If you’re getting ready to revamp your little rug rat’s room, there are a few key elements you should incorporate. The most important thing, however, is to keep in mind kids don’t like the same things as adults, and an idea that seems fantastic to you may not give your child the same feeling of excitement.
So, before you get started, talk to your child about what they have in mind and exchange a few basic ideas. Find out what colors catch their eye by going through a color palette book from your local home improvement store or looking at a color wheel. Also talk about various possible themes like “princesses,” “nature” or “space.”
Once you have a clearer picture of what your child has in mind, you can start to plan the finer details. Here are five elements that every kids’ room should have, whether it’s for a boy who loves dinosaurs or a girl who dreams of ponies.
1. A work station
Although most of the time kids will just play on the bed or floor even if they do have a dedicated work station, giving them a place to go when they have something important to do will help them to develop better organizational skills.
Older children will have homework that needs doing, and a nice desk with adequate lighting and a comfy chair will help them to concentrate and separate work from play. You can help them develop good habits from an early age by sitting them down at their “work” station for projects like play dough or coloring.
2. More than one source of light
Having light coming from a few different sources can make a room feel more spacious and cheerful. Cute light fixtures and lamp shades are fun to add, but don’t forget to make it functional as well.
If your child plays in a certain corner of the room, have some spotlights shining on that area, and make sure you give them a nightlight that they can reach when they are in bed. A reading lamp is also a good idea for older children.
3. Plenty of storage
One of the most important things to think of when designing a kids’ room is storage space. If you want to keep the rest of your home free from crayons and Lego pieces, you need to have a designated spot for each toy and item of clothing.
Beds with storage drawers underneath them are perfect for smaller rooms where you can’t fit extra cupboards, and multipurpose furniture items like storage chairs or padded toy chests are also a great idea. Consider labeling the different drawers, shelves and cupboards so you can teach your child where everything goes when they are done playing.
4. Comfortable flooring
Kids love to play on the floor, so you’ll need to keep this in mind when designing their room. Carpeting can be cozy for a bedroom, but kids with allergies may have a difficult time with the dust that gathers in such flooring types.
A better solution is to go with something like rubber or cork and then lay out a soft rug or blanket that is easy to clean in the area where they play.
5. Colors and shapes
Even if your child is obsessed with blue or wants a flower-themed room, it’s still a good to work in as many other colors and shapes as you can, even if the main theme still focuses on that color or object. For example, if your child wants lots of pink, choose pink curtains and bed covers, but offset that color by adding in a bit of green in the form of a cushion or rug.
This will prevent them from getting bored with the theme too quickly, and also adds some variety to the room. Think of ways to incorporate shapes as well; an oval lamp shade for example or a round rug next to a square storage chest.
About the Author:
Joyce Del Rosario works as a Community Outreach Specialist at Open College of Art and Design, one of the leading providers of interior design courses. She is also an interior design blogger.
