Urban Sales Journal
Urban Sales Journal
Discover captivating room ideas that will transform your living spaces into stunning havens of style and comfort. Explore innovative designs, unique color schemes, and inspiring decor accents to create your dream room.
How to Set Up the Perfect Home Office, Consider Your Productivity: Inspired!
Let’s get real: home is now the setting for most offices. We all know working from home means juggling Zoom calls while trying to look somewhat presentable and hoping your colleagues don’t realise you’re wearing pyjama bottoms. But no matter if you're hunkered down in a spare bedroom, nestled in a hallway nook, crammed in a closet or elbow-to-elbow with your significant other in the living room, your workspace should still feel like a million dollars. At Urban Sales, we’re not just about redesigning workspaces; we’re veritable magicians at helping you turn your space into an oasis of productivity. So, grab your organic latte (or matcha) and dive into our home office furniture guide. We're about to transform your makeshift home office setup into a place that boosts your productivity and gives off some seriously feel-good vibes. Your Workspace Design Can Enhance Productivity It’s not just your genius qualities that make you good at what you do. Your physical environment affects your mental clarity and work quality. But when you’re trying to get things done among piles of laundry while your neighbours decide to jackhammer their driveway and your cute new puppy decides to do zoomies among your tangle of power cords, the calmness of home life doesn’t sound so great. We can’t help you with the jackhammering or puppy crazies, nor get your laundry done for you, but we can share tips to set up a serenity zone where you have a fighting chance to regain your calm and get on top of things. Planning Your Office Setup: Think Space, Light, Layout and Of Course, Design Before diving headfirst into your home office design, let’s chat about location. Where’s the best, quietest spot for your command centre? The living room? A corner of the bedroom? Or maybe even that unused stairway nook? Whatever you choose, don’t let your cat take it over. When you’re mapping out your setup, pick a spot that basks in natural light. Positioning your desk with your back to a window isn’t ideal. You don’t need your screen glaring back into your eyes, amplifying the sun's rays behind you. And if you find yourself in lots of video calls, try to make your background less of a reality show and more like a magazine spread. Your coworkers don’t need to see your pile of laundry or your unmade bed peeking out in the background. Let's keep it, you know, professional. Compact Yet Functional or Statement Pieces? You can level up your home office setup by selecting well-made pieces that are also functional. That way, you don’t have to hunt down your ruler in a cluttered mess. It's all about snagging those chic yet functional pieces that can also do double duty. Think of your workspace as a puzzle: everything should fit together snugly. When it comes to home office desks, think compact, L-shaped, or height-adjustable, making your workspace as flexible as your schedule. For home office chairs, go for ergonomic designs that won’t leave you feeling stiff as a board at the end of the day. You can remain friends with both comfort and style, choosing flexible, ergonomic designs that also dazzle as centrepieces in your home. Loft Ensio Desk, 1.4m, White Linspire Noble Desk with Shelves Linspire Slate Dual Study Desk, Grey & White & Yellow Linspire Perch Office Chair Linspire Lumina Ergonomic Office Chair Linspire Haze Office Chair, Grey Storage Can Be for Office Supplies & Décor When you're setting up your office space, think of it as your professional style statement, mixing office supplies with a touch of flair. You can look up and see beauty even if you’re drowning in an ocean of spreadsheets. Grab some bookshelves or floating shelves to keep your stuff off the floor and away from your desk. These are great for books, papers and supplies, but even better if you leave some room for décor. That’s because incorporating those personalised items (like family photos, little plants or flowers) will bring joy and colour to those otherwise underwhelming report-writing-filled days. While you’re at it, don’t forget the filing cabinets, desks with drawers, and desk organisers to keep that clutter at bay and give everything its own ordered space, so you’re not having to fumble around. Solidwood Pittsburgh Corner Bookcase, 40x40x180cm, Oak Loft Kiri Bookcase with 8 Doors, 1.2m, White Linspire Ventus Bookcase with Glass Door, Large Linspire Lumen Desk Riser Stand Loft Kiri Drawer Unit on Castors Increase Work From Home Privilege and Comfort with Ergonomic Chairs & Desks Before you dive headfirst into that mountain of work, let’s ensure your home office setup is as comfy and inviting as your favourite armchair. First, let’s get that desk and chair height sorted. Adjustable height desks and chairs are great at giving you extra height if needed, or lowering down to prevent your legs from dangling like a pair of long earrings. But if you’re on the shorter side, don’t worry if you love a chair that’s too high for you; footrests are here to save the day. Since you’ll be spending a chunk of your life in this workspace, make some adjustments for the sake of your back. Investing in ergonomic chairs and desks is definitely worthwhile. Feel free to tinker with everything until it’s just right. Your future self (the one with the happy posture) will appreciate you taking the time. Linspire Ascend Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk 1.2m, White Linspire Lumen Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk with Riser Stand, 1.4m Linspire Ascend Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk 1.4m, Natural Just Because You Work in Corporate Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Have Style. Your Home Office, Your Vibes When you design your home your way, you’re not just throwing some bits of furniture together. It’s your chance to flex your creative muscles and make the place feel like you. So let’s not forget to extend this sentiment to your home office design, because why on earth would you mimic your corporate cubicle’s vibe? That place is about as inspiring as an old-school fluorescent light. You need a workspace that makes you want to go above and beyond, something that fuels your motivation rather than sucking the life out of you. If you’re channelling Scandi serenity, bold modern vibes, minimalist magic, or a maximalist wonderland, make it personal to you. Let your personality shine far brighter than your computer screen. Solidwood Bailey Desk, Two Drawers, Dark Wood Linspire Amie Desk Linspire Edmond Solid Wood Desk, 120cm Solidwood Bailey Desk with 2 Drawers, Natural Wood Fit Out Your Home Office with Urban Sales At Urban Sales, we're all about curated inspiration and believe you don’t have to go broke to have a home office that could. It's not just doable, it's enthralling to put together a workspace that makes you feel like a boss (even if you’re not the boss). It’s so worth it, you’ll thank yourself later. You may even want to share the results on social media. So, get in and shop around like the design aficionado you truly are.
Designing Flexible Kids Rooms That Adapt As They Grow
One minute you’re bringing your baby home in a carrier, and the next? You’re stepping on LEGO bricks and negotiating bedtime routines. Blink again, and you’re shopping for study desks and kids' room decor that doesn’t involve cartoon animals. If you’re feeling the whirlwind of the growing kids and ever-changing needs, you’re in good company. The good news is you can get ahead of the chaos with a little clever planning. By choosing flexible, long-lasting kids’ room furniture like cute convertible cots and funky height-adjustable kids’ desks, you can stay ahead of growth spurts without an annual full room redo. This guide is packed with practical tips and inspiring kids' room ideas to help you design a space that works now and later because future-proofing their room means fewer meltdowns (yours included). Toy Storage That Doesn’t Just Look Good (It Works Too) Let’s face it—toy chaos is practically a rite of passage in family life, but all that clutter can be managed with a dash of foresight and some creativity. Goodbye mismatched tubs, hello stylish storage you’ll actually want to show off. Think: solid wood toy storage, such as from the Mio Kids range, that embraces all the fun of childhood while harmonising beautifully with grown-up interiors. Make learning about organising fun for your kids. Label those baskets with colourful tags that they can read. Do you want them to actually use those hooks for hanging things up? Lower them so they can easily reach. Stay ahead of your ever-growing kiddiewinks by nabbing kids' room décor and furniture that adapts to every stage of childhood, like cube storage for toys that transforms into bookshelves. Boori Tidy Kids Toy Cabinet, Barley Alpaka Libby Solid Pine Canvas Bookshelf, Naturual Wood Solidwood Mio Kids Cube Storage Sharing a Room? Here’s How to Make It Work Got kids sharing a room? It’s the setting of childhood memories—both fun and dramatic! Your kids won’t always share, but while they do, here’s how to keep things organised and keep the peace. If their room is tight on space, embrace space-saving ideas with kids’ room furniture like bunk beds with storage, beds with underbed drawers, and slimline desks. Even in a small room, you can carve out fun little zones, such as study nooks, play corners for games, or comfy chill zones. Boori Neat Kid Single Bunk Bed Boori Neat Kids Single Bed with 2 Underbed Storage Drawers Boori Forest Kids Teepee Single Loft Bed What to Look For in Kids' Furniture That Lasts Just because you’re on the hunt for kids’ room furniture doesn’t mean you should compromise on quality. You deserve pieces that can withstand even the wildest tantrums. So why settle for flimsy, fast furniture? You want furniture that's as strong as your little ones' will and imagination. Need a burst of inspiration for style and strength? Dive into the fabulous Boori and Solidwood Mio range from Urban Sales. These awesome pieces are designed to improve the look of your children's rooms and are built to withstand their energetic and playful ways, looking great and staying sturdy. Looks, safety, longevity? Tick, tick and tick. Boori Tidy Kids Storage Bookcase, Cherry Solidwood Mio Kids Toy Storage Combination with 4 Boxes Boori Tidy Kids Rotating Bookshelf V22, Blueberry Keep It Fun Without Needing to Redecorate Every Year Oh, the pressure from Pinterest and Instagram to decorate and redecorate again and again. We get it. Kids’ room ideas come at you from every angle. But you don’t need a full jungle mural to have a room that feels like magic. When it comes to creating a fun and inviting space for your kids without draining your wallet, there are some savvy ninja-stealth designer strategies you can take. One of the smartest moves is to invest in essential items like beds, desks, and shelving units, all in neutral shades. These major pieces are like flexible backdrops for your kid’s room decor and can also blend with the general theme of the rest of your home. After setting up a neutral foundation, you can jazz things up with a vibrant mix of personal touches and alterations by swapping out their bedding, artwork, and rugs. For an alternative to artwork, display sports equipment or instruments, such as antique tennis rackets or ukuleles, on wall hooks as decoration. This allows you to refresh their space regularly, infusing it with new energy and creativity while keeping your budget in check. Where to Shop for Flexible Kids Furniture in NZ That Parents Actually Recommend? We totally get it! You want kids’ room furniture that’s not just smart and stylish, but also perfect for the chaos of family life, without compromising on the interior designer dream within you. If you’re on the hunt for fab ideas for kids' room décor in NZ, Urban Sales is your ultimate playground. We’re here to help our locals enjoy long-lasting joy and ease by making the best furniture and décor choices. Our many happy customers know we walk the talk. And happiness is exactly what we love to see: not just stunning, transformed spaces, but also smiles all around. Tiny Designers Welcome, Get Your Kids Involved in the Room Design Want to create a fun bonding experience? Involve your kids in the design process. Let their imaginations soar beyond just drawing, painting, and crafts. Give them the exciting opportunity to make decisions and create their very own space. It’s a fantastic way to nudge them towards ownership, confidence, and pride. Beyond just upgrading their space, it’s a joyful, memory-making adventure to share with your kids. Hopefully, it doesn’t overwhelm them, but this is a canon event for teenagers wondering why their younger self chose bright yellow rooms. Now You’re Future-Ready from Day One Parenthood is busy and fast-paced enough. The reality is that kids grow fast, and their needs evolve just as quickly. By making smart furniture choices for their rooms right from the start, you can thank yourself later for setting the pace early and getting gorgeous, well-built furniture and décor that withstands the rigours of childhood. Whatever design style works for your home, at Urban Sales, we have kids' room furniture ranges to match, including the beautiful Linspire and Alpaka ranges, as well as ZenLife storage products. Get ready to dive in and make them yours. FAQs: What furniture should we be focusing on for growing with kids? Why not be one step ahead and choose furniture that will accommodate your kids' growth for at least the next five years? Think convertible cots for those sweet bedtime stories and height-adjustable desks for all those homework marathons. Choose wisely, and you will skip a trip to the furniture shop for a while. Are convertible cots worth it? Convertible cots are like the Swiss Army knives of baby furniture, a total win for your wallet when it comes to changing bedding, especially during those whirlwind first five years as your little one grows. The best part? They can effortlessly transform into toddler beds. Just double-check those conversion kits. You want them to be as sturdy and safe as a fortress for your mini adventurer. How do I design a kids' room that lasts beyond toddler years? To keep your child’s room fresh and age-appropriate as they grow out of the toddler phase, it's best to avoid overly thematic designs, especially with furniture and walls. Instead of overwhelming murals, consider using bold colours on the walls. This allows for easy changes in artwork, such as framing your child’s creations or hanging up large posters of their favourite things, like superheroes or animals. Offer a selection of choices for your child to pick from, ensuring they align with their current preferences.
Small Living Room? Big Ideas: How to Maximise Style in a Compact Space
Short on space, big on ambition? We see you. Whether you’re juggling work, family life, or just trying to carve out a corner of calm in a busy home, your living room deserves to feel like a place where you can relax and rewind, not a jigsaw puzzle of mismatched furniture and ‘just for now’ solutions. We’ve got good news though: small living room design isn’t about squeezing into less, it’s about making more of what you’ve already got. With the right ideas (and a few savvy furniture choices), you can transform your living space into a cosy and inviting little haven. In this guide, we’re serving up inspiring, practical small living room ideas and tips to help you create a living room that feels open, organised and a reflection of you. No overwhelm, and certainly no design degree required. Small Lounge Looks that Spark Inspiration Small spaces mean big potential. Let’s take a look at a couple of clever small living room layout ideas that show just how much personality and function you can squeeze into a compact space, without squeezing the fun out of it. Scandi Calm: Soft, Light and Sorted Inspired by the simplicity of Scandinavian design, this setup uses soft, neutral tones to create a sense of calm and space. Light colours bounce light across the room, making everything feel more open and airy, which is a great trick to utilise when you’re working with limited square meters. Linspire Essence 3-Seater Sofa, Grey Solidwood Seattle 2-Seater Sofa, 137x80CM, Beige/Oak The layout is a welcoming C-shaped shaped seating arrangement wrapped around a central coffee table; perfect for chatting with friends or lounging with a cuppa. Each piece of furniture is working double time: the bookshelf works as a display zone (hello cute vases and coffee table books) and sneaky storage, while the coffee table drawers hide the remotes, coasters, or that one mystery cable you’re too afraid to toss. Family Friendly and Totally Put Together In this second look, we’re seeing another small space hero: the ottoman. Not just a place to pop your feet up, it’s also great for storing extra throws or acting as your doom pile for when unexpected guests swing by. Added bonus: you can use it as an extra seat for those said unexpected guests. The two-tier coffee table creates more surface area for drinks and snacks without feeling bulky. And the gallery wall? That’s a subtle but powerful trick for decorating a small living room. It draws the eye upwards, shifting attention away from the limited floor space and making the whole lounge feel taller and more put together. If you’re thinking about rearranging a small living room or you’re just after some fresh home décor ideas to spruce up your space, these examples prove you don’t need a lot of space to make a big impact. Urban Sales has plenty of smart and stylish furniture options that suit a variety of budgets, vibes and lifestyles. Ready to see how to pull it all together? Let’s dive further into the small living room furniture and décor element that make these rooms work so well, and how you can do the same in your own home. How Small Living Room Design Can Work For Your Layout 1. Furniture That Works Smarter In any small living room design, there’s no room for slackers. Every piece of furniture has to pitch in, which is why multifunctional furniture is your bestie here. Sofa beds are great if you host the occasional guest or live in a studio apartment. Ottomans can moonlight as coffee tables—just pop a tray on top and voilà, it’s a coffee table, footrest, and secret stash spot all in one. Nesting tables are hidden little gems that easily tuck in together when you need your floor space back. Linspire Don 2-Seater Sofa Bed, Off White Solidwood Santa Rosa Coffee Table Pair, Set of 2 2. Storage Solutions to Declutter and Decorate Clutter is the enemy of chill. In small spaces, mess builds up fast and before you know it, your calm little haven starts feeling more like a dumping ground. The fix? Storage that’s both practical and nice to look at. We’re talking open shelving for books and décor, wall-mounted hooks for bags and jackets and stylish baskets to keep bits and bobs within arm’s reach, but out of sight. Solidwood Fuji 6-Tier Bookshelf Anna Ferrieri Componibili 2 Tier Storage Unit Replica, 32x40CM, Matcha Green 3. Light Colours, Mirrors & Layered Lighting as an Illusion Colour scheme ideas for a small living room? Step one: go light. Pale neutrals like white, cream, soft grey or even muted sage can make your space feel bigger and brighter from the get-go. Position a mirror near the window and boom—instant depth and bonus daylight. Lighting matters too. Don’t rely on just one overhead figure. Mix it up table lamps, floor lamps, and warm ambient light that shifts the mood in the evenings. Not only does this add dimension to your room but it also makes it feel more softer and more intentional; an inviting ambience, if you will. A well-designed room feels most welcoming and ‘put together’ when you add various textures through décor accessories such as cushions, rugs, throws, or pops of colour in your artwork and décor. These details bring life and warmth to your space without overcrowding it. DreamWeaver Savannah Scandinavian Jute Rug, Natural, 160x230cm Linspire Theola Standing Mirror Styling Tips to Bring Your Small Lounge Together Focus on a Few Statement Pieces Now for the fun part: styling! One of the biggest myths about small living rooms is that you need to fill them with small furniture, too. In reality, too many tiny pieces can make the space feel even more cramped. Go for fewer, bolder choices that do more with less. Instead of a teeny-tiny sofa, a comfy three-seater can be the hero of the room. Big enough for guests, strong enough to anchor your layout and way more inviting than a shrunken loveseat. Likewise, a single, elegant coffee table positioned strategically in the centre of your seating area brings the space together far better than a scatter of petite side tables. Once your furniture is in place, layer in your style. Incorporate décor items like statement artwork, textured cushions and a well placed throw or two. The key is to curate, not cram. Choose a few things you love and let them breathe. This not only gives your eyes a natural place to rest, but also makes the space feel more open and intentional. Bring the Outdoors In with Plants Want a small living room idea that’ll make your space instantly feel more alive, welcoming and well … good? Add a plant! Or better yet, add a few. It's amazing how greenery can entirely transform a room's atmosphere! Browse any magazine or Pinterest board dedicated to interior design, and you’ll notice indoor plants pervading most of the images. From tiny succulents on the coffee table to a big leafy beauty tucked into a corner, greenery does more than just look nice. They create a sense of spaciousness by softening harsh lines and angles, bringing in a little breath of nature that makes a house feel like a home. And, of course, they do their part behind the scenes, too. Through photosynthesis, plants filter pollutants and release oxygen, improving the quality of your indoor air. Nice, right? Solidwood Berlin Plant Stand, 30x30x92cm, Oak Solidwood Berlin Plant Stand, 30x30x76cm, Oak Create Your Dream Small Lounge: Beautiful and on a Budget If you’ve made it this far, you’re already full of small living room ideas—and now is the time to bring them to life. Designing your dream lounge doesn’t mean you need to invest in a full reno or have a blown-out budget, either—no matter if you’re working with a shoebox-sized space or you’re just keen to make things feel more ‘you’. At Urban Sales, we’re all about making stylish, functional living feel doable, no matter your budget or floor plan. Our curated range of affordable furniture and homeware is designed to help you find what works, what lasts and what actually fits—both your lifestyle and your space, And if you’re not quite sure where to start? That’s okay too. Our friendly team is here to help you piece it all together—whether you’re rearranging, refreshing, or starting from scratch. So take what’s inspired you here and run with it. Your dream small lounge is closer than you think. Go and make it yours today.
