Plan small and win big
FIONA BAKER
MAKE YOUR HOME BOTH CHILD AND PARENT FRIENDLY WITH THESE TIPS FROM THE PROS. BY Jacinda Malloy, interior stylist, Hide & Sleep ( hidesleep. com. au): “It’s about compromising with your daughter. First, get to the bottom of what she really wants. If it’s a colour that you don’t like or you know she will change her mind about next month, then use this as a pop of colour. Don’t go and agree to paint all the walls or buy an expensive rug in that colour. Instead, invite her to choose a cushion and maybe even a print in that colour. Look for other decoration accents that you can use – a throw rug, wall stickers, or desk stationery is often a great compromise. This also applies if it’s a theme she wants. Don’t go over the top, just choose a couple of products but be sure to let her choose and make her feel part of the process. Hopefully, as she gets older, she will have the same taste as you!” Lissanne Oliver, professional decluttering and organisation specialist, founder of Sorted! ( sorted. net. au): “It makes me laugh when I hear someone say, ‘ We don’t have enough storage’ as I know the issue is really too many toys and games. My advice is to cull regularly and make friends with your bin or charity store. “I suggest a ‘ one- in/ one- out’ philosophy, particularly at peak toy times like birthdays and Christmas. What this means is that for every toy your child receives, another leaves the toy box. “Chances are, you won’t need new storage once you’ve had a thorough toy audit. What I have found over and over again is that the fewer toys and games, the more likely these items will be valued. But for the storage you do get for toys, I have these tips: group like items; put little things in little spaces ( small drawers and shallow drawers work well); and ensure the kids can easily access the storage. “Get your kids to take responsibility for their belongings. If they are not packing up items when they’re finished, take the tough road and discard the item. Otherwise, you are making a rod for your back. And don’t let the toys and kiddie stuff take over your house. It’s OK to have adult space and toy- free zones.” “At Hipages, we love reinventing spaces around the home, and turning an unused garage into a space for kids is a great idea. First, you should think about safety – make sure the room is kid- friendly. Durable flooring is invaluable for a kids’ space, with vinyl representing an easy- to- clean option, while stain- resistant carpets are also a good choice. Lightweight furniture is essential as you will be constantly moving it around. Use playful furnishings, such as bean bags and inflatable furniture. You can even find interesting ways to encourage creativity by, for example, painting walls with blackboard paint. Involving your child in decorating will make it a fun project. Your child will have pride in their room, making things so much easier when it comes time to clean up.” Andrea Lucena- Orr, colour expert at Dulux: “One of the most inspiring rooms to paint in a home is a child’s bedroom. Here, you can create a special, personalised space for your child to be themselves. If your child is old enough to understand what they like and dislike, they can be involved in the colour decision for their room. Provide them with a small curated palette ( main walls, accent wall, trims); you don’t want to overwhelm them. “Softer colours in a scheme will provide a quiet aesthetic, whereas bolder and brighter colours will add more life and dazzle to the surroundings. Either will work. Often homeowners begin with a theme in mind, which could be colours from the child’s favourite animal/ hero, bed linen or artwork. “Have fun. You’re making colour memories for your child that they will remember forever.” Margaret Rafferty, mum of three and editorial commercial operations director at kidspot. com. au “Unless you want to spend your entire life trying to make your child like what you like, expect them to want to have a say on their own space. While you might think a nautical theme is perfect and decorate accordingly, he may feel that cars are more his thing and add posters, models, books and stickers accordingly. Do you really want to argue about this? The better bet it is to make it practical and plain, and let them add their own style to the room – be it zombie posters, Lego models, stacks of books or skateboards. In the end, keep the furniture simple, stick to the essentials and let them adapt it to their interests.” Christine Gough, interior design leader, Ikea: “It’s essential for kids, from kindergarten all the way through to Year 12, to have the right desk, chair, lighting and environment. Their study space needs to support their learning and make them feel comfortable. If the desk is too small and chair too big, this often leads to kids taking over the dining room table or somewhere else. While this is OK, you can’t underestimate the importance of creating a space that is completely theirs. This space should not only be used for homework but also for fun activities like craft, drawing and computer games. We know school stuff has a way of piling up, so ensure everything in and on the desk has a place to keep clutter at bay. Fun and stylish storage options for pens, paper and books can be mixed in with your child’s favourite things and help make the space feel like their own. Pin boards are great to make a space feel like their own. Today, less homework is done with pen and paper, so your child’s study space should be equipped to keep their devices fully charged and ready to use. Good lighting is essential – ensure your child has a proper task light in the form of a desk lamp.”