I'm not a professional landscaper but as a parent I actually disagree... Gardens for kids need to be somewhere to stimulate the imagination and dream and play. Don't kids always have a ball exploring their grandparents gardens? I would go for large leaf plants that create secret hidey cubby spots under the foliage, fragrant herbs that can be brushed up against. Ornamental grasses with big seedy stalks, Bright cheerful flowers that can be picked for all sorts of potions. I would recommend NOT making your backyard like a playground, because that takes the joy away from trips to the park. All the different levels are great for adventures and imagination. Don't make it too safe... those rocks are EXACTLY where your kids will want to walk along and perfect their motor skills and balancing and risk assessment skills. They won't get into too much danger in your backyard. You could terrace the slope and plant into it with herbs and some kid friendly plants like herbs, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, strawberries. Then down the track have more grownup choices. Also plants that will attract birds, lizards and other wildlife for the kids to enjoy. Large bushes like grevillea and bottle brushes -you can get groundcover rambling ones on these also- they will attract beautiful birds like rosellas which the kids can enjoy. I would go for a garden that can be discovered and explored and let kids imagination take over. You want a garden that can be a castle, a pirate ship, a rocket, the moon, a fairy forest, whatever! As far as actual play things, Use logs or stepping stones through the garden beds to protect the plants from being trampled. Don't make paths through, but space them randomly so the kids can go any direction. A few areas with river pebbles... nice round smooth ones in different colours, that can be stacked and played with will be endlessly entertaining. Don't underestimate the fun and joy of sticks and stones! Logs in alternating heights through the garden bed will create a great rambling obstacle course to balance on. If you want to go there, maybe add a slide down the slope of the hill next to the step. Or a secret pipe for sending cars or messages down. There is a great toy called sticklets that can be used to connect larger sticks and branches to make forts and cubbies. But its not really necessary. A lot of those play equipment sorts of things are just too rigid in the way the kids can use them. Kids need a little space, and lots and lots of wild and green! This website has some awesome ideas! http://www.letthechildrenplay.net

Hi Guys thank you so much for your input. Yes LouieT, meals is west and dining is north. We are in Perth with scorching late afternoon sun. Julienewans, we were thinking along similar lines: changing bed 3 into laundry, use part laundry for a butlers pantry. This opens up lounge, dining and part laundry for the kitchen and living area with meals. it also gives access to both north and south side of the house. The house is on a slab and games was added later. We also consider changing meals and kitchen to a guest with bathroom / powder room. This will have an outside entrance to be accessed from the to-be pool on the northern side. New entrance between current meals and family - this allows for a wider entrance. Keeping family as a study/library / reading area (taking out the bar). Our biggest concern is how to fit a kitchen into the space that flows easily from the walk-in pantry to the lounge / dining area.

Have you thought about wallpaper? feature walls? Our wallpaper peals on and peals off with easy. You can do it yourself without fuss or extra cost. We also custom make our designs to your chose of colour and size for free.

We definitely second the addition of a colourful rug! A block colour or tonal rug would work best - you've got some great pop colours in your artwork and cushions to work with! You could even bring a pillow or one of the canvases into the showroom to colour match, or order a custom colour. https://www.designerrugs.com.au/collections/mosiac/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/in-house-collections/saffron/boston-stripe-magenta/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/in-house-collections/textures/coral-shag-burnt-orange-white-core/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/in-house-collections/saffron/poppy-toledo/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/in-house-collections/saffron/persian-avocado/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/skye/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/aurora/