| A child's bedroom is not only the place where they | | | | child can use his or her creative abilities whenever they |
| sleep but is often where they play, think, dream and | | | | want to. |
| learn too so it should reflect what they like and what | | | | Furniture |
| inspires them. If your child is old enough, talk to them, | | | | Choose items that are practical and appropriate for |
| find out what they would like to have in their room and | | | | your child's age and that fits in with the décor or |
| involve them in choosing the colours, materials and the | | | | theme. Should the furniture be elegant and dainty, |
| furniture. By making it fun and exciting and by including | | | | perhaps in pale pastel shades or pure white, or would |
| them in the first place, you are more likely to get it right | | | | more solid chunky pieces be more appropriate in |
| and will end up with a room that your child enjoys to | | | | colours like bright red, lime green or sunshine yellow. |
| be in and that uniquely reflects your child's personality. | | | | Again, if you involve your child you are more likely to |
| Choosing a theme | | | | end up with something that they are going to be |
| There are countless themes that you can choose | | | | pleased with. |
| from and your child will love pondering over all the | | | | Visit markets, car boot sales and second hand shops |
| possibilities until they finally make a choice. Once you've | | | | with your child as you may pick up some excellent |
| both decided on a particular theme the rest is relatively | | | | pieces for your child's room at a fraction of the cost. |
| easy. | | | | Remember their likes and dislikes will change many |
| Bedcovers, curtains, carpets, wallpaper, blinds, | | | | times as they grow older so there's no point in |
| tapestries, furniture, lampshades etc. can all be | | | | spending a fortune on something that is likely to be |
| coordinated to fit in with the chosen theme. The | | | | discarded in the not so distant future |
| following are some ideas to get you started but no | | | | Get down to size |
| doubt you and your child will come up with a few of | | | | When arranging the furniture and fixtures and fittings in |
| your own. | | | | your child's room remember to place items within easy |
| - Ocean themes including ships, fish, pirates, sea | | | | reach of your child. Get down to their size and see the |
| creatures and shells | | | | room from their perspective. There's no point in placing |
| - Nature themes like woodlands, wildlife, flowers, | | | | a mirror in such a position that your child isn't tall |
| butterflies and bugs | | | | enough to look into it or having drawers and shelves |
| - Magical themes involving fairies, dragons, unicorns, | | | | that are out of reach. If light switches are too high think |
| angels, elves and pixies | | | | about having them repositioned at a lower level. |
| - Heroes from any one of the countless super heroes | | | | However, don't make structural changes that are too |
| in children's comics and films | | | | drastic because your child will grow up and unless |
| - Space themes where you can include stars, planets, | | | | there are younger children who will 'inherit' the room, |
| rockets, characters from star trek, astronauts, aliens | | | | there's little point. |
| and so on | | | | Safety aspects |
| - Children's story and Nursery Rhyme characters | | | | Health and safety is an important aspect of design in |
| - Wild west themes or safari | | | | any interior design project but you need to pay |
| - Outdoor activities like fishing, snowboarding, boating, | | | | particular attention where children are concerned. Most |
| camping or mountaineering | | | | of it is pure common sense. For example, make sure |
| The list is literally endless. For other ideas and | | | | that plugs and wires are hidden and out of the way as |
| inspiration try browsing through magazines and | | | | much as possible. Ensure that any wall hangings, |
| catalogues with your child, visit showrooms or search | | | | pictures and mirrors are securely fastened to the wall |
| on the internet together. | | | | and that furniture will not tip easily. Be careful of what |
| Creativity and Colour | | | | materials you use and check that they are safe. Also, |
| You don't have to opt for the traditional pink for girls | | | | when painting, try to keep your child out of the room |
| and blue for boys, and the scope for design is limited | | | | until the fumes have subsided. Finally, try to anticipate |
| only by your imagination. Here is one place that you | | | | any other potential hazards that may put your child at |
| can go wild and be really creative with colour. Don't be | | | | risk and take preventative action. |
| afraid to be bold. If you are feeling artistic you could | | | | Your child's room should ultimately be a safe haven, a |
| consider painting a colourful scene on one wall and | | | | place where they can play, relax, unwind and sleep |
| maybe even allow your child to join in or you could | | | | peacefully. |
| paint part of a wall in blackboard paint so that your | | | | |