This month I wanted to touch on the topic of children’s rooms. We want to make these spaces cohesive with the rest of our homes, but where do we start?
Here’s what NOT to do.
Here I’ve incorporated a colour palette that can ‘grow’ with a little boy or little girl as they mature.
1. Don’t go overboard on theme.
INSTEAD..
Choose a sophisticated colour palette then add small element of your theme.
Incorporate things that be changed out easily (e.g. removable wallpaper and art).
2. Don’t colour saturate.
INSTEAD..
Choose a softer version of the colour you love (it will look more mature & in keeping with the whole house).
If you love bold colour, use it in accent pieces.
Here I used a soft grey on the walls with a ply wood feature wall (not in this picture) as the timber accent will work well how ever the room is used moving forward.
3. Say no to blank white walls.
INSTEAD..
Choose decals or wallpaper for a timeless look.
Think about the mood & feeling you are after and bring in elements that keep the eye moving and engaged.
If you’re bold, paint the ceiling a colour!
4. Resist child specific furniture.
INSTEAD..
Choose regular furniture to save having to swap child’s furniture out at a later date.
Use a dresser with a change mat on top in place & purchase a bigger bed if you have space for example.
Spend your budget on pieces that work throughout the lifespan of your child.
Here I incorporated a reading zone under this loft bed to create distinct zones in this girl’s bedroom.
5. Forgetting designated zones.
INSTEAD…
Try to seperate sleeping and craft or study areas (to keep room from getting too cluttered or chaotic).
If you have a small space, use vertical walls for floating shelves or fold down desks.
6. Steer clear of fragile finishes.
INSTEAD…
Look for wood rather than glass finishes (easy to clean and wipe down),
Choose washable rugs on timber floors as easier to vacuum.
Look for stain resistant and outdoor fabrics for chairs & bench seats.
Creating a floating bedside table like I did in this teen boy’s room helps when designing for a small footprint.
7. Don’t skimp on lighting.
INSTEAD…
Consider wall sconces to free up bedside table space.
Layer overhead light with ambient lighting such as table lamps.
8. Omitting window furnishings.
INSTEAD…
Use layers such as blinds then curtains or sheers to add texture and maturity to the scheme.
Remember cordless blinds for young children.
Prioritise window coverings for privacy and to filter light for sleeping/playing.
Remember to start with the main furniture pieces and build the accent pieces and themes around them.
9. Say no to starting with accents.
INSTEAD…
Start with the main furniture pieces, choose paint and accents last.
Put more of your budget towards wall covering such as panelling or wall paper as they add more to the space than smaller accents.
10. Ignoring room for play and personality.
INSTEAD…
Look for areas in the room to encourage imagination such a teepee, climbing wall, swing etc.
Incorporate specific interests, or encourage them with travel maps interesting photography for example.
So there we have it, the key 10 things you need to stay away from when designing your child’s room and tips to follow to get it right.
Of course there are many other design elements that will help to bring your child’s room to life even further, but I hope this blog will get you heading in the right direction.
If you need more individualised help with your child’s room then feel free to reach out to me here. We can jump on a phone call and I can learn more about what you need - I’d love to help.
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