January 2022

Styling & Decluttering Ideas for Back to School

We are well into 2022 and the back to school (let alone getting back into the work routine) can be daunting, a bit chaotic, especially since so many of us have been home schooling for so long. We are all about lightening your load, simplifying the everyday and setting the home up for successful mornings, productive afternoons and calm, super chilled (tantrum free) evenings.

 

 

We have curated a few simple styling, decorating and decluttering tips to get you prepped and embracing the fun (and chaos) of juggling back to school and back to work.

 

I love this quote “it’s not enough to just hope for a happy and healthy life, it’s a combination of mindset, routines and habits working together that will get you there.” We would take it one step further, mindset, routines, habits and the right home environment to get you there…

 


Set your family up for success

Set up the night before and simplify your morning.

 

Everyone’s morning routine is unique… and that is unique with a whole lot of unplanned additions. Here are a few small hacks you can set up that make the morning a little more streamlined.

 

1. Visual Checklists and Organisers – when it comes to back to school the checklist and organiser has never been so important. We are all visual creatures, so having a visual checklist of what needs to be done, what is planned for the week and any variances in schedule really helps the routine. Also, everything having a place helps minimise thinking and creates habits that creates space for learning and quiet time.

There are a lot of stylish ones out there you can even make it a focal piece of your workspace.

 

2. Pack your bags (and your #OOTD – outfit of the day) the night before.

This is a good one for the kids and the adults of the household. I am a massive fan of this one.

 

3. Have your gym bag ready by the door. For the kids or the adults too.

 

4. Drinking water not only is a must for health it is a big booster for concentration. Set out water bottles (recyclable if possible) to remind you to take them, or fill them the night before and put them in the fridge.

 

5. Has everything got a place in your home? Where do you store your school bags, your gym bag, lunch boxes, sun creams, hats, keys etc.

 

6. Maximise your sleep – last but definitely not least, you have to have your sleep situation maximised as nothing beats a good night rest. 

 

We love to delve into your morning routine and see if there are any small changes we can help you make to simplify. It’s all about optimizing space and finding storage solutions that fit into your daily needs.

 

Ask yourself, what are our bottlenecks and pain points in the morning, and what can you create to make your life a little more streamlined?

Re-work and Re-love your Space

No one likes a cramped, cluttered, poorly lit or messy work space. It’s a huge distraction and there are many things we can do to help us keep focused and that promotes good and productive work habits in the home.

Whether it’s random junk that simply doesn’t have a place to go or it’s a collection of toys that your kids like to have on display, it all needs to be removed from the workspace and have a nice home that it can be easily located again.

Creating a work zone helps study time be study time and here are some elements to consider:

  • Proper Lighting – One of the most common mistakes people of all ages make these days is when they assume that the light given off by a computer monitor is enough light to work safely.  Back to school styling ideas should always include some plan for proper lighting.  
  • A Comfortable Chair – Having an uncomfortable chair is sooo distracting. This is a must for productivity, posture and also your eyes in the long-term.
  • Colour to stimulate focus – yellow is an energising colour and green is comforting, check your space and see if you have the right mix of colours that will keep you stimulated and focused. What are the colours you love and get you into the productive working zone?
  • Bring in the green – greenery is not only beautiful, but they also help reduce toxins in the air, boost your mood and improve productivity. If you don’t want the commitment of a houseplant, try adding a bouquet of flowers from the garden or succulents to your counter for an instant mood boost. Greenery makes an excellent addition to any room. Incorporating plants into your bedroom also helps for better night’s sleep!

 

Styling and decluttering ideas can vary hugely depending on the number of kids you have, number of rooms, routines and the WFH situation.

However, there are always some constants and making some of the above tweaks will make a world of difference. 

Here are some product we love that can easily help style your family set up:

Weekly planners
– Personalise with this Etsy monthly organiser
Kikki-K 
Office Works 
Miss Jacob’s Little Learners 
Anthropologie 

 

Stylish school chairs, desks & lighting:
Life Interiors 
Norsu 
Ikea 
Koala Living 
Royal Design 

Lockers for storage and organising: 
Mustard Made Lockers
Montana Furniture 
– Ikea Organisers 
RJ Living 

 

We help tailoring a study space for our smaller clients and help to make the daily school run smoother for the entire family.

This is what one busy mum shared with us...

“Being a single mum, my 13yo and 9yo had ended up with an array of different pieces of furniture and toys, games, clothes plus bits and pieces from different ages and stages in their bedrooms. Aisha and Jana suggested a functional session that they would host directly with the girls for a few hours in the school holidays and it’s been a gamechanger.  They cleared the clutter and the girls are more comfortable in and proud of their personal spaces.  I’d highly recommend this process to any parent (or anyone really) challenged by clutter and disorganisation in the home!”

Mum from Coogee

If you would love some help to get your family #BacktoSchoolReady then reach out for a chat.

 

Within a 2 hour declutter session we can have your space transformed into a productive retreat that will help you manage what else 2022 throws your way.

 

We are ready, let us help you!

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Our 5 Key Ingredients to a Healthier & Happier Home

Often in life things feel complicated, overwhelming and cluttered. There is just way too much noise. Life has too much choice, too many things we ‘should’ be doing and just too many ‘tabs’ open. Who hears me?

At Hills & West Interiors we love a simple, purposeful yet playful outlook on life, and to our spaces, and for us, that comes with a few easy guides to steer us, in the right direction (we all know life is full of distractions).

 

 

Here are our 5 key ingredients to curate a happier home and everyday life.

 

1. A Mess Makeover 

Decluttering, simplifying and improving everyday life.

Disorganised stimuli takes your focus away from what is important.

 

Following are just some of the things we consider:

Making choices easier – how do you live and where are your pressure points?

Easy decluttering steps to improve productivity

– The ‘have you used it in the last year?’ test

Clutter free surfaces providing space to breathe

– Giving key items, especially items used every day, a place to live

Easy access – the value of open storage

Reclaim your mornings and weekend – what are the simple things that can make the morning routine stress-free?

2. It’s All About You 

Tailoring your space to your personality and lifestyle are all about creating havens that spark purpose, happiness and connection for you.

 

Bring more of;

– what brings you joy?

– what is the style direction that caters to your taste however also lifestyle?

– your personality into your space – memories, personal pieces from travels, words with meaning etc.

– art that speaks to you and crates a talking pieces in your home

– fun – what does that mean to you?

 

Remember that feeling when you have a fabulous outfit on and you walk with your head held high. What are the secret ingredients, colours, fabrics, combinations and curate that in your home. Your home is your safe space and must cater to your loves, needs and lifestyle… not anyone else’s expectations.

 

We love simple, purposeful & a little bit of playful.

 

A few small changes can have a huge impact on your everyday.

 

 

3. Functional Bliss

This is where the purposeful and functional come into play.

Focusing on functionality to facilitate easy living and architecting your spaces to cater to the lifestyle you want to lead.

 

This can all be curated by setting up;

– Clever space hacks

– Balance harmony, utility and intentional placement

– Optimising space – maximising space for how you live and use your spaces

– Reviewing how functional is your home;

      • Zones – rugs and placement
      • Comfort levels
      • Tricky nooks
      • Places for quiet, productivity, conversation corners, connection and fun
      • Flow and movement
      • Pet spaces
      • Exercise/wellness spaces

 

We feel when it comes to your home, you get what you give. The more you consider and curate your space the more it will give back.

 

4. Mood Maker

Carefully curating colour, lighting, some furnishings and accessories creating ambiance and the right mood for the right space.

 

There is so much power in colour, fragrance, window dressings and lighting, here are just some of the things we consider;

– Colour palette rules 60/30/10 (60% of the room should be a dominant colour, 30% should be the secondary colour or texture and the last 10% should be an accent)

– Your personal mood boosting colours

– Right colours for the right rooms – what is the function of the room?

– Let the light in (or create it)

– Mirror magic for light, space and function

– Accessories – sometimes less is more, however adding decorations can make all the difference

– Selecting window dressings to both service a function, such as privacy, sound proofing, sun protection; and mood, such as distinguishing the bedroom from the living space.

– Seasonal refreshes to settle you in for the winter or jump start the spring season

– Creating joyful moments

 

Building a personal space that feels like home and is that enclave of peace and reprieve is what we strive for.

 

5. Grounding 

If we can’t feel grounded and connected in our home, where can we?

Bringing in elements that ground you can make a world of difference, this includes;

– Grounding natural elements – greenery

– What is your fragrance? How can we instill a sense of safety, comfort and mood

– Textures it up – looking at the mix of woods, stone, floor coverings and finishings give you a sense of comfort and softness

– Home wellness – have you optimised your home wellness through ventilation, light, placement and memories

 

We work with you to create spaces that inspire you and allow you to live the life you want to live. No matter how simple or complex your interior styling requirements are, we execute every detail and make the most out of your available budget.

 

We are on a Mission to empower people to create spaces that enrich the way they live, work and play, ultimately enjoying a happier, more connected and stress-free way of living. It is that simple. We would love to create with you.

 

An easy way to start is to book in a mini mess makeover session. In 2 hours watch us makeover a key space in your home that will set you up for blissful success in 2022.

 

Do you want live differently in 2022?

 

Take that first step here. 

AISHA HILLARY MORGAN

 

Aisha creates balanced, harmonius spaces that are bound together by a carefully considered design narrative

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