Link. Mum on the rock
Open the door to a home you love with Denville Designs
Is your house cluttered? Would you like to style it but you have no idea even where to begin? In my first article for Mum on the Rock I am sharing with you how to make the most of the space you have in your home as well as how to organise it, suggesting some of the most fresh, cost effective fabrics on the market from one of my favourite fabric houses, Clarke and Clarke. This will give you a new fresh look without costing a small fortune! They have some amazing designs to suit all styles from contemporary to the Cath Kidston style.
My first tip when redecorating or refurbishing your home is to start off with the wall colours, once the floor is already down.
Wallpaper would be next, however if you have children under 5 years of age I would not recommend it, I am sure I don’t need to explain why! If you go for a paper try and use a pattern and make it a bold feature, as its cheaper to change one small area later when you want a fresh look.
I would say that 99% of the time it is safer to match up a plain fabric for your sofa and curtains, unless you are a daring person that won’t get tired of the full-on look. It can look amazing but you need to be very bold.
Remember that good quality lined curtains and blinds can last up to 15 to 20 years, and it is very likely that during this time you will want to make several changes to the look of your house. With this in mind it’s always safer to go for plain curtains, good quality furniture and change the paint colours, bedding, scatter cushions and wallpaper to give yourself a new look every 2 to 3 years.
Roman blinds as pictured above are an effective way to save space and tend to be cleaner as curtains can get abused by pets and children, 90 % of fabrics are washable now so it makes life much easier.
Clarke and Clarke offer some amazing washable plain fabrics and a large amount of choice.
My next tip after the windows have been dressed and the walls have been painted is to start with the storage – a must in everyone’s home, especially in Gibraltar
Getting organised, what with kids I hear you say! I have some brilliant tips to help you get started.
If you have a contemporary style home I recommend that you use large open shelving to keep toys and books organised. It also helps the kids put away their own belongings. On the higher shelves you can place pictures and display your favourite pieces without having to worry about toddlers reaching for them and breaking them. A good carpenter could also make the unit to fit in areas that you don’t use and provide doors etc.
If cost is an issue buy wooden shelves and arrange them on the largest wall you have in the room and paint them white, it will make the room feel larger and clearing all the clutter from corners will also make the room seem bigger. I feel the less you have on the floor the easier life is when it comes to cleaning a room!
If working on a tight budget, wicker baskets are also perfect for storing all the kids mess and helping you create more of the country cottage look. Let your children have a basket each, it teaches them how to be responsible for their own toys and also is great when siblings need their own space, especially the older child.
A great way to organise your living area in minutes is to purchase a sofa or large foot stool with storage unit underneath. It’s a great way to clear away the day’s mess turning your room in to a clutter free area in moments!
*Sponsored by Denville Designs