For many parents, children’s spaces are scattered with toys, styled with tacky over-the-top decor and filled with overwhelming storage cupboards and boxes.
But this doesn’t have to be the case.
In fact, it’s the opposite for Melbourne mother Lisa, 33, who transforms children’s spaces into stunning, on-trend environments that serve as both an extension of the household and a stimulating learning area.
And she helps parents do so without breaking the bank.
Australian mother Lisa, 33, who transforms children’s spaces into stunning, on-trend environments that serve as both an extension of the household and a learning area
The set up of this room cost Lisa $400. She said: ‘Because I work from home a lot, I didn’t want my daughter to just be stuck in front of the TV or become bored so by creating a ‘work space’ for her as well, allows me to get much more done and Georgia gets to play alongside me’
Lisa, the founder of Ziink Interiors , worked in childhood settings for more than 12 years – six as a Montessori teacher – and decided to study interior design while pregnant
Lisa, the founder of Ziink Interiors, worked in childhood settings for more than 12 years – six as a Montessori teacher – and decided to study interior design while pregnant.
‘As a Montessori teacher it really made me realise a child’s environment is crucial to their development and the way they work, play and grow as a person,’ Lisa told FEMAIL.
‘Now that my own daughter is at childcare, choosing a centre with the exact elements I was looking for was such an easy decision based on the type of learning space I wanted for her.
‘Getting your kids out of the house everyday for entertainment isn’t easy. I feel if you have engaging and inviting spaces for them, they are happy to be at home, more than if these spaces were not set up.’
This room cost $1,500: Lisa said: ‘Georgia’s big girl room is not over stimulating and only has quiet activities. For this room I spent more than some of the other rooms in the house’ (wallpaper cost $400, bed cost $400, decor cost $200, flowers cost $100 and storage cost $100)
Georgia also has a beautiful closet area with labelled storage and simple decor
Minus the cot, this room was brought to life for $200. Lisa said: ‘This little nursery I completed recently is for a family who have just moved from overseas. They wanted their son to have a fun and colourful room without putting holes in the wall or covering it in wallpaper’
Lisa said that when she and her husband were renovating their home, their daughter Georgia was bored with the same old activities so she decided to put together all kinds of exciting spaces for her.
‘Creating play nooks such as a reading corner, a kitchen set up, an arts and craft section plus many more, allows my daughter to have the freedom and choice without getting bored and asking me what to do next,’ she said.
‘I’ve worked with children aged two to 12 and it’s amazing how important design is for little ones. Colours, tones, textures, light and use of space is just so important for developing minds.
Lisa said she often moves artwork to a different room once she wants to change a space and she also bought a large canvas and painted it with her daughter (pictured)
I’m not a big fan of the large toy box where everything comes out at once,’ Lisa said
‘Even if you have a small home, you can still create many nooks and play areas. Using cabinets and shelves can really define a space. The use of rugs really helps too for each play or learning space.’
When it comes to styling a children’s space Lisa always keeps bedrooms simple and neutral with similar colour schemes and art and play rooms bright, stimulating and full of different learning opportunities.
And the most important part? Storage units.
‘Storage units are always top of the list in play rooms for me and filling toys, puzzles books and crafts in baskets,’ she said.
‘I am not a big fan of the large toy box where everything comes out at once. Not only is this super messy but it becomes overwhelming when the child has all these toys at once.
‘Here’s a play space I created in a part of the garage we weren’t using it. It cost me nothing! The cityscape wall decal was just made using white tape and the other items were things my daughter already owns,’ Lisa said
‘Outdoor spaces are just as important as indoor spaces. When a child has play areas defined for them it allows them to further explore their creativity and use their imaginations,’ she said
For those on a budget, Lisa recommends spending more money on the big items like beds, cots and storage units and budgeting on the decor
‘By separating them, it allows the child to focus on the one activity at a time and keeps them entertained for longer periods of time too.’
For those on a budget, Lisa recommends spending more money on the big items like beds, cots and storage units and budgeting on the decor.
‘Yes you can buy a super expensive labelled cushion or a super cheap one which in most cases serves the same purpose. Will the super cheap one last as long? Maybe yes, maybe not, but when it’s had it’s time you know you’ve only spent a few dollars anyway,’ Lisa said.
Lisa said she often moves artwork to a different room once she wants to change a space and she also bought a large canvas and painted it with her daughter
‘Having to replace a bed is not something you want to do
‘Things like throws and art work can range from super cheap to super expensive. If you want to budget, do so on these things and it’s always fun to replace art anyway once you’re looking for a change.’
Lisa said she often moves artwork to a different room once she wants to change a space and she also bought a large canvas and painted it with her daughter.
Pictured is Georgia’s previous room which had products from Adairs, Zanui, Wise Little Kings, The Incy Store and Bonnemere Australia
‘I am also a big fan of supporting small online business I find through Instagram,’ she said
‘It was the exact colours I wanted for the house, much cheaper than buying an artwork that large and most importantly, a personal touch in our home,’ she said.
‘I am also a big fan of supporting small online business I find through Instagram.
‘Not only has a lot time and effort gone into these special decor products, but you can’t find these items in large stores (especially the personalised name items).’
Lisa advises parents to utilise eBay, dollar stores and DIY to create their dream space and insists the same result can be done on any budget.
‘Once you have a budget in mind, focus on the main items of the room and spend most of your budget on that. Then decorate with the rest of the money you have,’ she said.
Lisa shares her beautiful spaces on her Instagram page and on her website.