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Your go-to destination for design inspiration and practical tips to transform your home. Discover the latest interior trends, style hacks, and budget-friendly ideas to create a space you'll love.
Creative Spaces for Kids
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world” - Albert Einstein Children adore playing and being creative. In fact, expressing themselves and learning and experimenting with new things is an important part of development. Creating a space in your home designated for creative pursuits is one of the best ways to encourage kids to explore their creativity. With a few key Mocka kids products, delving into the imagination has never been simpler (no matter the size of the space!). Check them out below. Kids Easel The Mocka Kids Easel is a must-have item to add to a creativity nook for kids. Double-sided with a blackboard and whiteboard, this easel allows children to play and experiment with chalk and markers. Get creative yourself with a pair of clips and fasten a sheet of painting paper over the front. Whether dabbling in some finger-painting or with a brush (or lets face it - a little bit of both!), your child is guaranteed to flex those creative muscles, all while having a blast. Activity Table This versatile arts and crafts table is perfectly suited for all manner of creative pursuits. Store colouring books, pencils, pens and other supplies in spacious drawer set on castor wheels. The side pocket compartments are also handy nooks for quick access to paints and brushes and keep works in progress under the lift-out lid. The Activity Table not only allows kids to get creative but also helps keep everything orderly at the same time. Place anywhere in the home for an instant creative area. Kids Tree Hangers Our Kids Tree Hangers not only make adorable décor in a room, but they are also ideal for storing dress ups suitable for imaginative play and games. The many different branches are the perfect place to hang jewellery, bags, tutu's, costumes, headbands and other dress up paraphernalia all ready for any kiddie Broadway. The branches are at just the right height for little ones and encourages them to clean up after themselves. So all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the show. Bravo!
Containing the Child Clutter
As most parents know, children make a lot of mess - especially during their play. Sure, playtime is meant to echo the ideas of young, wild and free, but at the end of the day, a tidy, sorted house is a relaxed house. Mocka have a range of storage options that you and your children can use to contain the clutter Hang it up Use a Kids Tree Hanger for hanging and sorting clothes - whether it's dress ups or school uniforms. The Kids Tree Hanger is the perfect height for littlies to help with hanging items at the end of the day. For a wall mounted hanger, the Mocka Hang It All - Coloured adds a splash of colour to any room. Throw it in a box An absolute must-have in any child-friendly house is the Mocka Toy Box. With soft close hinges to avoid jammed fingers, children can throw their toys out of sight and simply shut the lid. Too easy! Sort and tidy Teach your child the art of sorting toys and putting things away neatly, with a Mocka Storage Unit - available in a range of sizes. These units can be used as multi-sectioned book cases, or add some fabric boxes to sort similar toys together. There's a home in every cube, for every toy.
A Guide to Mocka's Highchairs
Next to the cot, the highchair is one of those fun items you get to buy when preparing for the arrival of your new baby. Watching their faces (and funny expressions!) as they try new foods for the first time is always special. However, when you start looking for your new highchair, you often find there are so many out there, it is hard to know which is the best highchair for you. To keep the fun going, we present a quick guide to our Mocka highchairs to make your decision that little bit easier. Tray vs. Trayless There is often a lot of confusion as to whether someone should go with a trayless highchair or a highchair with a tray. It often comes down to personal preference and what function you want the highchair to take. Our Original Highchair has a feeding tray and is exceptionally good as a first chair as your child grows. Use from newborn onwards, the tray provides a handy platform to hold food and feed your baby - especially as they explore food not only by taste but by touch, which can be messy business! The tray allows you to contain most of the mess on one surface that can then be easily wiped over. Our Soho Highchair does not have a feeding tray and is designed to be used up against a dining table. This is a fantastic chair for when little ones begin feeding themselves and is a great way to let them join in with the family at meal times - which really helps to develop social skills. Style Seeing as parents and babies will spend day in day out with a highchair, we not only want the Highchair to be super safe and practical, we also want it look super stylish as well. Both the Soho and Original Highchairs are made from solid beech wood frame with a birch and poplar seat and footboard (and tray in the case of the Original Highchair). This gives the Highchair the look and feel of a normal dining room chair and won't look as out of place as a bulky, metal and plastic chair might when placed near the dining table or kitchen bench. The Soho is also available in Natural, White, Black and the new White and Natural combo - great for matching your highchair to your current dining room décor. Sustainability Wooden highchairs are generally considered a more sustainable resource than plastic - they also use fewer chemicals. Our wooden highchairs are constructed from sustainable beech-wood that has been PEFC certified. So you can trust we're supporting global efforts to safeguard the world's forests - perfect for the eco-conscious consumer. Clean Friendly Our highchairs are super easy to clean. A quick wipe over with a damp cloth and you are all set to go. The sealed wood makes it clean and hygienic and there is no need to remove parts to get into crevices. The set of highchair cushions that come inclusive with the highchairs can also be hand-washed for continued use. Adjustable Our Highchairs will suit from first solids through to first days at school and beyond, which makes them a great long-term investment. The seat and footboards are fully adjustable with multiple heights allowing you to lower and lengthen when needed as your child grows. The tray and toddler bar can also be removed when these are no longer required. As an added bonus all of our highchairs also come with a safety harness to secure around the shoulders and waist and a safety strap to fit between their legs. These are adjustable as your child grows and learns to sit supported by themselves. All of this means our highchairs do a lot of growing - safely and comfortably - right alongside your child.
Designing Tips for Kids Bedrooms
Your child is finally ready to graduate from their nursery to a big kid's bedroom but you find yourself stuck. You're unsure how best to design a bedroom that reflects their personality while remaining functional not just now, but into the future as well. And we haven't even started talking about the budget yet. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Decorating a child's bedroom is often a difficult task for many parents, no matter how easy it seems at first. However, when you know where to start and the best things to consider, a child's bedroom is so much fun to design. Kids bedrooms serve multiple purposes - playroom, study and sanctuary. However, the most important role is as a place for your child to lay in comfort and safety at the end of the day. Below you'll find tips and tricks to help you save money, space and time, while designing a bedroom that your child will love and one that will serve them into the future. Rethink the intense theme So your child is mad about Paw Patrolâ„¢ and wants nothing more than Chase himself plastered on the walls? Or perhaps the obsession is with a certain colour or animal or movie franchise (we're looking at you, Disney)? The thing is, kids interests change frequently. Just because your child says they want a certain theme in their room today, doesn't mean they'll want it in two years' time. Theme, if taken to the max, can pigeon hole your design choices and drain your bank account as your child outgrows that theme and wants a change. Instead, opt for a subtle, neutral theme that will create a foundation - one more adaptable to the ebbs and flows of your child's interests. This foundation can then be added to and subtracted from to reflect your child's personality. The best way to do this, is via accessories and accents. Which brings us to our next tip... Add personality and interests using accessories Accessories are the best way to incorporate personality and whimsy into a kid's bedroom. And they have the benefit of being generally inexpensive and more adaptable then your big-ticket items like wall colours and furniture. Bring your child's current interest into the room via bedspreads, sheets and cushions. Artworks, buntings and wall decals are also a great way to instil personality into a room but give you the flexibility to remove later if they no longer work. Use them to accent colour choices which can be mirrored in bed linen and soft furnishings, helping to unify and harmonise the space. And what would a kid's room be without toys! But don't just store all of them away in toy boxes and baskets. Choose a few choice toys and use them to decorate the room as well. They are great for both play and décor and will add loads of whimsy and personality into your child's bedroom, allowing them to feel right at home. Invest in lasting furniture As mentioned above, big ticket, fundamental pieces like kids beds, bedside tables and dressers aren't items you want to keep replacing every other year. When designing a kid's bedroom, it's easy to get taken in by whimsical kids' items. However, their cute-factor greatly exceeds their longevity or practicality, and once your child ages, you'll once again find yourself reaching into your wallet for something less juvenile and more practical. So, save yourself the time and money. When buying these items for your kid's bedroom, ensure they will last into the future - even to adolescence. This means opting for classic styles with loads of versatile storage that you could see in your home for years to come. For example, instead of buying a child-sized dresser, choose one they will grow into. Units with more modern colour palettes like white or woods more easily adapt to any style changes that happen within the room and will also suit your child at any age, giving them staying power. Save space with multi-purpose furniture Space is often a big issue in kids' bedrooms. Even if you do have it, it's a great idea to think about and plan how to best utilise the space. One of the best ways to ensure you get the most out of a room is choosing furniture with is able to provide more than one purpose. This could simply mean choosing a desk with inbuilt storage and shelving or a bed with under bed storage. This way you have a space for your child to do their homework or sleep, but they also provide you extra storage to display books or tuck away the never-ending supply of toys. Speaking of kids' beds, a bunk bed is always fashionable and are a major space-saver in any bedroom. Allowing you to use the same space twice, a bunk bed is perfect for siblings sharing a room or to prepare for the inevitable sleepovers and visitors in the future. Not to mention, nothing says a kid's bedroom quite like a bunk bed! With multi-purpose storage and furniture, you'll save space for more important things - like expansive playing area, and every kid needs that. Summary Designing a kid's bedroom can be daunting with so many aspects to consider. Your child's bedroom is their refuge - a place to play, learn and sleep. So we understand it's important to get it right. It's a delicate balance between representing their personality now, with the inevitable changes to their interests as they grow into the future. When it comes to themes, it's always best to go for neutral so you can adapt and change to suit your child at any age. Use accessories and accents to instil whimsy into the room and highlight your child's interests - while giving yourself the freedom to change without a huge financial investment. For big ticket items like beds and dressers, forget the cutesy kids' furniture. Save yourself the time and money and buy an item they'll grow into - both in style and storage. And to get the most out of your space, multi-purpose storage and furniture (like bunk beds) give you more versatility, and more room for your child to play. Following our top tips for designing a kid's bedroom will save you money, space and time, while gifting your child a bedroom they'll not only love but thrive in and one that will serve them into the future. Do you have any tips for designing a kid's bedrooms? We always love to hear from you, so be sure to let us know over on our Facebook page or Instagram account.
8 Beautiful Entertainment Units under $270
An entertainment unit is the centrepiece of any living space and in our modern lives, a definite must-have. Your TV unit will not only set the tone and style of a space but will also add valuable storage that can be put to good use. In order to have a beautiful entertainment unit we often assume it's going to cost us. However, it is possible to find a good quality, stylish unit at an affordable price. In fact, if the headline didn't give it away already, we are here to show you 8 beautiful entertainment units all under the bargain price of $260.00. In this list there is guaranteed to be a unit and price to suit anyone's style and budget. 1. Mocka Essentials Entertainment Unit - $119.95 Perfect for anyone who loves simple, contemporary style to match a variety of homes or interior décor. All about straight lines and clean style, this TV unit is blessed with plenty of storage space for DVDs and electronics. A modern piece of furniture at the very affordable price of only $119.95. 2. Kirra Entertainment Unit. -$149.95 The brand newbie to be added to our extensive range of entertainment units, the Kirra Entertainment Unit is all about good looks and modern, natural style. Shelves and cupboard space, raw tones and industrial notes - there is so much to love about this edgy piece of living furniture. 3. Chelsea Entertainment Unit - $149.95 The Chelsea Entertainment Unit will easily set the style of any living room. Whether your need space for a television or your favourite décor items, this unit has you covered. The clean lines and simple style evoke classic, modern tones to brighten and revitalise any space....and can you believe it is under $150? 4. Jesse Entertainment Unit - $179.95 Definitely one of our most popular styles, the Jesse Entertainment allows anyone to get the most out of their living spaces. This gorgeously on-trend, two-toned design is exceptional style made affordable. 5. Kennedy Entertainment Unit - $199.95 It is not often you'll find an entertainment unit under $200 with as much practical storage or designer look as the Kennedy Entertainment Unit. Boasting plenty of space for a television, all your favourite décor and any unsightly cords, this unit immediately instils tranquil style to any lounge room. 6. Nava Entertainment Unit - $259.95 The Nava Entertainment Unit's striking interplay of grained wood and faux concrete-look top creates a unit with something out of the ordinary and instantly adds warm, trendy style to any space. Coming in just under $260, this affordable unit is standout style for an amazing price. 7. Marlow Entertainment Unit - $259.95 Functionality and practicality are the key concepts of the Marlow Entertainment Unit. Featuring three open compartments with holes in the back panels for cords and three sliding drawers, this affordable unit has all your bases covered. For the amount of storage options and capabilities, you'll be amazed at the price point. 8. Sadie Entertainment Unit - $269.95 By far our most popular TV unit, the Sadie Entertainment Unit ticks all the boxes. Understated style, modern design and spacious storage are just a few of the things to love. What is even better is the affordable price tag, proving quality, stylish living furniture doesn't always have to come at an extraordinary cost. So, there you have it, 8 beautiful entertainment units all under the bargain price of $260. We'd love to hear which is your favourite entertainment unit? Is there a style you'd love to see from us? Be sure to let us know over on our Facebook page or Instagram account.
How to Set Up Your Home Office for Under $500
When it comes to home offices, often the big bucks are spent on the electronics - like the new laptop or desktop computer and the 3 in 1 printer, scanner and copier. While those crystal-clear graphics are a dream and the print finish is gallery quality, you aren't going to be as productive (or as comfortable) in an unfurnished home office. Happily, we love a stellar office space and make it our mission to provide the most affordable and stylish office furniture around. We thought we'd show how you can set up your home office so it is comfortable, practical and stylish....and all for under $500! Starting Budget - $500 What makes a space an office? A desk, of course. We just love our Urban Desk for its simple, modern style and at just $99.95, this beauty is a bargain. Its wood-look finish is paired with a powder-coated steel frame in either black or white for a sophisticated look. Sitting down at this desk will give you all the feels for a productive work or study session. Budget Remaining - $400.05 Now that the desk is sorted, we need a comfortable chair to sit in. Our Harper Chair is the perfect height to fit our Urban Desk and has an ergonomic design to help keep your posture. This chair also comes in either black or white so can be matched to suit your choice in Urban Desk. For a cool $99.95, you'll be sure to have the best seat in the office. Budget Remaining - $300.10 Every home office needs good shelving and storage. Luckily, our Urban range has the Urban Ladder Shelf ($89.95ea) which is made to work in unison with the Urban Desk. Let's add one on either side of the desk to create the ultimate workstation. These Ladder Shelves provide ample space for books and folders and creates an effective layout to style with plants, prints and décor - because beautiful spaces are always better to work in. Budget Remaining - $120.20 Now that we have the desk, storage and desk chair sorted, let's add a layer of comfort to the floor with the Ruby Rug ($99.95). This large, neutral rug will instantly pull the room together giving it a sense of space and purpose. The natural jute adds texture to the room and pairs beautifully with the other natural elements for chic, cohesive style. Total Budget Used - $479.75 So, there you have it, a home office set up easily under $500! With $20.25 left over, that is plenty of change to grab an affordable desk lamp or a budding plant to nurture. Or perhaps ust spend the change on coffee and get to work. Full List of Mocka Products Used: Urban Desk - $99.95 Harper Chair - $99.95 Urban Ladder Shelf - $89.95 Ruby Rug $99.95 Prices correct as of 12th of Feb 2018
