More than merely a place to sleep, your child's bedroom is their space where they're able to relax, do homework and let their imaginations soar.
It's important to create a space that they'll not only love now but will suit them as they grow. We've put together a list of ideas to make things easier.
Include sturdy, minimalist furniture
This furniture choice stands the test of time with its classic looks. If you decide to go with furniture specifically designed for wee ones, this will mean that the furniture will need to be replaced sooner rather than later as children grow so very quickly! The once cute, small table and chairs which was used to host tea parties will end up being far from usable for your now ten-year-old.
Maximise space
More open space = more space to play! More space doesn't mean that you have to have a large home, it means that when you are in the planning stages of getting your child's room together, it's a good idea to think about creating smart spaces! Things to keep in mind are: How much packing space will be required, how will this look? What type of bed will you have in the room - single, double, trundler, bunk? Where will the bed be placed? Have you thought about multi-use furniture - it's a great way of maximising space. Great examples of maximising space could be a desk doubling as a bedside table, or a bed with a base made of drawers or an ottoman with a removable lid which offers practical space-saving packing space - the list goes on! It's well worthwhile going into stores and searching online to see what multi-purpose furniture is available and would work well in your child's room.
Neutral wallpaper
It's so tempting to go with pastels or super bright colours, even wallpapers plastered with bold patterns, these are difficult to replace. Neutral colours are safe because they're timeless. With so many options on the market, you are still able to quite easily place something on a wall without having to make it a permanent decision. There are, for example, quite a few re-usable wall stickers in gorgeous designs which will now allow you to change up the look and feel as your child matures. Light neutral colours are known to make areas look larger. If a splash of colour is a must, a feature wall can be a great compromise, especially if the wall is a chalkboard or whiteboard, helping release your child's creative side with friends.
Accessories can add personality
Accessories are a great and relatively inexpensive way to add personality to your child's room (or any room really!). Rugs, pillows and curtains can be changed semi-regularly to add some character to the space. Choose to showcase a few of your child's toys to decorate the space, instead of storing them all away in boxes.
Do your children share a room? Separate the space.
While you may assume that matching duvets would look great from a design perspective, it is lovely to let each of their personalities shine through by introducing duvets and decor that they love. Involve them, and let them choose their decor, and, if they're likely to clash, it may be an option to separate the room with a divider, curtain, etc. to give them each a sense of their own space.
Keep your child involved
Who better to offer direction and advice than the one who will be living in the room? Listen to what your child has to say about their preferences. Try to add some of these elements to the bedroom. A matching curtain and duvet set are easy ways to add that touch of personality and colour. It's easy to get carried away with personal design and practicality preferences, but be sure to listen to your child. They will only be young once.
