Designing a kid’s bedroom isn’t exactly child’s play, but it’s certainly not as difficult as you might think. Get the basic design groundwork right, and the rest will flow from there. The best method is to ask questions before lifting a finger. A dialog with your child concerning expectations of how the room should be, allied to your own ideas about practicalities and budget, makes for a smooth running project.
First, what will the bedroom be used for? This, of course, depends on the age of your child. Babies sleep a lot. Toddlers play a lot. Teenagers (if we’re lucky) do their homework and socialize. Obviously, tailoring your room design to the age of your child is a key to its success. The following rules apply to all children’s bedrooms, regardless of age.
Serious storage
You have no right to complain about a messy bedroom if there is inadequate storage. Really go overboard on storage provision, because there is never enough. Somewhere for toys, nappies, books, toiletries, clothes, sports gear and all the other stuff that children accumulate is key to a well-designed space. If floor area is restricted, be open-minded about putting storage on walls or in alcoves and entertain the idea of storage beds and other dual-purpose furnishings designed to streamline and de-clutter life. Choose neutral furnishings that will ‘grow’ with your child to avoid having to replace things too frequently. Ask yourself if that pale blue armoire covered in little sailing boasts is going to appeal to a hormonal pre-teen into mixed martial arts.
Windows on the world
The windows in a child’s room should be safe and well protected. Add to that the need for to control light penetration, aid privacy and look good. Avoid blinds with chords, as they can be unsafe; instead opt for short drapes or the best solution – safe and easy to clean shutters. With babies especially, it’s wise to establish regular sleeping patterns early on, and this becomes simple with easily adjustable interior shutters.
Color and decoration
Get children involved in decorating the room. If they have a favorite shade, it’s often best to use this as an accent color in bedding, accessories and cushions, rather than painting the whole room. Children can be fickle, and changing the bedding is far easier than painting over a color that has fallen out of favor. Lampshades, seating, desks and trinkets can all give a shot of color and add zest and personality to a space. Wall decals, stencils or murals are good ways of spicing interior design schemes up and giving a room a theme. Whether it’s inspiration from a favorite cartoon or comic book character or a more abstract theme such as floral or maritime, you and your kids can have fun getting creative together.
Designing children’s rooms is all about visualizing how they’ll be used, now and in the future. You can put a smile on their faces every time they enter the room by following these guidelines, listening to their ideas and achieving a balance with which everybody is happy.
