BRIGHT IDEAS
Putting the children in charge of decor
A child’s room should be the most joyous space in the home to decorate. Where else are we going to paint multi-coloured shapes on the walls or base a room entirely around a cartoon character?
Too often though we get hung up on considerations that limit the wondrous possibilities of a child’s room, from how long it will be before they outgrow the decor to how willing we are to break the flow of the home. It pays to push these considerations aside and let your child take the lead, as it’s their space to express themself.
The only pointer really is to have fun but, if you’re in need of guidance to get the most out of a kid’s room, then consider the following:
If you are insistent on avoiding themes or characters that you feel might be a shortlived phase, then shop decor that is playfully patterned instead.
Graphic prints, like polka dots, thick stripes, and naive motifs will give a youthful vibe, particularly when mixed.
Typically we would use the walls, curtains or bedding sets to add character to a kid's room but these are essentially flat expanses and it can often be more fun to make the three dimensional pieces your heroes.
A laundry basket, for instance, could be an elephant, a lightshade a dinosaur and a chair a shark. If possible, leave a whole wall for storage. As a child ages, their belongings will change, but you'll never regret having an expanse where things can be put away, whether it’s toys or teenage clothes.
Remember to paint it in fun colours though; just because it’s practical, doesn’t mean it has to be sensible.