As a key speaker at an annual global Airbnb Open Festival, interior designer and Designbx co-founder Kerena Berry presented to over 300 Airbnb hosts, to help hosts increase occupancy, guest ratings and daily rates. We share some of the best tips in our blog below, plus a link to ‘The Designbx Airbnb host guide’.

There was a time when Australians denied having a distinct culture, but our popularity as a tourist destination is solid proof that foreign visitors believe we’re a unique and beautiful part of the world. As Airbnb hosts, it’s our job to reinforce our unique culture and provide the setting for our customers’ travel fantasies. 

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Travelling is one of the best things that you can do for your health. It helps your physical and mental health, and can be excellent for the soul according to Positive Health Wellness. So what type of experience does an Airbnb customer expect? At Designbx, we can help by providing a few design tips to make your home attract five star reviews.

Firstly, imagine your target demographic. What interiors do they expect from a seaside getaway, a few days in our unique inner city suburbs, or a tranquil stay in the Hunter Valley? Put yourself in the shoes of your potential customer as you complete the free Designbx Style Quiz, which will provide a visual style board.

Once you have a clear vision, let’s get to work on the foundations: walls and floors. A fresh lick of silk or satin paint, or a sugar soap scrub will provide the most common basic necessity: a visually clean and hygienic space. Choose flooring that’s easy to clean and works with your style.

Next, make sure there’s enough furniture for your guests in each area, and always assume they’ll move as an entire group between rooms. Ensure they have a wonderful sleep by using latex covers, which have memory for extra comfort.

Designbx Airbnb Project in Curl Curl, NSW

Temperature is critical, and don’t just assume air-conditioning is the one solution; think about your floor coverings, window treatments, materials and props. Feel free to overcompensate with extra blankets, feather doonas, rugs, heated towel racks, blinds & curtains. Don’t forget fly screens!

Tantalise the senses. Have soft, relaxed music playing on arrival. Spotify is a very cheap option, and you can set up playlists to enhance the atmosphere. Timer lights and heating are always appreciated. Ensure the house smells fresh and homely on arrival by using vaporisers.

Plush slippers by the door spoil guests and encourage them to take their shoes off. We even put gumboots on the veranda of a rural getaway and provided baskets labelled with the name of each chicken so guests could start their day with a little egg-hunting adventure.

Add a guestbook with tips and quirks you may be used to but could become frustrations for people in a new environment. How does every appliance operate, where do they find supplies, what are the cultural attractions? Again, imagine you are the guest.

A little guest basket champions local produce and shows pride in the community; or in situations where the house is isolated, it could provide goods impossible to find locally. These little touches remind people that you are welcoming them into your home.

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Let’s have a little fun with aesthetics. Refer to your Style Board when making any purchases. Enhancing architectural features is a good place to start. High ceilings scream for oversized artwork, and feature pendant lights look great on large kitchen island benches.

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Ensure your styling stays similar from one room to the next. Use a harmonised colour scheme, and experiment with texture to add character. Layout is crucial. Interior designers use spatial planning to place items in a room. This ensures you have a fluid path from one space to another. At Designbx we use Floor Plans to help designers and clients collaborate on layout decisions, which saves time and money.

Designbx Airbnb Project in Hunter Valley, NSW

Double the amount of dinner and kitchenware, pillows and towels you expect will be required. Make sure you provide ways to block out the sun. Use durable finishes, aged timbers, non absorbent bench tops, commercial fabrics on sofas or ever-reliable leather. Opt for poly blend or natural fibre rugs, which are easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

For more organic touches, indoor plants purify the air and add aroma while flowers use visuals and unique perfumes for a sense of wellbeing. While a bedside table is a prime position for a vase, make sure you choose a flower that doesn’t have a powerful fragrance that might inhibit the ability to sleep.

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Don’t forget to entertain your guests. In any home you would expect to find books, music, games, DVDs or a hard drive with movies, and even musical instruments. There are times when we simply want to relax and have a quiet night in. 

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Never ignore safety. Even the most minor injury to a child will infuriate your adult guests. Place everyday items in easily accessible spots: don’t store heavy ceramic bowls on high shelves, and place linen in heavy lidded chests.

Underlay under rugs not only present better but also won’t curl up on the ends and create trip hazards. Place slip treads on all your stairs, especially in wet areas. Blind cords must have winding hooks (especially in children’s rooms). Also ensure you keep up to date with pool, spa and fire rules & regulations.

Add a touch of luxe. Ikea offers feather inserts for cushions that start at $5, so why risk looking cheap? Feather or duck duvets might cost more but feel beautiful and encourage guests to turn off heating, saving you money in the long-term.

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Feature toiletries in every wet room. The feel and smell of quality toiletries are lasting in the mind. Tea and coffee are common vices, so have a tea box (T2) and a POD coffee machine. With linen, opt for quality 300-plus thread count (no polyester), which wash well and last longer.

Designbx Airbnb Project in Twin Waters, QLD

Once you’ve created the perfect Airbnb home, capture your beautiful spaces on camera. Go professional, preferably with an interior or real estate specialist. Select a hero shot that captures your key feature. If the feature is exterior, like ocean views, remind browsers that it’s a home by taking the shot from inside. Soft lighting like a cloudy day is perfect, and avoid filters so people can see the real space and finishes.

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We’ve given you a few DIY tips but forecast the positive effect a professionally designed and decorated space may have on price and occupancy, and spend accordingly. From commercial interior design to personally designing your home, Designbx is an online interior design solution that is both affordable and collaborative. Unlike most freelancers out there, we offer set priced packages and access to a wider network of designers.

If you don’t know where to start you can always reach out to the expert Designbx Team for a FREE Interiors Design consultation.

 “Designbx   |   “Top interior design tips for Airbnb hosts”    |  designbx.com

The post Airbnb Hosts – Top tips to become the best Airbnb hosts appeared first on Designbx.

Cue Designbx! Just because you’re feeling rushed to get your sleeping arrangements sorted, it doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice on quality, function or the aesthetic of your space to squeeze everyone in.
One of the key items we are always asked about is sofa beds. Because they range so vastly in price, size and quality, cleverly integrating them into your homes layout is the key in choosing the right one.

With Designbx’s Refresh package at $199 per room, we can help you plan for those extra guests by taking the pain out of some of the guessing work. Or, if you decide you want to finally finish off any of those “too hard basket” rooms that might just need some minor TLC, like artworks or soft furnishings, this package has you covered!
We know most of our clients are run off their feet at this time of year and in the lead up to Christmas, so why not take advantage of our exclusive trade discounts just in time for the holiday season with our complimentary Personal Shopper as a part of your package.

Below are 7 of our faves under $2,000, and why we think they’re winners:

The Civic Ottoman from Oz Design

A versatile Ottoman is the perfect seating addition for almost any room. The Civic Ottoman will also transform into a comfy double bed and is available in a range of different colour and fabric options.

The Agnes Ottoman Sofabed from Oz Design
We all forget about the popular trundle bed for the kids room – but this fun Ottoman which also converts to a single bed will double as practical seating in the reading nook when not being used as a bed.

The Vermont Sofa bed from Matt Blatt
This retro fold-down sofa bed can be set up in under a minute! Less clunkier than the traditional sofa bed, the arms act as a great pillow rest and style isn’t compromised with this funky every-day sofa.

The Rovia Sofa bed from Matt Blatt

An armless sofa is a great option if you are space-poor. It’s also a great design solution for awkward nooks or under a window bay as a window seat. The lush velvet fabric is also durable – this great piece can go anywhere!

The Reisel Sofabed from Matt Blatt
This brings back a few memories of the futon era! Still such a great design for a more casual or low ceiling rooms. A playful design that’s also great in TV rooms.

The Bayview Chaise sofa bed from Zanui

With this brilliantly designed Sofa, you can actually gain three beds from one sofa! Great for the kids lounge or play area with a durable synthetic fabric.

The Kent sofa bed from Oz Design

Luxury, comfort and a queen size mattress!! This is for one of those special guests. An array of colours and fabrics available to match your homes style, the Kent provides a beautiful everyday sofa option converting to a beautiful bed.

The post Top 7 Sofa beds – Time to get ready for those extra guests! appeared first on Designbx.

Here we get the crystal ball out and make some predictions about how the interior design world will shake itself up in the coming years, in response to market factors and changing customer needs.

With the housing market set for one of it’s biggest changes ever as our needs and wants continue to shift, what does this mean for design? House and land prices continue to rise; daily commutes in our cities are an ongoing problem; the environment is on everyone’s radar; people continue to desire better work/life balance; and there is a real ‘back to the land’ movement gaining momentum as people leave the big cities in search of a different life.

And underpinning these market factors are personal desires, such as seeking out the unique and a want to create homes and spaces that represent us as people and welcome us home – wherever that may be.

For the Designbx business, these shifting factors provide much opportunity to reach new audiences – but in order to serve clients effectively we must not only respond to trends and demographic changes, but be able to accurately predict what’s on the horizon. Determining upcoming needs and wants is key to delivering beautiful, functional and practical design solutions for our clients.

Here we identify our top predictions for interior design in the next five years, that will help you stay ahead of the curve.

No matter the size, we need smarter design
We will see homes take very new shapes and sizes over the next five years. Small and tiny houses are slowly creeping into the real estate vernacular in Australia – and with the trend booming across most of the world it’s only a matter of time before it becomes mainstream here. With this change brings a need for smarter designs that maximise space, utilise practical storage solutions and walk the fine and delicate line between function and form. But there are always two sides to the coin. In contrast, large homes will still exist, but we will see clever designs and planning that will allow multiple generations to live together under one roof. Driven largely by affordability, this trend will also feed into our second prediction…

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…The return of community
The desire for support and community has been gaining momentum for some time, and we believe this will be reflected in the way people design and live in their homes. With an ageing population, families having fewer children than at any other time in history, and the financial and ethical issues surrounding aged care in Australia, it is only a matter of time before this impacts the way we design our family homes. Granny flats have long been part of the Australian real estate landscape, however in recent times they have become less about families co-existing and more about generating additional income to help make ends meet. We see the next five years adding a level of maturity to this model, with small houses being built as communities, and larger houses being cleverly designed to cater for multiple generations under the one roof. We are personally incredibly excited about this prediction as it not only lends itself to out of-the-box design, but it will encourage a revival of community – something we wholeheartedly believe everyone is craving.

The environment will take centre stage
The environment is increasingly on the agenda, and as business owners and global citizens we have a responsibility to respond with smart and ethical solutions for our clients. Eco building is on the rise as the environmental movement gains more and more traction and people become conscious of the footprint they are leaving on the earth. Be it working closely with architects to ensure spaces are designed to maximise natural light and cooling; locally sourcing products to reduce our transport footprint; or simple shifts like using using recycled and repurposed furniture. One thing is for sure, it’s going to be an exciting and colourful space in the next five years, and we look forward to growing and collaborating with our clients to become more sustainable in all that we do.

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Transportable design
Australians are an incredibly house-proud nation. And while the great Australian dream of owning your own home may be harder than ever to achieve, more and more people are choosing to make the spaces they occupy feel like home. More people are renting than ever before, so when it comes to design we have to provide smart and transportable solutions that enable our clients to recreate their dream space, no matter the location of their lease. That means designs that do not alter the structure of a building; solutions that are mindful of bond and owner lease requirements; as well as selecting furniture and homewares that are unique yet versatile enough to work in multiple settings. It’s a new challenge facing the industry as we lift the lid and make interior design accessible to more people – and it’s a challenge we’re excited to tackle.

All in all, we don’t see our side of the industry slowing down at all with the housing market recovering and new trends on the way. But only time will tell. We foresee much innovation in the interior design space, including how we as designers provide concepts to our clients; how clients can view and receive products in their homes; and also how we communicate during the design phase. And we are confident e-decorating will continue to gain momentum thanks to the convenience and affordability upside. But we also don’t see this taking away from traditional designers – we feel we are opening up interior design to a whole new audience, and this can only be beneficial to everyone in our industry, and ultimately, our clients.

The post Interior design predictions: The next 5 years appeared first on Designbx.

Why not chose a pirate theme for your modern day little pirate?
A pirate theme can be moulded to fit on with a modern home, yet still keep the kids entertained. It can be their own little escape into a different world and you can easily shut the door and forget about the mess. It’s also the perfect solution to keeping that coastal feel throughout the house.

Style boards are a great help when deciding on designs and themes for your spring home. It can be tricky to start designing a pirate room as you want it to inspire your little ones but how do you go about that? Designbx’s pre-made style boards can point you in the right direction.

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1. Stripes

You can easily transform your kids current room into a pirate playland, by simply incorporating black or navy stripes. You can go all out and cover the wall or floor in striped wallpaper or be more subtle and include striped accessories, paintings, rugs and bed covers. Try this reversible quilt cover that is both modern and fits with a pirate theme.

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2. Accessories

Always remember that any accessory placed in a kids room, is going to be used for something it wasn’t intended for. So be careful where you place the accessories and check the quality of them. Sailing ships, telescopes and steering wheels create the perfect combination for your little pirate to embark on a sailing journey through the seas. After playtime is over, simply hide away the evidence in pirate themed storage containers. This can be treasure chest toy boxes or coastal themed baskets. Pictures and paintings can also add to the nautical theme such as this seawood artwork.

3. Bedding

When your pirate gets back from their big adventure, they will need a bed made for a pirate. Pirate ship shaped beds can make bedtime more inviting. Hopefully helping to avoid the before-bed-tantrums! Although, there are plenty of other ways to turn an ordinary bed into a pirate resting area. Nautical quilt covers are modern and still inviting. Try pottery barn kids’ pirate ship or anchor quilt covers. Also don’t forget to keep the nasty sea creatures away with some bedside table lights. Designbx’s retro lamp is the perfect addition to a pirate’s room, or a pendant shade for even more lighting.

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For further ideas on coastal themed homes or kid’s room furniture, Designbx is here to help!

The post Kid’s Playroom Designs: From the High Seas to the Playroom appeared first on Designbx.

Now we look at some top tips to cosy up and create Winter interior decorating in preparation for the extra time we’re bound to spend indoors.

1. Winter interior decorating – velvet and jewels

Preparing for the cooler months can include changing bedding to heavier weights and darker colours, pulling out the cosy throws for beds and sofas, stocking the woodpile, swapping our light, and adding bright homewares for the dark textures.

With a quick look at Pinterest or Instagram you’ll find so much inspiration to achieve a warmer, cosier feel to your home interior styles. The trend this winter is to bring depth and tone to your home  with colours like petrol and teal along with jewel tones (ruby, sapphire and emerald, to name a few).

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Dark painted walls offer a dramatic backdrop to dusty nude furnishings, tan coloured leather and on-trend brass accessories and lighting. Bringing in jewel coloured velvets provides winter tones as well as much needed texture.

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These darker tones are found throughout the natural landscape and bringing them into the home over the cooler months provides a warm and welcoming space. It sure seems to be quite a change from the light, crisp neutral tones of the contemporary interior design styles. Scandi, has swept the globe in recent years, but don’t be afraid to embrace a change. Dark interiors express drama, warmth, cosiness and love.

2. Winter Blues

As well as being a great focal point for your new, darker interior, these warm colour tones can help ward off the winter blues. Find out which colours will work best for you, dress your room in your favourite hues and don’t let winter dull you, or your space.

So after a stark, Scandinavian summer, there’s no reason to resist slipping into a warm, blue-toned winter, accented with your favourite colours.

3. A touch of Lagom

Following the Scandinavian interior design craze, recently the Danish term ‘hygge’ (pronounced ‘hue-gah’) has become commonly used. Hygge is the Danish ritual of enjoying the simple pleasures in life – friends, family, graciousness. So as we farewell a marvellous summer and settle in for the cooler season, the Swedish term ‘lagom’ seems appropriate to share – not too little; not too much. Just right.

Not sure where to start? Why not get inspiration for creating winter master bedroom designs to keep you warm and cosy until Spring.

The post Winter trends 2017 appeared first on Designbx.

Japandi interior design orgins

Scandinavian interior design (Scandi) has been developed on the principles of simplicity, minimalism and functionality. It continues to be popular in Australia, aligning with our relaxed lifestyle, connection to nature and beautiful, diverse landscape. The main characteristics of Scandinavian interiors include clean lines and the use of natural materials such as oak, leather and hemp.

Japandi is a new trend that is taking the interior design world by storm. It draws on the Japanese ‘wabi-sabi’ principle of finding beauty in the imperfect and incomplete, and it blends perfectly with the simplicity of Scandinavian design.

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1. Colour

To achieve a Scandinavian look, focus on featuring a muted, neutral colour palette throughout your home. White is commonly used on the walls to make a room appear bright and spacious. Inject life into your room and make your home reflect your personality by incorporating accent pieces. Try rugs, cushions and artworks in muted colours, such as pastel pink and grey.

To create a Japandi feel, incorporate accent colours with a cool undertone, such as green and navy. Dramatic contrast (a key element of Asian design) can also be created by using a black frame for your artworks or photographs. Next, hang them above the light oak furniture pieces.

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2. Texture

Scandinavian inspired interiors usually have light coloured wooden flooring as opposed to carpet, as wood is closer to nature. Pine, beech and ash wood are the most common, with light stain finishes, to preserve a feeling of spaciousness.

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3. Simple contrast

Ornate and excessive details in furniture are not common in Scandinavian interior design. The style favours clean lined, modern and solid pieces. In the new Japandi style, statement furniture in dark tones such as charcoal, black or dark oak stained tones are used with light Scandinavian furniture. To achieve this look in your home, you could use a light oak dining table with black wooden dining chairs. This creates the dramatic contrast that is the hallmark of the Japandi style.

Introducing simple contrast between key furniture pieces maintains simplicity, while still expressing your personal design style.

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To create visual interest and rhythm, layer different muted natural textures such as a small rectangle hemp cushion with a square, pale pink cushion. To add an eclectic Japandi feel, find a unique statement piece. We love an asymmetric plant or sculpture that embraces the idea of ‘beauty in the imperfect’. By using greenery and plants, the connection to nature is reinforced.

These tips will help you to create the basis of your Japandi interior design. Express your own style and personality throughout your home interior by adding your own unique, personal touches to the ever-popular Scandi look.

The post Interior Design Trends of 2017 – Japanese and Scandi = Japandi appeared first on Designbx.

1. Start with a wooden floor

First of all, start with a clean, fresh base. Wooden floorboards are the ultimate Scandi trademark. Opt for light tones to open up the space and to give as much lightness and airiness as possible. Think about your walls and ceiling colours as well. Your interior will look bigger and brighter instantly — the more white the better.

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2. Use a muted palette

Once you have your base mastered, move on to the big block pieces. For larger items, like your sofa, table, chairs or curtains, try using neutral colours. We especially love using a myriad of greys (avoid a white couch that you’ll be stressing about when the little ones get within a 10-metre radius of it). To master the look, add touches of wood here and there to incorporate warmth.

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3. Add colour by using splashes of pastels

Although a neutral-based style, Scandinavian interior design colour schemes are often infused with soft pastels. Our favourite is blush pink, as it is the perfect complementary colour to any wood. Mint green is also a fun way to add some colour into your Scandi kingdom.

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4. Create a complementary feature wall

So how best do we style our walls in a Scandi home? It can be hard to figure out how to add different pieces of wall art without making it clash with a neutral interior, but by adding pops of pastels you can creating a striking look.

Be creative! Use photos, prints, paintings, quotes or even drawings that your mini-me made! You can create a fun art project for the kids by encouraging them to create, using your colour palette.

By using similar frames throughout and some clever pre-planning, you can ensure your unique feature wall works harmoniously with the Scandi style.

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5. Layers, layers, layers!

The great thing about Scandinavian interior design is you can go wild with textures. As long as the colours are harmonious and neutral, you can mix as many as you like! This is what adds depth and character to Scandi spaces. Use leather, linen, jute, metal, fur, wood…you name it, you layer it!

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6. Get some Scandinavian furniture

The cleans lines, simplicity and beauty of these timeless pieces are undeniable. By adding even just one or two of these beauties, you can completely transform your space. There are so many affordable options to finding Scandinavian-style furniture without skimping on quality and practicality. Try Pop and Scott, MRD Home, Sokol, Eadie Lifestyle, or Mr & Mrs White.

Combinations that are paving the way into 2018 are:

• Woven pastel leathers, featuring in seating, wall hangings and rugs
• Tibetan fur, dyed in striking neutral  or jewel tones is a key trend for children’s bedrooms and playrooms
• Raw hand-crafted materials like pottery and rustic timbers, paired with the traditional curved and clean lines of Scandinavian design – this new style is being echoed as Japandi (a fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese design movements).

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7. Be minimal with the little things (less is more)

The easiest way is to think about what you really need, and forget the rest. Marie Kondo wrote a best-selling book on how tidying up can be life-changing and not only declutter your home but your mind as well. To that we say, yes please! But keep the items you absolutely love. And no, you don’t need those 50 jumpers you haven’t worn since high school.

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8. Use greenery in the right places

Plants are a surefire way to bring texture and contrast to those neutral walls. In spaces that just need a little something, sculptural, oversized and grouped plants will work best. Your pot is as important as the species of your plant, so pick wisely.

A single or dual tone will last the test of time. Our favourite brands include Designtwins, Pop and Scott, Ivy muse, Urban Eden, and Milk and Sugar. To not overdo it, just add one large potted plant to each room. Make sure you use plants that can survive indoors and don’t need much light. If you’re not into big plants, or can’t keep one alive no matter how hard you try (we’ve all been there), then why not add a simple cactus? They’re always a nice, easy way to add some greenery.

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9. Install a fireplace

Living in Australia, we may not all need a fireplace, but if we were to embrace them, either for function or pure aesthetics, they would look a little like this. The Scandinavian ‘staple’ fireplace would be tall, thin and likely to be perched in a corner. We may not ever install one of these but we love these different styles to ooh and aah over. If the real thing is impractical, a faux fireplace creates a setting to do a vignette of artwork, greenery or personal items.

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10. Be meticulous and creative with lighting

Last, but certainly not least, lighting! It’s so important in any space, but the fun thing with Scandinavian interior design is that you can incorporate various sizes and shapes with great success. Try using cool bulbs, lampshades and garlands.

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Scandinavian interior design gets us so excited, and makes us spend way too much time on Pinterest, but we hope this has inspired you to redecorate.

Do you want to find out what your ideal style is? Check out our style quiz and get your dream home project started right away!

The post How to create Scandinavian interior design appeared first on Designbx.

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1… Planning and zoning.

 Decorating an amazing room that grows with your child calls for creativity and clever planning. When you begin designing your child’s bedroom, it’s important to balance function, safety and style.
Consider all the activities that are likely to happen in the room. Will it also serve as a playroom or study? Is there a chance it may eventually become a room for two? Let the activities, items and colours your child loves the most be your guide when you choose furnishings and accessories. After all, it is a room for your little princess and you want them to really enjoy and utilise the space.
Will they need a chair for reading? Plenty of open floor space for blocks and games? Factor in how their interests may change and grow as they get older. Toddlers often need a play table for arts and crafts while a school-age kid may require a desk.

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Make sure your plan allows for plenty of room to grow, change and evolve. For example, using a full-sized desk can work for a young child while supervised but they will also be able to use it at an older age; or you could use a shelf and adjust the height as they grow up.
I like to use timeless pieces for the functional parts of the room, and then add personality with decorative elements so you can easily switch the old for new and change the overall theme of the room to suit your child.
Plan and divide the room into activity based zones for easy flow and function.

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2… Storage.

Planning adequate storage for the room is so important, not just for aesthetics but for functionality as well. You want the room to be used as efficiently as possible so let’s make it easy for your child to put things away and ensure the room is inviting, for them and you. Using appropriate storage for each zone also makes it easy for your child to find things and put them all away. Shelves, bins and baskets should be easy to access. Choose storage boxes with a lid to hide any clutter or mess. This will also eliminate distractions  when your child is using the room for homework.

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Wall hooks are also a great addition for storage as they won’t take up much space. And they also offer a massive bonus by assisting your child if they like to play dress-ups.
A storage box or ottoman is great for cushions and blankets as well as toys, and it doubles as a seat too!

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3… Texture, pattern and personalisation.

Whether it be a bedhead, cushion, wallpaper or bedspread, using different textures and patterns will make your little girl’s room ultra-personal and fun. Also, by keeping other décor items simple, the patterns will not only shine, they’ll also last your daughter from childhood through to her teens.

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Self-expression is a part of your little one’s life, so why hide important personal items that you really like? Display a few items for further personalisation on shelving, bedsides or desks.
Try adding some fluffy and flowy elements like curtains, throws, faux hides, rugs and even canopies, to soften the room and create a luxurious ambience for your princess.  

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Be sure to refer to the SIDS guidelines when planning your child’s rooms, and remember: safety first.

If you are looking for help with small bedroom decorating ideas our design team are ready and waiting to create the perfect hideaway!

The post Small bedroom decorating ideas fit for a Princess! appeared first on Designbx.

The younger they are, the more likely you’ll spend nights with them wedged between you and your partner instead of being trained to sleep independently in their own room. Not only does it prevent you from watching Game of Thrones; it also cancels the production of more children. In a way, choosing a cheap bed for your child reduces the usefulness of your own bed.

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Barring nightmares, there shouldn’t be any reason your kid can’t enjoy their haven. It should be a case of crawling between the sheets, settling in and—depending on their age—falling asleep a few pages into a bedtime story, a few songs into their favourite album, or midway through Facebook messaging.

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There should be a little sigh of relief once they feel the comfort of a quality bed, especially since they’re exhausted after spending the past 12 hours bouncing and crashing their way through another day, probably leaving a trail of destruction.

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Unfortunately intelligent parents are often unable to put two and two together when it comes to associating their child’s poor sleeping habits with a poor quality bed or mattress. We’ve all seen the horrible pine models with no springs and thin mattresses, lavishly covered with fun sheets and a novelty bedspread to overcompensate for cheap furniture that have a negative impact on a kid’s welfare.

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Sturdy beds with quality mattresses are crucial, and if you buy a beautiful unisex bed that’s built to last, it becomes an heirloom to be passed down from one grateful child to the next. Good beds not only help kids get to sleep but help them stay that way until the morning. They support rather than twist backs and necks, encourage and train a healthy posture that will last into adulthood, and ensure allergies and asthma aren’t exacerbated.  

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Making a choice of bedding should start with your feelings about a new bed. If it’s a big decision and a special treat for you, shouldn’t you assume the same applies to your kids? They need plenty of sleep (in their own rooms!) to make sure they wake up happy, energised and ready to spend the day undoing all the good work of adults.

The post Sleepless nights, for the wrong reasons – how to keep your kids in their own beds. appeared first on Designbx.

Each fruit usually offers more than one colour that we can incorporate in interior design. Thanks to mother nature (the design O.G.), we can take our cues from the colour combinations of a fruit’s protective outer skin and the juicy flesh. Let’s not forget the many shades of green that accompany or nourish these fruits in the wild.

For those that are excited about a more literal take on a fruit salad theme, there are breathtaking selections of fruit salad inspired  furnishings that are fun additions to any space.

1. Wallpaper

Not only limited to a kid’s room, fruit-inspired wallpaper is suitable to adding that pop of colour to a neutral-toned room. Following the colour trends seen in Miami-style and retro interior design, this pineapple wallpaper is tangy and stylish to suit everyone’s tastes. Bright, pastel colours work brilliantly when championed with a neutral backdrop.

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2. Linen

It’s hard to say that many kid’s don’t enjoy fruit. Including fruit prints in your kid’s linen will create a timeless look they’ll take a while to outgrow. Feminine looks include strawberry and cherry designs, where as masculine looks can be anything from bananas to oranges. Fruit prints are a great way to complement colour schemes and add a quirky spin on bedroom interior design. 

3. Soft furnishings

Whether you’re styling a themed party or kid’s play room, fruit by design furnishings are a sure fire hit. Multicolours that are beautifully balanced together are fun and vibrant, perfect for a child’s bedroom. Matched with deep and dark greens, fruity coloured tones pair perfectly with the outdoors and darker settings. If you’re seeking a fun twist to an outdoor design, fruit cushions are proof that our love of fruit-inspired palettes doesn’t wane after our childhoods are over. 

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4. Wall Prints

Even though most fruits are bright and bold, when the colours are toned down, they can still be just as beautiful. Mature colours of the fruit rainbow, such as berry reds, apple greens and tangerines, can complement a space perfectly and even add a sense of sophistication!  Try using lemon yellows for that adventurous and energetic burst of colour into a room. 

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As far as we’re concerned, if it’s good enough for nature, it’s good enough for us. If you want a space that feels fresh and vibrant, look no further than the sweetest things growing on our planet. Keep your interiors healthy this season with some lively, fruity patterns and colour trends found on inspirational fruit by design style boards.

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