MAKING SURE THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Different stages of your children’s lives means adjusting their space in the home, writes DARIA KUPRIENKO
To most parents, kids stay kids — even when they are in their 30s.
And their rooms will often stay the same for as long as they live at home or even after they’ve left.
As the children head back to school for the year or make the leap into tertiary education, their first adult job or a gap year, now is the time to reassess how their space at home works for them and the whole family.
Pocket Space Interiors boss Laura Lochhead says it’s crucial to change up the house when you have a teenager.
As years go by, personalities and priorities change, so spaces need changing too.
“A bedroom is a sanctuary, no matter if you are an adult or a kid,” she says. “If they like their room, they will have better wellbeing and sleep, they’ll have more respect for things.”
And, she adds, attending to their needs gives parents a huge amount of kudos in a time when, well, sometimes they are treading on thin ice.
First priority is a study space. Allocate a space in the bedroom for a desk and make sure to future-proof storage for the work area.
If the teenager is into art or making films or music, then set up an art corner or workshop area where they can create to their hearts’ content. You never know what genius or brilliant start-up you may be nurturing.
“If you live in the city, the teenager is likely to stay home for the first year of university, or more, so you need to futureproof for the study needs they will [require] for their early career as a young professional,” Lochhead says.
Incorporate their favourite colours and concepts into the interior to match the style with their personality.
“For example, if someone is a sensitive dude, you would not put bright red in his room.”
When teen-proofing the house, make sure you keep in mind your child’s interests and how they are interacting with — or disrupting — the rest of the household.
If you don’t want them practicing martial arts techniques in the lounge or spreading out sewing in the kitchen, create a specifically dedicated space.
“A girl who’s 17 might be really into makeup. Does she have a cool mirror? Does she have drawers that are perfect for her makeup, instead of crowding the family bathroom?” Lochhead says.
As well as a set space for interests and study, a chill-out area with bean bags or window seats is a must.
Converting garages into social spaces for teens is a big trend now, Lochhead says.
“They need somewhere to chill, listen to some music. When they invite friends over, have somewhere for them to sit as well. Somewhere to kick back and get away from the rest of the family because they need their space,” she says.
Interior designer Sonya Cotter styled an Auckland family’s garage into a multi-use space for parent and teens.
Instead of just keeping the car safe, the area is used as a second living room with a sofa and bean bags, a games room for children and a workspace for gardening.
“The owners wanted it not just for storage but as a space for teenagers to hang out, watch TV and play table tennis,” she says.
“A bedroom is a sanctuary, no matter if you are an adult or a kid.”