TheBoyandMe

If you’re lucky enough to have some free space in your home, there are a whole host of ways you can put it to good use. Those who work from home, for example, might turn their spare room into an office, while those who often have family or friends to stay can design the guest bedroom of their dreams. But for those with children, it’s a great idea to use the free space to create a playroom.

Playrooms have a number of advantages: from giving the children somewhere to go while you get on with work, to ensuring that there’s a dedicated place to store their toys and clutter, so it’s definitely worth thinking about designing one. And from choosing sensible window coverings to opting for decor with educational value, there are lots of relatively simple design tricks you can use to get your playroom looking and feeling top notch.

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My boy.

My funny, compassionate and sensitive little boy who still loves to cuddle up with his teddies.

He is growing up so very fast. It astounds me how he changes from day to day, so when his birthday is approaching and it's time for me to reflect upon the things that he likes at his current age, the difference from the previous year is even more pronounced. Some things will never disappear I think (cheesy ham pasta and Oliver Monkey), but Peppa Pig has long since been relegated to the depths of Nick Jnr and I can't say that I miss her that much.

And so here's my boy, just after his 9th birthday, and all the things that make him who he is in his final year of single digits.

It was once labelled as one of the most stressful life events, running close to losing a loved one or going through a divorce.

Indeed, moving house can be a stressful, intense period of time in your life but, when you have finally moved into your new pad, all the stress and uncertainty evaporates.

Just how can you keep stress under control and make moving less onerous a task?

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Homes for students studying in Sheffield are plentiful and affordable – at least when compared to London’s sky-high rates. You can expect to pay a weekly rent of between £65 and £85 for a room in a shared student house or Sheffield Hallam accommodation, though this naturally varies by area. Understandably, the properties best situated for the universities are in demand and often more expensive.

Start your search with a little fact-finding: the Sheffield University Student Union website has many useful guides for you to download. They also host a housing fair to help you find the best base for your time in Sheffield. Agents and landlords attend the fair, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to tick housing off your list right there and then.

The house hunting season begins in November, but don’t worry if you’re not able to start the search so soon. There are plenty of good properties on offer in the Steel City.

Most shared flats and houses are for groups of four or five – splitting into groups will offer you the widest choice of properties and help stretch your accommodation budget further.

So much for the where, but what about the who? The people you live with in Sheffield may well be your friends for the rest of your life, if you choose well. Sheffield universities run housefinder events, so ask at the union if you're struggling to find flatmates.

Saving on accommodation is essential if you plan to make the most of Sheffield. After all, there’s much more to the Steel City than libraries and laboratories. The vibey, creative atmosphere and thriving culture means many people who study in Sheffield decide to settle down there. This beautiful city blends a rich heritage with a very modern outlook. There’s a deep and diverse cultural scene, with world class galleries and theatres regularly packed and a music scene that’s birthed countless acts from grime to rock. Check out the iconic Leadmill, where many a famous act has played to small local crowds on their march to the top. 7.2% of Sheffield's working residents are in the creative industries.