Tips for Decorating a Boys Bedroom

Tips for Decorating a Boys Bedroom

There are so many cute boys’ bedroom décor options between the duvet, artwork, rugs and furniture. It can be overwhelming! But how do you narrow down what exactly to buy? Depending on the age of your child, and his tastes, most people don’t want to have to change the room once a year as their child grows up. In this blog we’ll help you determine where it’s best to spend, and where it’s best to save.

Buy quality furniture.
Furniture is something that they don’t have to grow out of for a lot of years. Once your child is old enough to have a twin bed, that’s something he could have for 10 years. Buying a quality bed is a good investment, since quality will stand the test of time. Buying a cheap bed will likely need to be replaced in 2-3 years. And doing that a few times over the years will end up costing you more than if you had invested in a solid piece earlier.
Purchase a quality dresser. Another piece of furniture your child will have for 10 + years. If it is a classic style and finish, it won’t be something he will tire of. A quality dresser is something that can last forever. It can go to college when it’s time! This is another item that is definitely worth the investment.
A desk is something that is also a great investment. This is a personal preference for parents, because many kids may not get homework done in their bedrooms. If your kids need supervision during homework time, this may not be a necessity for your household.

The less expensive items.
The accessories are the items that are interchangeable. As your child grows, naturally his tastes will change. When he is five maybe he loves superman and cars.. but that isn’t something that he is necessarily going to love when he is 11.
These smaller ticket items aren’t going to set you back a whole lot of money.

Buying a neutral duvet cover is a great idea. Choose a colour palette that won’t get tiresome and add the accessories that are less expensive in. Throw pillows, a cozy blanket and some fun sheets are a great place to add a favourite superhero or maybe sports accessories! Many places such as West Elm Kids, Pottery Barn Kids, and Ikea have quality accessories that wont break the bank! Inexpensive kids artwork is available through many retailers and websites.. whether it be cartoons, cars or animals, it is a great addition to a space without being locked in forever.

Flor Tiles are another great option for a kids room. Most kids have a play area in their bedroom, but buying an area rug can really run up a bill. These carpet tiles can be pealed and replaced should something happen to one of them for anywhere between 12-25 dollars per tile.

Remember to have fun when decorating for a kids room! You want them to love it and showcase their personality at the same time.

We Answer Wednesday - 'It's in the details' Finishing touches

I have the main furniture pieces for my living room, my problem is creating the finishing touches.  I want the room to be warm and cozy for me and my guests, but still a look that is clean and clutter free.  Can you help me?

 

The key to a cozy and polished living room is a few artful layers. See this image below for inspiration!  A bit of colour, texture, pattern and shine can really help to complete the look of a room and this is where most homeowners get stuck.  I often recommend to clients when it comes to picking a colour palette with colours straight from nature, you can't go wrong.  You can also keep the cost to finishing a room very affordable, look for these key pieces.

- Printed Pillows: two 20" square pillows create soft corners to sink into the sofa.
- Textured Throw : adds another cozy element to the room
- Table lamps: a curvy table lamp base in a glossy finish adds a feminine charm to the room
- End table/Coffee table: a practical piece but adds some style too
- Art: landscapes have a dreamy feel but are also timeless
- Vibrant Vase: small accessories with a bold pop of colour make a big statement on a small budget
- Area Rug: make open concept spaces feel more intimate plus they help define the space
- Drapes: full length drapes soften the windows and add a richer look in a room

INSPIRATION

1.  Keep the palette simple: sunny yellow, pale blue and mossy green are colours from nature and they work together because they are soothing and fresh plus they work well with natural elements like wood or sisal



2. Introduce some colours like the ones suggested on fluffy pillows for softness, a shapely lamp base for some more intimate lighting and a low vase of fresh flowers to add life to the room.  Don't be afraid of pattern either.









3.  Try some art above the sofa, one larger piece is a simple way to add some visual interest to the room.  But you can certainly add multiple pieces in a collection or gallery style arrangement.  Landscapes or nature elements are an easy go-to as they work with more styles of decor and add a calming mood to a space.

 



4.  Don't forget a coffee table and/or end tables - glass is an easy option as you get the surface space without the bulk and it's easy to clean! Don't match, it looks better if you don't and get creative!  Garden stools are a great option for end tables or even use two for a coffee table!



5.  Add a great area rug!  You can go in so many directions.  Opt for colour and pattern if you really want to make a bold impact, cow hide adds a natural yet funky vibe but if you aren't sure try a natural seagrass or sisal, they go with everything!


 

6.  Drapes add a richness to a space.  Full length really softens up the hard lines of a window and it's another great way to add colour and/or pattern into a space.




7.  Add some small dcor pieces to the coffee table.  Even look around the house for some items you might have like books or a vase for flowers

How to achieve Country-Industrial Style Decor

Do you love the blend of Country and Industrial style décor? So do we! Here are some great suggestions on how to incorporate this decorating style in your home.

Country Industrial is a blend of two different décors that work together beautifully. Country is a warm and inviting decorating style that typically uses lots of wood tones, plaids, stripes, floral, toile and patterns. The colour palette is varied, but warm tones make this a cozy style. Lots of cozy throw blankets and textured pillows make for cozy home décor. Country style is filled with tons of character.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial décor is very rustic, and incorporates more harsh tones such as various metals such as brass, copper, chrome, and silver. Reclaimed wood and brick is often inserted into an Industrial room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, how do we marry the two and make a warm space with industrial elements? To create a Country Industrial room, you must have some variety. Mixing patterns, metals, and various wood tones is the key to creating this decorating style. That being said, there are SO many options to make this style exactly your personality. First, decide what you absolutely love. Here are some tips on how to achieve this style.

 

1. A reclaimed wood table.
Whether this is a dining room table, a coffee table or end tables, adding reclaimed wood is a great element that can be both industrial and country at the same time. Lots of reclaimed wood tables come with a funky element, whether it’s a wrought iron detail, a reclaimed wheel or metallic accent, adding wood will be both warm and cool at the same time.

2. Pattern.
Pattern is the more country side of this style. If you don’t want to incorporate traditional country fabrics like plaids and toiles into the space, try a more modern stripe, maybe a throw pillow with an animal on it, or a fur pillow and cozy throw. It adds a fun, whimsical element to your room.

 

3. Metal Elements
There is lots of versatility with adding metal. Do you like a metal side table? Metal side chairs? Metal pendants? What tones of metal do you like? Do you want a pop of colour somewhere? Here is where you personality can shine through!

 

4. Area Rug
A great place to incorporate a bit more country into the room is with a textured/ pattern area rug. A variety of textures make a space feel cozy. Do you love the look of wool rugs? Or do you prefer a stripe or plaid pattern? An area room helps warm up a space in any room, and also helps to define a certain space in a room.

 

5. Furniture.

Furniture is a big variable. A more streamlined sofa with metal legs can work in this style of home, or we can go to the other end of the spectrum and add a big cozy traditional sofa. It depends on what you like! Both options will work in this type of space. Be sure to add an accent chair or two as well, incorporating the opposite element in the room. Cozy traditional sofa? Try adding a metal or wood side chair to balance the two.

 

6. Accessories.

 Table lamps, book shelves, décor pieces are all places to add some metal, wood or colour. Try to have some common elements or else your room is going to be more eclectic. Common accents and colours don't have to be matchy-matchy, but if you are using an orange chair in your room, maybe you also add a pillow with some orange too! Harmony throughout a room makes it looks planned and thought-out, not just some random things thrown together in hopes of it looking good.

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

We Answer Wednesday - Workspaces in Small Spaces

“My house is quite small and I don’t have a lot of excess space. I am tired of having my home office at my kitchen table. I don’t need much, just a desk and a chair so there is an area specific to my work. What are some suggestions for a work space in my home?”

Stress no more! There are many creative ways to incorporate a home office into a small space. It doesn’t have to be a large surface… just enough to put a desk, chair and some storage. Organization is really important when designing a small work space. You don’t want your work space to be crowded with papers and books, so along with a desk, storage is very important. The goal here is not to create an eyesore, and that’s what clutter is. A lot of times, a small work space is out in the open, and not always concealed behind a door, so make sure you have options to keep yourself organized. 

Another great thing about a small work space is that it is relatively budget friendly. You don’t need a lot, so therefore, you typically won’t have to spend a lot!
Lots of big box companies, such as IKEA, create furniture that is designed for small spaces such as condos and dorm rooms, so there are definitely pieces out there for what you’re looking for. As for where to put it, here are a few suggestions:

1. Using a Book Shelf in the Corner of a Room:

This is a great way to pack a whole lot of function into a very small space. The key here is using all the height you can. But using the vertical space, you have all you need, a flat desk surface, and lots of storage. This whole concept will take no more than 3’ of width and 3’ of depth (to put a chair, or a cube to sit on.)

2. Under the Stairs Workspace:

Under the stairs in a home is often an unused space for the simple fact that no one knows what to put there. Often people put tables, or chests for storage, or a chair and small table to fill the space. But instead of just using this area as a space that is untouched and just pretty, make it functional! In the photo above, you can see that there is not a ton of space here, just a wall mounted desk that’s approximately 30” wide with a corkboard for organization and a colourful, stylish chair to finish it off. This is a great use of space for any home – but especially a smaller one.

3. Closet Workspace:

This is such a great option for a home work space. Do you have a guest room or hall closet that you could empty and do this? Again, you don’t need much space, just a flat space for a computer and shelves to take advantage of the vertical space. This is so easy to do and such a neat way to have a home office. A bonus here is that once you’re finished working, you just shut your closet doors and no one knows it there or has to see the mess or what you’ve been working on.

4. Double Duty:

 

Having rooms do double duty is always an option as well. While you think having a workspace in your living room would be intrusive, depending the on the furnishing you chose, it will just blend right in. Choosing large bulky furniture will of course, draw attention to that space, but choosing, sleek, streamlined furniture, your office will blend in better. By adding a fun chair, and some colourful accents, such as a pillow on the chair, art above the desk, colourful desk accessories, the space will look planned, and not like an afterthought.