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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.
10 Ways to Hide Toys From Visitors
Anyone with children knows the feeling when guests are about to arrive, and it looks like a hurricane as dumped the contents of a toy store in your living room. We have all been there (to be honest, we'll probably be there this weekend). But before you start stuffing toys behind cushions or trying to pretend that mound under the rug has always been there, check out our 10 ways to hide toys from visitors and save yourself the time and stress of the pre-party scramble. 1 - Felt and Denim Baskets For a quick tidy up, our Felt Baskets and Denim Baskets are perfect for the job. Wonderfully lightweight, you (or little ones!) can carry them around while tidying up. Perfect for plush toys or small items such as cars and dolls. Also a great option for products that are used frequently, as they can be moved from room to room as needed. 2 - Toy Box Okay, so probably the most obvious but our Toy Box is the master of disguise. This beauty is ideal for communal areas such as living rooms. The simple, neutral white design means it is not immediately recognisable as toy storage. Add a throw rug or some cushions on top and voilà - incognito toy storage that suits both adults and kids. 3 - Gloria Box Similarly, our Gloria Box not only has ample space to store any toys inside, but its 100kg weight limit means it can double as extra seating! Winning in every way with this one. 4 - Stackas Mocka Stackas are wonderfully versatile and do just want they say - stack! Grab a bunch of the Stackas in natural and store away any toys and nick knacks you'd rather keep out of sight of visitors. Stack in a configuration of your choice and pop a lush pot plant in the top stacka for a feature that is sure to appeal. 5 - Chelsea Buffet The Chelsea Buffet is wonderfully modern and chic and looks fantastic in a living space. The spacious cupboards are ideal for PlayStations, consoles and computers and can be kept tidy behind the lovely white doors with visitors none the wiser. 6 - Lockas Our Mocka Lockas are fast becoming a favourite among children and adults alike. The cool locka design and range of funky colours, means they look great in any setting. Our lockas also have adjustable shelves so can be adapted to your storage needs. And the best part? They have doors so you can tidy away any toys as you need. 7 - Minka A Frame But you don't have to store everything away behind closed doors - hide a few things in plain sight! Our Minka A-Frames are wonderfully chic and make dress-ups, clothes and accessories look super adorable so you won't mind friends and family seeing them on display! 8 - Storage Cubes Our Mocka Essential Storage Cubes are perfect for adding a wealth of extra storage to a room. These units allow you to can display only what you need and keep the rest tidy and out of sight. 9 - Fabric Boxes The fabric boxes not only are great for storing any small toys or Lego, but they have the added bonus of fitting perfectly into out Essentials Storage Cubes! 10 - Post Boxes Our Post Boxes make fantastic side tables in the lounge room or entertaining space. Not only can they provide a space to rest your drinks but also store toys and other items normally left lying around the house. With all these great ideas, your next get-together is sure to be a toy-nado free experience. And even if its right around the corner, we have fast shipping all around Australia to ensure your hidden toy storage arrives when its needed the most! View our full range of Storage Furniture here.
10 Amazing Hallway Styling ideas (that don't cost too much!)
Hallways are often a problem space in a home. Sure, they help you get from one part of the house to another but because they aren't a "roomy" in the traditional sense (and are usually long and narrow), they often get neglected when it comes to home styling. So, to save these forgotten spaces, we have 10 amazing hallway styling ideas that will turn any wasted hallway into a pretty pathway without blowing the budget. 1. Add a rug A rug is an easy and fairly inexpensive way to add chic styling to a hallway and quickly change up a space. Put a colourful or patterned runner in your hallway to immediately add comfort and warmth as a homely welcome to guests as they enter your home. 2. Freshen up a hallway with plants Greenery does wonders for any space but especially adds a freshness to a hall or entry corridor. Whether real or faux, a potted houseplant is a cost effective way to simply and easily elevate the style in your hallway. 3. Make a wall gallery With a few simple and cheap frames or pieces of art, you can transform your hallway into a gallery wall. Hallways are wonderful spaces for these because usually there isn't much space. Hanging family portraits, photos, and artwork is a simple solution to give your pathway a personal touch. 4. Long library Look If you have the space, bookshelves are another great storage option for wide hallways. Install them in the length of your hallway to give the space the look and feel of a library or put in one bookshelf to hold books and other trinkets and treasures, that you and your guests can browse. 5. Add a hallway table It's all in the name, but hallway tables are ideal for hallways. The perfect place to keep keys, dog leads and any other small essentials you need just as you walk out the door. If space is an issue, opt for a slimline console, like our Dakota Console Table pictured below, that will still provide all the space you need without blocking any pathways. 6. Brighten with a mirror In any hallway, whether wide or narrow, a mirror is a simple and inexpensive way to make a statement and brighten the style of a space. Not to mention, it is super handy to be able to give yourself the once over before heading out the door. If you don't want it to reflect a blank wall, consider placing flowers, twigs or some other natural element in front to double the display. 7. Don't be afraid to use colour One of the easiest ways to freshen up a hallway's style is to add colour. Whether that means painting the walls or adding colour through furniture, rugs and art, a hallway is the perfect space to do something different and surprising. 8. Take a seat Adding a simple armchair or bench seat not only elevates the style of a hallway, but provides a handy spot to sit and tie your shoes or organise your bag. 9. Basket storage If your hallway is lacking a little storage, then baskets are a great (and cost effective) way to add simple storage. Place some under a hallway table, beneath a coat hook or in a corner for storing shoes, dog leads and other items that make a hallway or entryway cluttered fast. 10. Get textural Playing with textures is a simple way to add style to a hallway and make it an interesting space to be in. Whether wicker, concrete, jute or timber, you can layer textures in rugs, artwork and furniture to really add a wow factor to the style of your hallways without spending a fortune. With these 10 hallway styling ideas, you'll be able to get the most out of any hallway, be it long, narrow or wide (and without breaking the budget). For more tips on styling ideas, check out our post on 'Designing Tips for Kids Bedrooms'.
Top 3 Entryway Style Tips
Does it make you cringe to think the first thing your guests (and you) see when entering your home is your entryway table? What with the out-the-door clutter and the assortment of paraphernalia unceremoniously emptied onto the surface (most likely collected from the bottom of your handbag or in your far-reaching corners of your pockets). As a result, most entryways are more scary than welcoming. So with this in mind, we present our top 3 tips for styling your entryway so it exudes style and comfort rather than chaotic clutter. 1. The Right Table Makes all the Difference When it comes to entryway tables, make like goldilocks and get one that fits just right. Tall, slimline tables and desks are ideal choices. They keep entryways bright and open - perfect for that welcoming feeling. If you can, select a table with a couple of drawers. They allow you to keep necessities such as mail, wallets and keys still on hand but out of sight. 2. Variety is the Spice of Life When it comes to choosing and arranging décor for your entryway, don't be afraid to mix it up. Big framed prints, figurines, statues, and bowls (in varying heights, shapes and sizes) all work well to create different layers. Also, try to think about their practicality. A unique concrete statue could be used to hang a bracelet or watch on - ready for when you're next out the door. Or a metallic bowl can add some bling while also holding keys and change. 3. Pillows and Blankets and Baskets...Oh My! If you have additional storage space underneath your table, the use it! Fabric baskets and crates are great to house hats, scarves and shoes. Or add some accessories to achieve a certain style, such as a large floor cushion and rug. This creates a great first impression and exudes comfort and style to all who enter your home.
A Complete Kids Bedroom for Less
Styling a kids bedroom doesn't have to be an expensive task, nor does it have to be difficult. When styling a kids bedroom, the most important aspect to get right is the furniture as this will be the fundamental component of the room. From the bed to the desk, shelving to storage, Mocka have put together two styled bedrooms for under $500 to show you how easy it can be. Use the tips below to create a stylish kids bedroom for less. Choosing a colour theme Start by choosing a colour theme for the room. It can be overwhelming choosing colours for your child's bedroom, especially if they personally love a vibrant colour that could clash with the overall style of your home. Instead of painting the walls in bright yellow, pink or blue, stick with more neutral colours and add their favourite colours in fun pieces of décor and linen. This will make it easier to restyle their bedroom when they grow older. Purchasing furniture If you are creating a complete kids bedroom there are five important pieces that you need to purchase to create a bedroom that is not only stylish but completely functional too. A bed, bedside table, hanging racks or drawers for clothing, a desk and storage baskets or boxes for toys are the most essential bedroom pieces. To decorate the room add a small rug, some decorative wall mounted storage pieces, and a fun chair for your child to sit on. When purchasing all of the furniture for your child's bedroom keep your chosen colour scheme in mind. Mix and match each item together to create a cohesively styled room. Dressing the room When styling your kids bedroom look at the shape of the room and try to imagine or mark out where you could place the larger items before assembling them. It will make it easier for you to move the furniture around the room while it is still in its packaging. Once you have each piece in its place and you can walk to each section of the room with ease, you can then begin to assemble one piece of furniture at a time. Once the larger items are assembled, decorate with the smaller items and add in all of your child's favourite toys. Your child will love spending time in their newly decorated room. Room 1 Sonata Bed - $129.95 Shadow Boxes - $39.95 Minka A-Frame - $49.95 Kids Acapulco Lounge Chair - $89.95 Circa Rug - $24.95 Wire Baskets - $49.95 Gloria Table - $29.95 Gloria Box - $79.95 Total Room = $494.60 Room 2 Sonata Bed - $129.95 Jordi Desk - $99.95 Egg Timer Stool - $39.95 Post Box 2 - $69.95 Kids Tree Hanger - $49.95 Shadow Boxes - $39.95 Felt Basket - $29.95 Circa Rug - $24.95 Total Room = $484.60
5 Easy and Affordable Ways to Revamp a Room
Updating a room in your home doesn't have to be expensive nor does it have to be a big job. Revamp your home with these five easy and affordable ways. They are simple changes that will make an impact on the feel and look of a room. 1. Add artwork Hanging a piece of artwork or a print in any room in your home can dramatically change the atmosphere and add colour to a room. Purchase two pieces to alternate between for the cooler and warmer months. Artwork with warm colours and soft hues with make a room feel warm and inviting in the cooler months, whereas bright vibrant artwork or prints will liven up the room during warmer months. 2. Change side tables Side tables are an inexpensive item that can easily be changed. Revamp your bedroom or lounge room by adding new side tables that work in well with your interior style. If you have a small room opt for lighter and more streamline furniture as it will help to make the room look bigger. If you have a large room use larger side tables to bring the room in and feel more inviting. 3. Add plants Bring the outdoors in and make your home feel fresh by adding a few indoor plants to your rooms. Plants are great for adding colour and life to a room. Cover any unsightly pots by placing them in a basket that contrasts beautifully with the foliage. Place some herbs by the windowsill in your kitchen. The aromas of them will fill the room with a fresh scent. A vase of fresh followers will add colour to any bedroom, bathroom, dining room or lounge room. 4. Decorate with ornaments Ornaments are an inexpensive way to add style to your home. Pick pieces that work in well with your colour palette and interior style. Mix and match colours, sizes and shapes. Just don't over decorate with ornaments. You want ornaments to make a statement. Too many ornaments in one room can make a room look cluttered and untidy. 5. Add in a lamp Lamps not only help to soften the room with mood lighting, they also make a stylish statement when not turned on. Choose a base lamp that suits the style of your home. There are plenty of options including wood, metal, fabric, ceramic, cement and glass. You can also pick between a floor lamp or a short side table lamp. There are various styles of lamp shades that you can pick from to add texture or colour to your room. If your room is large, then a larger lamp shade will add depth to the room, whereas a smaller lamp shade will create a streamline and more minimalistic look for the smaller rooms.
How to Style Your Home Office On a Budget
The home office is fast becoming a stable in most homes. With gorgeous office space trending on social media, many are often tempted to run straight out and drop a whole lot of money to achieve the same awesome look. But you don't need to spend a small fortune to create a beautiful and functional home office (with all the gorgeous office furniture trimmings). So for every student, mumpreneur or start-up, check out our top tips on styling a home office on a budget. Plan the Space The best way to keep an office space on budget is with planning. Plan out the space, the office furniture you will need and most importantly, where they will go. This will ensure you only buy what you actually need and will allow you to allocate more funds towards essential items such as desks, chairs and office storage. Buy New But at Bargain Prices Regardless of what your impulses say, you don't need to run out and buy everything at once. Take your time. Because we spent all that time planning, we know exactly what we need and can keep an eye out for sales that will save us money on new products. Not that we are tooting our own horn (okay, we are totally tooting our own horn) but Mocka runs specials every week from Monday through to Sunday on a range of products which often include our office furniture. That along with our end-of-line sales, super sale and 'just-because-we-are-nice- prices, anyone can deck their offices out with Mocka Office Furniture and not break the budget doing it! Trestle Desk - Mocka AU Essentials Come First When it comes to office furniture, consider the essential a good home office needs - a sturdy desk, a comfy chair, functional storage and good light (natural and secondary). With your budget in mind, tackle these essentials first and foremost so you can get to work without delay. The rest of the office furniture and décor can be added as you go. Shop Mocka Office >
