Bedroom Archives - With love from Lou

How To Customise Your Child’s Bedroom On The Cheap

22/04/2020 by Louise Leave a Comment

This year more than ever money is tight for families up and down the country; more people than ever are out of work, which means that now is the perfect time to learn to live a little more frugally. Living frugally doesn’t have to mean that you and your family miss out, it simply means making smarter financial choices, and finding ways to cut costs wherever you can, such as when updating your children’s bedrooms, for instance.

The good news is that when it comes to updating your kids’ bedrooms, it doesn’t have to cost too much – there are plenty of ways that you can customise your children’s bedrooms without breaking the bank. In need of a few ideas and little inspiration? Have a read of the simple and affordable ideas below!

USE STENCILS OR STICKERS TO DECORATE THE WALLS

You can easily jazz up any plain walls using stencils or wall stickers – it’s an affordable and effective approach to updating the style of their room without breaking the bank. If your child wants a themed room – perhaps they’re gaming mad, love lego, or are obsessed with fairy tales – you can use stencils or wall stickers, like these ones from https://www.aspectwallart.com/gamer-wall-sticker-eat-sleep-game-repeat/, to create a theme within their bedroom. The great thing about wall stickers is the fact that they’re easy to remove and restick, should you want to change up the style of the room in the future.

CREATE A STARRY CEILING

Add a little magic to your child’s bedroom by adding glow in the dark stars and planets to their ceiling, creating a beautiful starry night effect. This is ideal for kids who are scared of the dark as even when the light is turned off, they will be able to see the stars. You can buy glow in the dark items for the ceiling online from sites like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glow-Dark-Plastic-Stars-Moon/dp/B006URRBEK.

REPURPOSE OLD FURNITURE

Instead of buying new furniture, consider updating and repurposing older pieces of furniture to make them look like new again. You can easily paint old items of furniture, from your child’s bed and wardrobe to their chest of drawers and desk, to ensure that they fit with the new colour scheme of their bedroom. If you want to jazz up the furniture even more, you could consider stenciling designed onto each piece that fit with the theme of the room.

GET CREATIVE WITH STORAGE

Storage is vital in any child’s bedroom, however it doesn’t have to be expensive or be dull to look at. You can easily create some fun and unique storage, such as adhering a selection of mini colourful buckets to the wall as storage space for items such as pens and pencils and little toys and games.

When it comes to updating your children’s bedrooms, don’t make the mistake of thinking that doing so has to be expensive, because that isn’t the case. You can easily limit how much you spend on your little one’s rooms, it’s just a case of getting creative and finding some simple ways to cut costs.

Do you have any other fab ideas for customising your child’s bedroom on the cheap?
If so, let me know in the comments below.
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10 Things You Should Know Before Buying A New Bed

23/03/2020 by Louise 4 Comments

Buying a new bed can be a daunting task. Research has shown that the average person will spend up to a third of their life in bed, so it’s important that you take your time and make the right decision. Purchasing a high quality, comfortable bed will ensure that you wake up feeling refreshed, revitalised and ready to face the day ahead. Here are some crucial factors to consider when making that all-important decision:

01. YOUR BED COLOUR IS VITAL

If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably like your bedroom furniture to compliment the colour of your walls. And at the moment I have a beautiful grey and white bedroom that I absolutely love. I chose a grey fabric bed and white furniture that looks stunning against the grey walls. However, if you’re someone who likes to switch your colour scheme around regularly then it may be better to consider a black or white bed, so it continually fits in with the theme.

02. COLLECT THE RIGHT MEASUREMENTS

Before buying a new bed, make sure you collect the right measurements for both the bed and the mattress and confirm that these match with the size of your bedroom. If you’re sharing your bed with a partner, it’s important to choose a bed that provides maximum comfort for both of you. Of course, size will be dependent upon weight and build, but generally speaking, the bigger the bed, the less partner disturbance and the better the night’s sleep. While a double may seem spacious enough for two, a king size will allow you to stretch out and enjoy a truly relaxing slumber.

03. GET YOURSELF COMFORTABLE

A comfy bed can be the difference between waking up feeling fatigued and frustrated or jumping out of bed with tons of energy. However, one person’s perception of comfort can differ entirely to someone else’s. For example, some people may find that a firm bed ticks all the right boxes, while for others, a softer feel offers the perfect night’s sleep. If you’ve been following my blog for a while now, you’ll know that I have Scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. And one thing I really struggled with in the past was getting a good night’s sleep due to constantly being uncomfortable. These days, I use a memory foam mattress that offers amazing support, and I sleep so much better.

04. COMFORT & CLEANLINESS

A little tip I picked up from my mum when I was younger was to consider using a mattress protector for added comfort. They are also great for keeping the mattress underneath nice and clean.

05. THE MORE PILLOWS THE BETTER?

Consider how your pillows will fit in with your brand-new bed. If you’re buying a larger bed, you might find you need more pillows, even if you have to banish them to the floor while you sleep! Another tip for people with Scoliosis, like me, is to try sleeping on a water pillow. I’ve found I wake up with way less cricks in my neck since I started using one.

06. CONSIDER A BED WITH ROOM FOR YOUR BELONGINGS

Do you have a lot of belongings but very little storage? If so, it may be good to take into consideration storage. From a bed that lifts up so you can store things underneath, to a gorgeous leather divan bed that come with up to four drawers, the limits are endless. I tend to keep all my spare bedding, pillows, sheets and blankets in plastic storage tubs underneath my bed. This way, I know where everything is, and it keeps it all clean and tidy too.

07. TRUST THE REVIEWS

When shopping online, always be sure to read reviews about the comfort and lifespan to make sure you are getting the best quality bed you possibly can. I have to be honest here and say that I never make a big purchase without checking out as many reviews as I can beforehand. And I always try to leave online reviews on purchases I’ve made as well, as I might be able to help someone make a more informed decision on their purchase.

08. DELIVERY

If you have little room in your home overall, you may need to think about how your new mattress in particular is going to fit.

09. CHECK THE WARRANTY

As with all new products, it’s super important to make sure that you understand the warranty and that it is clear. Beds that come with mattresses tend to have longer warranties than those that don’t, so be sure to double check this. If there’s anything you don’t understand about the warranty, be sure to ask a member of staff at the store where you’re buying from, or drop them an e-mail. They’ll be more than happy to explain it to you.

10. OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW

And last, but certainly not least, to ensure it all runs smoothly, it’s important to have a plan in place on how you’re going to remove your old bed when the new one is going to be delivered to replace it. I know that some companies will happily dispose of it for you, but not all of them do. When I replaced my old bed, I listed it on a local Facebook selling page and specified that the buyer would need to come and dismantle and move it themselves. This worked well, and he came over and took it away the same day. Perfect!

Is there anything else you think people should know before buying a new bed?
If so, be sure to let me know in the comments below!
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Oscar’s New Bedroom Wish List

05/12/2019 by Louise Leave a Comment

For the past 4 years or so, Oscar, my youngest, has been a complete nightmare when it comes to going to sleep at night. For two years straight he barely slept a wink, and when he started reception year at school, he was somehow managing to stay awake all day and all night as well. It was crazy!

Then, one day, I discovered one simple trick to help kids fall asleep fast. This worked well for a while, but then he slowly got back into the habit of staying awake all night. I couldn’t believe it. Anyway, a friend of mine suggested letting him co-sleep with me, and for the last couple of years, that’s what he’s been doing. It’s been going well since then, and most nights he’s fast asleep by 10 pm and wakes up around 7:30 the next morning ready for school. It’s been such a relief. The only problem is that he’s almost 6 and a half now and he’s started to ask if his friends can come for sleepovers. And, of course, I’ve had to say no since he still shares a room with me!

So, last week Oscar decided he’s big and brave enough to stay in his own room now, and ever since then, we’ve been throwing around some ideas for how we could decorate it, so he actually wants to stay in there. And for today’s post I thought I’d share some of the ideas we’ve had with you guys here on our blog in case any of you guys are decorating your little boy’s room and need some inspiration. I hope you enjoy it …

WALLPAPER

First up, Oscar’s picked out this gorgeous white kids wallpaper with pale pink and black confetti dots on from a company called Wallpaperfromthe70s.com. I think it looks really funky, and I plan to just paper one wall with it. This will most likely be the wall next to his bed, and then we’ll paint the other 3 walls in a nice white paint to go with it. The theme Oscar’s going for with his new room is Batman, and as most of the things he’s picked out are black and white in colour they’ll go nicely with the walls.

CARPET

Next, Oscar’s chosen to have a grey carpet fitted in his bedroom. He currently has laminate down, but he said he’d rather have carpet down as he prefers sitting on it when he’s playing. And as we’re most definitely going to be keeping his toys in there, I’m more than happy to let him have what he wants. We’ve decided to go with this beautiful Dublin Heathers Carpet in the shade ‘Mouse’ from OnlineCarpets.co.uk as it matches the carpet in the rest of the house.

BED

As we’re hoping that Oscar is actually going to sleep in his new room this time round, we decided to let him choose his own bed this time around. And, like any typical 6-year-old boy, he’s gone for a really fancy one! It’s a single mid-sleeper from Wayfair with a cool den underneath. It’s perfect for giving him a little extra space to play in, as his room isn’t that big. I’m also hoping we’ll be able to squeeze the mattress from his old toddler bed under there when his friends do eventually come for a sleepover. Otherwise, I’ve no idea where we’re going to put them!

BEDDING

A new bed most definitely deserves new bedding, and earlier today I ordered this gorgeous Batman bedding I found on eBay. Isn’t it fab!? I ordered a single set and it includes a duvet cover, fitted sheet and two pillowcases. It’s such great value for money! The duvet is white with grey stripes and has Batman masks, stars, clouds and lightning bolts dotted all around it. I can’t wait for it to arrive as I just know that Oscar’s going to love it. It’s right up his street!

PRINTS

As soon as Oscar found out I was going to do up his bedroom for him, he asked if he could have some prints to hang on the wall. So, I decided to treat him to this set of three Batman prints from Retrodora.com. I think they’re super cool and will look fab in any Batman-inspired room. I think I’d rather put them on a picture ledge rather than hanging them on the wall, though. I think they’d be much safer there! There are loads of different Batman prints available on the Retrodora website, but these 3 are our favourites by a mile.

The first one says ‘Na-Na-Na, Na-Na-Na, Na-Na-Na’ in black and white, the second one has a picture of Batman’s mask (and can be personalised with the name of the recipient) and the third one says ‘Always be yourself. Unless you can be Batman. Then always be Batman.’ So cute! Unfortunately, the prints don’t come with frames. But Amazon sells cheap white ones so I’ll just pick some up from there when they arrive.

BOOKCASE

If there’s one thing Oscar has a lot of, it’s books! So while we’re doing his bedroom up I thought I’d get him this stunning white bookcase with grey lettering on from Tidy Books. I think it matches the rest of the decor we’ve picked out perfectly, and it’s a great way for Oscar to display his favourite books. I really like the books sit on the shelves with their covers facing forward as well – it will make choosing a book at bedtime so much easier!

TOYBOX

No little boys room would be complete without a toybox to store all of their toys in! And I just love this beautiful white toybox from the Great Little Trading Company. It’s said to be safe and easy for little ones to use, thanks to its lower height and the sturdy safety hinge on the lid. It features a classic tongue and groove finish and is painted in bright white paint. I think it will complement the rest of the furniture in the room perfectly, and I just know that this is where Oscar will end up keeping all of his Toy Story toys as he’s always wanted a toybox like Andy’s!

REWARD CHART

Oscar is a stereotypical second child, and loves to wind his big sister up after school! Due to this, I tend to use reward charts to encourage better behaviour from him, so when I spotted this ‘You’re a Star’ Reward Chart on the Great Little Trading Company’s website I just knew I had to get it! The idea is that it works like traditional reward chart, but instead of sticking a star to a chart you pop one of the rainbow stars included into the cloud every time your little ones have been good – and once they get a full box it’s time for a treat!

The cloud is made from wood and has a painted finish and acrylic safety glass. It comes with 16 wooden, multi-coloured stars and has a magnetic closure so once the box is full you can easily get the stars back out again. The stars can also be stored in the back compartment, which I think is fab. I think they might look a bit out of place in the room with them being coloured rather than black or grey, but I’m going to give them a try anyway.

NIGHT LIGHT

I think while Oscar gets used to sleeping in his room, he’s really going to need a night light on throughout the night. So when I spotted this cute little Batman one at Amazon I just knew I had to get it! The night light is shaped like the man himself and is powered by 3 AAA batteries, so I can place it anywhere in his bedroom without having to worry about plugging it in. At the moment I’m thinking I’ll either place it on top of the radiator (as it has a radiator cover on) or get one of those little bunk bed shelves so I can stick it right at the side of him when he’s asleep. I haven’t shown him the night light yet as I know he’ll want to use it as soon as he sees it, but I just know he’ll love it!

BLINDS

If there’s one thing Oscar’s room desperately needs right now, it’s blind’s! And the ones I have my eye on for him at the moment are these traditional white wooden blinds from blinds2go. I think they look classy, and they’ll be much easier to clean than curtains as I won’t have to keep taking them down and then putting them back up again. I just love them!

And there you have it, 10 things we’re going to be updating Oscar’s new bedroom with. I’m sure we’ll add loads more things to it before we’ve finished, so I’ll do a full room tour here on my blog once it’s done.

What do you guys think of the things we’ve picked out for Oscar’s new bedroom?
Let me know in the comments below.
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6 Ways To Cosy Up Your Bedroom For Autumn

25/09/2019 by Louise Leave a Comment

With summer officially over it’s time to embrace the transition of autumn into winter and prepare your home for the darker days and colder months ahead. Decorating for the autumn months is all about bringing warmth back into the home and cosying things up to create homely spaces that you can’t wait to spend time in. So here are six ways that you can cosy up your bedroom to make it your go-to bolthole this autumn.

01. GO FOR SOFT AMBER LIGHTING

Getting the lighting right in your bedroom is so important so give your bedroom a golden glow by using soft amber lighting rather than traditional bright white bulbs. The amber light will bring a sense of warmth to the room and is much softer than the overly bright bulbs which makes it less harsh on the eyes when it’s dark outside.

02. INCORPORATE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT LIGHT SOURCES

As the days get darker you will find yourself needing differing types of light depending on what you are doing in your room, a soft glow from fairy lights entwined around a wrought iron bed frame will provide enough visibility for a relaxing evening in bed, but you may need a lamp for extra light when reading if you don’t want to have to turn your full ceiling light on. Try to have a few different lighting options around your room to make the space enjoyable at all times of the day.

03. CHOOSE SOFT FLANNEL OR JERSEY BEDDING

One way to instantly cosy up your bedroom is to put the cool cotton bedding into storage and opt for warm jersey or soft flannel bedding in a pattern or colour that evokes the spirit of autumn. Reds, oranges, yellows and mustard colours evoke the changing colour of the leaves and will add some colour to your room. Alternatively go for neutral browns and beiges and add a pop of colour through your use of cushions and throws.

04. LAYER UP WITH EXTRA BLANKETS

As the temperature begins to drop you’ll be finding yourself reaching for blankets and throws but besides also keeping you warm they look great at the end of you bed or thrown casually across the back of a chair. Choose a couple with different textures, such as a soft fleece blanket and a chunky knit and layer them together for maximum cosiness as well as stylistic effect.

05. CLEAR SPACE FOR CANDLES

Nothing says autumn like the gentle flicker of a flame from a beautifully scented candle. Candles add a sense of warmth to any space and will also make your room smell divine. Opt for autumnal scents such as cinnamon, spice or apple pie, just be sure to blow them out before you go to sleep and keep them away from anything they could set fire to. If you don’t want to bring fire into your bedroom then diffusers are another great way to make your room smell beautiful and electric candles can offer a soft flickering glow.

06. LAY DOWN A RUG

Just as you’re adding texture to your bed don’t forget to add texture to your floor with a soft, fluffy rug to sink your toes into. Softening the floor will make your bedroom feel truly nest like and if you have hardwood floors then putting down a rug will also save your feet from a cold surprise in the morning.

Do you have any other tips for cosying up your bedroom this autumn?
If so, be sure to let me know in the comments below!
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How to get the most out of your bedroom storage this winter

29/11/2018 by Louise Leave a Comment

With the winter now well underway and showing no signs of slowing down, we inevitably end up accumulating more stuff: bigger clothes to keep us warm, heaps of party food and most importantly, gifts for others. And whilst not all of this will necessarily be kept in the bedroom, it simply cannot be denied that during the colder months of the winter period, we collect and store more. Maybe it has something to do with our primal gathering and hibernating tendencies, maybe it’s more to do with our modern, materialistic tendencies – either way, there’s a reason they call the following year’s clear-out a spring clean!

So how do you deal with your newfound belongings? In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to stay clutter-free by getting the most out of your bedroom storage this winter.

Use your integrated storage wisely

More storage doesn’t always mean installing more units, cabinets or having more physical space being taken up. Look around your room, what’s already in place that has unused storage? And we’re not talking about unused drawers or empty space left under the bed, we’re sure you’ve thought about that already. We’re talking about where storage could be integrated with your existing units.

A great example is if you have a bedroom door – who doesn’t? – which you can hang your accessories and odds and ends off the back of. Another space-saver is internal wardrobe and cupboard storage, so look for ways you can add in separators and compartmentalisers, such as drawer units, soft-fabric clothes boxes and shelving. You’d be surprised how much of what you already own hasn’t yet been tapped into fully, there’s loads of potential and just because your wardrobe or cupboards look full, it doesn’t mean they are!

Don’t let unnecessary doors get in the way

Now we know what you’re thinking, ‘I’m not going to take my bedroom doors off the hinges!’ Fear not, we’re not asking you to sacrifice your privacy for that last bit of storage space. In fact, we’re not talking about your bedroom door at all.

We’re talking about wardrobe doors.

If you have a wardrobe, which we most likely presume you do, you’ll be aware that it is perhaps the largest piece of bedroom furniture in your room. With this large size, comes large doors. Large wardrobe doors that open outwards ultimately take up space in your bedroom when opened. While this may not seem like such a big deal, when space is at a premium, every little counts.

Our solution? Try made to measure sliding wardrobe doors, often found on built-in wardrobes, which slide open horizontally. These sliding doors allow you to open and close your largest piece of furniture without taking up half of your room – a tip that will leave you feeling less cluttered and much tidier in an instant.

Have a good old fashioned clean out if all else fails

If all else fails, the easy answer is to have a ‘pre-spring clean’ clear out. And why not? Just because it’s called a spring clean doesn’t necessarily matter that it isn’t spring. And although it may seem like an enormous task at first (who isn’t too busy these days?), we can guarantee that once started, it can be well worth the effort. After all, it’s nearly time to sit back, pour a cup of mulled wine or Baileys, and enjoy the festive period snuggled up on your patchwork quilted bedspreads!

Do you have any other tips for getting the most out of your bedroom storage this winter?
If so, let us know in the comments below.
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My Summer Bedroom Wishlist

18/07/2018 by Louise 16 Comments

I think it’s safe to say that summer has well and truly hit the UK this year. And, as a result, I’ve been buying a lot of bright-coloured items to scatter around my house. The one room that hasn’t really been touched this year, though, is my bedroom. And at the moment it still has all the gorgeous grey and white bits and pieces in there that I picked up last year.

So, before the sun disappears for good, and the summer is just a distant memory, I’d like to give my bedroom a little bit of a makeover by adding a few more colourful pieces to it. And, as always, I thought I’d share my picks with you guys here on my blog. I hope you enjoy having a read. Hopefully, it will give you some inspiration for making over your own bedroom too.

Flamingo Print Duvet Cover Set

First up is the item I actually ordered earlier this week – a gorgeous flamingo print duvet cover set from Romwe. Flamingoes are everywhere at the moment, so what better way could there be to add a pop of colour to the bedroom than by opting for something with a pretty pink print like this? I just love it!

The duvet set comes in 5 different sizes. And I have to admit that I’m not sure I’ve ordered the right one, as they come in measurements rather than single, double or king size etc. I think the one I went for might be slightly too big for my bed. Oops! I can always exchange it for a smaller size if I need to, though.

The set comes with a duvet cover, two pillowcases and a flat sheet in the same pattern as the underside of the duvet cover. And, when I ordered, it was reduced from £79 to just £20.50! I’m sure you guys will agree that that’s an absolute bargain. I can’t wait for it to arrive so I can show you what it looks like on my TV Bed.

Sumptuous Sheepskin Rug in Blush

If there’s one thing I’ve been wanting in my bedroom for a long time now, it has to be a lovely, super soft rug. This is because I hate it when I get out of bed first thing in a morning and find myself stepping onto a cold, hard floor. Brr! The first place I decided to look for a rug was at one of my all-time favourite homeware stores, Cox & Cox, as I knew they would be sure to have something I liked in stock. And I was right!

Cox & Cox actually have loads of gorgeous rugs at the moment, so it was ridiculously difficult to make a decision on which one I liked best. But I eventually settled on this stunning sumptuous sheepskin double rug in a beautiful blush colour. Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s made of 100% natural long-haired sheepskin and makes the perfect decorative item for the bedroom. I just love it!

White Round Mirror with Shelf

Can you guys believe that still don’t have a mirror in my bedroom? It’s really annoying! So if I buy just one thing this summer, it has to be that. And I’m currently loving the Luna Round Mirror from a brand I recently discovered called Brissi.

The modern round mirror would be perfect to hang above a wide chest of drawers that I have. It even has a nifty little storage shelf for decorative items. I think the gorgeous unicorn pot with an artificial plant that you guys have been going crazy for over on Instagram this week would look fab on there.

At £175, the mirror is quite expensive. But I love how unique it looks compared to some of the other mirrors I’ve been looking at. I think it would look lovely in my bedroom and would be sure to be a talking point when my friends come round to get ready for a night out.

Artificial Flowers

Nothing brightens up a room like a nice bunch of flowers. But buying fresh ones every week can be expensive. I’ve been thinking about treating myself to a bunch of artificial flowers to add some colour to my bedroom instead and think this sprig of cherry blossom from Amazon would be just perfect.

The flowers themselves look really lifelike and are made of silk cloth. I especially like that there is a wire rod in the middle, as it means they can be bent into any shape. And I think if I put a bunch into a vase on my chest of drawers or bedside table they would look amazing. The only small downside for me is that they obviously don’t have any fragrance. But that’s OK, as that brings me nicely to the next item on my list …

Yankee Candle Cherry Blossom Candle

No bedroom makeover of mine would be complete without treating myself to a new candle. And what better one to choose than the cherry blossom scent? Just imagine how nice this would smell at the side of the artificial cherry blossom. I love the pale pink wax as well – it’s lovely and feminine.

Cherry Blossom from Yankee Candle is a truly enchanting fragrance which has top notes of cherry, middle notes of rose, cherry blossom and jasmine, and base notes of powdery musk and sandalwood. I love this scent as it fills the whole room with a fragrance that lasts for hours. I don’t think you’ll find another candle that smells as summery as this one. It really does make the perfect final addition when you’re sprucing up a bedroom for the warmer months.

Slowcoach Armchair

It’s no secret that I like to curl up with a good book in an evening. But at the moment I can only read downstairs or in bed as I don’t have anywhere to sit in my bedroom when I’m looking at my books. I’ve had my eye on the Slowcoach Armchair from Loaf for a while now as it looks like it’s a lot bigger than most armchairs, and the fact it has a super-deep comfy seat really appeals to me.

The Slowcoach Armchair comes in lots of different colours and fabrics. And I think I’d pick it up in a nice grey velvet and add some nice cushions to it to make it look even cosier! I could see myself spending a lot of time sitting in a chair like this, taking it easy in my very own laid-back way. I just love it. What do you guys think?

Sequin Reveal Flamingo Cushion

And last, but not least, I’ve picked out a gorgeous sequin reveal cushion to sit on my nice new chair! The cushion is one of those fun ones that lets you brush the sequins down one way for a flamingo to appear, or brush the other way to make it vanish completely. These sorts of cushions are the ‘in-thing’ right now, and although I swore I’d never buy anything like this a few months ago, I’ve succumbed to its prettiness. I’m such a sucker for beautiful things!

This fun and innovative design allows you to draw pictures and patterns on the surface, changing the look of the cushion completely. The reverse of the cushion is made from a soft cream cotton, and drawing pictures in the sequins is weirdly satisfying. Who knew I needed something like this in my life?!

And there you have it – my summer bedroom wishlist. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. And if you’re thinking of doing up your own bedroom soon, I hope I’ve given you some inspiration for new places to shop as well.

Before I end this post, I thought I’d just quickly mention my bed, as lots of you have been asking me where I got it from. It’s one of the TV Beds I found at tvbed.co.uk, and it’s called the Liberty Wilson Grey Fabric Bed. I’ve been really impressed with it since picking it up last year, and I’ve found that the frame is super sturdy. This is great as it means I no longer have to worry that Oscar is going to have an accident when he insists on jumping up and down on it! It also has loads of space under the mattress for me to keep my bedding, and it looks great too. It’s most definitely the most stylish bed I’ve ever slept in, and I highly recommend it.

Would you like to have any of these summery items in your bedroom at home?
Don’t forget to let me know in the comments below.
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Bedroom Décor Your Kids Will Actually Appreciate

08/05/2018 by Louise 29 Comments

Your kids aren’t going to have an opinion one way or the other about décor changes you make in the home. The one area that’s not true is when it comes to their room. Get it wrong and fail to see what works from their perspective and you can risk a tantrum. Get it right with some of the tips below, however, and you can create a space they will fall in love with.

Find a theme

We have décor styles and colour schemes to work from as adults. For kids, the best way to create a visual style that resonates with them is to choose a theme. Whether it’s pirates, fairies, fantasy kingdoms, or something entirely different, choose one that matches their interests. Fortunately, the internet makes finding bedroom decor far easier than ever before, as you have a much greater degree of options and flexibility compared to a physical store. By shopping online you can easily find beds, bed sheets, Kids wall art, curtains, and much more to help establish that theme and help them really fall in love with their room.

Have fun with lighting

Lighting can add a lot of personality to a room and the same goes for in your kid’s room. Check out glow.co.uk for inspiration on how novelty light fixtures can add a ton of personality. They are much more likely to get a positive reception than simple, generic lamps. There are lights that can fit the theme you’re trying to create or lights that have their own unique appeal whether they replicate your child’s interests, emojis, or something entirely different like funky neon lights. Like that idea? Buy Neon Lights UK here.

Give them their own landscape

Kids are imaginative. They like to be transported to new worlds, which is why themes can work so well. But wall murals and landscapes can be just as transformative and invigorating. Take a look at wallpaperInk.co.uk for more information on the different kinds of scenes you can help create in your child’s room. That feeling of stepping into a whole new world is really going to add some emotional appeal to the space. They offer an ingenious space-saving solution, allowing you to create multifunctional areas in your room. For instance, you can transform the lower bunk into a stylish and comfy reading nook adorned with lush green plants and boho decor, showcasing the versatility of bunk bed designs of girl’s beds.

Create their own zones

Emotional appeal isn’t the only thing that matters. A little practicality makes a big difference, even to your kid. For instance, most kids have homework to deal with and by creating a mini-office with a desk, you can help create a space that allows them to work productively and without distraction. On the other end of the room, you can establish a playing corner where their toy chest and drawers store everything they need when they want to have some fun instead.

A place to relax

Let’s not forget the rejuvenating effect that being able to relax in the bedroom can have. A space where your kid can hang out, read, or just spend time alone can be hugely important to them. Look at projectnursery.com for ideas on how to create bean bag chairs, or add a hanging chair from the ceiling to give them a place to sit and be cosy that still looks cool as far as they’re concerned.

Kids have a sense of place and belonging tied to décor just as we adults do. Think about their room from their perspective and you can help create a place that’s fulfilling to them both practically and emotionally.

For more home inspiration, be sure to check out Helen Coulston on YouTube. She posts some awesome stuff!

How would your kids like to have their rooms decorated?
Why not let me know in the comments below!
With love from Lou Signature Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram | Pinterest

Transforming Kid’s Rooms with Wallsauce Mural Wallpaper

21/12/2017 by Louise 57 Comments

I don’t know about you guys, but I always find decorating my kid’s rooms a bit of a chore. Yes, they usually look good when they’re done, but they can also take a long time to do, cost an absolute fortune, and create more of a mess than I really want to be dealing with. Then, of course, if I decorate it in a certain theme (think Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol), you can guarantee they’ll have moved on to being a fan of something else the next week.

At the same time, though, I like my kids to have rooms that they are proud of. Rooms that really show their personalities. So decorating is a must. And my favourite way of doing up the kid’s rooms without it becoming a big job is to use awesome mural wallpapers. They’re so easy to apply – you just stick them on to the wall as you would do room stickers – and they stay put until you want to take them back off again!

I recently came across a website called Wallsauce, who sell a wide range of kids mural wallpaper. Whether your little ones dream of taking a spaceship to the moon, living in a fairytale kingdom, or having a bedroom in the jungle, Wallsauce can make their dreams come true!

From animals and scenery to education and the solar system, you’ll be sure to find the perfect children’s wallpaper mural for the little one in your life. All children’s wallpaper murals are made-to-measure to fit your wall and are available in a range of materials to suit your needs.

Today I thought I’d share my favourite ones with you guys here on my blog, just in case you’re wanting to do up your own little one’s rooms in the near future. So, without further ado, let’s get started …

Sunken Pirate Ship

First up, I’ve picked out this sunken pirate ship wallpaper, as my youngest, Oscar, loves everything and everything to do with pirates! I love how the sea creatures are using the ship as a play-thing. It would be sure to make the perfect focal point for a pirate-themed bedroom. Aargh, yes it would!

Map of the World with Animals

I have to say, I absolutely love this bright and colourful map of the world wallpaper with super cute animals scattered all over it. It’s so educational! It even has the names of each country and sea written on it in a bold font. I reckon it would make the perfect feature wall in any nursery or toddlers room. It’s just great.

Fun Dinosaurs

Little dinosaur fans will love this super cute mural wallpaper with a pre-historic print! Featuring a range of cute, illustrated dinosaurs, this playful and harmless dinosaur wallpaper will add colour and character to their room. I’m sure you guys will agree that it’s absolutely roar-some!

Flamingos

Flamingos are big news right now, and I think this gorgeous mural wallpaper depicting them in lots of different poses would be perfect for a teenage girls room. I know my 14-year-old daughter, Stacey, would absolutely love it! I think it would well in other rooms in the house as well. I could definitely see me using this particular print in my kitchen or bathroom.

Winter Wonderland

For a truly magical bedroom transformation, how about turning it into a beautiful winter wonderland? Showcasing cute polar bears in a mystical setting, this mural wallpaper is ideal for children of all ages. If I was decorating Stacey’s room with this, I’d most likely team it with pink and purple accessories to give the room a real ‘ice queen sleeps here’ kind of feel.

Union Jack Montage

And last, but certainly not least, I’ve picked out this super cool Union Jack Montage mural wallpaper. I think this would look amazing on the wall of a teenager. It has loads of images that you’d associate with the London, such as Big Ben, the Queen, London Buses and the iconic red telephone box, and they all sit side-by-side in red, white and blue to make up the Union Jack. It’s just fabulous!

And there you have it, my favourite children’s mural wallpapers from Wallsauce. There are loads of other designs to choose from too, so you’re bound to find something for the whole family. Wallsauce also has a December sale on at the moment, where you can get 10% off all murals. How cool is that?! You just need to enter the code ‘DEC17’ when you check out.

What do you think of decorating children’s rooms with mural wallpaper?
Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading guys.
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My Bedroom Wishlist

29/08/2017 by Louise 33 Comments

I’ve recently noticed that my bedroom is beginning to look a little old and worn, so I’ve been thinking about updating it with some nice new items. As always, I’ve spent hours and hours searching online and putting together a wishlist of items I’d really like in my two favourite colours – grey and white. And today, I thought I’d share it with you guys. I hope you like the things I’ve picked out.

Chelmsford Fabric Double Bed

First of all, I’d love to buy a new bed. And this grey Chelmsford Fabric Double Bed from Very is right up my street! It has a beautifully curved footboard, and a headboard with deep button detailing. The bed also has solid oak legs that give it a beautiful, traditional feel.

I think this particular bed screams absolute luxury, but it’s actually really affordable at just £489. I can most definitely see myself settling down in it with a good book before bed. It would be pure bliss!

Wizard Cats Duvet Cover Set

Next up, I have my beady little eye on this stunning Wizard Cats Duvet Cover Set from George at ASDA. Just how cute is it?! The duvet is plain white and has little cats dressed as wizards, moons, and stars printed all over it in shades of black and grey. I think it’s quite Harry Potter-esque, and there’s something truly magical about it. I’d love to snuggle down in it for bed each night.

The set comes in 3 different sizes, and the double set that I’d want is only £12. Twelve. Pounds! I’m sure you’ll agree that that’s an absolute bargain. I love it and might actually head on over to the ASDA website and order myself a set in a sec as I can see this selling out super fast.

Chunky Knit Throw in Charcoal

As we’re heading into the cooler, Autumn months now, I’m looking at treating myself to a nice new throw to pull over me when I’m feeling chilly at night. I absolutely love this chunky knitted one I came across on the Very website. It’s in a lovely charcoal shade of grey and looks like it would be sure to keep me nice and toasty warm as the nights start to draw in.

Sumptuous Sheepskin Double Rug in Grey

If there’s one thing I’ve been wanting in my bedroom for a long time now, it has to be a lovely, super soft rug, as I hate it when I get out of bed first thing in a morning and find myself stepping onto a cold, hard floor. Brr! The first place I looked for a rug was one of my all-time favourite homeware sites – Cox & Cox, as I knew they would be sure to have something I liked in stock.

And I wasn’t wrong! Cox & Cox actually have loads of gorgeous rugs, so it was ridiculously difficult to make a decision on which one I liked best. But I eventually settled on this stunning sumptuous sheepskin double rug in an exquisite smokey grey colour to compliment the bed I talked about earlier. Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s made of 100% natural long-haired sheepskin and makes the perfect decorative item for the bedroom. I just love it!

Lily Manor Lemaire Wardrobe

Recently, I’ve been updating my Autumn wardrobe, and I’d really love somewhere nice and new to keep all of the lovely new bits and pieces I’ve picked up. And I think this Lily Manor Lemaire Wardrobe from Wayfair fits the bill perfectly. It comes in a beautiful antique white shade, has two doors and stands on four legs.

Unlike a lot of my friends, I don’t have tons of clothes, so I think this wardrobe would be the perfect size for me. And I like that it has a shelf at the top where I could keep my shoes or bedding. I think it would make a really pretty addition to my updated bedroom.

Inga Full-Length Mirror

Of course, if I’m wanting to show off my nice new Autumn wardrobe, then I’m going to need to make sure I’m nicely put together each morning. And what better way to ensure this than by getting dressed in front of a beautiful full-length mirror like this one from Cox & Cox?

Carved from paulownia wood with a rustic hand painted finish, this large grey full-length mirror has hooks on the reverse side so it can be hung up on the wall. Alternatively, it can be propped up as shown in the photograph. I think the mirror is absolutely stunning, and although it’s quite pricey at £225, I can see it being worth every single penny as it would go nicely with all the other items I’ve added to my bedroom wishlist.

Florence Chandelier in Antique Grey

At the moment I have a nasty, cheap-looking light shade in my bedroom, and I really want to replace it with something more sophisticated like this Florence Chandelier in Antique Grey from Cox & Cox. The chandelier is made from a lightweight metal with a distressed painted finish, clear bead droplet detailing, and 5 stems for candle bulbs. It would be sure to add a touch of elegance to my bedroom, and I think it would look absolutely stunning with the bed I spoke about earlier.

Wooden Venetian Blinds in White

And last but not least, I think it’s about time I changed the blinds in my bedroom too, as Oscar has messed about with the ones I have hung in there and, quite frankly, they look terrible! I’d really like to replace the ones I have with some white wooden Venetian ones, as I think they’d look fab with the other bits and pieces I’ve talked about today. And I love Venetian Blinds as they’re super easy to clean compared to some of the other blinds on the market.

And there you have it – my current bedroom wishlist. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. And if you’re thinking of doing up your own bedroom soon, I hope I’ve given you some inspiration for new places to shop as well.

Would you like to have any of these items in your bedroom?
Or do you have some other recommendations for me that you think I might like?
Don’t forget to let me know in the comments below.
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6 Quick & Easy Ways to Spruce Up Your Bedroom this Spring

11/04/2017 by Louise 80 Comments

Spring has officially sprung, and if the weather has been as nice in your part of the country as it has been in mine, you might have even started doing a little bit of Spring cleaning!

Every year, when the daffodils start to bloom, I find myself wanting to give my bedroom a little makeover to compliment the new season. But, more often than not, money tends to be quite tight around this time of year, and I find myself having to make it over on a budget.

For today’s blog post I thought I’d share 6 quick and easy ways to spruce up your own bedroom for Spring in case you’re in a similar situation to me. And none of them will cost you a fortune either! I hope you enjoy it …

01. Add a feature wall

I’ve always been a fan of feature walls, but have never bothered having one in my bedroom until recently because of how much of a faff painting and wallpapering can be. However, last year I came across a website called PIXERS, who design and make a massive range of awesome mural wallpapers that are self adhesive, easy to apply, and can be moved or re-positioned whenever they need to be. These wallpapers look just as good as the real thing, yet take just a fraction of the time that traditional wallpapering takes. How fab is that?

For Spring, I absolutely love this watercolor leaves mural wallpaper that fits in perfectly with the Pantone colour of the year: Greenery. Greenery is a refreshing and revitalising shade, which is symbolic of new beginnings. And what is a makeover if not a new beginning?! I can’t imagine any other wallpaper being as perfect as this for Spring, and have I mentioned how much I love it already? Ah yes, I believe I did!

02. Throw on some fresh new bedding (cotton or flannelette)

I don’t know about you guys but I don’t think there’s anything nicer than jumping into bed than when the bedding has been freshly washed and ironed! It doesn’t matter whether it’s bedding you’ve had for ages or something new like this grey flannelette duvet cover set from The Yorkshire Linen Company that recently caught my eye. As long as it’s freshly laundered I promise you’ll feel like you’re in a whole new world once you snuggle down for the night. Yorkshire Linen also has cotton duvet covers available if you find those more comfortable.

I always choose flannelette duvet covers and sheets over regular cotton ones at this time of year as the nights tend to be quite cool here in the UK, and I want something that’s going to keep me nice and warm. Are you guys the same?

03. Add a splash of colour with some artificial flowers

It’s no secret that I love having flowers and plants in my house. However, it makes me sad when they start to die. So I recently started filling my home with artificial flowers. And, unbelievably, I love them even more than the real thing!

Silk By Design are one of my favourite places to buy artificial greenery, and if I had to recommend just one to you guys today it would have to be their faux white orchids. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and prices, and they look and feel just like the real thing! I have a faux white orchid at the side of my bed and it’s beautiful. It’s pretty much always the first thing I see when I wake up every morning and seeing it is guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

04. Bring in things from other rooms

Sprucing up a bedroom for Spring doesn’t have to cost a penny if you don’t want it to. One of my favourite ways to give a room a new lease of life is to bring in bits of furniture and bits and bobs from other rooms. For example, you might have a rocking chair in the kid’s room that would look great in the corner with a fluffy cushion sitting on it. A rug in the living room that would look great on the floor at the side of the bed, or a lamp collecting dust in the conservatory that would be perfect for popping on your bedside table.

05. Hang some art on the walls

Another super quick and easy way to update a bedroom is to hang a nice piece of art, some prints, or photographs on the wall. I’m a big fan of prints that have words or inspirational quotes on them, and I buy the majority of mine from a website called ‘Prints with Feelings’, who have a wide range of fantastic products for sale.

I currently have my eye on this print with the words ‘We’ll always have Paris’ on, and think it will look fantastic hung on my bedroom wall this Spring. What do you guys think?

06. Light a floral scented candle

Every year when Spring comes around I find myself reaching for the candles in my collection that have a pretty floral scent to them. And one of my favourite Spring candles is ‘Cherry Blossom’ from Yankee Candle. The wax on this particular candle is the most beautiful pale pink colour, and it smells divine.

Cherry Blossom is a truly enchanting fragrance which has top notes of cherry, middle notes of rose, cherry blossom and jasmine, and base notes of powdery musk and sandalwood. I love this scent as it fills the whole room with a fragrance that lasts for hours. I don’t think you’ll find another candle that smells as Spring-like as this one. It really does make the perfect final addition when you’re sprucing up a bedroom for Spring.

And there you have it, 6 quick and easy ways to give your bedroom a little makeover this season. I hope you found some of my ideas helpful, and I’d love to see some pictures of your finished room if you use any of them. I’ll be updating my bedroom for the Spring very soon, and I’ll try to remember to share some pictures with you guys too.

Do you have any other tips for sprucing up your bedroom this Spring?
If so, let me know in the comments below.

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