Let’s Decorate: Kids Rooms

by guest blogger, Wendy Monaghan

Designing a child’s room can be a challenge and a big job to tackle!  Often there are many opinions to consider and the pressure of a designing a room that will stand the test of time weighs on the parents.  Here are my top 5 tips to consider when you’re designing your child’s room that will be loved for many years to come.

1. Large Furniture – these pieces are hopefully purchased only once.  You certainly don’t want to go through the expense and hassle of buying new bedroom furniture every few years.  So my advice is to buy good quality, and fuss-free furniture the first time.  It doesn’t have to break the bank, but this will hopefully be the bed that little Susie takes to university with her, so it needs to last a long time.  Buy the best you can afford, whether it’s $300 or $1000, there are lots of great options.  Be sure to stay clear of pieces that are too small – Jonny is going to be 6 feet tall in the blink of an eye – or have embellishments that are very juvenile.  Keep these 2 things in mind and you’ll do great with the big furniture purchases.

 

2. Bedding & Window treatments – Keep these fun, but “neutral”.  When I say neutral here I don’t mean beige or white, I mean neutral of “themes”.  For many kids when they are getting a new room they pick a character, say Spiderman, and then the room becomes Spiderman overload – bedding, curtains, decor, wall decals, the whole 9 yards.  It’s a big expense and one that will probably need to be changed in a year or 2.  By keeping the bedding and window treatments fun, but neutral enough that it can remain with your kids changing styles over the years, you’ll have the beginning of a winning design.

3. Accessories – this is where you want to bring in a theme if you have one.  So if Susie wants daisies all over her room, add it in a couple of cushions, a vase with big colourful daisies, use wired Gerber daisies to embellish the curtain rod or lamp.  Get creative in ways to add unique touches and make the room special, but that you can easily (and inexpensively) strip it back to your “Neutral” when Susie decides daisies are for babies!

 

4. Add Interest – Everyone would like to have a special room for their child.  Part of what makes this happen are all the details.  Some ways to do this are with the light fixture – replace the standard builder’s light with something unique and fun; lamps – these don’t have to come from the kids section.  Choose something that can grow with your child.  You could also add interest by adding ribbon to the shade.  It could easily be removed at any time.  Artwork – have your child make their own, frame some of their artwork or create a painting on canvas.

 

5. Involve your child – this is a fun process for your child.  Let them have some input.  The key to getting great results and avoiding disagreements is to do your research and plan ahead of time.  Present your child with several options and choices but all that you would be happy with.  It’s a little like the mom trick of asking your child “would you like carrots or broccoli for supper?” – it doesn’t matter which, they are both great.  When your child is involved he or she feels responsible and proud of his or her space and will likely want to take care of it!  Bonus!

 

Wendy Monaghan, Interior Decorator and owner of Link Interiors, creates homes where life and style co-exist with flair.   She believes that a functional space allows families to have more quality time together and that children and all of their stuff can live in a beautiful home.  She is the mother of 2 fabulous HRM girls, aged 7 & 5.  For more information, to see room designs or to contact Wendy, visit her website, www.linkinteriors.ca