| Designing a child’s room can feel quite daunting. | | | | depend on the age of your child, but even four year |
| Children can be harsh critics and all parents know how | | | | olds can have very fixed ideas of what they want |
| key a bedroom is to a child. In this article, I’ve | | | | their room to look like. Choosing a theme together is |
| written some of my top tips to consider if you are | | | | really important and there are so many fantastic ones |
| thinking of making over either a childs or teenagers | | | | to choose from. Just keep in mind that you want a |
| room. | | | | room that looks great and is a practical and functional |
| 1. Decide what furniture you actually need, or, can fit in | | | | space. A childs room is used very differently to any |
| to the available space. Consider:o Do you want a two | | | | other room in the house. If you think about it, the room |
| or three door wardrobe (consider room for school | | | | will have a number of uses: for sleep, relaxing, playing |
| uniforms, sports and PE kits, costumes and winter and | | | | with friends and for older children - homework. Choose |
| summer clothing)?o What style of bed do you want? If | | | | furniture that facilitates as many of these as possible. |
| your child is of pre-school age, Government guidelines | | | | 6. It is fun to do the decorating yourself. If you are and |
| recommend low lying beds not more than 40cms from | | | | are not that experienced, estimate how long you think |
| the ground;o Is there sufficient shelving/storage for | | | | it will take you and double it! This will sound really |
| books, CD’s and other belongings?o A desk to | | | | obvious but it is something I see time and time again |
| study at, house a computer at or simply draw and play | | | | and can make the whole process unnecessarily |
| at;o A chair;o A bedside table. | | | | stressful. In short, choose a good time to do it when |
| 2. Take a look at just what your child has managed to | | | | young children are cared for by someone else and |
| accrue and you will be surprised, so don’t make the | | | | you are not expecting anyone to stay for a few |
| mistake of underestimating the storage space your | | | | weeks. Inevitably your child will need to move into a |
| child needs. Consider future needs, for example, whilst | | | | spare room or double up with a sibling, there is nothing |
| a desk may not be important right now, if they are | | | | worse than rushing a job because visitors are due or |
| moving to high school in a year or two, this will be | | | | because Christmas or a special occasion is looming. |
| important. Try to incorporate as much space and as | | | | 7. If you are ordering new furniture, obtain an expected |
| many needs into your original design as possible. | | | | delivery date from your supplier. You can then plan |
| 3.Consider if the existing lighting and power sources | | | | your decorating work around that. I always suggest |
| are appropriate. If you need to move power points, | | | | buying any accessories once the furniture is in place, |
| add ceiling or wall lights or install new power sources, | | | | so that you can really see what is needed. With |
| do this before anything else and then be sure to check | | | | themed bedroom furniture, you will need relatively few |
| that your new furniture can fit following any changes. | | | | accessories as the furniture makes a huge statement |
| 4. Most people have some limit on their available funds | | | | by itself. For more neutral/plain furniture, accessorising |
| and so if on a budget, set a realistic one and stick to it. | | | | can be more necessary. If you are buying accessories, |
| There is a lot of cheap bedroom furniture on the | | | | don’t spend too much. Children will outgrow these |
| market, my recommendation is that you avoid it and | | | | relatively quickly and replacing accessories after 2 |
| buy product that won’t fall apart within the first 12 | | | | years or so is a cheap and effective way of updating |
| months. Is a warranty offered? Are there reviews on | | | | a room so that it remains appropriate to your |
| the sellers website? All of these can help you gauge | | | | child’s age. There are so many good websites, not |
| the quality of a product if it is not a brand you | | | | only srbWorld, that sell great room accessories. High |
| recognise. | | | | street sales are also a great way of picking up |
| 5. Involve your child in planning and designing the room | | | | bargains in this area. |
| as much as possible, it is their room! Clearly this will | | | | Happy designing! |