Involve the children in decorating their rooms
Everyone benefits from a space that’s uniquely their own, especially kids. Kids love to help plan their bedrooms. The place where they sleep and play is their own little part of the world, and it gives them a sense of ownership when they can put a personal touch on it. Here are three ways to customize your child’s room without breaking the bank:
THINK ABOUT FLEXIBLE OPTIONS
Neutral walls and colourful accents make for the best basic building blocks of a child’s room. Don’t worry about adding any bright colour — all the toys and accessories in the room can do that.
When it comes to developing a theme for the room, consider using easily changed elements. This flexibility will come in handy as kids grow and their tastes change. If they’re on a baseball kick, get baseball-themed blankets and pillows for now and swap them out for the next obsession later. If they’re into trucks or dolls, place some on a shelf. You can also change these as their interests evolve. Interior designers specialize in all aspects of home design and can give you pointers on how to involve your kids in the process.
CONSIDER BUILT-IN FURNITURE
Think about hiring a carpenter for built-in beds, dressers, bookshelves or seating. This way, you can maximize space while designing a room that will grow with your child. A twin-sized loft bed will be great at any age beyond toddlerhood, for example. Smaller children will enjoy using the space below the bed for toy storage (or an impromptu playhouse with a few cleverly hung curtains), and older kids and teens can use the space for a desk.
Window seats provide an outside view that connects kids to nature, and they can be decorated to suit their changing interests as well.
Built-in shelving saves space and offers flexibility over the years. As a bonus, built-in shelves provide a safety bonus, since they can’t tip over.
CREATE A UNIQUE LOOK WITH CUSTOM PAINTING
The paint job in your child’s room provides the baseline for the rest of the look and design.
Look for paints free of volatile organic compounds. They’re the best choice for anyone sensitive to allergies or prone to headaches.
Satin and semi-gloss paint finishes are excellent choices for kid’s rooms — their water base makes them easy to clean with soap and water. Plus, satin paint is forgiving of imperfections.
Paul F. P. Pogue is a reporter for Angie’s List, a provider of local consumer reviews and an online marketplace of services from top-rated providers. Visit AngiesList.com.