Child’s play

Design the decor to reflect your children’s personalities and transform a bedroom into an adventure wonderland

It’s a common refrain among even the most devoted parents, especially during long school holidays: “Why don’t you go and play in your room?”

But they won’t argue about such banishment – in fact, you may have trouble getting them to come out – if that room’s an exciting, personalised space where the decor stimulates their imagination.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in the amount of customers shopping for themed kids’ bedrooms over the past year or so,” says Nathalie Davis, director at Cuckooland .

INTO THE WILD

Children love to ‘camp’ and create secret hideouts, and they can have that fun with furniture inspired by living in the great outdoors.

“One of our most popular themes is the camping/woodland style room, most commonly using our teepee cabin bed, tent bed or a tree house bed as the focal point,” says Nathalie.

“We think that’s because this theme is in keeping with the Scandi trend, as it embraces the neutral tones and sleek contemporary design that so dominates interior design currently. It also incorporates fun and a sense of adventure, and its attraction will endure because it’s classic — and not age or gender specific.

“A plain, timeless backdrop suits this look and would be practical and easy on the eye — maybe a wall papered in faux brick or wood panelling and a stripped wooden floor.”

Decor tip: If your child’s room is too small for play, look around the house to see if a small, unused space can be transformed. Kit out an understairs area with cushioned flooring, pillows and a curtain ‘door’. A built-in storage box can double as a window seat/ reading/hobby area on a landing.

ON THE MOVE

“Your child’s personality and preferences will impact on what you choose (for their room) but I’d urge caution about anchoring a room totally to a particular TV or film character. The danger is fashions and fads fade fast,” warns Paula Taylor, stylist for wallpaper specialists Graham & Brown.

“A few accessories linked to the desired theme may be enough and can be easily changed. Invest in full-size furniture and then all that will be necessary is a few easy updates every few years.”

Decor tip: Tap into your child’s hobbies for inspiration – whether that’s book characters, sporting heroes, animals or skateboarding – and reflect that passion in posters or murals. Companies such as Not On The High Street have a range of easy-to-apply wall stickers.

If your child’s room is too small for play, look around the house to see if a small, unused space can be transformed...