Children’s rooms come with a whole new set of challenges for the interior designer. Not only do you need to provide an increased level of safety but you also need to provide an environment children will find stimulating and interesting. I was recently & looking for beautiful blinds & shutters in London. Not entirely sure why my brother needed me to help but there you go, it gave me some inspiration for this post!

Safety: Of course for any child’s room safety is paramount, for my nephew we obviously didn’t want risk him strangling himself on the pull cord for the blind. There were two obvious solutions to this problem, the first was to look for blinds that had an alternative control system, the other was to look for ones with short cords, no more than three inches. In the end we went with a set of roller blinds as there were lots of models with short cords and were relatively affordable. However manufacturers are starting to create safer versions of other blinds. Of course for a greater price you can include options such remote controls, but these seem to add novelty rather than safety.

Lighting: The other reason that we decided to go with roller blinds is that there are a lot of black-out options available. The reason we wanted black-out blinds is because my brother lives on a busy street with lots of street lights and cars passing by. If you live in a less busy or more rural area then you may want blinds which let some light in. Particularly in the morning to help your child wake up! It has also been shown that natural light improves people’s mood and health so if you can let it in without disturbing your child’s sleep do! Translucent blinds which let in a diffuse warming light may be a good option and some suppliers sell double roller blinds which give you a translucent blind for days when the sun is too hot and a black-out blind for the night time.

Patterns and Designs: When you are decorating a child’s room you want it to be fun. So you can feel free to play around with choices of patterns and designs for their blinds. Again roller blinds come into their own here as there are a huge range of colours and designs available. With my nephew we tried to find an option that was appealing to him now at two but wouldn’t be embarrassing when he was eight or nine. My sister in law was also concerned that the set we choose would be able to cope with them redecorating the room several times. In the end we choose dark blue blinds decorated with stars. But the choice obviously depends on the child, the room and the parents. In other words it’s up to you! If you are in London, You can also increase the decor of your child’s room by installing colorful shutters. Read more here.

The look and feel of a room will influence the choice you make. Paler colors and light woods will work best if you want to maximize space and make a room appear light and airy. For a cosier feel, such as in a bedroom, you can get away with dark woods and bolder colors. Not only to change the atmosphere of a room but because darker blinds block out the sunlight better, enabling you to get a better sleep.

But back to style… The colour you choose will depend not only on the size of your room, but on its purpose and your other home furnishings. In interior design magazines, the best rooms are defined by the attention to detail that people rarely achieve. Coordinating your blinds to your soft furnishings will add that extra touch and pull your whole look together. You can do this in a number of ways, including with colour, patterns or materials.

If you opt for coloured blinds, coordinate them with cushions, throws, rugs or accessories such as vases or candles. Or even pick out accent colours from any statement wallpaper to make your interior décor more eye-catching. Pattern can also be really effective in creating a more dramatic look. Choosing a patterned blind will add interest to a dull interior, and combining larger and smaller patterns together will create a more eclectic interior design.

However, if it’s a sleek interior you’re after you can’t get any better than wooden vertical blinds. Opt for a shade of wood that complements your existing wooden furniture for a clean, modern look that would feature in any interior design magazine.

However, having a lovely interior is only half of the process. Belongings should be given respect and acknowledgement with house and contents insurance that reflects their value and worth to the owner. Home and contents insurance is a good idea for everyone.

Living Room
Often this is a ‘one-room workhorse’ that serves as a home office, living area and sometimes even sleeping area if it’s a studio apartment.  Make a little room feel bigger by putting the sofa in the centre of the room like an island. Make sure that the sofa has no arms as this needlessly clutters up space. Put a rug in the centre of the room as an anchor-point for the room. Against the back of the sofa, place a slim-line table. This can be used along with a chair painted in a funky colour as an office or desk space. When guests come over, this area doubles as a buffet for serving food.

Kitchen
For kitchens with very little storage space, think vertical. It’s not as crazy as it seems; a magnetic strip placed on the wall (high up, if there will be children around), is an excellent way to store assorted serving utensils and knives. Alternatively, try hanging pots and pans from a rack on the ceiling for a charming rustic look straight out of a French kitchen.

Storage
It is easy to collect flotsam and jetsam over the course of life; storing this can be nightmare in a small place. There are ways to bring order to this chaos that are both elegant and practical.  If something is truly ugly like a metal filing cabinet, it’s best to conceal it. Get some plain or printed cotton material and drape it over for an instant and cheap makeover. Go below the kitchen sink and under the bed for more storage space as well.  For books and knick-knacks, group them together by size or colour on shelves for a less cluttered look. Add just a few souvenirs and photos that mean something very personal, for a look that is very unique.  If you still don’t have enough space, think long and hard: do you really need all of that stuff? Maybe it’s time for a trip to the charity shop.

Artwork
People often collect interesting items that gather dust at the back of a cupboard.  A guitar or violin that never gets played may be mounted on the wall for visual interest rather than taking up storage space.  A bright-coloured surfboard can be an interesting thing to behold in the corner of a bedroom.  Consider getting a cork-board and covering it with fabric, then mounting assorted clippings, photos and notes on it. This will reinvigorate a tired-looking wall without the need for putting nail holes in the wall of rented accommodation, and can be constantly updated with fresh inspirational pieces.

The phrase ‘house-warming’ originates from an old tradition – that of guests bringing a piece of kindling to a newly-built home both as a practical gift and as a symbolic token that the gift-giver wished their hosts always to be warm and comfortable.

The gift of a stick might be a nice traditional touch, but chances are it’s not going to cut it for a modern home dweller (or be that relevant in an electrically heated house). No, what you need to get them is a gift that’s really useful – something that won’t clash with their décor but will help to make their house a home. Below are ten ideas!

1. A recipe: Write out your favourite recipe and box it up with all the ingredients they’ll need – they’ll be able to fill the house with the smell of fresh baking, familiarise themselves with their new kitchen and re-make the recipe again and again.

2. A cheque: Some people might see the gift of money as impersonal, but there are lots of unexpected expenses when moving and its recipients will appreciate it– especially if it’s their first home and they need to stock up on essentials. Whether it goes towards home insurance or a vase they’ve got their eye on, even the smallest amount will make a difference.

3. A toolkit: Incredibly useful for first-time owners who might have to make small repairs and tweaks to their property. Including a small box of nails, screws, studs and a reel of masking tape will also save them multiple trips to the hardware store.

4. A restaurant voucher: Moving house means a disrupted schedule, especially when it comes to mealtimes. Giving them a voucher to your favourite local eatery will give them a chance to escape the clutter of boxes for a few hours, explore the local area and get a hot square meal to fuel them during the long unpacking process.

5. A seed bag: Whether it’s for flowers which will brighten their garden or a tree that will grow with their household, it’s a gift that’ll keep on giving.

6. A board game: At first, they  might be bewildered with this unusual, rather old-fashioned gift – but they’ll thank you when the evening rolls around and they remember that as yet they’ve got no TV, no internet, and all their books are still in boxes.

7. A first aid kit: Never more essential than while one’s moving, when toes are getting stubbed on the boxes lying around and thumbs are getting hit with hammers. Plasters, some painkillers, some soothing gel for back strain and a note saying you hope they’ll never need any of it – a thoughtful gift that they, and their move-weary bones, will really appreciate.

To narrow down the selection, settle on a size that will be perfect for your home and lifestyle. Many people don’t have a lot of extra space, so they can’t get very large kingsize beds, but could consider a sofa-bed. Remember that you’ll probably want extra space around it for night stands, dressers, or other furniture. You can also get a large base with drawers on the bottom if you want a larger size but need additional storage room. If you have a partner, discuss with them their ideal size and how much space each one of you needs for it to be comfortable at night.

Try to get the biggest one that fits in your bedroom. Having more space for you and your partner means you’ll sleep better and wake up more rested. You won’t get into each other’s space in the middle of the night, so both of you can find comfortable positions to sleep in without being disturbed. Don’t forget that the width is not the only thing you need to consider when picking out a bed. You also need to think about the length, especially if you are tall.

The most important thing you need to remember when shopping is that it must be comfortable. While you want your bedroom to look great, your comfort is a priority. There are many stylish beds out there, but not all of them provide the support you need to sleep well. Don’t be tempted to purchase one based on how it looks. It should not only look great but it should also feel great.

The mattress is one of the most important elements of buying a new bed. It needs to provide support but at the same time feel soft and comfortable. Sleeping on a bad mattress can cause you to feel tired or develop back and neck pain. Take the time to pick out a mattress that works for your body. Remember that cheap mattresses tend to be bad for your back, so don’t be afraid to spend a little money because your health is at stake.

Keep in mind that firmer doesn’t always mean better. Most people believe that the firmer the mattress, the better support it provides. On the contrary, a mattress that’s too firm can cause your spine to bend at the shoulders and hips. A softer mattress, on the other hand, allows your spine to straighten out as your shoulders and hips relax.

It isn’t easy, but you can make your decision faster if you know what to look for. Decide on the ideal size for your space and lifestyle. Consider what type of design will work best with the rest of your home decor; perhaps oak beds are more your style or would a white bed better suit your taste? and set a budget. Spend the most time on looking for a comfortable and supportive mattress. Remember that your comfort is your number one priority when looking for a new base and mattress.

Designers, creators and manufacturers make every effort to balance and reconcile utility, aesthetics and technology. Today, functionality and style go hand in hand often. Your decoration input has the dual obligation to be warm and comforting for your guests. This is the place of transition between the exterior and interior. You can combine for a light wall sconces, cozy, with a suspension or a lantern for a brighter light and punctual.

Home is a place for relaxing, reading, reception, work, TV, chat, etc. You need to feel good for all occasions. To do this, adjust the brightness at each of these situations.
Consider a ceiling or wall well distributed according to your needs. Of table lamps or light columns that reorganize space into several parts for setting atmosphere. A reading lamp to define a corner, lights or projectors to painting for showcase your ornaments.

kitchen is the place for preparing meals or the nerve center of your home. In both cases, it will need to be clear and functional. Take care to avoid the lights too cold, opt for adjustable recessed spots or spot peg. A ceiling or recessed spotlights give a general background light. Think of a suspension for the dining area.

Bedroom needed to be soft lighting and relaxing. It inspires relaxation and comfort but also allows reading without disturbing your neighbor. Applications for your main light, add a desk lamp or lamp water bottle for work in the evening and of course the lamps or sconces or bedside reading lamps. For your children’s bedrooms the main lighting will not change. In contrast, focus on lights, spots or the lamps clamp. For your wardrobe, use fluorescent tubes attached to the inside of cabinet doors. In your bathroom think safety and cleanliness. Put emphasis on a relatively powerful illumination with facilities specially designed for bathrooms. Place two bathroom sconces on each side of the mirror, or as artists, bulbs every 3 inches around the ice or a ruler, which may also find its place in the dressing.

Your dining room is a place where you greet your family or friends around a round table for a candlelight dinner. So this is the place for all occasions and all environments. Install lights above the table, gloss or suspension and then for the general atmosphere, a floor lamp, lamps, shades or sconces placed all around. Add candlesticks, candelabra or candle holders for your dinner, candles or votive candles for less formal meals.