Now that she is starting kindergarten, our daughter has constantly been begging us for a “big kid” room. But, a child’s room can be one of the most challenging rooms in the house to decorate. As parents, we want to ensure that our child will be comfortable and happy in her own bedroom. We also want to make sure she can play and have fun in her bedroom too. So, we need to create space to play on the floor where she can kick up her heels while being safe at the same time. As kids get older, they also might do their homework and study in their room. So, now that she has gotten older and knows her likes and dislikes, we need to allow her to have significant input, it is her room after all! The more we involve our daughter in helping plan her room’s décor, the more likely it is she will take pride in the space and take care of it. We also want to try to include hobbies, interests, and talents as a part of the room’s theme.
To begin decorating, we need to start by choosing a theme or color scheme. One item or color will become the main focus of the room. I know that many choose the bed as the main point of interest, however we could focus on a display shelf, painted wall mural, or decorated play area as well. Focusing on one area will allow us to concentrate on our color scheme and create a space that isn’t too overwhelming.
Lighting is an indispensable feature that we need to incorporate into our child’s room. First we should consider what kind of lighting will suit the room and then work from there. Two or three light fixtures usually work best with one for the ceiling, a bedside lamp and a nightlight. Perhaps later on, when she receives more homework, we will need to include a light source near the desk or study spot as well.
Now, it’s time to use some imagination and consider safety when choosing decorative elements for our child’s room. It’s a good idea to keep only a small amount of knickknacks in the room. Luckily in our ranch home plan, we don’t have to worry about the dangers of a second floor for young children, but if we lived in a colonial style home, where the bedrooms are on the second floor, we would need to install window guards in order to make sure our child is safe even alone in the room. Also, bolting wall unit pieces or bookcases to a wall will keep the heavy pieces of furniture from falling if our child decides to climbs them. Finally, keeping electrical cords out of the way will stop the kids from grabbing them.
We should also invest in a good-size desk and a comfortable chair, which are essential for school projects and studying. Our child is only just starting school so she will appreciate a table and chair at just the right height, but as she gets older, we’ll need to buy a better study desk with a generously sized tabletop and two-drawer cabinets. A proper desk makes it easier for kids to keep track of paperwork and reference materials, or, at her age, it will allow us to help our daughter stay organized with her papers and projects. Plus, it will create great habits throughout the school years knowing that there is a special study area.
Plenty of storage space is a must in a kid’s room. Stackable plastic bins always work well and we can even select them to match the room’s décor. Another great addition we are considering is a toy chest that can make a fine storage option or even a bench. Ample amounts of drawer and storage space will encourage our child to remain neat and tidy. Another way we can save space and provide more storage is to use tables with multiple drawers or shelves.
Right now, we are on the lookout for key items that will pull our positive room concept together for our child. Adorable accessories of every kind are widely available for children’s rooms, we just need to find the right one. To make the room even more practical yet still enjoyable, we want to try and use functional items such as clothing hooks, mirrors, pillows and other useful items that fit the theme. Colorful kid’s area rugs add lively interest and playtime patterns to kid’s bedrooms and the shelf space is perfect for displaying our child’s artwork, projects, and collections.
Decorating a child’s bedroom can be overwhelming, so before we jump right in, we need to learn how to select useful items that can add a spark of personality to the space while also providing great function. It is very important for us to be organized and create the perfect space that allows our daughter to play, study, and most importantly be herself in her new “big kid” room. The ultimate goal is to create a room where she can relax, play with friends, and do activities such as homework while eliminating the frustrating bedroom clean-up battles. While she offers her own input, we needed to make sure to express our daughter’s personality in the design instead of ours and most importantly, we want to have some fun and create some great family memories!
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