They are fantastic in a shared bedroom as they make great use of vertical space and create a fun sleeping zone for young ones, especially if they tend not to like sleeping alone at night. Bunk beds are also great for guest bedrooms, and there are plenty of ways to make them both appropriate (and even appealing!) for adults.

What age is appropriate for bunk beds?

Red Nose Australia recommends that children under the age of nine avoid sleeping on the top bunk as young children are more likely to fall when climbing up and down the ladder or fall from the top bunk while sleeping and are much more susceptible to serious injury.

To ensure your bunk beds are as safe as possible, Product Safety Australia recommend that connections and fasteners are checked regularly to ensure they are strong and secure.

To create a safe sleep environment, it’s also important to ensure that your bunk beds aren’t within reach of blind and curtain cords, lights and ceiling fans. They also recommend removing the ladder (if possible) from bunk beds when not in use to prevent small children from climbing unsupervised.

How to arrange a bedroom with bunk beds?

There are plenty of options when it comes to arranging bunk beds within a room. A lot depends on how much space you have to work with, and any specific restrictions within the room, including windows, ceiling heights and in-built wardrobes.

For small bedrooms, it’s best to position bunk beds against a wall so that there is enough room to still move around the space. For larger spaces, positioning a bunk bed in the middle of the room makes quite the feature and also means that everyone can access their bed from the side.

So whether you’re designing a kids’ room or a fun guest bedroom, take inspiration from these stylish bunk bed ideas that make the most of their respective rooms and space.

Is it cheaper to build bunk beds or buy them?

When weighing up the cost of building custom bunk beds versus buying bunk beds off the shelf, there are a few things to consider. Do you (or someone you know) have the skills and tools to build the bunk beds or would you need to hire someone? Hiring a carpenter or builder would cost a lot more than buying the materials and building yourself or buying ready-made bunk beds from a store.

It’s likely to be cheaper to buy bunk beds off the shelf or online and there are plenty of fabulous designs on the market that can be delivered straight to your door. You will need to assemble them yourself and it’s important this is done properly to avoid any accidents. If you’re not confident (or don’t have the time), hire someone to assemble them for you.

24 clever bunk bed ideas that save on space

Blue built-in bunk beds

The vibrant blue built-in bunk beds in this gorgeous new build by the sea on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula — handpainted in Porter’s Paints ‘Mariner’ — perfectly echo the colour palette that runs through the rest of the home.

Custom bunks designed by Tecture

These custom-built bunk beds fit seamlessly into the contemporary coastal interiors of this newly-built Barwon Heads home. The timber and white palette is carried through from other rooms in the home, including the kitchen and living room.

Classic kids’ room with white timber bunk beds

The bunk room at interior designer Kate Walker’s former home was designed for when her partner Anthony’s kids came to visit. “It’s a very 1980s colour palette,” says Kate. “We used pink, blue, yellow, green – even touches of terracotta here and there.”

Small bedroom with twin bunks

Two sets of low-lying bunk beds sit proudly in the centre of one of the bedrooms in this playful Art Deco apartment in Sydney. This quirky decision allows for more beds – everyone can easily get out of bed without banging into a wall or climbing over someone else – and being quite low they don’t overpower the room.

Loft-style twin bunk with double beds below

The specially designed and constructed bunk room at luxury accommodation Lumière Lakes in Lake Conjola is owner Zoe’s favourite part of the home’s design. Sleeping up to six, the light and bright space features a loft-style twin bunk and two double beds below.

Playroom with twin bunk beds

At this Lorne beach house, designed by Hunting for George, a clever kids’ rumpus/retreat provides space for four children plus a baby in the nursery tucked away to the right.

Twin bunk beds with book nooks

The nautical-style kids’ bedroom brings a ship’s cabin to mind and promises hours of salty fun spent on holidays in this fresh and airy South Coast beach house. Each bunk has its own reading light and a nook recessed into the wall to store holiday books and treasures.

Framed bunk beds

The casual living room in this colourful country homestead is adjacent to the new bunkhouse. Two bunk beds are framed with blue joinery and are a great way of adding plenty of beds for guests of the family weekender and holiday rental.

Timber double bunk bed

A vibrant kids’ room at Uma on Werri — a beautiful new holiday house by the beach — provides the perfect escape for little ones who are visiting, with a double bunk bed maximising the space left for playing.

Scandi-style timber bunk beds

“The owners were keen to build in as many beds as possible, so a bunk room was the answer,” says interior designer Georgina Jeffries of this holiday home on Victoria’s Surf Coast.

Hamptons style white bunk beds

Bunk beds are great space savers and a crisp, all-white colour scheme will make a small room feel spacious and calming. Here, linen in blue ticking fabric adds subdued colour while extendable wall lamps add another layer of functionality.

Loft bed with timber ladder

In this luxurious holiday home in Byron Bay, the shared kids’ room features a striking wallpaper that adds a playful touch to the space. Timber ladders connect the ground floor play area to the elevated sleeping zone.

Plywood bunk beds

Inspired by the simplicity of Scandinavian architecture and minimalist beach houses in New Zealand, this contemporary home’s interiors are unassuming. “The palette is based on pale timbers, soft peachy tones and warm whites, referencing the colours of the coastline,” says owner Rebecca. Castello bunk beds from Plyroom tie in with the overall Scandi aesthetic.

Custom bunk beds with timber stairs

This coastal-style children’s room designed by Adelaide Bragg boasts a luxe version of a bunk bed. The custom built-in beds are spacious with the bottom bunk being able to fit accommodate a double mattress.

Timber bunk beds from Ikea

Busy Melburnians Simone and David Kelly craved a place to escape to regularly. The bush-inspired weekender features bunk beds in a more sophisticated style that is perfect for accommodating both children and adults.

White loft-style bunk beds

While an all-white palette for a kid’s room might sound risky, this renovated Byron Bay home features stark white throughout the house. In the boy’s room, a custom elevated bunk system was created to accommodate sleepovers and provide an extra play area.

Custom-built double bunk bed

In the build of this small eco-friendly home in Perth, a custom double bunk bed was created to make the most of the compact footprint and tall ceilings of this kid’s bedroom.

Built-in bunks by Maine House Interiors

This five-bedroom, off-the-grid farmhouse in the Macedon Ranges was built to withstand a robust family life while remaining comfortable for when guests and extended family come to stay. Two double beds were installed below the kids’ bunk beds to accommodate guests.

Bunk bed with stowaway trundle

The kids’ bedroom within a coastal abode features a bunk bed with a stowaway trundle. It maximises space while fun, colourful furnishings create a comfy retreat for the kids.

Custom bunk beds with mezzanine

The ceiling wallpaper lends a feeling of fun, as well as texture, to this monochromatic bunk bedroom. When renovating the Byron Bay cottage, interior designer Melissa says, “We wanted to capture the essence of the area and the connection to the lush hinterland and the beach.”

White and timber bunk bed

At the former home of comedian Merrick Watts, heated polished concrete floors and a sheepskin rug created a super cosy kids’ room. The bunk bed is decorated with bedlinen from Unison.

Twin custom bunk beds

This renovated beach house in Noosa features a curious kids’ bedroom configuration involving twin custom bunk beds. With four daughters, two of whom now live out of home, the design of this space was designed to encourage communication and connection between the children.

Bunk-style sleeping nooks

In this Scandinavian-inspired home, a pair of beds are encased in custom joinery, creating a bunk-bed effect. “It relieves the amount of loose furniture required leading the space to feel less cluttered and more spacious,” says architect Clare Cousins.

Single bunk beds from Snooze

A slimline bunk bed instantly transformed the children’s bedroom in this renovated miner’s cottage into a shared kids’ space. Playful patterned bedding adds a sense of fun while creating clear zones.

The post 24 stylish bunk bed ideas even adults will love appeared first on Homes To Love.

But the truth is, even a small baby can quickly become heavy if you’re relying on your own arm strength for long stretches of time. Pair this with feelings of fatigue from late-night feeds, and you’ll quickly be wishing you had a comfy, supportive place to sit (and perhaps recline) to endure it all!

Here, we run through some key features to look for when shopping for a nursery chair and some of the best nursing chairs (from recliners to rocking chairs, gliders, and more) you can buy right now.

What type of chair is best for a nursery?

While some retailers specialise in products marketed specifically as ‘nursing chairs’, the truth is any chair with the following features could be perfect:

• Padded armrest
• Lower back support
• Easy to get in and out of while carrying baby
• Easy-care fabric that will resist stains
• Safety lock mechanism (for recliners and gliders)

In terms of aesthetics, the current trend is towards fabrics in white or warm neutrals. It’s no secret that babies are messy, so if you’re concerned about keeping your nursery chair looking clean and pristine, consider purchasing an upholstery cleaner such as the Bissell Spot Clean or opt for a faux leather design that can be wiped clean.

The best nursing chairs to buy in 2024

01

Dean Performance fabric recliner armchair

$1199, Castlery

Inviting mid-century modern style, this fabric recliner armchair from Castlery is perfect for lounging in for long periods of time. With three adjustable angles to choose from, you can find the perfect position for you (and your bub). Plus, it’s finished in a spill-resistant fabric so that messes can be cleaned up without stress.

Key features:

• Upholstered seating
• 3 adjustable angles
• Spill-resistant fabric

Shop Now

02

Il Tutto reclining ‘Chelsea’ chair in Grey Frost

$799, Baby Bunting

Australian-owned company Il Tutto are becoming one of the leading manufacturers of nursery chairs in the country. The ‘Chelsea’ is their signature chair, boasting a 360-swivel motion, smooth glide experience, and easy-to-reach recline mechanism. It has been designed in Melbourne and is available in various colours.

Key features:

• 360-degree swivel base
• Reclining feature
• Glider base for smooth gliding motion

Shop Now

03

Artiss rocking feeding armchair in Beige

$371.95, Myer

This clever feeding chair comes with two sets of removable legs so you can swap between a rocking chair or a stationary style, depending on whether you’re feeding, rocking to sleep, reading, or playing. The classic tufted wingback design is a look that will work with a range of styles, and won’t date, meaning it’s an investment piece you’ll want to use for years.

Colours: beige, grey, charcoal

Key features:

• Convertible rocking/stationary chair
• Faux linen upholstery
• Tufted wingback
• Anti-scratch feetpads

Shop Now

04

Glider fabric armchair and ottoman in Sky

$1199, Freedom

This perfect pair from Freedom features not only a glider chair but a gliding ottoman! Perfect for parents and babies who find the gliding motion soothing during restless days and nights. The chair’s silhouette is also very contemporary and puts a curvaceous spin on the classic wing-backed chair. Also available in Harbour Fog.

Colours: Sky, Harbour Fog

Key features:

• High back support
• Smooth gliding motion
• Tufting detail

Shop Now

05

Dalya velvet accent chair with cushion in Dark Forest Green

$279 (usually $799), Luxo Living

Sitting in a velvet armchair can feel like a big hug, which is what you need when you’re waking in the middle of the night to attend to your little one. While this armchair isn’t specifically designed for feeding, it is compact enough for a small space and features a luxe padded construction complete with durable finishes and anti-slip feet. And, at well under $500, it’s an affordable and stylish option for parents on a budget.

Materials: solid wood frame, solid timber feet, high-density foam, velvet upholstery

Key features:

• Sturdy, solid wooden frame
• Soft velvet upholstery
• Anti-slip feet

Shop Now

06

Sukhrab faux leather electric recliner armchair

$639, Temple & Webster

Babies can make a lot of mess, so if having an easy-to-clean chair is important to you, consider opting for a faux leather design. This reclining chair will allow you to have the sleek chair you’ve been dreaming of, without the threat of unsightly stains.

Key features:

• Built-in USB charging port
• 3 adjustable positions with a powerful single motor
• Padded seat cushion

Shop Now

The post 6 nursing chairs that will support you through those sleepless nights appeared first on Homes To Love.

Not only can a clever toddler bed elevate the sometimes chaotic space that is a kids’ room, but the best beds can also be fantastic space savers.

If you lack space to work with or have kids sharing a room, bunk beds allow for extra and much-needed floor space. Similarly, a loft-style bed will help keep the clutter away and open up the space. Other practical toddler beds conceal clever storage solutions for books and night-time essentials, or even an extra bed!

Whether you’re transitioning from a crib or seeking an upgrade for your child’s sleeping space, we’ve found the most adorable, practical and playful beds that will make bedtime a breeze for all involved.

The best toddler beds to shop 2024

01

Hideout canopy bed

$1899, Freedom

Best for: themed kids rooms

This dreamy canopy bed will make any bedroom feel like a camping adventure. With a fun tent-style design made from solid oak, your kids will never want to leave their bedroom. Happy dreaming! Note: mattress, bedding and pillows are sold separately.

Size: King Single (118cm x 217cm x 131cm).

Materials: Solid oak, engineered board, canvas.

Key features:

• Fun tent-style bed
• Crafted from solid oak, engineered board, and canvas
• Quick assembly

Shop Now

02

Estilla boucle upholstered rainbow bed in light pink

from $299 (usually $599), Luxo Living

Best for: something different.

Have you seen anything sweeter than this soft pink boucle rainbow bedframe? It looks like it’s being cuddled by clouds, and it has been designed with your little one in mind — with a low base, sturdy timber construction, and a soft, padded boucle finish.

Sizes: Single or Double.

Materials: Soft boucle fabric, engineered wood frame, plywood legs.

Key features:

• Rainbow headboard design
• Soft boucle finish
• Low to ground design

Shop Now

03

Darcy pink bed

from $649.99, Adairs

Best for: the trendy kid’s bedroom.

This stylish bed is the perfect way to upgrade your child’s bedroom décor. Available in a navy or pink design, it’s a trendy, modern bedroom staple your kids will love.

Sizes: Single, King Single, Double.

Materials: Chipboard, MDF, fabric, and solid wood.

Key features:

• Upholstered bedhead
• Available in pink or navy
• Wooden legs

Shop Now

04

Harel natural timber triple bunk bed with slide in white

$819 (usually $1500), Luxo Living

Best for: a bit of fun!

Talk about fun! This bunk bed is bound to make magical memories for your little one and their siblings or friends (it sleeps three!). Complete with its own slide, you can be sure it has been well constructed. It also has a built-in ladder and top bunk side rails to ensure their safety while they play.

Colours: White, Natural.

Materials: Engineered pine wood.

Key features:

• Sleeps 3
• Comes with slide
• Crafted from natural timber

Shop Now

05

Storabed trundle bed

$1399 (usually $1699), Freedom

Best for: spontaneous sleepovers.

Having friends over? No worries. Your little ones will never have to sleep alone thanks to this trundle-style bed. With an extra bed tucked underneath, it’s perfect for siblings or sleepovers with friends.

Colours: White, Natural.

Size: King Single.

Materials: Ash, pine, poplar, and particle board.

Key features:

• Trundle style bed
• Sleeps 2
• Space-saving design

Shop Now

06

Sonata bunk bed in white

$449.99, Mocka

Best for: smaller spaces.

This classic bunk bed design will bring a sense of fun and adventure into your children’s bedroom. Whether you have an unexpected guest or need a bit more space, its versatile design will be a staple in the bedroom for years to come. We love the sleek profile of this one from Mocka that features a powder-coated frame with a whimsical vintage flair.

Colours: White, Black

Size: Single.

Key features:

• Bunk-bed design
• Sleeps 2
• Sturdy powder-coated aluminium frame

Shop Now

07

Praga custom drawer timber bed frame

from $1979 (usually $2199), BedWorks

Best for: a bed with added storage solutions.

A bed that’s loved for its practicality and visual appeal, this custom timber bed frame is available in a range of sizes and various timber finishes. If you need any more reason to add to the cart, it’s also 100% Australian-made from sustainable plantation timbers.

Colours: An array of colours available.

Sizes: Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King, Super King.

Materials: Pine or Victorian ash oak.

Key features:

• Hidden storage underneath bed
• Crafted from premium wood finishes such as Victoria Ash Oak, American Oak, or New Zealand Pine
• Push to open mechanism

Shop Now

08

Straton velvet kids’ bed in cream

$179 (usually $249), Luxo Living

Best for: contemporary kids’ bedrooms.

Got a kid with style? Get them this super sweet cream velvet bedframe. Not only does it look and feel great, but the tall padded headboard is perfect for resting against during storytime.

Sizes: Single, King Single.

Materials: Velvet fabric, solid timber, electroplated metal legs.

Key features:

• Velvet, soft, padded bed frame
• Tall bedhead perfect for reading in bed

Shop Now

What age are kids beds for?

Kids or toddler beds are the beds your kids sleep in when they grow out of their cot. This usually happens between 18 months to three years, depending on your child. When your child starts showing signs of needing a new bed (i.e. climbing out of the cot), it is time to transition them into a kids’ or toddlers’ bed.

What bed should a four-year-old sleep on?

Generally, at four years old, your kid may want to upgrade to a single bed as they may now be too tall for a toddler’s bed.

The post 8 of the most magical toddler beds to buy right now appeared first on Homes To Love.

Winter is coming. But for the majority of parents with a nursery in the house, winter is already here, forcing us to think and overthink about the best heating to use so everyone can get a decent, snug night’s sleep.

Most parents are well versed in the importance of not letting their baby overheat, and nobody wants their child to catch a chill either. The only solution is a perfect solution. Lorraine Harrison, an educator at Red Nose Australia, says it is crucial to protect babies from overheating, as this is a known risk factor of SIDS and SUDI.

We have the lowdown on keeping the stress down on how to get your baby’s room temperature just right.

How to dress your baby for winter

Since babies control their temperature predominantly through their heads, Lorraine suggests dressing your child warmly in the winter months and leaving their head and face uncovered. The best practice is lying the baby on their back, and using a safe baby sleeping bag – one with a fitted neck, armholes, sleeves and no hood.

Lorraine recommends not leaving the heater on all night, completely avoiding the risk of the room getting too hot. This is where timers, remote controls, and tech advances in heaters come into play. If anything, it’s better to heat the room before the baby goes to sleep instead.

What type of heater is safest for baby room?

There aren’t any strict or specific regulations for selecting the best heater for your baby’s room. It is recommended, however, that gas heaters are not used in bedrooms — they can cause potentially serious health problems — and there are even regulations in place regarding gas heaters in some states.

Colin Jones, a product expert at Appliances Online, recommends choosing “a heater that does not affect the quality of the air, that does not dry it out, that is easy to move from room-to-room. It should have a thermostat to regulate the temperature and a timer so it can automatically turn off after a period of time.”

A popular choice is the classic oil heater, which is not known to affect the air quality of your room. Since they don’t have an exposed element and often come with timer/thermostat functions, the risk of the oil heater getting too hot to the touch is avoidable.

Another recommendation from Colin is to use a panel heater. Most models are portable and can be moved from room to room depending on your needs, and also come with wall mount brackets that will keep the heater safely out of the way from your baby.

However, he notes that panel heaters “often dry out the air over long periods of time, so purchasing a humidifier will help replace the moisture in the air.”

The best oil heaters for baby’s room

01

Thermo 1000W oil column heater with timer

$99, Delonghi

Best for: tight budgets

Featuring a 24-hour timer and three power settings, this compact column heater from Delonghi is perfect for small rooms that need extra warmth. Its innovative slot design helps boost heat distribution, while a safety thermostat, tilt switch and cool touch handle give you long-lasting peace of mind. This heater is incredibly popular and sells out quickly.

Key features:

• 7-year warranty
• 24-hour timer
• Safety features for peace of mind
• Clever design boosts heat distribution

Shop Now

02

Delonghi Dragon4 electric oil column heater

$309, Appliances Online

Best for: value for money

With its unique fin design, Delonghi’s Dragon4 heater delivers accelerated airflow and more even heat distribution throughout a room. A user-friendly digital LED panel allows full control of temperature settings, power levels, and a 24-hour timer, while an ECO Plus function means it’s more energy-efficient.

Key features:

• Sleek, compact style
• Easily portable design
• Price match guarantee
• Free removal and recycling of old disconnected appliances

Available at:

• $207.20 (usually $259) from Myer
• $239 from David Jones
• $309 from Delonghi

Shop Now

The best panel heaters for baby’s room

03

Airo 1500W panel heater with black glass

$162, Appliances Online

Best for: looking good while it works

Its sleek, minimal aesthetic makes the Airo panel heater the perfect piece to seamlessly blend into any room design. With a programmable digital timer for easy temperature control and a wall-mounted bracket, it brings functionality and the comfort of a warm and cosy room without having to invest in a bulky unit.

Key features:

• Free delivery
• Price match guarantee
• Free removal and recycling of old disconnected appliances
• Easy temperate control
• Wall-mounted design

Available at:

• $179.98 (with added timer and remote) from BIG W

Shop Now

04

Nobo 750W panel heater with thermostat and castors

$533, Appliances Online

Best for: reason

Wall-mounted bracket included, this polished panel heater from Niro also gives users the option to attach castors to make the unit portable between rooms. Designed for quiet performance, it’s a great option to run during the winter months without sacrificing your or your baby’s precious sleep.

Key features:

• Slim minimalist design
• Option to wall-mount or make portable
• Functions quietly
• Free delivery available
• Free removal and recycling of old disconnected appliances

Available at:

• $349.98 from BIG W
• $498.50 from Woolworths

Shop Now

The best space heaters for baby’s room

05

Vornado VMH300 Vortex air circulating whole room metal heater

$209.98, BIG W

Best for: reason

Made of an inlet grill that keeps dust (and tiny fingers!) away, as well as a master switch, remote control and tip-over protection, this metal heater from Vornado offers a stylish, practical product that doesn’t compromise on safety.

Key features:

• Two heat settings
• Integrated cord storage and carry handle
• Tip-over protection
• 5-year replacement warranty
• Clever cool-to-touch cabinet

Available at:

• $209.98 from Mydeal

Shop Now

The post The best heaters for baby’s room that won’t have you worrying all winter appeared first on Homes To Love.

For kids, there is a hint of danger in a top bunk, a thrilling appeal to the idea of combining sleep and suspension. Bunk beds are so fundamentally exciting that many children fail to see them for the Trojan horse they really are: a way for parents to con them into sharing a room with a sibling.

On the downside, they’re also a brand new way for mum and dad to bang their heads when they’re putting kids to bed at night, and they don’t always allow a soft transition from kid to teen and beyond. The wrong bunk can be suddenly stifling for the growing-so-fast kid-ult in your house. But there are plenty of bunk bed ideas to suit you, your family and your house.

What age are bunk beds suitable for?

Nobody wants their very young kids to sleep on the top bunk without a handrail or something to stop rolling out of bed, but at what age is it appropriate and safe to move a child to the top bunk? And how old is too old to ask your kids to have a bunk in their room? Because isn’t it a bit not-serious and not-cool? These are all valid questions, and they do get in the way for many considering bringing a bunk bed into their home.

Age really does matter with bunk beds. Although having what is essentially a bed raised very high off the ground is a safety risk for any age, only children who are 10 or older should use the top bunk, according to the Queensland Government. Younger children should only sleep on the bottom bunk.

But once the rules are all abided by, bunks are a great way to add a fun dynamic to almost any room in the house. There aren’t many young adults – or those fit enough to climb a ladder – who wouldn’t love a bunk room in the Ace Hotel in New York City, for example.

How to arrange a bedroom with bunk beds?

There are plenty of options when it comes to arranging bunk beds within a room. A lot depends on how much space you have, and any specific restrictions within the room such as windows, ceiling heights and in-built wardrobes.

For small bedrooms, position bunk beds against a wall. In larger spaces, position a bunk bed in the middle of the room, or you can even stack two identical bunk beds side by side as this stylist did, or top and tail them to fit space for four kids, allowing everyone to access their bed from the side.

The best bunk beds to shop

01

Maldives rattan single convertible bunk bed

$699 (usually $829), Temple & Webster

There’s a touch of beachy holiday about this robust bunk. It arrives flat-packed, making assembly easy, and can even be dismantled to create two single beds. This is a stylish bunk that even the most discerning adult can get behind.

Key features:

• Flat-packed for easy assembly
• Meets Furntech-AFRDI certified Australian safety standards
• Fits a standard single bed mattress

Shop Now

02

Sonata bunk bed

$449.99, Mocka

In a land of wooden bunk beds, this powder-coated metal bunk is as whimsical as it is practical. It also comes in black, and it spans a romantic style as much as it does industrial. This is a classic design bound to stand the test of time.

Key features:

• 365-day warranty
• Powder coated steel
• Vintage-style design

Shop Now

03

Liviana fabric bunk bed

$499 (usually $1059), Luxo Living

Made of sturdy steel and engineered wood and encased in linen, this bed has a smooth wooden ladder to the upper level. There are not too many rails and traps in which to get little fingers (or heads) jammed, plus the fabric at each end makes it a much softer choice in a child’s bedroom.

Key features:

• Available in two colours
• Comfy and unique design
• Durable and strong construction of engineered wood, iron edges, and iron ties rods

Shop Now

04

Albus fabric bunk bed

$429 (usually $499), Luxo Living

Curves are in, and this sturdy bunk bed with curves at both ends is so chic right now. The ladder is solid oak and has an anti-slip sticker. This bunk also comes in a blueish, slightly darker “ash” colour.

Key features:

• Solid oak ladder
• Available in two colours
• Strong and durable construction of engineered wood, iron edges, and iron ties rods

Shop Now

05

Boori Natty bunk bed

$1199, Freedom

Made from ethically sourced timber from New Zealand and Australia as well as engineered timber, this bunk bed frame is nice and sturdy. You can convert it into two single beds if you move on from the idea of having a bunk, even using one single in another room. The ladder can be placed on the right or left side.

Key features:

• Available in three colours
• Top bunk features handy bedside tray
• Comes packed flat

Shop Now

06

Skyler bunk bed

$1299, Freedom

A bunk bed they can grow into. There’s much to love about this clever bunk bed, which has a trundle that can double as storage. This is a great option for when your kids have a sleepover, or for children who want to share a room.

Key features:

• Comes packed flat
• Sturdy ladder design
• Trundle can be used for storage or extra sleeping space

Shop Now

07

Hamptons kids two in one bunk

$599 (usually $949), Mocka

This classic Hamptons-style bunk that can be separated as your needs change to make two single beds. we love the v-groove panelling and white colour, plus it’s well constructed with plywood slats and sturdy ladder.

Key features:

• Can be converted to two single beds
• Chic Hamptons design
• Complies with Australian and New Zealand safety standards

Shop Now

08

Cornelia solid pine triple bunk with storage

$929, Matt Blatt

A single-over-double bunk bed frame reduces the risk of parents bumping their heads when they do goodnight kisses, and it makes the vibe less cramped, generally. Plus, this design gives kids something to grow into. Three large drawers allow for extra storage for toys and clothes.

Key features:

• Integrated storage drawers
• Solid pine wood frame and wooden slats
• Single bed on top, double bed on bottom

Shop Now

09

The original Frankie bunk bed

$2925, House of Orange

The Frankie Bunk is as customisable as a bunk bed can get before you actually go custom on the job. It comes in all sizes, single through to Queen, on the top and the bottom. There are custom configurations and dimension and orientations and height, and it can easily be converted into a loft bed with a stand-alone bed or two stand-alone beds into a bunk. Plus, it comes in a bunch of customisable neutral washes to suit your bedroom.

Key features:

• Comes in all sizes top and bottom
• Hand made from solid, sustainable New Zealand pine timber
• 2-year warranty

Shop Now

The post 9 bunk beds that will raise the bar in any kids’ bedroom appeared first on Homes To Love.

Double beds come in a huge range of styles and types. Some love the look of a traditional wooden frame, while others like a bed-head look perhaps finished in velvet or linen. Or keep things simple and dress your bed in beautiful quilts and linen instead. The size and look of a double bed in a room varies massively, depending on the height of the bed, and the depth of your mattress. Some come with elaborate headboards and footboards that make them appear more bulky, but others lie almost futon-like and minimalist on the floor. A footboard can close in a room, and is better suited to larger spaces, where a headboard can add some grand elegance in a simple way. Some double beds have no headboard at all, and will sit against a wall instead. A double bed frame looks beautiful when there is something special for it to prop against, perhaps panelling or plaster on the wall behind, a shelf or a statement bed head. Consider what type of bed will suit your space to help make yours a beautiful bedroom.

These double beds span a wide range of designs that will appeal to a variety of tastes and budgets and are all durable, great quality, and stylish.

The best double beds for all budgets

01

Kirribilli double bed base in Warm Ash

$1390 , Koala

Koala has won awards for its bed bases, and the Kirribilli bed base is also deserving of some accolades. Escape into luxury and style with the Kirribilli Bed Base, formed with modern curves, a natural Ash grain finish and subtle mid-Century design features for a dream sleep.

Key features:

• Also available in single, king single, queen and king
• Excellent quality, 5 year warranty
• Free pick up returns for 120 nights
• Creak free, friction free and tool-less assembly
• Made from sustainably sourced American Ash wood

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02

Nobleu Interiors Georgia fabric bed base

$374 , Freedom

The Georgia double bed base is a handsome, upholstered bed that offers classic details and modern cream fabric. The bed is elegant and has the option of gold or black metal legs. This Freedom double bed also comes in a Queen size.

Key features:

• Cream upholstered fabric
• No bedhead
• Steel frame and metal legs
• 153cm wide to fit a double mattress

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03

Sierra bed frame in Evergreen

$881.25, Ecosa

A modern double-cushion bedhead makes this bed look like a sofa designed for ultimate lazy lounging. The cushion covers are removable and washable, and it comes in this chic Evergreen hue as well as Pink Clay, muted Oyster Shell, Dove Grey, a sage green colour called Mint Green, and others. The materials are produced using no chemicals or harmful substances, so you can sleep easy knowing you’re in a safe space. The two large cushions at the head sit against a sturdy backboard, and the legs are made of an oak-look wood.

Key features:

• Removable, washable cushion covers
• Double-cushion design
• 10-minute assembly
• Bedhead height is 95cm from the floor

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04

Drift bed frame

$825, Ecosa

In on-trend boucle and will all the beautiful curves, this double bed frame is ideal for a kid’s or teenager’s room. Pink is a popular design choice in bedrooms this year, and this bed is pretty in Dusky Pink, but it also comes in Alabaster and Pebble Beach hues. The arc bedhead is beautiful in modern or more classical bedrooms, and the sturdy base will stand the test of time.

Key features:

• Curved bedhead
• Boucle fabric bed and headboard
• 10-minute assembly
• Usually $1100, on sale now

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05

White Bailey metal bed frame

$229, Temple & Webster

With a vintage charm and French Provincial elegance, this white powder-coated metal bed frame is made from aircraft-grade aluminium. It requires little assembly and comes with three extra legs for internal support if a heavier adult or two will be sleeping on it. The wood slats are made from plywood and birch wood.

Key features:

• Classic Provincial aesthetic
• Suitable for all ages

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06

Tulunan bed in grey

$824, Freedom

Crafted from solid timber and upholstered in a grey linen-cotton blend fabric, this Scandinavian-style double bed frame is simple, sturdy and comfortable. The fabric headrest is perfect for propping yourself up against to enjoy a morning cuppa or good book and the bed’s low profile makes it easy to get in and out with very little effort – exactly what you want when you’re feeling weary.

Key features:

• Online only
• On sale (usually $1099)
• Solid timber construction

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07

Cube Custom four-poster bed

$3419, Bed Works

This four-poster bed looks like a giant cube with a bold wooden headboard, and it comes in almost every wood type around. This is a strong design choice for those with a large room at their disposal. You can customise the clearance under the bed as well as the wood, and it comes in different bed sizes.

Key features:

• Customisable wood and height
• Traditional four-poster construction with a contemporary design twist

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08

Artiss Dane metal bed frame in black

$193.95, Myer

Metal and wood work harmoniously together in this double bed frame that has an industrial design look. The bed has black powder-coated steel and dark wood accents on a metal frame with evenly spaced slats that allow for even weight distribution. It fits an Australian double mattress.

Key features:

• Industrial design
• Rust-resistant powder-coated steel
• Holds up to 150kg of weight

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What is a double bed size?

No matter what size bed frame your room or situation calls for, it’s important to measure the frame up carefully before you purchase. Some beds are much wider than the mattress they fit, while others are more streamlined and fit neatly. A double size mattress in Australia measures 137 x 190cm (or 54″ x 74″) and fits a double bed which is usually about 143cm across. Most mattress makers and sellers will give the exact measurements of each bed they sell on their website.

How much bigger is a queen than a double?

A queen mattress measures 153 x 203cm, and a queen bed will usually be about 160cm in width. It’s best to measure the size of your room and make sure you have space for bedside tables, powerpoints and anything else you need before you purchase a bed frame and mattress.

How big is a double bed?

Australian beds usually come in five sizes for adults, and include single, king single, double, queen and king. They are designed to fit the standard mattress sizes in Australia, and are usually 5 to 15cm wider than the mattress they will accomodate, but will vary. Australia has a unique set of bed (mattress) sizes that differ from those in the United States and in the United Kingdom. However, Australian bed sizes are very similar to those in New Zealand. Australian mattress sizes span cot to super king sizes, though long single and super king are more rare.

Single mattress
92 cm x 188 cm
Long Single mattress
92 cm x 203 cm
King Single mattress
107 cm x 203 cm
Double mattress
138 cm x 188 cm
Queen mattress
153 cm x 203 cm
King mattress
183 cm x 203 cm
Super King mattress
203 cm x 203 cm

Is a double bed OK for two adults?

A double bed can generally fit two average-sized adults, as it measures 135 cm wide and 190 cm long. Many couples prefer a larger queen bed or a king-sized bed. Not all makers or even big-time bed sellers now make double bed sizes, they’re considered a little more old fashioned for a couple. But many couples also prefer the closeness a double bed frame offers, as well as the size proportionate to their bedrooms. Queen and king-sized beds are becoming the norm, while double beds can sometimes feel too small for two people or too big for one. However, a double bed is a practical choice for adults who are average height and size, and they’re a great option for those children who seem to be growing faster by the minute.

The post 8 double beds that will give your boudoir a boost appeared first on Homes To Love.

A special backpack can make this process simpler. Not only will your kid get a kick out of organising it for the day ahead, but as they face the sometimes terrifying social scene at school a stylish bag can give them confidence and joy.

Gone are the days of the box bag that’s twice the size of a kindy student, today you can find school backpacks that suit every style – even personalised ones! From sports enthusiasts, trend setters, ballerinas to library book worm, there’s a backpack out there for everyone.

All of these supportive and comfortable backpacks are up for the challenge of your child’s active schedule with multiple zippered pockets and spacious compartments for easy storage and access. Plus, these will all look fantastic stored in your entryway.

Take a look at our pick of the top school bags for kids to start back at school in style!

2024’s BEST SCHOOL BAGS FOR KIDS

1. Country Road seal backpack in Airforce Blue, $69.96, Myer

2. JanSport Half Pint corduroy mini backpack, $89.95, THE ICONIC

3. Kanken Mini in Fog, $144.95, THE ICONIC

The best school backpacks for kids 2024

country-road-backpack

Seal backpack in Airforce Blue, $69.95, Country Road

Ensure their everyday school items are secure with this small and compact backpack from Country Road. It features a cute seal print that will bring a smile to their face, every day.

Key features:

Side elasticated bottle holders

Easy-access front pocket

Adjustable shoulder straps

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myer-backpack

Milkshake animal print backpack, $31.49 (usually $44.99), Myer

Bright, playful, and practical. This backpack is made for the little ones with big imaginations.

Key features:

Adjustable straps

Drink side pouches

Designed in Australia

Front easy-access pocket

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frozen-backpack

Disney Frozen kids backpack, $30, Target

For fans of Frozen, this backpack from Target is a must. Featuring a print of Elsa and Anna as well as an adorable snowflake zipper tag, this bag will be their favourite all year round.

Key features:

Double zip around closure for ease of use

Two side drink bottle holders

Top woven carry handles

Front zipped pocket

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jansport

JanSport Half Pint corduroy mini backpack, $89.95, THE ICONIC

Featuring multiple pockets and compartments so you never have to go digging for your everyday essentials ever again, this backpack will house everything you need with ease. In a fun corduroy finish, this JanSport backpack has, well, your back.

Key features:

Top handle

Comfortable back straps

Front zip pocket

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big-w-backpack

Emma Memma kids hair accessories backpack, $15, Big W

Ensure your little one is ready for school every morning without a hiccup thanks to this cute backpack filled with hair accessories.

Key features:

Large main compartment

Includes hair accessories (1x butterfly hair clip, 1x hair brush, 4x hair clips, and 6x hair ties)

Adjustable carry straps

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Rainbow-backpack

Skip Hop rainbow spark style little kid backpack, $49.95, David Jones

Perfect for pre-school kids, this roomy backpack is both functional and oh-so cute. Featuring a elasticised mesh bottle pocket so they can access their drink bottle easily during the day, this backpack is guaranteed to be a crowd-favourite.

Key features:

Suitable for kids’ aged 3+

Front zip pocket

Elasticised mesh bottle pocket

Adjustable padded straps and top grab handle

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grey-kanken-backpack

Kanken Mini in Fog, $144.95 (currently 20% off at checkout), THE ICONIC

The classic Kanken backpack is a school staple – it’s spacious, lightweight and resistant to dirt and water. Available in an array of colours to suit your taste.

Key features:

Water and dirt resistant

Reflective front logo

Twin top handles

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monogram-backpack-yellow

Solesmith monogram cool bag backpack, $90, Hardtofind

This personalised backpack will keep your kid’s lunch cool thanks to its insulated inner. Plus, you can monogram it with their initials for a personal touch too.

Key features:

Monogrammed design

Insulated inner

Front zipper pocket

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WHAT MATERIAL IS BEST FOR A SCHOOL BAG?

School bags can be made from an array of different materials. For the little ones, finding a backpack that is lightweight is generally front of mind. Most school bags are made from materials such as cotton-based canvas, nylon, polyester – these are all great options for a lightweight backpack. However, it is ultimately up to you (and your child’s) personal preference.

The post These stylish backpacks will fit all your kids’ school essentials and more appeared first on Homes To Love.

With even the many thousands of pieces of Lego underfoot or soft toys to cuddle, puzzles to finish or sofa cushion forts to build, most kids will reach a point when they can’t find anything to do and are impossibly bored. Short of building the world’s best dollhouse for their beloved offspring, what is a parent to do? Cue using our serious voices to demand kids use their inside voices. The trick is to get them outside, stat. There’s something about the outdoors (like water) that flicks a switch for children. In nature, imaginations raise their heads and games abound. The right toys, outside, is where the magic happens; offering hours of entertainment with minimal parental involvement. Everybody happy, is that too much to ask?

A good bicycle in the right garden or driveway is a major entertainment offering. We love a balance bike for getting young kids ready for a larger bike and bypassing the impossible trainer wheels step later on. We have giant wooden blocks for building towers or obstacle courses outdoors, and an exercise tracker that makes running around in circles a deliberate challenge. There’s a picnic blanket kids can colour in, and foam gliders for nail-biting races in the sky – will it go over the neighbours’ fence?

Here are the classic, best, funnest toys that will entertain children for hours, without ruining the look of the house or the garden.

Freeplay kids shadow fun kite

$39.99, The Iconic

Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring. This colourful kite flies in almost any wind condition, it’s easy enough for a two year old to fly and has an easy-hold handle.

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54-piece giant outdoor wooden block game

$129, Myer

Standing a massive 63cm tall, this “Jenjo” spin-off from the original block-balancing game can be played by taking one block from the bottom of the tower and placing it at the top, so it only grows in size. A toppling block could injure very small children, but for the more sturdy ages this game offers endless fun. Watch six year olds build race tracks for toy cars, and eight year olds build obstacle courses across giant lawns, children using blocks as goals, islands, tightropes and so much more.

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Play & Go storage bag in LA roadmap

$58.95, Amazon

A toy organiser and play mat in one, fit for the lawn or a hard surface. The drawstring bag holds toys and then opens up to nearly 140cm across, offering plenty of space for kids to spread out and play. We love that it keeps everything together and easy to store, away from the well-trodden paths of the adults in the house.

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FitBit Ace 3 Minions yellow tracker for kids

$84.96 (usually $99.95), Myer

There’s activity and sleep tracking, and loads of fun challenges for kids to take on. Send them outside and see motivation rise as the Minions activated clock face keeps them active. Kids earn virtual badges and fun on-screen celebrations when they reach their goals. We love the 8-day battery life.

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Bluey figure and vehicle pack

$29.99, Toy Mate

We don’t have a bad word to say about the show Bluey – the best thing to come out of Australian kids’ televisions in recent years – except that it is, obviously, more television. But when it’s time to get away from the screen and into play, these gorgeous figurines allow imaginations to fly. Each Bluey pack includes one 6.5cm toy figure and vehicle accessory to ride on plus other fun play accessories. The packs are assorted, but there’s no harm in collecting all three.

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Sunnylife Melody the Mermaid mini swim goggles

$24.99, The Iconic

There’s something very disco and retro about these goggles, which are anti fog, have a neon seashell around each eye, an ombre band and a removable starfish badge on the back. Shame they don’t come in adult.

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Foam aircraft glider two pack

$23.99, Amazon

Assemble this large glider then let it fly! Kids can learn tricks on this quality toy, which has a gliding mode or “gyrant”, circling in the sky mode, inspiring lots of play. This is a two pack, so kids can share with their friends. The non-toxic foam is lightweight and made from EPP high-polymer material that meets environmental standards. Can we have a go next?

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17 inch retro skateboard

$9, Target

Hit the street, the pavement, the local playground or your own driveway with this classic skateboard that comes ready to roll. It has a non-slip deck and is suitable for kids over 5.

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Crayola washable chalk

$10, Amazon

Bring out the future Banksy, or bring on a game of hopscotch, there’s everything to love about colouring the pavement, the driveway, the freshly painted walls outside with chalk. This sidewalk chalk is washable, and inspires game after active game outside.

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Icando picnic blanket colouring fun

$39.99, The Iconic

Add colour to your picnic while enjoying the sunshine with this fun blanket and six felt tip pens. It is bound to keep the kids busy with crossword puzzles, animals to colour, mazes and words to trace. The activity mat can be washed and coloured in again and again. The mat rolls up and fastens. This one is an excellent rainy-day indoors activity as well.

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GoPro Hero 5 in black

$633, Amazon

This waterproof digital action camera is the outdoor lover’s ultimate tough gadget for taking photos, videos and even time lapse shots. Hero5 Black sends footage straight to your phone and then app will transform it into an edited video automatically. The waterproof to 10 metres gadget will take 4k video and 12MP photos in single, burst and time lapse modes. You can preview and play back your shots, change your settings and trim your footage, all on the GoPro itself. It also has voice command.

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Sunnylife cork roll-up backgammon game

$37 (usually $74.99), Myer

Out of the playroom and into the garden with this beautiful game for all ages. There’s checkers on one side and backgammon on the other of this portable game set. Children can play for hours in the shade outside then roll up the game and pack it away with ease. We love that this sweet little game set is made from natural cork, which has been harvested without harming the tree.

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Sunnylife Inflatable Beach Ball in Tie Die

$25 (usually $49.99), Myer

Outdoor play can bounce into action with this massive inflatable beach ball. The Sunnylife ball is made from durable, non-toxic Phthalate-free PVC and comes with a patch repair kit.

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Raffy Ride-On ATV Bike

$89.95, Temple & Webster

What little tot doesn’t want a ride-on bike with anti-skid tyres and a practical trunk for carrying toys and dolls as passengers? Bonus, this one is safe. This ride-on bike comes with an easy-to-hold handlebar with a forward button. It has a 6 volt rechargeable battery.

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The post 14 toys to get kids outdoors and off screens, and be happy about it appeared first on Homes To Love.

Whether you have a dedicated kids’ play room, or a small living area that desperately needs to be reclaimed, these kids storage ideas will keep the toy clutter at bay (at least for a little while) yet keep them within easy reach for your little ones when it’s time to play.

To help you stay on top of the inevitable chaos, we share nine of our favourite genius toy storage ideas that every parent needs, plus five shop-able ideas to suit every kind of kid and their favourite toys.

1. Lego toy storage

For a kids storage solution that’s as pretty as it is practical, store your kids’ Lego in a transparent plastic vase or jar (preferably one that’s wide, rather than tall). Kids can easily pop the Lego back in when they’re done playing. Mesh zipper bags are also great for organising Lego sets. Simply place the instructions and complete sets into individual bags so kids can grab a bag and play without thousands of lego pieces all becoming part of a giant, confused pile of plastic.

2. Under-the-bed toy storage ideas

An often under-utilised space that can store myriad odds and ends, pick a tub or trundle that slides in and out easily to avoid strain, or, choose a bed base that incorporates drawers into the design. This low-lying option is best for holding heavier items that pose a risk – both to furniture and your back – when stored up high.

3. Pegboard storage

Don’t confine this style-meets-utility storage hack to the shed – pegboards are perfect or holding stationery, toiletries and baskets and other small accessories in kids’ rooms. They also make a great art display board. You can store kids outdoor-adventure items here as well (the sticks, leaves and other treasures they find), and use little bags to store bouncy balls so they’re always reminded to get outdoors to play.

4. Puzzle piece pouch

Puzzle pieces are notorious for getting lost, so pop each puzzle into a zippered pouch that you can then pack away. Pencil cases work really well here.

5. Open-shelving toy storage ideas

Maximise wall space with mounted floatingshelving. Open shelving is a great way to display treasured books and photographs, palettes and kids school and library – plus they are a thrifty DIY option. Just remember to keep them low enough for little people to reach their favourite reads.

6. Over-the-door organisation

Shoe organisers (like this one) that hang over the door are great for stashing away craft accessories, soft toys and more, while hook racks can keep bags, hats and other miscellaneous items.

7. Hanging baskets for toy storage

As with all storage solutions, the key in kids’ bedrooms is to get stuff off the floor. Hanging planters can hold stuffed toys and a wall-mounted trellis can be used to hang dress-ups.

8. Upsize for better toy storage

When it comes to kids’ storage, we’re all for more. So skip the “kid-size” wardrobes and shelves, and just buy adult furniture for them. They’ll grow into it, and you’ll have more storage space. Also, as much as possible, try to invest in double-duty furniture that acts as storage, too. Beds with drawers underneath, desks with drawers and stools with storage compartments are all excellent choices. This beautiful minimalist home has drawers under bench seating for hiding away kids toys.

9. Dress-up box

Repeat after us: toy boxes are not storage solutions. Actually, they’re kind of storage nightmares. Usually toy boxes are deep, so it’s hard to organise within them, and generally everything gets dumped in… and is rarely played with.

So rethink the dress-up box, or toy box, with old suitcases. Easily opened and not too deep, they’re much better solutions. For safety, remove any locks, just in case you have curious little ones who like the idea of climbing inside…

Shop the toy storage ideas

The Shorty locker in blush, $229, Mustard Made

Whether it acts as a bedside table or a storage locker in a playroom, or even a living room, these lockers keep everything neat and tidy, and they look great even by parents’ standards. These lockers – and they come in different sizes – are available in blush pink, mustard, berry, olive and many other colours, plus you can have the door open either way, depending on where you want to place it in the room. Shop Mustard Made’s wire baskets in a rainbow of lovely colours to help organise toys within the locker.

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12-piece A3 Clear Mesh Zipper Pouch, $18.60, Amazon AU

Mesh zipper bags are a great storage idea for organising Lego, puzzle or small collections and sets. Simply place the instructions and complete sets into individual bags so kids can grab a bag and play without thousands of pieces of Lego or puzzles or whatever all becoming part of a giant, confused pile. These clear mesh bags are waterproof on the sides – so the odd spill doesn’t matter if you resolve to keep paintbrushes or watercolours in there – and the label makes organising things really important. Store the bags in tubs (it’s the only way to keep kids’ tub storage organised, we swear) or in a dedicated and reachable spot in a wardrobe or locker so kids can access them, as well as put everything away again (do we ask too much?).

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Kids Sideboard Cabinet, $487.28 (usually $974.56), Etsy

This plywood cabinet displays toys of all different shapes and sizes, and children and parents can easily pack away into like-with-like compartments. Books can be stacked, soft toys can watch the world go around, and all the little cars, animals and miniscule what-nots can be put away without too much effort or thought – plus the shelves look great in any room. There are many quality toy organisers of this kind on Etsy, but look out for quality – plywood is strong and is sustainable, unlike their plastic compatriots. This toy organiser in plywood is another bestseller on Etsy.

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Kids bookshelf and peg rail combo, $108.73, Hard To Find

A classic and simple design, this pine bookshelf and peg rail combo invites little hands to tidy up after themselves. Hang the bookshelf within reach for your burgeoning reader to access, and let your kids display their favourite backpacks, hats and coats on the pegs.

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Vinyl Interior Design Alphabet Paper Bag, $28, Hard To Find

The rule for organising toys is to never, ever get one of those large bags in which all toys are dumped and never to be found again. Except, and this is the only exception, when you use that large storage bag or tub for one type of toy, such as large soft toys, or rabbit soft toys should you have as many as most modern day parents and their offspring do. This large paper bag is plastic free – hooray – and is great for tucking away one particularly enormous set of building blocks, or one dinosaur collection, or whatever they are in to right now. Bonus: kids are learning the alphabet while they pack away (a parent can dream).

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The post 9 storage ideas that will stop toys taking over your life appeared first on Homes To Love.

“I’m not a traditionalist in terms of boys having blue and girls having pink,” explains Rachel, who instead opted for a unique soft red palette filled with “old world charm, classic design and whimsy by the bucket load.”

When she was a child, the furniture designer and self-described collector recalls having a rich imagination. “I would make up stories about families living inside the paintings that hung on the walls of my parents’ home,” she explains. And that’s exactly the experience she wanted to encourage in this space. “I wanted Gracie’s room to foster imagination and dreaming so that she could create her own stories.”

While it may have been years in the making, when the time finally came to bring the space together, Rachel found herself “frozen in indecision.” Thankfully, she had an Instagram following of amost 40,000 to fall back on: “It was here that I discovered so many design elements that I hadn’t considered, which I ended up incorporating in the final design plan.”

On paper, the clashing prints and patterns used in the space shouldn’t work. There’s an antique French bedspread, an Oscar De La Renta Chinoiserie bedhead, a striped bedskirt and a peony print wallpaper from Lewis and Wood. In reality though, the deft mix of materials is a master stroke, all coming together to create a true sense of whimsy and wonder.

Being a kids’ bedroom though, functionality was essential, and has been incorporated in imaginative ways, including a trundle bed that’s hidden beneath a custom valance. Similarly, a challenge to the space became a selling point: “The bed is actually beneath the staircase and I wanted this to appear as an intended design decision, not an afterthought,” says Rachel. “We have worked with this nook to create a sense of hideaway; a little cubby wrapped in wallpaper, depicting a wild garden, enclosed and cosy.”

Stepping back and thinking about how the space turned out, Rachel believes Gracie’s room is an example of why it’s best to design from the heart. Rather than focusing on “rules of design” or “accepted pairings”, Rachel let herself be drawn to things that brought her joy, and appealed to her inner child. A kids’ bedroom should be filled with things that will spark their imagination and make them feel safe, rather than a specifically curated selection of objet d’art.

racheldonath.com.au

@racheldonath_

The Oscar De La Renta Chinoiserie bedhead and bedskirt made in Lee Jofa Cap Ferrat Stripe Red Fabric were custom made by Land Home. The side table is from Rachel’s own collection.

The swan plush toy is from Numero 74. The petal-like pendant light shade is from Georges Store in Paris, and the light bulb has a delicate beaded cover from Love After Love.

Rachel wanted the bed being positioned under the staircase to look like an intended design decision and not an afterthough, so she designed custom built-in shelves that act like a secret hideaway for Gracie’s things.

Gracie’s gorgeous white dollshouse was originally yellow when Rachel first purchased it from Gumtree, before painstakingly painting it.

The Little Petra Armchair was a vintage find, along with all the artworks in the room.

The whimsical wallpaper is the Jasper Peony Rose print by Lewis and Wood (find a similar style here). The roman blinds were made in the same Oscar De La Renta Pagoda Toile Garnet fabric as the bedhead, and were constructed by Fabric Creations.

Rachel’s hope is that this room will provide her daughter Gracie with the same rich sense of imagination and wonder that she had as a child.

The post This dreamy kid’s bedroom is like something straight out of a dollhouse appeared first on Homes To Love.

Aside from the things you need, there are plenty of ways to personalise your baby’s sleep space and make it something truly special for you and your little one. (Let’s be real, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in there.)

One popular trend in nursery decor is incorporating nature-inspired elements. Consider including greenery with potted or hanging plants — some varieties can even work to purify the air in the room. Nature-themed wall decals or murals featuring whimsical animals, flowers, or forests can also add a touch of enchantment to your nursery.

Another way to infuse charm and personality into the space is through handmade or personalised decor items. Think hand-knitted blankets with their names embroided on them, pillows, and even wall art.

Additionally, choosing a colour palette that reflects your style and complements the room’s overall design can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your nursery. Soft pastel tones create a serene atmosphere, while bold and vibrant colours can stimulate your baby’s senses.

And don’t forget about lighting! Consider installing a dimmable ceiling light or adding fairy lights to create a magical ambiance during nighttime feedings or storytime.

By combining these creative ideas with the adorable nursery decor items, you can design a space that is both visually appealing and functional for your little one.

SHOP THE CUTEST NURSERY DECOR

kids storage basket elephant

Elephant storage basket, $129, Temple & Webster

When it comes to babies, baskets are bound to become your new best friend. They’re the perfect catch-all for hiding mess, toys, and keeping things out of reach of little hands. And we can’t go past this sweet style from Temple & Webster, made from a grey-washed hyacinth.

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tint paint colours

Tint paint colours, from $49, The Blue Space

Gone are the days of simply painting your nursery either pink or blue. These days, there are a range of colours to pick from, whether you’re going for a more gender-neutral space or just want to introduce some vibrancy into your design, and Tint can deliver it straight to your door!

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animal hooks

Hand-carved animal wall hook, $56.90 each, Hard to Find

From nappy bags to hats, coats, jumpers and more, hanging them on a hook is such an easy way to make things look neat while also having everything you need at arms reach. With a wide assortment of cute little creatures to choose from, we can’t go past these fun hand-carved animal hooks.

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duck mobile

Baby ducks nursery mobile, $41.99 (usually $59.99), Adairs

Five little ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away…if your nursery walls could talk they’d bound to speak in nursery rhymes. This little duck mobile is sure to capture their imaginations, works in a gender-neutral space, and will help them count down to dreamland.

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wall decals

Lolli Living removable wall decals ‘Day at the Zoo’, $19.95 ($26.95), The Iconic

Removable wall decals are a fun and cost-effective way of introducing a touch of playfulness to a space, which can quickly be updated or replaced as your little one grows up (which happens too fast!) without damaging your walls. This fun style is inspired by a day at the zoo and is a great way to introduce your little one to all the animals.

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dinosaur string lights

House of Disaster dinosaur string lights, $75.90, Hard to Find

There is something about fairy lights that just brings a bit of magic into any space, so we can only imagine what these fun dinosaur-themed string lights would do! Use to awaken their imagination or as dimmed lights before bedtime.

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washable rug

Ginta Luxe Ivory cut pile rug, from $845, Miss Amara

We know what you’re thinking: white?! But yes, this beautiful plush ivory rug is just one of many from Miss Amara’s incredible stain-resistent and easy-care collection. Made from a hard-wearing eco-friendly PET fibre, it’s perfect for high traffic areas, while still being soft on little knees.

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boucle cloud wall decor

Kid’s boucle cloud wall decor, from $330, Rolenn Studio

This sweet cloud-shaped wall decor can also double as a light, letting off an ambiant glow. Did someone say form and function? It’s available in a cream and white boucle, and can be made into a light or left simply as an added soft touch to your nursery. It also comes in a crescent moon shape, and together, these gorgeous pieces will surely help your little one drift off into dreamland.

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The post Adorable nursery decor that is sure to inspire sweet dreams appeared first on Homes To Love.

How big is a kids’ couch or sofa?

Unlike mattresses, there aren’t standard sizing for couches – however, a kids’ couch or sofa is generally significantly smaller than standard couches.

If you’re looking at a two-seater kids’ couch, you’ll be looking at one that will typically measure around 80 x 120 cm.

The best couches and sofas for kids 2023

Ready to add a fun-sized couch to your kid’s bedroom? Here, we’ve rounded up our favourite ones that they’ll love.

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Project Kindy Furniture 10-piece All 4 Kids Wyatt modular play sofa set, $499.95, Temple & Webster

This 10-piece modular kids’ sofa boasts flexibility that offers configuration options that will fit into any room. Easily turn it into a padded play area or bed by extending the seats – or let their imagination run wild as they build play forts with the separate detachable pieces.

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Bishop 2-seater sofa bed in beige, $699, Lounge Lovers

For the bigger kids of the household, this two-seater sofa bed by Lounge Lovers is compact in size but is filled with functionality. Converting easily from an armchair to a bed for two, it’s a space-saving design that will look great in a kid’s room, home office or guest room. Also available in green, beige, light grey or mustard to suit your taste.

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Gumnut Gully flip-out sofa, $89.99, Adairs Kids

Treat your little one(s) to their very own sofa with this stunning flip-out sofa bed from Adairs. Featuring an all-over floral Gumnut Gully print on a pale blue background, it’s a kids’ sofa that will look right at home in any playroom. Plus, with its easy-to-use flip-out design, it’s perfect for sitting or lying down on.

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HONEYJOY kids sofa/rocking chair, $96.90, Amazon

This adorable kids’ rocking chair is perfect for the playroom or lounge. With its teddy bear-like outer and cute rainbow-design backrest, it’ll be your kid’s favourite spot for reading, playing or watching TV.

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Tasman Eco kids chair and table with storage, $129.99, Big W

Watch this kids’ chair turn into a table and chair with storage in an instant with its clever compact, multi-purpose design. Store toys in the compartment underneath the seat and turn the arms into a table whenever it is needed. Perfect for small rooms – without compromising on style and function.

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VidaXL kids sofa in light grey, $115.99, Kogan

Low to the ground and incredibly spacious, this kids’ sofa by VidaXL is in a neutral grey hue that is waiting for you to add your own personality to it (with a fun throw cushion, of course). Padded with thick and soft foam and covered in a luxurious velvet material, this sofa is as comfortable as it is sleek.

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Keezi kids’ 2-seater convertible sofa in black, $111.95 (usually $117.95), Myer

Compact and lightweight, the Keezi kids’ two-seater convertible sofa is perfect for the little ones. Comfortably accommodating up to two kids at one time, this fun-sized sofa will be their favourite spot to play and relax on.

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huddle-kids-couch

Huddle creative foam cushion lounge chair in navy, $290, Myer

For the kids who love to build forts and go on adventures, this creative foam kids’ sofa is your answer. Crafted from soft foam cushions, they can create endless forts, bases, spaceships – and more. And the best part? Once they’re done, it will convert neatly back into a kids’ couch for them to lounge and relax on.

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The post These fun-sized kids’ couches will complete any playroom appeared first on Homes To Love.

Adding a child (or two) to the family is a major change that can have a huge impact on your home and the way the space works within it. Some families may choose to upgrade their lodges altogether, while others will knuckle down and reassess how they can work with and maximise the space they already have.

From converting less-used spaces (such as a home office) to larger floorplan changes with a renovation or extension, there are a number of ways to help make the most of your home’s internal footprint. For those with more than one child, a shared kids’ room is a great solution.

Whether you opt for two twin beds that can be moved to separate rooms later on or go all-in on a bunk bed, there are plenty of space-saving options for shared kids’ rooms out there. And remember, shared bedrooms are not only for kids. They’re also great for guest rooms, and hosting adults that may not mind sharing a space, but would rather not be in the same bed!

How do I give privacy to a shared bedroom?

It may seem like an impossible ask, but a shared bedroom is still a bedroom after all, and it’s likely its inhabitants will still want some privacy while in the space. So what are some ways you can design a shared space and still provide an element of privacy? Well, you can consider things like screens and room dividers or even bunk beds.

The way you choose to position the beds can also help with privacy. For example, you can position them back to back so they’re not looking at each other while in bed. Where you position other items in the room can also help, such as curtains, bookcases, and desks that can block any direct lines of sight.

13 shared bedroom ideas you’ll want to steal

Interior designer Kate Walker was tasked with filling this lovely Lakehouse-style home with a sense of romance and nostalgia. The upstairs bunk room sleeps four people, and features patterned fabrics, stools from Etsy and striped carpets.

This sweet shared bedroom of two sisters, in their renovated farmhouse home set amongst the vineyards, looks twice as good, with matching bedheads, valances and cushions made by Lady Chatterley’s Affair in Brisbane.

Having shared bedrooms in guest accommodation is a hugely popular option to make space for as many people as possible. The second bedroom at The Barn at Rangeview, fit with two comfortable twin beds, can be enjoyed by kids, couples, and friends, alike.

Josh and Jenna, former contestants on The Block, have been restoring a crumbling cottage in rural Victoria, and have recently shared their daughter’s sweet shared bedroom. While the girls will eventually move into separate bedrooms, they currently love sleeping next to each other, and looking at this pretty pink space, awash in Dulux Mornington paint, we don’t blame them!

The shared kids’ bedroom in this modern farmhouse property expresses the same style DNA as the rest of the home – dark stained oak floors from Tongue N Groove, V-groove walls in Dulux Antique White USA Quarter, the same beam ceiling and layers of white, grey and beige.

The attic bedroom in this stately French-inspired country home fits two single beds perfectly and looks like a snug little space to settle down into after exploring the misty Southern Highlands during the day. It’s also proof that shared bedrooms needn’t be reserved for kids.

The sweet bedroom of interior designer Charlotte Coote’s daughter is primed and prepped for friends to come and stay over. Charlotte was inspired by the work of late British designer David Hicks, and included details like handmade scalloped canopies and soft pastel pinks.

The shared children’s bedroom in this colourful Federation home in Sydney, with interiors by Arent&Pyke, has custom bedheads that pick up the colours in the space, including the dusty pink walls and vibrant yellow carpet. It’s such a pretty space we can’t imagine they’d ever want to move out!

Charming antique twin beds in the guest bedroom of this country cottage in the Upper Hunter Valley in NSW make quite a statement in this shared bedroom.

One clever couple turned this old steam train into an atmospheric holiday home, and all the kids love to stay in the converted twin room. Because aren’t adventures always best when shared?

The old stables near a historic bungalow in Blackbutt, Queensland have been converted into guest accommodation. To be able to share the space with as many people as possible, the restored rooms have been fitted out with multiple beds, creating cosy shared rooms.

A shared room for kids both little and big alike! This cosy country farmhouse features a mezzanine level that’s designed to host guests at any time with multiple beds, ample bedding and cushions filling the floor.

“Being a little out of town, we had a bunk room constructed, making it easier to accommodate extra friends after evenings of entertaining,” homeowner Sally McGarry says of the fun shared bedroom at her Byron Bay home.

The post 13 shared kids’ room ideas they’ll never want to move out of appeared first on Homes To Love.

A cot or a cot bed are a popular sleeping arrangement parents of newborns or toddlers tend to opt for. A cot gives your baby a dedicated area for them to rest, and as much as you want to snuggle up with your baby 24/7, it’s important that they have their own space to sleep (and look adorable in).

Newborns sleep for 14-15 hours a day, therefore, the sleeping environment for your baby should be carefully considered, explains Alix Peacock, Brand Specialist at Ecosa.

What is the difference between a cot and a cot bed?

A baby cot or cot bed may be terms that you see come up when you’re researching for the best cot mattress to buy. Despite their similar name, they are two different things.

The main difference between a cot and a cot bed is the size. A cot is often the first place your baby will be sleeping – meaning they are designed for newborns and babies up to the age of two. Cots are much smaller and generally have fixed sides that cannot be lowered. A cot bed is a lot bigger, so it will take up more room which is worth noting when planning out your nursery. Moreover, cot beds often have removable sides, so you can transform a cot bed into a normal bed for your toddler seamlessly. With this mind, cot beds are more expensive, but they are more versatile, and your child will get a lot more use out of it in the long run.

What is a cot bed mattress?

As the name suggests, it’s a mattress made especially for cot beds. Cot beds do come in varying shapes and sizes, so it is important to measure yours properly before purchasing a new mattress.

Below, is handy guide for sizing:

 

Standard cot mattresses: 1300 x 690 mm

Mini cot mattresses: 1200 x 600 mm

 

Keep in mind the shape of your cot. Though most costs are rectangular, there are some options out there that are oval or rounded, and you may want to opt for a rounded mattress to suit.

What should I look for when buying a cot mattress?

Standard compliance

This is the first thing you should look for when looking at cot mattresses as it will tell you how safe the cot mattress is for your baby.

“A baby’s cot is designed not to just let them sleep comfortably in, but also to give you peace of mind that it will keep them safe when they are in it. You want to ensure that the cot mattress is compliant with the AS/NZS Voluntary Standard – Australia and New Zealand’s standard for infant mattresses’ optimal firmness. Check the manufacturers if they comply with AS/NZS certification, as this can be your guarantee that they have met all the standards to keep your newborn safe,” says Alix.

Breathability

Just like us, finding a mattress that is breathable is crucial. Finding a mattress that is designed to draw excess heat away from the body will help to keep your baby cool as they sleep.

“For a mattress to have good breathability, it must be made of materials that promote good airflow. This allows the air to circulate well in order to keep your baby cool and regulate their temperature. A breathable mattress is also a safe mattress. If your newborn rolls over and lands face-first into the mattress, their breathing would be less obstructed,” Alix advises.

Firmness

Ensure your cot mattress is on the firmer side for your little one. This is so they are well supported when they roll over to sleep on their tummy too.

Materials

It is vital to know what your cot mattress is made from. Ensure the mattress is baby-friendly, natural and chemical-free, says Alix.

“Given how much your baby will sleep, choosing the wrong materials might cause skin irritation to their skin. Choosing materials that are naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and less prone to dust mites can prevent your baby from experiencing allergies due to their sleep environment.”

Dual-sided

Depending on whether you’ve opted for a cot or a cot bed, a dual-sided cot mattress is made to grow with your child. As your baby grows into a toddler, they will need a different level of support, that’s where dual-sided mattresses come in.

Washable covers

“Opt for cot mattresses with machine-washable mattress covers, and if possible, look for mattresses that could be washed too, as this will make cleaning a breeze,” notes Alix.

The best cot mattresses to shop in Australia

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Vale cot mattress, $159.99, Mocka

Vale is a fuss-free quality innerspring cot mattress that will create the perfect sanctuary for your baby. Crafted from 100 per cent polyester (dacron) with air-circulated wave foam and tempered steel pocket coils, this mattress fits most standard cot sizes, including Mocka’s entire range of cots.

Key features:

1300 x 690 mm

Independently tested and meets AS/NZS 8811.1:2013

Air-circulate wave foam

Tempered steel pocket coils

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mocka-cot-mattress-nero

Nero cot mattress, $149.99, Mocka

Comfortable, safe, and designed to last. The Nero cot mattress by Mocka is non-compressed and has a quality innerspring design for comfort. Perfectly sized to suit most standard cots in Australia, shopping for this key piece of your nursery has never been easier.

Key features:

1300 x 690 mm

140 tempered steel spring coils

High density rebound foam

Independently tested and complies with Australian Safety Standard AS/NZS 8811.1:2013

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metro-baby-cot-mattress

Leander classic cot mattress – premium, $429.95, Metro Baby

The Leander Premium cot mattress is made from a unique foam material called Cellflex. Cellflex has an open-pored cell structure which offers superior ventilation and breathability, which is important when looking to invest in a new cot mattress. Plus, its double-sided nature means that one side is optimal for a baby weighing up to 12kg, and the other for a toddler weighing 12kg or more.

Key features:

Rounded edges

Highly flexible 3D comfort pads made of cold foam

Suitable for use up to 7 years of age

Dual-sided to grow with your kid

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Grotime innerspring cot mattress, $149 (usually $179.99), Baby Bunting

With an innerspring frame, a cross-drilled cushioning foam and a premium quilted cover, this cot mattress by Grotime is suitable for newborns to babies up to three years. Plus, with its zip-off cover, maintenance is a breeze.

Key features:

1300 x 690 mm

Cross-drilled cushioning foam

Quilted cover

Innerspring frame

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Ecosa cot mattress, $384 (usually $480), Ecosa

The Ecosa cot mattress is firm and supportive to help your little one sleep safely. It features an innovative Nestflow core that is made from food-grade polypropylene, which means there is no latex, adhesives or other harmful chemicals. It is also designed to meet the Red Nose Australia Safe Sleeping criteria, easy to wash with a machine washable cover and fully washable mattress, so you can rest assured that this mattress is made for the little ones.

Key features:

Available in 7 different sizes

Machine washable cover

Washable mattress

Red Nose approved

Breathable Nestflow core

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Love N Care innerspring cot mattress, $179 (usually $199.99), Baby Bunting

The Love N Care innerspring cot mattress is low allergenic with side air vents for easy air circulation and a firm innerspring mattress for support. Plus, with a six-year warranty, you know this mattress is made to last.

Key features:

1310 x 760 mm

Comfortable orthopaedic foam system

Side air vents

6 years warranty on springs

High-density, thermo-bonded core

Tempered steel frame and springs

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boori-cot-mattress

Boori standard foam cot mattress, $99 (usually $119.95), Baby Bunting

Recommended for children up to five years, the Boori standard foam cot bed mattress is the perfect final touch to your nursery, offering plenty of support for babies. Features foam with interspersed holes for breathability and a cotton knitted fabric cover which helps to keep your little one at the perfect temperature all through the night.

Key features:

1320 x 700 mm

Foam sponge mattress with interspersed holes for breathability

Removable cotton fabric knitted cover

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Jengo pocket spring cot mattress, $99, Baby Bunting

For just under $100, this cot mattress is affordable while still giving your newborn all the support they need as they grow. Featuring individually wrapped pocket springs, your baby will sleep easily and comfortably.

Key features:

1300 x 690 mm

Individually wrapped pocket springs

Passed Australian mattress test AS/NZS 8811.1:2013

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adairs-cot-mattress

Childcare innerspring cot mattress, $109, Big W

Looking for a firm mattress that is constructed with a combination of sprung steel springs and high-density foam? Consider your search over. This one from Big W has all the aforementioned features making it an ideal cot mattress for your nursery.

Key features:

1300 x 690 mm

Tempered steel springs

High density foam

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The post Ensure a blissful night’s sleep for the little ones with these cot mattresses appeared first on Homes To Love.

Some experts say our minimalist vibes, our earthy tones and muted interiors are boring baby, not offering enough stimulation or sensory enlightenment for our little ones. Thanks experts, we will start our mum-and-dad-guilt engines now.

The internet is rife with gender neutral nursery ideas, a boon for those of us who don’t want to teach girls to love pink and boys blue. All new parents have been down the neutral baby room rabbit hole, and this writer is no exception. I swore I would never have a house covered in colourful junk. My children would play unencumbered by stuff. I’d never creep out of baby’s nursery having just got her down and, as my bare feet impale themselves on scattered Lego figurines, scream silently in the half light.

But don’t rush to paint everything white and beige – to go with the rest of the house – just yet. Some Google-evidence (as reliable as Dr Google) reveals that the minimalist, neutral-leaning rooms we’re creating in a bid to Zen the hell out are actually setting us back. Child prodigies are not made, say “experts”, in a dull nursery.

An expert’s guide to toys and nursery design

In a bid to calm parents and excite babies the perfect amount, we asked an actual expert what parents are to do. Dr Anoo Bhopti, senior lecturer at Monash University and senior paediatric occupational therapist, says colours and contrasting patterns are useful for newborns’ development. It’s important to slowly stimulate babies, not give it all in one go from the get-go. There’s a fine line between boring and exhausting.

“One-month-olds would meet the legal criteria for adult blindness,” explains Anoo, who’s based in Melbourne. She says high-contrast patterns and bright colours are more easily seen by young babies, who require what is called “segmentation or visual boundaries”. “Babies’ eyes take a bit of time to see, it’s fuzzy and there’s no definition early on. They see our hairline and eyes, the two dots and a mouth that keeps moving. They can fixate on a human face. They can see our face outline, they can smell their mother’s breast and skin, and all these things are happening at the same time.”

If you already have a calming and neutral nursery and worry baby will not reach her potential, Anoo says it’s going to be alright. She doesn’t like to use the word “mistake”, she says reassuringly. You have to live there as well, says Anoo. “You can buy a few toys with contrasts. It doesn’t have to be much, but a completely beige room may not be meaningful to a child. Try a small mobile hanging, or just talk and sing to them. It’s exhausting being a parent, so a mobile can entertain them when you don’t have the energy,” suggests Anoo. Give her some mindful and deliberate stimulation using a high-contrast crunchy, noisy fabric.

“And definitely no screens,” warns Anoo. “Babies should have absolutely no screens until they are at least one year old, and even then it should be very limited…We have to look after the mental health of parents as well, who may need a little break.”

DO BABIES NEED BRIGHT COLOURS IN THE NURSERY?

Minimalist toys and nurseries are trending, but they may not be the best thing for your baby. Beige wooden blocks and Instagram-style outfits in gender-free greige tones, isn’t that what babies love? It turns out: no. Little ones love bright primary colours and high-contrast patterns and it’s actually better for their development at certain stages.

Apart from their fitting right into our gender stereotypes, there’s a reason nurseries have long been decorated in pale pink, baby blue and soft yellow. They are soothing hues, and we’re predicting that baby will feel relaxed in this little space. It’s also important for parents to feel that sense of peace. As much as we love the fire engine toy gifted at your baby shower, this is not the time to paint the whole town-slash-room red. Bright colours can be too stimulating for children’s rooms.

A 2015 study out of Curtin University in Perth found that blues had a calming effect. Meanwhile, red and yellow colours were found to increase study participants’ heart rates, making them inappropriate for a baby’s room, as well as her parents’. A better option is a base of soft neutrals – think grey and taupe, and not too-white whites. Sage green and pale lavender are other colours that buck that gender-silo aesthetic.

WHAT BABY WANTS AND WHEN

Here’s a rough guide to catering to baby’s stimulation and development needs in the nursery, according to expert Anoo Bhopti at Monash University. We have added some nursery décor and toys to fit each stage. But don’t go overboard. Anoo says she sees prams overladen. Baby gets enough from the passing trees and people, she doesn’t need an amusement park attached to the pram.

• Newborn. When baby opens her eyes, all she needs is a human face to examine. She will learn a lot from movements and will focus on the high-contrast hairline at first, the eyebrows, the eyes, and the moving mouth.

• 3+ months. At three months baby has better singular vision. Give them safe items to focus on. A high contrast piece of cardboard, soft book, or a baby mobile.

• 4+ months. At about four months, baby starts to reach out. It’s time to give them something soft to feel.

• 5+ months. They start pushing their head up and rolling over, and by 7 months they might start sitting up. Give them a space to sit, and surround them with soft rugs as falling is likely.

• 10+ months. Babies start to stand and even take steps around the time they turn one. “It’s important to have a safe space that allows them to hear and see,” says Anoo. Maybe it’s time to add a print or two to baby’s walls.

WHAT TOYS SHOULD YOU BUY FOR A NURSERY?

This is not permission to feel overwhelm and further burden as birth approaches. This is not addition number 257 on to the mental list for new mums and dads as they try to recall whether they slept any actual whole hours last night. It’s permission to plan as you like – neutral, small pops of colour or downright bougie Scandinavian – because as time passes and baby grows, those primary coloured plastic blocks will end up being the only toy they want to play with. That entire Octonauts (if you don’t know them, you soon will) set that your sister-in-law handed down will take pride of place on the floor, and sooner than you think.

Starting with a slightly neutral palette is the safer option, then add delightful things as baby grows. Make it cosy, make it relaxing, make it a place to learn and discover peacefully. You don’t keep repainting the walls as baby grows and develops, unless you want to, says Anoo. “Just add a few things that are age appropriate. Fill some plastic bottles with rice and do up the lid tightly, that’s a rattle. You don’t need fancy things, but variety is good. Don’t keep buying plastic toys. Shake some lentils in a plastic bottle with some fluffy colour pom poms.”

Choose whatever look you like now. I’m not trained in this stuff but as a mother (and therefore self-confessed expert) myself, my tip is just to buy less now. Because there are many birthdays to come, many friends in the woodwork who will shower you with adorable things for baby, plus donate their eight year old’s bag of magnets on a whim. There is much stuff to land in this nursery, so don’t fill it up quite yet. Choose a couple of special things that you love and feel you will hold on to long after baby-to-be becomes baby-leaves-home.

The post Your neutral nursery décor could be boring your baby appeared first on Homes To Love.

Prints, of course, are a necessity. Not only will they turn a bare baby’s room into a colourful and creative haven, but the pictures you choose for their walls will more than likely be the subject of their first memories and dreams. No pressure.

Take a theme and run with it. If pinks and earthy yellows are your thing, it’s easy to find artwork fit for kids’ and nursery rooms that will fit the brief. If your six year old is into dinosaurs, let that love shine. There’s plenty of inspiring and inexpensive art for kid’s rooms of all ages and interests. The question is, what do you love? Choose what inspires you as well, because goodness knows you’ll be spending a lot of time in there cuddling, but also picking up Lego pieces, making beds, sorting Duplo from racing cars and trying to find a special sticker she lost three days ago and can’t live without. Make your child’s bedroom a sanctuary, a place of peace, calm and exploration, with beautiful artworks and prints.

How to hang kids wall art

When it comes to hanging artwork in kid’s rooms or a nursery, there’s no reason to do things any differently to what we do when we hang art on any other wall in the house. Find some kid’s prints that you can either arrange thematically or by colour. A bug wall, for example, or some bold, earthy prints that work with the look in the rest of the house.

Once the art is framed or ready to hang, arrange it on the floor and stand above it to figure out the best arrangement. Then, use masking tape to map out the artworks on the wall before you get the hammer out. There are many ways to hang an artwork, let alone several of them, and the way you hang them can have a big impact on the room. Be careful not to hang artworks containing glass or frames over baby’s cot or change table, or your kids’ beds, in case it falls.

For pieces of your own kid’s art that you really love and want to keep, reclaim your refrigerator and invest in professional framing so they’re kept safely, and use them to decorate the walls in children’s bedrooms. The art was created by a toddler, but it doesn’t have to look like it was hung by one. Invest in a few kids artworks you love from our curated list, then add to that your children’s own work and hang it together on your walls to tap into the steady supply your child is producing. Affordable frames from IKEA or Kmart will suffice for some time.

FOR MORE KIDS’ ROOM IDEAS, TRY:

• 8 great ideas for storing and saving your kids’ artworks

• 12 shared kids’ room ideas

• The best kids room DIY decor ideas on Pinterest

• 10 magical kids’ rooms with clever style ideas to steal

• How to decorate a gender neutral nursery

15 cute nursery and kids’ room wall art picks

Pink and blue Dalmatian poster, $16.17, Desenio

Who doesn’t love a spotted dog? This darling little feller sits so patiently and peacefully, we think his sense of sweet calm might rub off on us. He comes in two little sizes, and is a great value poster for when children are young and you want something to brighten up their room without going overboard with colour.

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rachel castle young hearts tea towel

Young Hearts Art Tea Towel, $89, Castle and Things

Rachel Castle knows a thing or two about cheering up a room, and her affordable tea towels are a nifty answer to getting something a little more textured and elevated than another a poster on the walls. These totally frame-able tea towels (they’re designed to be framed) are 100 percent linen and printed in Australia with a hand embroidered “Cx” for Rachel Castle.

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animal print cheetah poster kids room

Cheetah Pal poster, from $16.17, Desenio

Hear me roar! This cheetah is both cheery and terrifying at once, what’s not to love? This animal print works in a kid’s room at any age and stage, we can see him hanging around for many years to come. The palette offers a bright pop of colour while also working well with wood and earthy tones. She comes in two sizes, but we think she deserves to live large.

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bug and beetle printable wall art

Little Beetle Printable Wall Art, $6.89, Etsy

Printable wall art for kid’s rooms is an accessible and delightful, budget-friendly option when it comes to decorating. When the child outgrows the bug theme, you can use the frame for the next big thing in their lives. And when that big thing is Pokemon, remember that nothing is permanent. Blue Zoo Studio has plenty of bugs and butterflies to choose from, and this graphic print would make a feature wall when hung with two or six other little critters. We love that this art is gender neutral.

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animal print digital downloads kids room

Six Retro Animal digital downloads, $32.99, Etsy

Just print the ones you love, or print all six of these graphic animals. This Etsy creator does a few different printable animals, and we love this pink and slightly muted version with lots of stripy cats. You can also make your own set, choosing the animals that sing to you.

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Madelen Möllard Purple Poppies print, $80, Bed Threads

Fresh blooms all the time; there’s something both playful and sophisticated about Purple Poppies, a collaboration between Stockholm-based artist Madelen Möllard and The Poster Club. This fine art giclée print depicts oversized purple poppies in a bold, abstract style. Boasting intense, saturated colour thanks to the giclée printing process, this artwork will instantly uplift any Scandi-inspired interior. Pop it in a kid’s room for now, and then borrow it for your own room when he or she wants Taylor Swift posters on the wall instead. Measuring 30 x 40cm, this high-quality giclée print is printed in Denmark on 265g fine art paper.

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alphabet and numbers poster etsy kids sea ocean theme

Ocean Alphabet and Numbers Poster, from $45, Etsy

This local Etsy seller does these intricate and adorable little paintings of ocean animals and assorts them on posters for tots and younger children. You can buy them individually, but they look extra sweet as a pair. Hang these low enough on the wall so kids can walk right up to it and recite the alphabet or count. Ten little bubbles, nine little waves; it’s hard not to closely inspect these lovely watercolour creations every time you walk in the room.

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rachel castle little person print castle and things

Rachel Castle ‘Little Person With Bird’, $280, Castle and Things

Here is something really special. The hand screen printed acrylic on 300gsm Montvaal paper is one of only 25 prints and is hand signed by Rachel Castle herself. The artwork is one to keep, and can be moved from room to room should the kids lose interest (for now). The print is done in a lovely, rich olive green. This would also make a beautiful gift for a new parent.

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henri matisse inspired print

Je T’Amie Pour Toujours, from $15.91, Etsy

We love a Matisse inspired print, and this one seems fitting for a kid’s room if we muster our high-school French. The words actually translate to “I friend you forever”, which may or may not be a typo. Whether that annoys you too much and you’re looking for something more definite and involving love for baby’s wall is your prerogative. Or go for this “disco baby” poster by the same Etsy artist.

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Miniposter personalised baby poster, $61.27, Etsy

Honour a new addition to the family with this very personal poster for the nursery. The MiNIPOSTER is an illustration of baby in scale 1:1, so you can always remember your tiny little person’s birth size. This custom wall art is a constant reminder of how small your babies were on the day they were born, and how much have they grown since. We love the single-line illustration and the personalised baby name at the bottom of the poster where the baby’s length, weight and birth date are also printed.

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Solar System Print, $16.03, Etsy

“We live here”, explains the poster, on this little planet making its way around the sun. But you can customise the wording, so a little “Harry lives here” or “Isobel lives here” to help your aspiring astronaut know where the adventure starts. This gorgeous solar system print from the UK comes with a dark grey-blue background as well, which really lets the planets pop. There are five colour schemes to choose from.

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Guimo Print Fruit, $32, Leo & Bella

Guimo does a range of fruit and veg prints fit for a kid’s room, the edibles featured each with a happy little face. These prints are a lovely way to introduce a little colour to a room without going too strong, and they’re a wonderful gender neutral pick as well.

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Koala Print On Canvas by Middle of Nowhere, $307, Life Interiors

Who are you looking at? This beautiful (well groomed) koala adds a sophisticated and yet whimsical tone to any kids room or nursery. The photographic print is on stretched canvas, framed in a thin premium timber veneer frame. Part of the Middle of Nowhere collection, there’s also a kookaburra, lion cub and other beautiful creatures shot in the same style.

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The post 13 chic and cute kids wall art for the nursery and beyond appeared first on Homes To Love.

Onesies are an obvious and super-cute choice for baby showers, and they remain a reliable staple that new parents will probably definitely use. But skip the 0000 size onesie gift set, even the 000 size. They may seem massive and less cute, but it’s hard to get babies scrunched up arms and legs to do the necessary thing to fit into a onesie, and many new mothers have given up in despair, throwing the Liberty-print button-up she cooed over mere months ago into the charity bin. Pick up a neutral-coloured grow suit instead, something a little special that didn’t come in a five pack from the supermarket. And when that practical zipper glides over a freshly changed nappy of the little one for the seventh time in one morning, you will have created a moment of happiness and relief for mum.

Should you get the mother a gift for a baby shower?

You can’t go wrong with something for the newborn, but it’s also worth considering something for the mother or parents. Another rather excellent idea is something for the sibling. Someone will have to entertain babies that have come before while parents one and two are busy. So very busy. Consider an activity or game to keep siblings happy in the garden, a toy that will entertain them for more than 34 seconds at a time. And a toy that will get siblings, in the most loving way, out of the way.

When babies come into the world, there’s a bit of a “su casa es mi casa” about it all. What is given to baby is also for mother (or father), and what is given to mum and brings her joy is indirectly, and rather enormously, great for baby. Happy mum, happy bub. Buy her a (machine washable) silk gown to wrap around herself in the middle of the night and baby will benefit. Something for mother is definitely helpful, kind and downright thoughtful (we are getting misty over here).

DO NEWBORN BABIES NEED SHOES?

One of the cutest and most “Oooo”-ed about things I received at my baby shower was a pair of Stan Smith Adidas crib sneakers. Imagine baby’s tiny toots in those keyring-sized slip-on shoes – cue much adoring gushing. They’re soft underneath and will make all the other babies at mothers’ group park catch ups so jealous. Alas, no. By the time we even thought about putting shoes on baby – because those incy feet are curled to fit a womb for an amazingly long time – the shoes didn’t fit. Baby is fine with socks until they are properly walking. Shoes stop their toes from doing important baby-toe stretches. Should the newborn stand early or even walk early – exceptional as she is likely to be – her feet can learn so much more from textures underfoot than tucked up inside a shoe. By all means buy the shoes and give them at a baby shower, but make them appropriate for a one year old, or even older. They may not win the cutest present award now, but in a year’s time those parents will “ooh-and-aahh” their proud little hearts out and think of you.

Kate, writer and mother of two.

Help! Is the best baby shower gift pink or blue?

Whether you’re shopping for baby or parents, go neutral, style wise. Also go neutral gender-colour-stereotypes wise. Because even if the parents are terrifically fun and would probably adore the neon stripe on that swaddle, they also may not. The expecting and currently childless friends you know now are not the same as the ones who will be parents with children. It’s hard to believe now, but it will be true. And their “look” for bub’s nursery will likely not be the “look” they have at home now. So neutral colours are more likely to fit in nicely without making sleepless new parents trying to get a good night’s sleep in the nursery chair tip over the sanity edge at 3am. Here are 11 baby shower gift ideas that help set a new mum, new parent and new baby up for a smooth(er) beginning.

12 PRACTICAL BUT PRETTY BABY SHOWER GIFTS

ergopouch cocoon swaddle bag baby

Ergopouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag, $59.95, The Iconic

Good baby shower gifts are useful in some way, and things don’t get much more useful than this zipable swaddle that allows for arms to be either tucked in or freed with a couple of simple press-studs. Baby can wear this cosy little number to sleep from a few weeks old (even as a newborn). This is a perfect gift, actually. It’s the kind of thing that new parents may buy, but it’s unlikely they will have the same tog level (that’s warmth, for beginners) and size as the one you buy. And they’re going to need all of the togs, in all of the sizes. Even a couple of each. Ergopouch’s easy-as swaddles are a dream for new parents – instead of wrapping their baby up in a muslin cloth and then a blanket and worrying all night that it will all unravel, they can zip up and sneak out of baby’s nursery with (relatively) no fuss.

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kids bath mat

Natruba Natural Rubber Bath Mat, $29.15 (usually $60), The Iconic

Stretching a wide 50cm, this pretty bath mat (usually an oxymoron) will both stand the test of time and keep those little ones standing up in the shower. The mat can also be placed in the bath, maybe edging up the sides a little, to prevent bottoms from slipping and new parents worrying constantly about heads going under water (the mental load is real). Boasting both premium functionality and safety, this natural rubber bath mat has a leaf pattern and more than 200 suction cups on the bottom to ensure that the mat has a firm grip on the floor surface. This is one of those gifts that is helpful to the whole family.

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Miniposter personalised baby poster

Miniposter personalised baby poster, $61.27, Etsy

Once baby is born, the elated parents can honour the new addition with their very own poster for the nursery. The so-called MiNIPOSTER is an illustration of baby in scale 1:1, so parents can always remember their tiny little person’s birth size. This custom wall art is a constant reminder of how small your babies were on the day they were born, and how much have they grown since. We love the single-line illustration and the personalised baby name at the bottom of the poster where the baby’s length, weight and birth date are also printed.

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owlet dream sock baby monitor

Owlet Dream Sock smart baby monitor, $299.99, Baby Bunting

Imagine a world where a new mother can sleep without worrying whether her baby is sleeping, a world in which baby turning on her tummy doesn’t send parents into terrified panic, and where a carer knows baby’s heart rate, sleep and wake windows at all times. The award-winning Owlet is a little fabric band that wraps around even a newborn baby’s foot, stays in place with Velcro (you can put it onwhile they’re sleeping, we’ve tested it), and measures average oxygen level as a sleep quality indicator. Parents are notified with light and sound on a phone when baby needs them. For those terrified of SIDS, this is a game changer. There is an Owlet with a camera to place in baby’s nursery as well. This gadget has parents with older children declaring they wish they had something like this when their kids were babies.

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silicone plate for babies and kids

Bare The Label silicone irregular suction plate in blush, $29,95. The Iconic

This beautiful little suction plate is made from silicone (read: unbreakable) and it’s beautiful enough to distract us from the peas being thrown on the floor. It comes in colours such as blush, dusty sage, clay and slate. We love that they have suction underneath – which works better on plastic, such as the unfathomably useful IKEA high chair with plastic table – than it does a beautiful wooden table. But the plate-throwing baby is safe due to the afore mentioned unbreakable nature of this plate, so it works either way. There’s a raised edge so little ones can carry their toasties to the dining table without losing them to the floor.

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kangaroo comforter

Lion & Lamb the label Kiru Kangaroo comforter, $45.99, The Iconic

It’s anybody’s guess which particular cute cuddly toy the baby is going to attach itself to or feel comforted by, but you may as well have your choice in the ring. This butterfly fabric is perfect for snoozing, it fits in mum or dad’s bag if needed, and it’s something most parents won’t mind have hanging around all the time.

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elephant baby blanket

Whimsical baby blanket, $39.95, The Iconic

This might come as a shock, but babies don’t really need blankets, not lately. New-age parents use zip up swaddles for sleeping, and on a very cold night they may put a wide, tuck-in-able blanket over the top, but many do not as well. So see this more as something that will be carted around in a pram on cooler days, or kept in the car to keep mum’s knees warm in the front seat, or used to wipe up accidents in the car when reality happens (it’s machine washable!). This whimsical baby blanket in elephant grey – which also comes with bunnies or fawns or hippos – is a bit too special for all of these things, but that’s what friends are for. If you’re not going to splurge on special items that are occasionally used to overcome adversity, are you really worth inviting to this baby shower at all? Jokes. But also, only half jokes.

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the whole bowl new parent food bundle

The Whole Bowl food bundle for new parents, $160 or $280, The Whole Bowl

This is the stuff of superheros. It may not look like not much more than a receipt in a card when you hand it over to the expecting, but this meal-bundle will arrive when the time is right and will keep a new mum going so she’s not eating junk when she finally has a moment to breathe. Think slow-cooked beef brisket ragu, apple and berry crumble, oat and chocolate lactation cookies, and DIY smoothie pouches. This company delivers frozen food bundles that are nutritious, locally sourced, mostly organic and include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks suited to those early days of new parenthood. There are vegetarian and vegan options, and toddler meals for parents expecting their second, third or more child – someone has to feed the older siblings. Parents can organise delivery days themselves, exactly when they need it most.

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ember mug

Mug 2, $170, Ember

An all too common experience shared by most new mums is cold coffee. While there are plenty of insulated mugs out there that will slow down the inevitable descent into an iced drink, this one from Ember goes one step further. Simply set the specific temperature you want your drink to be at, and it will keep it that way for up to 1.5 hours. There are a range of colours and sizes to pick from too.

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purebaby rib zip grow suit

Purebaby rib zip grow suit, $29.95, The Iconic

Expecting parents probably have enough onesies already, but most of those will be in 0000, miniscule sizing. It’s up to you to help these parents realise there is life after day one of baby’s arrival and help prepare them for the task. These grow suits come in tiny sizes, but also size one and two – for one and two year olds – and they’re super convenient for bed time and at-home days spent snuggling. We just wish they came in mum size.

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Bare The Label silicone spoons, four pack, $27.95, The Iconic

Spoons are one of those essentials that don’t seem like much fun, until they look like this. Feeding baby is a cute hot mess, but it’s also quite hard. Make it easier for new parents with spoons that are designed for the job. These are non toxic and BPA free, and they can withstand heat and freezing cold – and being thrown on the floor with the food. There are no rough edges like there can be with other feeding spoons, so they’re easy on those little teething gums.

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wilson and frenchie baby socks

Wilson & Frenchy 3-pack baby socks, $26.95, The Iconic

We’ll take anything from Wilson & Frenchie, but these little organic cotton socks that are cold machine washable are a great entry point. They come in all sorts of nature-like colours – oatmeal and spice and blush, pistachio and deep seas – they’re all lovely. While you’re looking, these Wilson & Frenchy organic waffle slouch pants for babies are pretty dreamy as well.

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The post 12 practical but pretty baby shower gifts appeared first on Homes To Love.

Working out what you actually need to ensure your new baby is safe, comfortable and cosy, should be the first thing you do; adding in all the aesthetic details after you have a functional and furnished space.

To help you get a better idea of what you need to set up a new nursery room, we asked Kristy Withers, founder of Incy Interiors, for a checklist of all of the must-have nursery furniture and essential baby items.

1. COT

The number one must have in any nursery is a cot. Your baby will (hopefully) spend lots of time sleeping and it definitely helps to get into a good sleep routine by having a designated sleeping space. “Finding a cot that is not only great quality but also transitions into a toddler bed is a huge bonus as it will give you another year or two before moving to a big bed,” says Kristy.

2. BASSINET

“A bassinet isn’t a must have for every home, but I found it to be super helpful, says Kristy. Having the baby right there next to you for those multiple wake ups in the early weeks is a godsend,” she adds.

3. Swaddles

Whilst on the topic of sleeping, finding a swaddle or wrap that makes your baby feel safe and secure is essential. “The Love To Dream suits were a game-changer! Who would have thought sleeping with their arms up would result in so much extra sleep?”, she laughs.

4. BEDDING

The days of cots filled with stuffed toys and cushions are a thing of the past as we are more aware of the dangers these things can pose. “A beautiful cot sheet is all that is needed in the way of bedding,” says Kristy.

5. CHANGE TABLE

“Find yourself a change table that also doubles as storage, Kristy advises. All of our Incy change tables either convert to a dresser or a bookcase so you can continue to use the product for many years to come. I learnt this lesson the hard way with my first child.”

6. Nursing chair

“Some people will tell you a nursing chair isn’t essential, don’t believe them!, Kristy warns. You can spend 4 or 5 hours a day feeding and snuggling so finding somewhere with good support for your back and neck is crucial. Also look for a chair with arm rests at just the right height for feeding. I thought my factory were going to throw me out after I made them remake our nursing chair seven times due to the height of the arm rest.”

7. Nappy bin

Wondering whether a nappy bin is worth the investment? It’s a firm yes from Kristy. “No one wants to be making trips to the outside bin with stinky nappies in the middle of the night! A nappy bin was an essential in our household,” she says.

8. baby Monitor

A baby monitor allows you to keep an eye on your bub from a distance. “You can hear when the baby wakes up whilst being elsewhere in the house/outside, says Kristy. It also saves you going in to check on them and disturbing them just as they are about to nod off,” she adds.

Below, we list the nursery essentials you need to buy to set you and your baby up for a comfortable start to your new life.

NURSERY ROOM ESSENTIALS

cot-fitted-sheet

Miller jersey fitted cot sheet in sage marle, $60, Sheet Society

Most babies don’t transition into a cot until they are at least six months old, but that doesn’t mean you can’t set up said cot prior to this to make your nursery room look complete. When it comes to bedding, a fitted sheet is really all you need to start, and this sage number is a considered choice for your little one. Available in six colourways.

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adairs-rocking-chair

Adairs Baby Bouclé white rocking chair, $489 (usually $699.99), Adairs

A comfortable nursing chair with back and arm support is a must-have. This chic rocking chair is upholstered in on-trend bouclé fabric to provide you with that extra bit of comfort you crave when you’re awake at 2am feeding the baby.

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change-table

Alta change table in White/Natural, $271.95 (usually 319.95), Mocka

Who doesn’t love double-duty furniture that saves space and provides extra storage? A change table can take up valuable floorspace in your nursery so opt for one that provides extra storage and save on buying that extra set of drawers or shelves. The doors on this change table keep nappies, wipes and other baby paraphernalia hidden away to keep your nursery looking neat and tidy.

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vaporiser

Lively Living Aroma-Snooze sleep aid vaporiser, $99 (usually $115), Lime Tree Kids

If a white noise machine, night light, and diffuser are on your list of things to buy, you’ll be pleased to know there is one device that does it all. Touted as the ‘world’s most advanced sleep-aid vaporiser’, the Aroma-Snooze features sleep-inducing sounds, colour-changing light (including red LED light), advanced ultrasonic technology and air-purifying aromatherapy to help your baby (and people of all ages) breathe easy and soothe them into a blissful sleep. Receive a bonus 15ml certified organic essential oil of your choice plus, free shipping when you buy an Aroma-Snooze.

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play-mat

Quilted linen baby play mat in Rust, $154.95, Warren Hill

A playmat will be one of your most-used items, perfect for tummy time, play time, picnics and more. Made from 100 per cent pure French flax linen with a soft, polyester filling, this circular play mat provides cushion and support for your little one, at home or on the go.

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nappy-bin

Ubbi Steel nappy disposal system, $136, Tiny Fox

As Kristy mentioned, a nappy bin will save you countless trips to the kitchen or outside bin, prevent any unwanted odour from infiltrating your home, and makes nappy changes easier and way more hygienic. The award-winning Ubbi is made from powder-coated steel and equipped with rubber seals to achieve maximum odour control.

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maxwell-cot

Maxwell cot in Walnut, $839 (usually $1,199), Incy Interiors

This magnificent mid-century style cot, made from New Zealand pine with a walnut stain, is sturdy, stylish and adaptable. Featuring a built-in conversion kit, you can easily transform the Maxwell Cot into a toddler bed, with no additional pieces required.

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bassinet-wooden

Boori Bassinet in Almond, $269 (usually 329.95), Temple & Webster

This pretty and practical bassinet has been designed with safe sleeping in mind, featuring perforated, washable mesh fabric for maximum air flow. Having a bassinet on wheels is ideal in those early days when bub is sleeping most of the time, allowing you to easily move the bassinet from bedroom to living room (or bathroom!), as needed.

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change-pad

Leander Matty change pad in Sage Green, $199.95 (usually $219.95), Metro Baby

You will also need a change mat to place on top of your change table. This stylish design by Leander, made from polyurethane foam, is soft, easy to clean and fully portable, allowing you to change your baby on the living room floor if you need!

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swaddle-mustard

Ergopouch Cocoon 1.0 Tog, $49.95, The Iconic

Available in a range of sizes and colours, this Cocoon Swaddle Bag will become your new best friend come sleep time. The simple zip-up swaddle means bub can stay warm without any of the difficulty of having to wrap them up, plus it’s feeding-friendly, super stretchy, and made from a breathable natural fibre.

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The post Nursery checklist: everything you need for your new baby’s room appeared first on Homes To Love.

Although a child’s room ought to be whimsical, personality-filled and fun, it’s important to create a room that will give them space to grow; space to change their mind and explore something new. The safest course of action is to start with a neutral base and build up a theme that can be changed as quickly as the latest fad arrives.

These kids’ rooms are bursting with decorating and design ideas, from an all-white colour palette to a pastel paradise straight out of a storybook!

FOR MORE KIDS’ ROOM IDEAS, TRY:

• Get the look: young explorer’s bedroom

• How to create a Harry Potter-inspired kids bedroom

• The best kids room DIY decor ideas on Pinterest

• How to create a tea-party inspired, pastel kids bedroom

• How to decorate a gender neutral nursery

10 Beautiful kids’ bedroom designs

kids room

Leaning into what they’re loving at the moment is a great place to get inspiration for your little one’s bedroom. Use art to inspire the colour palette of the entire room, as seen in this lovely oceanfront build on the NSW South Coast.

pattern colour kids bedroom

There is no such thing as too much colour or too much pattern when it comes to kids bedrooms. Case in point, the gorgeous bedroom in this historic country homestead.

kids room gallery wall artwork

Art doesn’t have to be expensive. In one bedroom in Edwina Bartholomew former home, a colourful gallery wall was created using framed tea towels and her daughter’s own artwork.

bunk bed kids room

Bunk beds are great space savers, and a calming all-white colour schene will make a small room feel spacious and calming. In this kids room, a built-in banquette seat doubles as storage for another layer of functionality.

modern kids bedroom

The renovation of this Federation home in Melbourne was designed to create a homely, country-cottage-character feel. This extends into the more grown-up style of the kids bedroom, with long dark drapes, ceiling details and a pendant light.

bunk beds

This playful kids room in designer Kate Walker’s former Mornington Peninsula home is fit out with a bunkbed from Pottery Barn Kids and bedlinen from Bed Bath N’ Table. Chair is Temple & Webster, styled with a Lucy Montgomery round cushion.

kids bedroom

The sweet bedroom for an equally sweet toddler in this renovated historic cottage is dressed in a world map from Etsy, a bed found on Facebook Marketplace, and gingham sheets from bedding brand, I Love Linen.

Simple never goes out of style, as seen in this beautiful Scandinavian-style kids bedroom in a coastal beach house. The bunk bed and wall lamp are both from Plywood, and the soft rug is from Armadillo.

kids room wallpaper design

Wallpaper is an easy way to create a whimsical feeling. In Hannah Cecil Gurney’s son’s bedroom, walls are wrapped in handpainted ‘African Savannah’ wallpaper, from de Gournay, in masculine monochromes, with an 18th-century bed in ‘Young and Lovely’ fabric from Dedar.

girls bedroom design

Investing in playful soft furnishings for your kids room means the space can easily be updated as your little one continues to grow up. In this young girl’s bedroom, a Rupert bedhead from Heatherly Design is styled with a Cumulus pendant light by The Design Hunter.

The post 10 magical kids’ rooms with clever style ideas to steal appeared first on Homes To Love.

At the beginning, we know it can feel a tad overwhelming. The checklist of things you ‘need’ can seem endless. But once you’ve ticked off the bigger ticket items such as a comfortable nursing chair, changing table and cot, you can start looking into the more creative (and fun) side of nursery inspiration: the interior design.

Whether you’re designing a nursery room for a baby boy, a beautiful little girl, or are aiming to create a more gender-neutral space, there are plenty of ways to design a calming yet creative baby room. There are certain paint colours that can completely transform the space (and your mood while in it).

For someting with a bit more character, you could even look into a playful wallpaper design or even wall decals. It’s a good idea to opt for an accent wall or a removable wallpaper so that the room can easily evolve as your baby grows up. (Yes, it happens!)

Creating a gallery wall with beautiful prints can be another relatively affordable way to introduce some character into your baby room design. It can also grow as they do, adding in special moments you share together.

To get your imagination going with some beautiful nursery room ideas, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite designs.

Our favourite nursery room ideas

gender neutral nursery

For those looking for more gender-neutral nursery room ideas, this stunning design in an old bank conversion is hard to go past. With pops of green and furniture that ties in perfectly with the aesthetic of the rest of the home, it proves you don’t need to go all cute to create a cosy space.

wallpaper design nursery inspo

Interior designer Katie Sargent designed her own custom wallpaper for her nursery, inspired by her husband’s South African heritage. “I loved the idea of creating a safari or savannah story that wrapped the whole room, because we have these beautiful high ceilings. As he gets older we can point out the animals to him, and we can talk about Africa”, she says.

gender neurtral nursery

Handmade bunting is a great (and affordable) way to bring some colour and character into your nursery room, just like in the cute baby room in this renovated California bungalow.

boho baby room ideas

This baby room evokes peaceful, relaxed and even boho vibes in a once neglected holiday home that has been transformed into a rustic coastal haven.

nursery shelves ideas

To inspire curiosity and wonder, soft toys and picture books are displayed within reach in this neutral, fairy tale-inspired baby room.

australian gender neutral nursery

The decor in this cute nursery room is inspired by its country surroundings, with a sweet rocking-sheep. “I wanted the nursery to be Australian and gender-neutral,” says mum, Emma Hawkins.

vintage nursery finds

A unique vintage cot is the focal feature of the nursery in One Teaspoon designer, Jamie Blakey’s beachside Sydney home.

girl baby room

The brief for this divine girl’s room was ‘refined but sweet’ in this family home in the NSW Southern Highlands, and the unique wallpaper and plush white armchair suit it perfectly.

minimalist nursery ideas

Henry’s room features a floor-to-ceiling window that is externally shaded by a curtain of ivy in this respectful redesign of a 1970s concrete-block house.

boy nursery ideas

Hot-air balloon decorations and a sizable giraffe are the charming additions to this baby boy’s blue room in a Hamptons style Art-Deco apartment in Sydney.

nursery wallpaper ideas

The owner of this modern country-inspired nursery went to school with designer Fleur Harris, and had been looking for a room to use her Woodlands wallpaper design in even before she had kids. As it turns out, her baby room was the perfect place.

wallpaper nursery ideas

This whimsical nursery room in a renovated heritage cottage in Mittagong features enchanting wallpaper and a gold, velvet canopy draped over one end of the cot. Perfectly fitting for a prince or princess!

minimalist nursery ideas

Ophelia’s room is made cosy with a sheepskin throw in a creative couple’s cottage in Byron Bay’s Hinterland.

neutral nursery idea

The decor in this nursery is kept simple and considered to create a serene, clutter-free space in this neutral baby room.

nursery girl

Hannah Cecil Gurney, daughter of de Gournay founder and now director of the handpainted wallpaper company, unsurprisingly, created her own design for her daughter’s nursery walls. The eponymous wall covering, ‘Cecily’, is a Chinoiserie pattern on traditional Xuan paper, depicting an idyllic garden.

The post 15 nursery ideas that’ll help you tick one more thing off your to-do list appeared first on Homes To Love.

A king single bed typically measure around 106 x 203 cm and is a popular choice for small bedrooms as well as for those who prefer additional space when sleeping (while still enjoying the benefits of its compact size).

So, if you’ve opted for this sweet bed size and you’re now tasked with finding the perfect bedding to go with it, then you’re at the right place. Below, we’ve rounded up the best king single bed sheets that will fit this in-between bed size perfectly.

The best king single sheets to shop in Australia

sheet-society-pin-stripe-sheets

Frankie flannelette sheets (king single) in hugo stripe, $60, Sheet Society

Crafted from 100 per cent double-brushed flannelette for a super soft and cosy feel, the Frankie flannelette sheets are a winter bedding must-have. The king single hugo stripe is our pick with subtle hues of pale blue and brown.

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ecodownunder-white-sheets

Cashmere sheet set (king single) in soft white, $179, Ecodownunder

Sink into ultimate luxury with Ecodownunder’s cashmere cotton sheets. Crafted with the perfect blend of premium eco-cotton and the finest cashmere yarn, this king single sheet set is sumptuously soft and light to sleep in. Available also in soft grey and soft blue.

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pink-sheet-set

Habitat 400 thread count bamboo cotton sheet set (king single) in blush, $105 (usually $179), Pillow Talk

Luxuriously soft to the touch, this bamboo cotton sheet from Habitat is the epitome of comfort and style. Plus, thanks to its temperature-regulating properties, it’s a great bedding option to use year-round. Available in eight different colourways to suit your style, but our pick is this light pink hue.

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sheridan-reilly-shet-set-in-grey

Sheridan Reilly sheet set (king single) in carbon, $251.99 (usually $359.99), Myer

Soft, airy, and easy to style. The Reilly king single sheet set from Sheridan is the perfect bedding option for any contemporary bedroom. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and one standard pillowcase.

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white-bed-sheet

Superior 330 thread count cotton sheet set (king single) in putty, $74.95 (usually $149.95), Bed Bath N’ Table

Looking for a sheet set that keeps you cool in summer but warm in winter? Consider your search over. The Superior cotton sheet set from Bed Bath N’ Table boasts a generous 330 thread count that absorbs heat from your body – acting like a natural thermostat.

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pistachio-100-french-flax-linen-bedding-set

100% French flax linen bedding set (king single) in pistachio, $260, Bed Threads

Buttery soft and pre-washed for that envious lived-in feel, this French flax linen bedding set from Bed Threads is made to last. As it is made with 100 per cent French flax linen, it means that it only gets better over time – the more you use it and wash it, the softer it gets. Plus, this gorgeous pistachio hue is to die for…

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Worlds Softest cotton white grid sheet set (king single), $149.99, Adairs

Made from the finest quality 500 thread count cotton twill and finished with a luxuriously soft sheen, these king single sheets from Adairs are as soft as a feather. Plus, the subtle grid pattern on this bed sheet effortlessly elevates the classic white bed sheet set.

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Lead photo: Supplied by The Designory

The post These are the best king single sheets that’ll fit your in-between bed appeared first on Homes To Love.

You may prefer to play it safe with a white, cream or beige base and inject colour using textiles and décor but, if you’re looking to make a statement in your nursery, there’s no better way than with a standout wall colour.

Whether you want to create feature wall to ground the space or paint the entire room, there are some colours that lend themselves perfectly to a nursery and plenty of others you should steer clear of completely. Here, we share some tips and expert advice for finding the perfect paint colour for your nursery to create a space that you and your baby enjoy spending time in.

Choosing a colour

Choosing a paint colour, even a simple shade of white, can be an overwhelming experience to say the least.

Start by deciding on a theme for your nursery. Are you set on blue for a boy or pink for a girl? Or, are you hoping to create a gender neutral nursery with earthy tones or a soft sage green?

If you’ve already bought furniture, décor and artwork for your nursery look to these items for colour cues to create a cohesive look.

You want your nursery to be a place you enjoy spending time in – especially when you’re into your 5th attempt to get the baby to sleep – so be sure you to choose a colour that you love too.

Bright colours in a nursery – yes or no?

While we wouldn’t recommend painting the walls red or a blinding fluro hue, don’t be afraid to use colour in your bub’s room. Even muted shades of blue, green, yellow and pink can be enough to create a vibrant space that is still calming.

“Keep in mind that if you’re keen to use bright colours but not sure about coating the whole room in one loud hue, a feature wall or a colourful band along the wall always look amazing,” suggests Tint CEO and co-founder, Djordje Dikic.

POPULAR NURSERY PAINT COLOURS

Tint CEO and co-founder, Djordje Dikic, shares the most popular Tint paint colours for nurseries:

• Inner Self – This shade of pale dusty green is everything that a neutral-coloured nursery calls for; warmth, calm, and a soft lightness that brings a really great energy into the room.
• Settle Petal – If you have your heart set on a nursery with a touch of pink, Settle Petal – a beautiful dusty pink – offers a modern spin on things.
• Dawn Patrol – Not only will this muted blush pink look great on your walls, but also wooden toys, wooden furniture or any other surface if you have leftover paint to use.
• Bubble Bath – What’s not to love about a pale greyish blue? In a small space light colours can make a room feel bigger and brighter, and help to create a space you’ll love spending time in.
• We Met in Spring – This pale citrus yellow is lovely, bright and happy — every vibe you want to bring into your nursery. Paint a half wall or feature wall if you want a splash of colour but not up for the full four-wall commitment.
• PANTONE® 14-0615 TPGS – Go nuts with this warm muted pistachio hue. Perfect for the nursery, bathroom and lounge too. It’s warm, welcoming and everything you want for a cosy space.

Wallpaper and decals

Paint isn’t the only way to inject colour and character into a nursery. Wallpaper and removable wall decals are becoming extremely popular and there are some incredible designs on the market now.

In Kyal and Kara’s nursery and toy room, colourful sea shell wall stickers created by a local artist give the room a whimsical feel, while natural timber accents and soft muted colours, make the room feel calm.

When to paint your nursery

From midwife appointments to shopping for baby clothes and necessities, the lead up to having a baby is a busy time. To save yourself a mad rush at the last minute, don’t put off painting and preparing the nursery until the last weeks of pregnancy.

“My wife Alex and I just had our first baby in April, and we did what so many people do – put off decorating the nursery ’til the very last second,” says Djordje. “In our case, we put down brushes and the next morning baby Primrose was born! Looking back on it I feel like we timed it perfectly, but I think Alex is slightly less convinced.”

“To avoid the stress of getting a nursery sorted too close to your due date, I’d highly recommend starting around the second trimester. That gives you plenty of time to try out some colours and start collecting all your bits and pieces.”

Choose VOC-free paint

While it’s important your nursery space looks good, an even bigger concern should be that it’s safe for you and your family. Tint’s entire paint range is specially formulated to be more than 99% free from the air-polluting VOCs and is also virtually odourless, and mould-killing, so you can paint your home with peace of mind that no yucky fumes or nasty chemicals are hanging about in the air.

The post These paint colour tips will help you create the perfect nursery appeared first on Homes To Love.

Plus, having a dedicated area for your child to imagine, dream and create can make a world of difference to their cognitive and emotional development. Whether you’re lacking space and need small playroom ideas, or are looking to be inspired by wall decals, colour palettes, soft flooring options, clever toy storage ideas, or wallpaper designs, there is so much out there to discover.

To help you get started, we spoke to Prash Ravindran, founder of Cattywampus and creator of luxe kids play spaces, who shared his top tips to help you create the perfect playroom.

Playroom Theme Ideas

To create a space that your kids want to spend time in, it’s essential to encourage both creativity and play. “Personalise the space with a theme that will create a space where your children (and their dreams) can grow,” says Prash.

“If your child loves dinosaurs, decorate with a Jurassic flair, alternatively unicorns are mythical creatures that most children adore, or perhaps mermaids are the best excuse to go under the sea?” he adds. “The key to creating a space that they will love spending hours playing in is to make a world that is both entirely their own and unique to their little personalities.”

Small playroom ideas

Not everyone has a spare room to dedicated to toys. If you’re short on space, Prash recommends selecting transitional pieces with a dual purpose. For example, you can find change tables which eventually convert into a bookcase when they’re no longer needed.

“Beautiful baskets can double as storage and will work to empower rather than overwhelm the room, whilst bunk beds now come in a range of fun colours and themes and will act as a statement and decorative piece so you can minimise additional decorations,” he adds.

What to include in a kids playroom

The best part of a playroom is that it can become whatever your kids want it to be! “A good playroom should be designed to foster their imagination and spark their creativity, transforming an ordinary room into fantasy land,” says Prash. “There are no set rules in place, but small cost-effective accessories will add a playful decadence that can subtly or dramatically change a child’s playroom.”

Here are some furniture and decor pieces to consider to create a functional and beautiful playroom:

• Practicality and comfort are key elements for children’s flooring. Rugs or playmats provide a safe space for your child to play, whilst at the same time protect your floor.

• Mini tables and chairs will provide a creative play area for children to illustrate, prepare tea parties and play musical chairs.

• Bookcases provide a wonderful opportunity to display literature and encourage children to read.

• Ample storage such as baskets ensure your children keep their toys safe and remain disciplined when it comes to cleaning up after play time.

• Select classic or quirky theme using wall art or wall decals that will add a playful touch and help to accessorise the space.

• Soft toys are sweet as they can completely change or add personality to a simple room. What’s more, colourful characters such as a teddy bear or a dolly will become cherished members of the family and can be passed down for years to come.

How To Create A Playroom That Will Grow With Your Kids

• Personalise your child’s space by using transitional furniture that will grow with your child.

• Invest in toys, furniture, and collector’s items that can be utilised during different stages of development.

• Use removable wallpaper or wall decals instead of paint or traditional wallpaper so you can easily update the decor or theme as your child grows.

• Think about how your child will use the space now and in the next couple of years. Can you create a space for homework when they start school? Will you need to turn this room into a bedroom by incorporating bunk beds eventually? It pays to think ahead before making permanent design decisions.

Playroom furniture and decor to shop

Basketball court novelty rug, $69.99 (usually $99.99) Adairs

A novelty rug like this sweet basketball court will ensure their space is soft underfoot while also sparking their imagination. Make it a theme and combine it with matching cushions, sheets and decor.

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Banana Palm jungle wall decals, $450, Little Rae Prints

Wall decals are an amazing — and quick! — was to completely transform a space. Lean into your little ones interests and hobbies and create a world that is truely theirs.

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Maddison Lane kids’ marion storage basket, $89.95 (usually $129), Temple & Webster

Beautiful baskets are not only a way to add personality to the space, but also double as a clever storage solution for toys, books and other small things.

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Kids activity play table in White/Natural, $129.95 (usually $149.95), Mocka

This little table is the best of both worlds — a place to play and a somewhere to conceal all their favourite things. It has a built in storage drawer and shelf, plus the top slides off to reveal yet another hidden compartment.

SHOP NOW

Kids teepee tent in Rose Pink, $229, Cattywampus

This beautiful teepee tent is the perfect place for your little one to nap, dream and play in! Crafted from a silky soft cotton canvas, they come in a range of different colours and styles, and arrive in a clever storage cube which also helps when packing away.

SHOP NOW

The post How to create a fun and functional kids’ playroom appeared first on Homes To Love.

There are some things to consider in the design ​​— clever storage ideas to conceal copious lego collections and balls; how to incorporate their favourite hobbies and interests; whether they’re sharing the space with other siblings; and some safety considerations to keep in mind for when they get a bit older.

And try to look beyond blue. There are plenty of other popular colours for boys’ bedrooms including playful orange, energizing red, calming green, or even dramatic pops of black. And if you can’t decide on one, you could even consider a fun and adventurous wallpaper.

So, if you’re looking for some inspiration to kickstart your boys’ bedroom design ​​— from bunk beds to colour palettes, nurseries and everything in between ​​— look no further.

15 boys room ideas to inspire

wallpaper boys room

“It’s a very small room under the eaves. A lot of people think wallpaper will make a space feel smaller, but the amazing perspective makes the walls disappear,” says Hannah Cecil Gurney, director of the handpainted wallpaper company de Gournay, of her son George’s bedroom in her whimsical London home.

bunk bed

Interior designer Kate Walker’s former Mount Martha home is exploding with imagination, and her kid’s bedrooms are no exception. Patterns play throughout the room, on the chair, walls, window furnishings and bed linen, while the bunk beds make it a cosy space.

lion themed boys bedroom

Injecting a bit of playfulness and fun, as well as tapping into their interests and hobbies will help inspire them, just like in young Kyuss’s bedroom in this modern coastal family home.

fireman’s pole

Henry’s epic bedroom in his family’s sustainable self-build in Melbourne has a bespoke bed accessed via a ladder, and a fireman’s pole at the other end for quick descents.

wallpaper boys bedroom ideas

“For Flynn’s room, we created this incredible Gruffalo wallpaper using custom wall mural supplier Pickawall,” says Josie, of this legendary room in a century-old Edwardian home.

nautical

Clean and simple, the nautical style of this kids’ bedroom will never go out of style, and it also doubles as a playroom in a mid-century style home on Sydney’s north shore. The bed is from Ikea while the kilim is from Loom Rugs.

Clever use of black paint can ensure the room grows up with them, and complements any brighter furnishings that add colour and personality to the space, just like seen in this contemporary family home.

olympia-blue

Interior designer Adele Bates designed custom Laminex storage for her nephews’ toys and books in their bedroom with Seasoned Oak, Royal and Olympia Blue shades, in their Melbourne split-level home.

quilts

Colourful accessories in the boys’ room create a vibrant environment for growing minds, and this dramatic timber home has paired elephant-themed quilts with a custom built scroll bookshelf.

texture

The mother and owner of this original 1950s Sydney home has stepped away from the traditional blue colour-palette used in boys rooms. In Bobby’s room, she’s gone for neutral colours and plenty of texture.

hexagon

Working as part of the white interior style of this Sydney workers cottage, the hexagon wallpaper is something for nine-year-old Levi to grow into.

house-bed

Oliver’s house bed incorporates a trundle ready for sleepovers in his family’s eco-friendly home in Perth.

navy-walls

Jack’s room was originally the study in this bright and breezy Newcastle home. He loved the navy walls so they stayed!

cactus

An ex-window display cactus from Gorman adds a fun pop of colour to this kids’ bedroom in a picture-perfect rental home.

elephants

Jay and Mac share their parents’ love of books. “We have books everywhere in the house,” said influencer and blogger Tash Sefton. “Stacked together, they create a story about us.” She found the elephant bedspread at Anthropologie in New York to suit the boy’s bedroom in their Sydney home, and “Mac likes elephants and it’s a subtle way to have them in his room.”

The post Unleash their wildest dreams with these 15 inspired boys’ bedroom ideas appeared first on Homes To Love.

“Make decorating their room a fun activity by playing music, having snacks or making it a family project,” recommends Vanessa Colyer-Tay, Head of Style at Temple & Webster. “This will create positive associations with the process and encourage your child to be more engaged.”

To help you create a teen bedroom design they’ll actually love and be inspired by, we’ve pulled together some important things to consider during the design process. Just try not to make it too nice, otherwise they might never leave!

1. Give them control

Including them in the design process is essential. You can start by scrolling through Pinterest or flicking through magazines together to pinpoint the sorts of colours and styles they’re drawn to. It’s important to let them lead this process so you can get a true reflection of the what they’re drawn to and inspired by. “Work with your child to come up with a theme for their room, such as a favourite colour, movie or hobby,” says Vanessa.

Bring them shopping and let them take control and ownership over the design. Depending on the circumstances, you could even let them contribute a small amount financially so they really value the space, or help upcycle or build something. “Involve your child in DIY projects such as painting furniture, creating wall art or sewing curtains,” adds Vanessa. “This will give them a sense of accomplishment and help them develop new skills.”

2. Include a space to study

During lockdowns, which saw many of us forced to work (and learn) from home, making room for a dedicated study space in teenagers’ rooms went from a nicety to a no-brainer. Doing homework from the dining table is fraught with distraction and, not to mention, bad for their posture.

Setting aside and styling a special space for them to work from can help immeasurably with their concentration levels. Stock it with everything they’ll need — notebooks, pens, paper, scissors, staplers, laptop chargers, etc. — so that once they sit down, they can focus completely on the task at hand.

While creating an organised and clutter-free space is crucial, remember to also make it inspiring. Include plenty of colour and art and texture to make it a space where their imagination will work over time.

3. Invest in temporary pieces and soft furnishings

Just like most things in a teenager’s life, things change fast. They like things, then they don’t. Things are cool, then they’re not. And you can guarantee they’ll want to change things about their room often and always.

To ensure you’re not wasting and spending too much, invest in temporary pieces and soft furnishings that are quick and easy to substitute. For example, things like bed linen, cushions and artwork are much less expensive to change out than bedframes, rugs, wallpapers and paint colours.

The BEST TEEN BEDROOM DECOR TO SHOP

NEED MORE IDEAS?

Don’t quite have a tween or teen yet? We have plenty of kids’ bedroom inspiration and nursery design ideas to inspire you.

10 TEEN BEDROOM IDEAS TO TAKE IDEAS FROM

teen boys bedroom

This teen bedroom design has elements of coastal cool through the Willow bedhead from Bednest, and Indigo stripe quilt cover from Cultiver.

art teen bedroom

Fun furniture and art make interior designer Rachel Donath’s 12-year-old son’s room pop. She sourced the corn stool from Third Drawer Down, the bedhead from Create Estate and the vintage painting of a wonderfully snooty dog from an auction.

tween bedroom design wallpaper

Three Birds Renovations cleverly created a sense of playfulness and fun in this tween bedroom by simply applying wallpaper to the ceiling. The choice not to anchor the furniture elsewhere in the room also means it will be easy to replace in the future.

girls bedroom design

Designing this girls bedroom was a highlight for designer Morgan Ferry. “Knowing their personalities and what they’d love made the process really fun – seeing them running into their rooms for the first time is something I’ll never forget,” he says. Covering a pinboard in pretty fabric in the study nook was a simple yet stylish solution.

teen bedroom bunk bed

Kyal and Kara seem to be able to make anything look cool, and this creative teen retreat/rumpas room is no exception. A great solution for siblings sharing a room but wanting their own space.

stylish teen bedroom

Suspended from the ceiling in this stylish tween bedroom is a net on a bamboo structure from Mosquito Nets Online. It creates an absolute sense of wonder and is a relatively easy way to make the space feel really special.

teen bedroom design

Interior designer Charlotte Coote let her daughter Sybil design her own bedroom, and it appears she’s inherited her mother’s good taste. The walls have been covered in ‘The Countess’ wallpaper by Charlotte Gaisford and complement with a bedhead in Coote & Co. Baronscourt ‘Billow’ Irish linen and a Coote & Co. pineapple lamp.

There are ways to make the room feel special without upgrading to a bigger bed. Letting them choose a combination of coloured bed linen that they can mix and match — like in this colourful tween bedroom — is a relatively cost-effective solution.

The Block’s Alisa and Lysandra had such a good time designing this grown-up teen girls bedroom as they both only have sons. It features plenty of textures and deep, earthy tones that are sophisticated but still playful enough for a young adult’s taste.

This tween bedroom takes a more pared-back approach to a traveller’s theme. The rustic airplane models on the wall above the bed as well as the large-scale model of a yacht on the bookshelf add a playful touch.

The post 10 totally cool teen bedroom designs they might actually kinda like appeared first on Homes To Love.

Whether you’re setting up a new nursery from scratch or transitioning your little one from a cot to a single bed, Koala now has all the essentials. From the solid Kookaburra cot to the Joey bed base that adjusts in height as your little one goes from toddler to tween, the range has been designed and built for Aussies to create a comfortable and safe space for their children to grow, sleep, and play.

The Joey range, which includes a cot, baby mattress, kids’ bed base, kids’ mattress, is built with the same sleek and timeless design as Koala cult favourites, but it’s safety and certification that really sets these designs apart. Touted as the ‘safest baby range in Australia’, the baby mattress and cot meets the Red Nose Australia Safe Sleeping criteria and the mattresses boast certifications from OEKO-TEX® STANDARD100 (for textiles), CertiPUR-US® (for foam) and INPAA certification (for Infant and nursery standards. CertiPUR-US® (for foam) and INPAA certification (for Infant and nursery standards.

Steph Gouin, baby and child sleep consultant and registered nurse of over 15 years, recommends that parents look out for mattresses and sleep furniture that is endorsed, approved and certified for safety, like the new Joey by Koala range, with a cot and mattress that meets the Red Nose Australia Safer Sleep criteria. “As the most certified baby mattress in Australia and Red Nose approved, the new range from Joey by Koala means that you’re not only giving your kids the most comfortable sleep possible, but the safest sleep too,” she says.

Koala may have put safety first when designing the Joey range but they’ve also kept parents’ precious time (and sanity) front of mind with Australia’s first-ever toolless cot, which takes less than 10 minutes to put together, reinforcing the brand’s push for ease and comfort.

With prices starting from $99 for the Joey Guard Rail to $799 for the Kookaburra Cot and bundled offers to help you save, you won’t need to spend a small fortune furnishing or upgrading your child’s room. SHOP NOW

SPECIAL OFFER

To celebrate the launch, Koala is offering Aussies a 30% discount on the baby cot and mattress, if their baby was “conceived” on a Koala mattress. Koala’s “conception” discount is available to every new Aussie parent or parent-to-be, provided they have bought a Koala mattress. This offer is valid for the first 50 eligible recipients and is open until March 31.

The post Koala launches Australia’s safest baby and kids’ furniture range appeared first on Homes To Love.

To help inspire your little ones to stay on top of their belongings, we’ve pulled together 20 of our favourite kids storage and furniture ideas for your home, as well as our top tips for choosing the right pieces.

Think neutral

It can be easy when fitting out your kids’ bedrooms to choose adorable pieces that will delight you almost much as they’ll delight them, but there’s a fine line between endearing and kitsch.

Given the years your little ones are bound to spend in their bedroom, sometimes it’s wiser to opt for more neutral and timeless storage and furniture options that both you, and your child, won’t hate as they grow older.

Safety first

If your children are on the younger side, its incredibly important to choose furniture pieces that are kid-friendly.

Avoid sharp corners, loose pieces, and rough textiles, and be sure to bolt down any furniture that needs to be to avoid any unfortunate accidents. Pay close attention to doors and latches as well, just in case.

Maximise storage

There’s no such thing as too much storage so look for versatile pieces that will accommodate the wide array of belongings your children will inevitably collect as they grow, from soft toys, to clothes, and every knick knack in between.

Vertical storage can be a life-saver in a kid’s bedroom, especially when they’re little and you’d like to keep some things out of reach.

THE BEST STORAGE FURNITURE FOR KIDS

Keezi desk

Keezi kids table and chair set study desk, $224.95 (usually $249.95), Myer

Versatile and compact, this kids’ desk set is a great way to encourage tidy creativity and play. The chairs fit right under the desk, and one can be used as storage if not needed. SHOP NOW

HAY crate

HAY small colour crate in Olive and Dark Mint, $7.10, Finnish Design Shop

Investing in a series of HAY’s colourful stackable storage crates will have your kids’ bedrooms looking ship-shape in no time. SHOP NOW

Hanging storage basket

Cleo natural hanging storage baskets, from $20.99 (usually $29.99), Adairs

Whether you choose to hang them up and out of the way or keep them tucked into a nook, a set of these Cleo storage baskets will be useful for years to come. SHOP NOW

Vitra Uten.Silo I, $555, Finnish Design Shop

Here to restore order to the bedroom or study space is the Vitra Uten.Silo I, a classic design by Dorothee Becker. Made from durable ABS plastic, it’s incredibly easy to clean – an essential feature for anyone with children. SHOP NOW

Rattan shelves

Arden natural rattan wall bookshelf pack of two, $79.99 (usually $149.99), Adairs

Neutral and timeless, your kids can be bang on the rattan trend with this set of bookshelves. Hang them low when they’re little, and move them higher up as they grow. SHOP NOW

Lego drawer

Room Copenhagen Lego wooden desk drawer 8, $224, Finnish Design Shop

This one’s for all the Lego lovers. Available in a number of shapes and sizes, this cute drawer will keep your kids feeling organised. SHOP NOW

The Skinny locker in Ocean, $419, Mustard Made

Great for little kids, teens and even fun-loving adults, Mustard Made’s retro-style Skinny locker is a must-have. SHOP NOW

Ferm Living Pear braided storage basket, $117 (usually $149), Finnish Design Shop

If only all storage solutions were this cute! Made from braided rattan, Ferm Living’s Pear basket can be used to keep toys contained or as a laundry basket. SHOP NOW

Perforated bin in Lavender, $70, Hay

Ideal for storage or as a regular bin for kid’s creative craft zones, this perforated iron bin is a must for any little one’s bedroom. SHOP NOW

Toaty trunk

Rattan Toaty trunk in natural, $119.92 (usually $149.90), Olli Ella

Storage and travel combined, this rattan trunk is truly versatile. Vintage-inspired and stylish, your child might even have to fight you for this one! SHOP NOW

The post 10 of the best kids’ storage and furniture ideas for your home appeared first on Homes To Love.

So, follow these tips to keep kids your organised, neat and tidy.

Set a good example

Does being organised make you a better parent? In short, yes! Before you direct your kids to clean up their bedroom or their toys, take a look at what kind of behaviour you’re modelling. If you’re relatively neat, move on. If, though, the kitchen or your bedroom needs to be tidied up, concentrate on that first. It may sound obvious, but your kids will model your behaviour and good habits start with what they see.

Teach them young

It’s up to you to teach your kids that playtime isn’t over until things have been put away. As kids get little bit older, they can easily learn that the games, balls, and toys have to be put back in their rightful homes. I know it sounds rough but I’m sure you know that being a parent requires that you set the rules of the house. This is one I swear by.

Storage for kids

In saying all of that, it’s hard to put things away if there’s no clear home for them. Are the shelves at kids’ height? Are there clearly designated storage areas where each toy, ball or doll is supposed to live? If not, start setting these spots up immediately. A few colourful bins will really help. Brightly label them – and if your kids aren’t yet reading, print out pictures of the kinds of toys that live in each bin (maybe one for stuffed animals, one for blocks, one for balls, etc.).

If you make it easier for them to keep the area tidier, I promise you’ll have far fewer Lego pieces stuck to the soles of your feet. And isn’t that what life’s about?

Kids’ bedrooms

When it comes to the bombsite often referred to as their bedroom, here are a few things that will help teach your teach your kids to keep their room organised. You need to establish that it’s important to you that their bed is made every single day. To help them do that, get rid of the excess pillows and, if possible, position the bed so that it’s not against a wall (that makes it easier to walk around). A quilt that’s easy to pull up is key. Show them that it’s not hard at all and make this simple daily task their responsibility.

Kids’ clothes

When it comes to storing and organising clothes, you must have a laundry basket or hamper in their room or somewhere nearby. It’s not hard to get dirty clothes in there. Also, at a certain age, kids should be responsible for putting their clean, folded clothes away. That doesn’t have to be your job. You should help them do it a few times in the beginning but it’s something even very young kids can handle if shown how and where.

TIP

Don’t clean up without your kids being there to help. Whatever the task is – folding laundry, putting away toys, making their bed – it should be done with them present. You’re not running a resort where someone magically comes in and tidies up while you’re out lounging at the beach… this is real life and it’s never too early for your kids to learn!

6 great organisation and storage solutions for kids

Woodyoubuy kids’ bookshelf and peg rail combo in white, from $108.73, Hardtofind

A classic and simple design, this pine bookshelf/peg rail combo invites little hands to tidy. Hang the bookshelf within reach, and let your kids display their favourite backpacks, hats and coats on the pegs. SHOP NOW

Cheeky Storage Solutions Harper Bolts printed storage tub, $19.95, Temple & Webster

This durable canvas basket will encourage your little ones to pick up their dirty clothes and put them where they belong. Alternatively, it’s also great for storage of things like Lego! SHOP NOW

Arden rattan natural storage foot stool, $209.99 (usually $299.99), Adairs

We love multi-functional furniture – especially where kids and their clutter are concerned! This stylish stool features a rattan base and removable upholstered top, perfect for hiding soft toys or dress ups when they’re not in use. SHOP NOW

HAY medium colour crate in Lavender, $12.20, Finnish Design Shop

Functionality, meet aesthetic. Purchasing a host of these industrial-style crates will have your kids’ bedroom or play room organised and looking schmick in no time. Made from 100% recycled polypropylene, all sizes and colours can be stacked together. SHOP NOW

Keepsake sage gingham suitcase set of two, $118.99 (usually $169.99), Adairs

With its velvet outer, gingham interior and brass details, this retro suitcase set is a stylish way for your kids to store their toys, spare clothes or books. Also available in lilac. SHOP NOW

LIEWOOD Tyra kids toy wagon in Golden Caramel/Sandy mix, $249, Designstuff

Doubling as a toy and a storage solution, this gorgeous pull-along wagon harks back to a time when toys weren’t all mass produced and plastic. Hours of fun and creative play – plus opportunities to teach responsibility – await. SHOP NOW

The post How to keep your kids neat, tidy and organised appeared first on Homes To Love.

First, Sort it

School holidays or the end of the year is usually time for a good tidy up and cull. First, sort through what you’d like to keep. Be ruthless – only keep significant pieces. It may help or hinder the process to do this together with your child. Keep only the most precious or impressive masterpieces to make room for next year’s creative crop.

1. Frame it

For the Peoples’ Choice pieces, invest in professional framing so they’re kept safely. Kids wall art can be expensive so why not get a good quality frame and hang it on your walls to tap into the steady supply your child is producing? Alternatively, affordable frames from IKEA or Kmart will suffice for some time.

2. HANG IT

Kids wall art doesn’t have to be a painting on paper. Get creative with a coloured garland and sparkly pegs to hang kids art from – whatever their creations! Double up several rows in your kids’ room if you have the space, or line your walls with cork tiles or pegboard for an ever-changing pin-up gallery.

3. Make placemats

Laminate your kids’ artwork made on paper and at the dinner table or craft area. A great way to use art every day, these will wear and age naturally with use, ready for the next lot!

4. Store it

Use large folders and dedicated art binders to store your children’s art away. This can include keeping certificates and reports in a safe place. Portfolio books – available from art stores in large formats, have bound protective sleeves and can be stored flat. Use plastic sleeves to slip in A4 and smaller artworks. Pop them on the bookshelf for enjoyment by you and your children in the years to come. Store chronologically or, if you’re a keen scrapbooker or super-organised, you might add tabs with events or date dividers. Remember to cover the binder in a particularly fetching piece of art!

5. Digitise it

Phone apps such as Keepy allow you to organise, save and share your kids’ artworks in digital form. Memories, artworks, photos and mementos can be stored and features added such as timelines, narration and web galleries. Look online for companies who provide a service where you can send your selection to be made into a hardbound book, or scanned and saved digitally.

6. Send it

Share the love and post your kids artwork creations to a relative or loved one who will appreciate some kids’ wall art in their life. Package carefully or use a postal tube if needs be to roll it up and ensure it arrives safely.

7. Use it

Large pieces of kids’ artwork make wonderful wrapping paper and is a lovely way for your children to contribute to gift-giving. Enlist their help to choose which artwork suits the recipient and carefully fold and wrap it around the gift. Tie with a matching ribbon and voilà! Smaller sized creations can be folded or glued to heavy cardboard to make gift cards.

8. Toss it

Be strong! It can be hard to part with creations but, particularly when storage space is limited it’s important to cull the collection as much as possible. Remember your child will continue to create in the coming years so keep handy a large, stylishly covered box for storing day-to-day treasures in the meantime.

Try Using

3 Sprouts storage boxes, $35.95 each, Catch

Storage doesn’t have to be boring! Make it fun with colourful fabric boxes like these to encourage your kids to help with tidying up. You can cull the collection when it starts to fill up.

A1 poster frame, $129, Country Road

Turn a simple painting into kids bedroom wall art by investing in good quality frames. Group several together or display with other artworks for a gallery wall effect.

Ella Elephant cushion, $39.95, Freedom

Follow colour cues from your children’s artwork to decorate their room to match. Fun homewares like this simple cushion design have a whimsical note to them that might tie in with something your child has created.

Lenoxx Deluxe A3 Laminator, $59, Catch

Rotate artwork displays on the wall, fridge or as placemats with a protective coating. With a pack of 50 pouches included, this easy-to-use machine takes just three minutes playful picture into a kids artwork!

Children’s art binder, from $0.05, Honeycomb Living

An artwork in itself, this clever binder will keep your childrens’ artwork safe and sound. Simple to use, fit as few or as many creations inside for an ever-changing keepsake.

The post 8 great ideas for storing and saving your kids’ artwork appeared first on Homes To Love.

Before embarking on the project, Linzi collected her supplies: fabric glue, white spray paint and a fine point sharpie. Linzi soon discovered that one of the perks of creating your own DIY dollhouse is that the sky’s the limit when it comes to accessories.

It wasn’t long before she turned to her own home for inspiration, she says. “I love a challenge, so I thought it’d be funny to create miniature items that we have in our home. Then it spiralled out of control – in a good way of course!”

One of the pieces you might recognise is the tiny rug inspired by Armadillo & Co’s ‘Daisy’ rug (now discontinued). While the original was made from hand-braided jute, Linzi’s version is made from twine and fabric glue.

“It took a whole morning, but I was so happy with the result! My fingers hated me for it though,” she says.

Linzi even reeled in her husband, James, to create most of the wooden furniture in the dollhouse.

The dining table was inspired by a life-sized Mark Tuckey creation. Other familiar items in the house include a tiny Marimekko-inspired mug and a miniature Rachel Castle artwork.

But it wasn’t all fun and games. Just like a real house renovation, there were tedious aspects to the project that Linzi is glad are now behind her.

“The trickiest part was painting the exterior. It was such a horrid and tedious job. So don’t look too closely at the window frames!” she says.

While the project has earned Linzi praise from the likes of Armadillo & Co, G. Nancy and Zilvi, the most important judge Linzi had to impress was Maddie.

“She loves it, especially pushing all her animals through the side door! I think the kitchen is loved the most. I usually sit back and watch them play, and pray they don’t destroy it all in one go!”

The post A DIY dollhouse featuring miniature designer homewares appeared first on Homes To Love.