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Tips For
Designing And Decorating A Kid's Room
Whether you are preparing a nursery for your newborn or
keeping pace with your pre-teen's ever- changing taste,
designing and decorating a child's room calls for
long-term planning and versatility. Kids' rooms receive
their fair share of abuse. Begin by setting aside any
expectation that they should be showpieces. This is the
place where children sleep, play, study, draw, paint and
spend time with their friends.
And whether your kids are five or fifteen, they like to
leave their things out in the open where they can get
their hands on them easily. But there is a difference
between a room where things are on display and easy to
reach and one that's a disorganized mess.
If you are starting from scratch -designing and decorating
your first nursery, for instance -pick the functional
pieces you will need first. Plan the room around the bed
or crib, storage for clothing and toys, a change table for
infants, or a study space for school-age children.
Draw a floor plan on graph paper and plot out where you
will place everything. You can use the graph to calculate
your wall and floor square footage before you paint,
wallpaper or lay a carpet.
Choose furniture that you can see functioning in multiple
ways as the child grows older. For example, you might
choose a wall unit that you can position horizontally so
it's low and stable for a young child but which can later
stand vertically as the child gets older.
When decorating, choose a decor that is easy to update.
While there are some great washable wallpapers on the
market today in many textures, themes and patterns for
kids, remember that it's less expensive and far easier to
replace a poster.
Finally, always consider your child's taste and opinion
when decorating their room. Young children may have
particular colours or cartoon personalities they like,
while older children may want space for a special hobby or
activity. Furnishing and decorating a kid's room takes
imagination and creativity -both yours and your child's.
Younger children
Keep furniture, toys, books and clothes accessible to
young children. This makes them feel more secure and
capable. It also means you have to ensure they can reach
the top drawers, shelves and other storage units. Try to
include a low table with chairs for colouring, doing
puzzles or even snacking. A toy bin on wheels is easy to
move around and quick for cleanups.
School-age children
As kids get older they get more involved in collections,
hobbies, sports and clothes. They need more places to
display and store things. Modular storage systems which
often include a built-in desk can be the best solution.
Children's tastes change throughout their school years.
The pink room with the white canopy bed your daughter
loved when she was eight may be too childish and cute for
your sophisticated twelve-year-old.
If you don't want to redecorate your child's room several
times between kindergarten and high school, choose
furniture that has staying power from the start.
High-quality, solidly-built beds and dressers in neutral
or natural colours that are long-lasting may cost more,
but will pay you back in the long run.
Opt for more inexpensive accessories -bed linens, drapes,
blinds, rugs -which can be changed more frequently to keep
pace with your child's ever-changing interests.
Always thing safety
When decorating a room for toddlers or young children
especially, always keep their safety in mind. Check the
room for any hazards such as unprotected electrical
outlets, mini-blind cords, dangling cords and drawstrings,
small objects that can be swallowed and furniture that is
unstable and could tip over.
Any furniture or other items that could tip over should be
fastened securely to the wall. Install smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms in or near your child's room. Always
choose crib mattresses that are firm and fit the crib
frame snugly and securely. And don't forget safety rails
on your child's first bed. |
