We have been talking about new houses recently but moving to a new home isn't necessarily the most fun activity for many. There are several stages involved in the process and it is quite understandable why many would rather just skip to the final stage, which would be walking into a home that has already been set up. But unfortunately, we all have to do the job from start to finish. It can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling from the moment you install the last piece. For many mums, decorating their new home is an ongoing process, but it is advised that you get most of it done, if not all, as soon as you get all your stuff to the new house.

The part that many dread is the process of packing up stuff in the old house, arguing over what to take or leave behind, or sell. And then unpacking all that stuff and trying to fit them into the new space. For sellers, setting up the old house to look presentable and attractive to potential buyers can be challenging. It takes a lot of work, but it is worth it in the end.

Decorating the new home in itself is a task that can both be fun and stressful, especially for mums, but it all boils down to how you approach the task ahead and how much information you have. There are so many factors to consider from colours to furniture and fittings. Mums resort to “home designer mode” to think of creative ways to decorate their daughters room. 

You might need to think like a designer in order to decorate like one. You need to find a balance between what the house needs and what you want. Here are the top 3 expert tips that you might need to decorate your new home.

1. Take Proper Measurements

You need to apply some math when decorating your new home. Take Proper measurement of the new space, you take it to the next level by sketching on a notebook (to scale). This might seem a little too technical for some, but it does help give you an idea of how space you have to work with and dimensions of new furniture if you are shopping for new stuff.

2. Choosing The Right Colours

For most mums, decorating the new home starts from picking out colours. This can set the tone for everything else that will go into decorating the space. The colour of the walls will determine what kind of furniture will fit perfectly. When choosing colours, make sure that you also consider the natural lighting of the space. Your favourite colour may not be best for that room, so you need to have several options that you can try if one will not work.

3. Pick The Right Furniture

When it comes to furniture, maximizing space is very important. You need to take into account the amount of space you have the size of the furniture you are shopping. There are several options that you can find at furniture123.co.uk that will meet all your requirements.

Space management in your child’s room is important, you do not want the space to be cluttered with unnecessary things. Opting for cabin beds and mid sleeper can help you make the most of your child’s room. Furniture123.co.uk offers furniture that is designed with space management in mind. This is how we maximised the space in our youngest daughters room and it works really well. She sleeps up high and plays underneath. So contrary to what some people suggest ..... size isn't always everything! 

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We have been talking about moving house for as long as I can remember but our home is where our youngest daughter was born, we have amazing neighbours and above all it is safe. So what makes the perfect house?

The perfect house for you and your children isn’t something that functions like a dream and satisfies your every possible need. The perfect house is actually made up of common things but gives you comfort and joy no matter where you live or how big or small the house actually is. 

If you’re missing on a few things in your home that you wish you had, don’t worry -  only a very few houses are perfect. However, if you ever get the opportunity to buy a new home, or remodel an existing home, expert real estate businesses like Gloria Nilson & Co Real Estate have listed these 4 essential elements of a house that makes them perfect for living.

Single level living 

Single level homes have many advantages over double-story homes. To begin with, temperatures inside a single level house are very easy to regulate because you do not have to worry about two levels.

This actually saves you money when it comes to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning costs. Another great benefit of a single story home is that you do not have to worry about stairs, especially if you are living with senior citizens.

Southern Exposure

A house that has southern exposure has numerous benefits. Gloria Nilson open houses often recommend southern exposure homes because of their direct exposure to sunlight. Since sunlight is a mood-enhancer, it takes away the low-mood of winters.

A southern exposure home is also warmer in winters compared to other houses that face the north. In summers, you can keep pot plants near your windows where the sunlight hits to keep things cooler. 

Outdoor Space

Having children usually means that you need to have a house that has open spaces outside. With open space, you and your children can enjoy a good time playing various sports and other games in the summer. 

As a family, a spacious open space also allows you to have a family BBQ with friends. Plus many real estate agents swear that if you add a patio or deck to your home, the value of your house skyrockets because open spaces with these things are very much in demand, even in 2019.

So if you ever want to sell your house in the future, apparently you should try and find a house with open living spaces.

Dedicated Master Bedroom

You should ideally find a house that has a dedicated master bed, a room that is separate from your children’s room. This room should also be spacious so that you can have plenty of space available in the bedroom.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the perfect house is something that resonates with your personality. If you love blue kitchen walls, by all means, go for it. If you love modern interior features, try and find a house that has those. If you are able to find a home that truly expresses your character, that is what makes it the perfect house.

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It is no secret that I love my bed and my girls are very similiar but what time should a child go to bed? Parenting experts and grandmas might have differing opinions, but the best bedtime for a child is one that allows her to wake up on time feeling rested and happy. 

How Much Sleep do Children Need?

Children need more sleep the younger they are, with newborns sleeping on and off throughout the day and night. According to The Baby Sleep Book [Little, Brown & Co, 2005] by Dr. Sears, children need the different amounts of sleep at different ages. Dr. Sears recommends:

Age 0-3 months, 14-18 hours of sleep
Age 3-6 months, 14-16 hours
Age 6 months-2 years, 12-14 hours,
Age 2-5 years, 10-12 hours.

Of course, there is a wide natural variation between individual children, but these figures can act as a guideline along with an individual child’s behavior. If a child is hard to wake in the morning or has frequent tantrums at the end of the day these behaviors might be caused by lack of sleep.

What Time Should My Child Go to Bed?

From the amount of sleep an individual child needs based on her behavior and age, the most appropriate bedtime can be worked out next. If mornings involve waking up to an alarm clock and getting out of the house to get to school or daycare on time, then work out first how much time is needed for the morning routine to go smoothly. Then, count backwards the number of hours a child needs to be well rested to find out the best bedtime for that child.

Family Routines Can Affect Bedtimes

Bedtimes can be pushed earlier or later to suit family needs, although the more a parent relies on the child’s natural sleep cues the easier bedtime will be. If children are allowed to stay up late to play with mom or dad who works long hours and returns home late in the evening, they will need to sleep later in the morning to make up for the lost time. Likewise, if a child sleeps late in the morning he will tend to remain wakeful until later at night as well. The key to finding a bedtime that suits the entire family is searching for the balance where the child is well rested and also has time together with the family, whether that is early in the morning or in the evening.

Children need different amounts of sleep, but ensuring that a child has an age-appropriate bedtime will help her feel better during the day, pay more attention in school and avoid behavior problems related to sleep deprivation. Whether a family is early to bed or night owls, agreeing on an age-appropriate bedtime requires cooperation from the whole family.

As for parents, get as much sleep as you can! 

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It is no secret that I love fashion. Shopping makes me smile, especially if it is boots, shoes or sandals I am buying. So, I love it when the seasons change and it time to update my footwear collection.

My husband suggested that I should get my high heeled shoes reheeled but the other day I was browsing fashionworld.co.uk and came across some fantastic spring/summer footwear. I’ve not quite decided what I will be buying yet, but, thought I would share a few of my favourites. Plus, a few of the interesting footwear trends I discovered, including a few of the ones I won’t personally be following.

Sliders

First, I am going to start with the most comfortable looking styles, most of which are flat. Sliders certainly fall into that category. They are practical too. You can just as easily wear them with a skirt or dress as you can with jeans or shorts. The teens LOVE them too! The fact that they cover s significant percentage of your foot reduces the chances of blisters and ensures that they stay firmly in place. But, they are not a good option if you are planning to run around the park with your kids or grandchildren.

Retro trainers

For that a pair of trainers is a much better option. I can’t say I am a fan of this type of footwear. But, I know most people do like them, so thought I should include them in my list.

This year, 90s style Adidas, Nike, Puma and Fils trainers are all the rage. They will certainly be comfortable. If you want something that is more like a regular shoe take a look at the latest Converse range.

The flip-flop plus trend

For a holiday or short trips flip-flops are a great option. There is nothing wrong with buying a cheap pair. But, they do not last long. The soles tend to cave in pretty quickly, which means they end up in the bin and ultimately in landfill. If you like wearing them but want to break this negative cycle, I suggest you consider spending a little more and buying a pair that have been made to last. This year, a lot of designers have included leather versions in their collections. These have the potential to be worn for many years to come.

Mules

If you are looking for something a little more stylish, perhaps with a heel, you are bound to like the mules that are currently available. You can find everything from plain leather versions to delicate crocheted mules. These are available in white or a range of gentle pastels. These would be an especially good option for wearing to a spring wedding. Provided, that is, it is a warm enough day for you not to wear tights.

Floss sandals

You really cannot go wrong with a pair of strappy sandals. They look classy, keep your feet cool and can potentially be worn with anything.

This year, the straps are ultra-thin, which has led to them being called floss sandals. They are certainly worth considering. But, if you have delicate feet that blister and bleed easily you may be better off avoiding them. If you still want to wear them, I suggest you read this article which explains how to toughen up your feet a little.

More style-related articles

I trust that you have enjoyed this fashion-related article and found it useful. If you have, you will probably enjoy reading this one too.

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