BEDROOM refresh
CREATE A PEACEFUL DREAM DOMAIN FOR YOUR CHILD
When it comes to renovating your little one’s room, taking the time to plan and consider the types of building materials you use can really impact its longevity. Try these top tips on creating a quality bedroom that’s both fabulous and functional.
SMART PLANNING
While the space should reflect individual preferences, ease of design modification is key as interests develop and change. Think about the child’s needs relative to their age and interests. “An older child will need a designated homework or computer station, so be sure to consider this when you are planning the layout of the room,” says Renee Mcginty, general manager of marketing for Gyprock.
SOUND PROOFING
“Kids’ bedrooms are typical areas that need to be considered for noise transfer,” says Renee. “Future-proofing for impact noises that might echo around the house, such as footsteps, younger children playing with toys or older children playing loud music, can be achieved with sound-absorbent materials and appropriate home design. While carpet and rugs can mitigate overhead noise from the floor, wall lining with acousticdampening properties, such as Gyprock Superchek, can assist in keeping the noise in.”
DURABILITY IS KEY
Opt for decorations that are easy to install and remove, or simple and cost effective to modify. Alongside decorative finishes, durability is an important consideration. The walls are going to see a lot of change and experience many scuffs and scrapes throughout the years, so they will need to stand the test of time.
Now that we are well into 2022, I’m already starting to think about Christmas! We have 11 in our family to organise for, so preparations start a little earlier. You may think it’s too early to start, but hear me out!
CHRISTMAS CLUB ACCOUNT
At the beginning of March every year, I start paying money into my Christmas Club Account. Not all banks have this option, but it’s worth checking to see if you have it. The great thing about the Christmas Club Account is that it won’t let me withdraw the money until November, removing the temptation to spend! I aim to put at least $50 in each fortnight. It may not seem like much, but by November we will have saved up around $1000! Which, funnily enough, is bang on our budget.
REWARDS CARDS
I was once unconvinced about rewards cards, but over time I have been converted. We used to be one-stop shop Aldi-holics, but since the pandemic hit we began noticing supply issues.
We started shopping around a few different places to get what we needed. Over time this has changed our shopping habits, become normal for us, and improved our budget. I have found the rewards cards to be extremely useful and beneficial for our family. I check my emails daily to see what offers are available and then activate the ones I know I’ll use.
COLLECTING POINTS
This year, I’m trying to gain as many credit card points as possible. I scan my cards for petrol, coffees, groceries and retail. I love that when I buy my coffees through a Coles Express garage, after nine coffee purchases, I can get my 10th coffee free! Awesome! Ultimately the end goal is to be able to buy our big Christmas food shop solely using my points. Any points that are left over will be rolled over to the following year to give me a head start.
A great go-to for earning extra points without costing me a cent is completing online surveys. The number of points vary depending on the length or type of survey. I try to do a couple every day, or whenever new ones become available.