat. It evokes a sense of snug welcome. Layering of soft furnishings and cushions as well as low level light combine to create this ambience at home so that you can enjoy cosy living.

Coorie in in this cosy living room. Photo credit.

All these terms feed into the current trend for cosiness which is clearly a reaction against the stresses we have all faced in the last nearly two years.  With trends like cottage core, grand millennial, the homebody economy is growing as we all dream of domestic cosy bliss. 

So choose one or a few to try out this winter in your home or take a little cheat and get the best elements from each by :

  • Layering Soft lighting and candlelight
  • Layering soft furnishings
  • Decluttering
  • Using warm, deep, rich colours
  • Surrounding yourself with things you love
  • Using scents like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove
  • Having plants indoors

Doing this will not only make your house cosy but turn it into your home. Enjoy and snuggle up! Up for more snuggly ideas? then take a look at my my how to make your child’s room cosy for winter post or at my guest post for Auntie K Parenting Consultant.

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2022 Interior Trends

completed living room

The overall theme for 2022 Interior Trends is unsurprisingly comfort. Bringing in nature, cosiness, rounded forms, sustainable furnishings, more individualised kitchens, spa like bathrooms, well equipped workspaces and multifunctional rooms and furniture is still our top priority as we are facing changing work patterns in the new normal. 

2022 Interior Trends: Biophilic Design

2022 Interiors trend: Biophilic design - using natural materials, colours and plants in this living room helped to bring the outdoors in and gives a sense of calm.
A recent living room design incorporating lots of family nick-nacks and personality. The clients wanted to bring nature and calm into this space.

Our search for nature, for bringing the outdoors in, naturally leads to the continuing trend for the use of natural and organic materials and for sustainable furniture and materials such as glass and cork, wicker. The 2022 interiors trend colour palette is also highly influenced by nature with various shades of green, blue and earthy tones combining with warmer neutrals such as beige to create our cocooned sanctuaries. Houseplants are a huge trend that will carry over into 2022 as people have realised the soothing wonder of biophilic design. Find out more about biophilic design here.

2022 Interior Trends: 70s Retro

A 2022 Interiors Trend concept of a fun, welcoming space.
A retro inspired multifunctional space filled with plants, light wood, orange accents and rounded forms. A very cosy, easy space.

The earthy colour palette gets carried through in the 70s retro 2022 interiors trend where oranges, browns and greens mingle with vintage pieces and simple forms to reimagine the 70s retro vibe. Think calm retro.

2022 Interior Trends: 90s Urban Revival

A look back at a 1990s living room design which inspires the 2022 Interiors Trend.
An inspirational 90s interiors using beige and earthy brown tones with punches of colour. Image

Another branch of 2022 interior trends is the Y2K Revival or 90s urban trend which is fun, bold and colourful and uses geometric shapes in a different way. This trend will see the return of blonde wood floors, white kitchens, the floral wallpaper trend of the past few years will continue as well as the use of pastel colours in accessories like cushions, throws and lamps.

2022 Interior Trends: New Minimalism

A Japandi/minimalist concept in line with 2022 Interiors Trends.
Strong lines, pale wood, a nod to Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics.

The new minimalism trend carries on from the Japandi trend – calm, warm, cosy, and clean – the limited ornamentation and choice of just 1 or two materials in the space reflect our search for minimal consumption and sustainability. Somewhat reflected in the quest for zen bathrooms. Black accessories and pale wood furniture still abound to tie in with Japandi styling. White walls and pale floors are balanced with painted doors and trims. 

How to make 2022 Interior Trends work for you

There are elements of 2022 interior trends that can work for you, be it adding a round coffee table – changing out your cushions for more retro coloured ones or finding some vintage pieces to add character to your space.  By introducing a few pot plants and natural materials into your home your space will feel calmer and more connected to the outdoors. Simple rounded lines and warm neutral colours mixed with the colours of nature will add to that sense of soothing and calm which we all need to find in our own home sanctuaries.

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What is E-Design/online/remote interior design?

In this age of global pandemic where so many of us have been forced (or indeed allowed ) to work from home the benefits of technology are clear for us all to see. It is therefore natural that the interior design field has adapted to new technologies and E-Design /online/remote interior design is a fast growing area of the industry. So what is E-Design/online/remote interior design?

E-Design is a convenient, affordable and speedy way to get the guidance of a professional interior designer. E-design is tailored to a tech-savvy, budget – conscious, do -it-yourself generation. It is a collaborative process between the designer and their client where all the communication is through email, phone or video calls which gives you more flexibility in your schedule. Clients will handle the logistical aspects eg measuring your room, ordering items and installation, while the designer puts the look together and provides tools for them to be able to carry it out. 

The designer does all the product sourcing, decision making, solves layout issues and helps you visualise how your room could look – all remotely. It is great for those who need guidance and the impetus to get started. Thanks to technology, interior design services can now be completed without a designer ever having set foot in your home. E-design is typically a simpler, more laid back process with a quicker turnaround than traditional interior design.

E-designers create a digital copy of a room design based solely on the information you, the client, give them. They provide flat fee services that lend towards a budget- conscious clientele.

designed to nurture slogan

HOW DOES E-DESIGN WORK?

All e-designers work slightly differently but the main themes remain the same. It is a more collaborative process with the client shouldering the responsibility for sending measurements and photos to the designer and filling out a questionnaire before an online consultation. Once a purchase has been made, my process involves:

  1. Fill out the client profile and send me photos and measurements. Note pieces you would like to keep. Collaborate on a Pinterest/Houzz inspiration board or send in your inspiration board.
  2. Have a design consultation by video conference or phone.
  3. Approve the Brief. Receive your concept board, floor plan and clickable shopping list within 4 weeks.
  4. Shop at your convenience.
  5. Have a post-design styling consultation once everything has arrived.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE HIRING AN E-DESIGNER/REMOTE INTERIOR DESIGNER

As the E-Design process is a collaborative one it is a good idea to be prepared to help make the process smooth and to communicate as clearly as possible with your designer.

Set a Budget

Know how much you have to spend and don’t be shy about letting the designer know what it is – it is their job to make it work – within reason!

Set a Timescale 

Know how much time you have for the project, how much time you can live with the space out of action or when you have to be away. Remember a benefit of E-Design is that you can spend as long as you like making the purchases and adding the final touches.

Figure out your Style

Images from magazines or creating a Pinterest board of rooms and things that you like can be very helpful in narrowing down your style. This is important as it helps the designer know which type of style to start from. If you love everything and choosing is your problem the designer’s questionnaire and consultation should be of great help to you in narrowing down to find your style or styles.

Gather Inspiration

Images, samples, Pinterest Boards and collect them together. It’s important to think about what you like about the images and why you saved them. You should find themes and things that reoccur in the different images. It is then your designers job to pull these themes out and get to the essence of what it is you like and need from your project.

BENEFITS OF HIRING AN E-DESIGNER

  • Be part of the team: E-Design works for anyone who wants to collaborate. If you can be forthcoming with your designer and not worry about offending them then E-Design is for you. Wonder if it would work for you? –then reach out a quick call should help, I love to chat so feel free to get in touch.
  • A quick turn around – the process involves one room at a time usually, so there is no pressure with the timeline: it’s up to you, the client, if you wish to purchase everything at once or to stagger the cost by buying in your own time. If you are time poor then E-Design is your answer.
  • Learn a bit more DIY or more about design as you follow the provided images and plans and shopping list to purchase your items and set up your space. The E-Design process teaches you and allows you to practice interior design.
  • No hidden costs: Anyone who likes to know how much they will be spending will find E-Design is for them. E-Designers usually charge a flat fee with no hidden costs or travel expenses to pay for.
  • E-design is more affordable than traditional design – because you are doing some of the work yourself (measuring and photography) you won’t have to pay your designer to do those things. Why pay a designer to do things that you can do? Most of your money can go towards the actual design.. interior designers used to be exclusively for the wealthy – E-Design has changed the game – here is a list of my services and fees.
  • You are not limited to designers in your area – You have more designers to choose from. Every E-Designer is available to you online via the wonder of the “interweb”.

And… oh, I do E-Design…. Isn’t that convenient? Click for more info.. or to schedule an informal chat contact me.

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Making your child’s room happier: 10 simple steps to make your child’s room a happier place

a light, bright, fun nursery concept with pops of orange and soft- edged furniture and circular accents.

When you ask an adult what makes their home a happier place, these themes crop up:

– having a sense of warmth/cosiness/ creativity

– a space that reflects your interests 

– a space you can retreat to

Would your kids want the same….? The answer is yes. You can help them to create a happier space by going through these 10 steps.

Step 1 -“chaos control” to make your child’s room a happier place

Clean and declutter their room, get them to help you so that they take ownership and ultimately take responsibility for the mess.  Everyone feels more stressed in a messy cluttered room so help put an end to it by making tidying up part of the daily routine and create place for everything to be tidied to. Use flexible storage that will evolve with your child’s needs. See an earlier post on how to declutter and take a look at The Mess Goddess’ Guest Blog for more on how to tackle decluttering.

a navy blue space themed boy's room with white furniture and Star Wars accents
Lots of flexible storage which will adapt as tastes change and develop creates a space for everything to be tidied away.

Step 2 – Let them get a Good night’s sleep

We all feel better after a good night’s sleep. A fundamental step towards greater happiness is to get more good quality sleep. This is especially true for children. (remember that colour can help with creating a soothing environment for sleeping) For a more detailed look at how your child’s room design can help them sleep take a look at my earlier post How to Help your Child to Sleep .

Ideally there would be no electronic devices in the bedroom or during the hour before bed. If they are in the bedroom try and keep them at least 1m away from the bed with no blue lights from screens or chargers showing. 

Cosy, soft enveloping textures create that nest like feeling that will help your little one fall asleep so invest in natural fibre sheets and duvet sets. 

Control the light in the room -consider black out curtains for daytime naps and bright evenings as well as halogen reading lights at bedtime and other artificial light sources like nightlights to create an adaptable cosy space where your child will be able to pursue the things that makes them happy.

Ah… nothing is as sweet as a sleeping child! (Photo from Shutterstock.)

Step 3 – Use colour to change the mood

Over the years there have been many books devoted to colour therapy and the influence that colour has on our moods and the shapes the way we use space.  It can help with concentration, sleep, creativity and yes, you guessed it, happiness. You can use colour to create either soothing spaces with mellow tones or uplifting ones using vibrant yellows, greens and oranges. These brights can be on accessories instead of on whole walls to provide that “Pop” of colour.

Step 4- Get them to make their beds

According to CNBC, socio-economist Randall Bell, Ph.D., has been studying high achieving people for over 25 years to find out what they all have in common. He and his team surveyed “more than 5,000 people across the world, including professionals, students, retirees, the unemployed and multi-millionaires.” They examined factors from writing thank you notes to eating dinner together as a family each night. One key factor that many had in common was making their bed every morning. According to Dr. Bell making your bed each morning puts your mind into a productive mindset, and can spark other productive tasks throughout the day.

Author Charles Duhigg writes about this in his New York best-selling book titled, “The Power of Habit”. He mentioned a study conducted by a researcher from Duke University in 2006 that found that more than 40% of the actions people perform each day aren’t actual well-informed decisions, but rather, habits. When habits pile on top of each other each day, they can have an enormous impact on our health, productivity, financial security, and happiness.

https://www.simplerecovery.com/making-bed-makes-you-happier/

Getting your children to make their beds first thing in the morning as part of a daily routine will form a good habit that should help give them a sense of achievement and drive to see more things through and achieve more throughout their day. Looking at a made bed is inviting and makes you feel happier than looking at a messy bed which could contribute to stress.

Step 5 – Add Plants to make your child’s room a happier place

There are many benefits to including plants in your child’s room. Plants can help to boost mood as well as help to clean the air. We seem to be programmed as humans to like nature so bringing some of it inside to care for and look at is of great benefit to our wellbeing as well as that of our children. To help make your child’s room happier add lots of plants.

For a fuller introduction to Biophilic design go to an earlier guest post by the Benholm group .

Step 6 – Add Natural light and fresh air 

This ties in with the principals of Biophilic design but needs an extra mention. Make the most of natural light and you will find that it helps to lift everyone’s mood. And children are drawn to it. Natural light will help them regulate their circadian rhythms as well so this will help them get more sleep at night. Opening windows and letting fresh air in lets out the mustiness and adds to the sense of calm, fresh, happiness too. The connection with the outdoors which we subconsciously crave is strengthened by these tiny touches – greatly boosting our happiness levels.

Step 7- Surround them with things they love

For kids that could be books, toys, photos of family, their artworks, treasures, fond memories, things that give them joy and show their personality. These will obviously evolve and change over time as interests wain.

Step 8- Layer lighting 

Layering lighting is an important important component in Feng Shui. Which seeks to balance our energy within the home. The use of a mixture of lighting such as dimmers, pendants and lamps and different bulbs,  such as halogen and task lighting combine for multi purpose use of the space at different times of the day. Think about the way your child uses their room and try and future proof a bit so that you have as many lighting options as you may need for play, study, make up, reading in bed or gaming for instance.

Step 9- Create good flow 

How you arrange furniture can influence how well your family connects. Encourage good use of their belongings and space by positioning toys near a space big enough to play in, books near a cosy spot and so on. This follows on from the decluttering and tidying up that will have taken place. A place for everything and everything in its place is a really helpful mantra to keep in mind when thinking about children’s rooms and is key to helping to make your child’s room happier.

Step 10- Soft edged furniture can make your child’s room happier

 If you do have need of extra furniture or storage solutions choose soft edged,  curved pieces which are soothing to the eye and make your body and mind relax. Our brain tends to associate sharper corners with getting hurt.

a light, bright, fun nursery concept with pops of orange and soft- edged furniture and circular accents.
A concept for a happy nursery with subtle soft – edged furniture including a round side table, rounded angular lamps and rounded cot. Combine this with pops of fun bright orange for a playful, fun feeling

Other tips for  making your child’s room happier

Scent is a very powerful sense and research shows that floral scents used around the home can help boost happiness. So you could try using a diffuser in your child’s room to promote happy smells.

Making friends with your neighbours and feeling more connected to your community also contribute to your sense of happiness – so allowing your children to play with the neighbourhood children and make friends locally really can help forge that sense of belonging and boost social interactions which we humans – social animals that we are, crave. Hopefully you are able, in this time of social distancing, still able to chat over the garden fence or wave to each other from across the road or post letters to each other to build on your relationships within your neighbourhood.

My final advice for helping your children to make their rooms happier places

Be happy with what you have, make the best of what you have but don’t spend your time striving for perfection.

It is clear that as long as you are happy with your home and find it comfortable and cosy then you will be happy in your home. Do not keep striving for the perfection found in social media – find your family’s happy place.

I hope these tips help you and your children make some positive changes to your space especially now as we are spending more time than ever in our homes due to social distancing measures. Pick and choose which changes to make and which changes would work for your child. I’d love to hear from you and see the changes you’ve made to make your children’s rooms happier.