ASK THE DESIGNER: Kids’ Rooms

June 25, 2014 · 0 Comments

Updating Your Children’s Bedrooms
By Jean Bisnaire, Niche Decor

My kids are getting older and I want their rooms to reflect that, but it feels like I just decorated them yesterday! Do you have any tips for updating their bedrooms?”

Kids’ rooms can be the most fun rooms to decorate. You can use bright colours, bold shapes and fun accents. They can also be the trickiest spaces because your little ones don’t stay little for long.
Their tastes can change as fast as the weather. I think it’s great that you realize how important it is that their space reflects their personal needs and growth. I’ve put together some tips on how to help your childrens’ rooms grow right along with them.

From baby to tot
This is a big stage for both you and your child. It’s time to swap out the crib for a toddler bed. I suggest choosing a single or double sized classic bed rather than a themed bed that can be easily outgrown. There are so many different styles out there – modern, platformed, painted – your little one will be sure to love their new bed!
If there’s a rocking chair in the room, now is a good time to remove it and replace it with cubbies or organizers for toys, books, puzzles or a comfortable reading chair. If you have a dresser with a changing table, remove the change table and accessorize the top!

From little kid to big kid
By the time your child is in school, their room will be ready for another upgrade. This is a great age for bright colours and bold décor. Communicate with them about what they like and then adjust the room to an appropriate theme.
There are endless varieties of wallpaper with fun patterns and prints. Nervous about doing an entire bedroom in one theme or style? Why not create a feature wall? A good client of ours recently created a space themed room for her son, the aspiring astronaut with a full wall sized mural. Feature walls are a fantastic idea for kids’ bedrooms because they are easy and inexpensive to alter as your child’s ideas, hobbies and interests change.
You can even paint one of the walls with chalkboard paint. Your kids will love being able to write on the walls without getting in trouble! Plus, it’s a great way for them to practice all of the new things they’re learning. Now that your little one is growing, make sure that your furniture reflects their current needs. Add chairs, a craft station or a reading nook.

From big kid to big trouble
As your child hits adolescence, all that cute baby stuff goes bye-bye (sadly!). Your child needs more freedom now and their bedroom should reflect this. If the space allows, buy him or her a bigger bed.
If your ceilings are high enough, consider a bunk bed so that they can have friends stay the night; or, try a 2-storey bed and use the space underneath to create a nook to relax, or an office with some extra storage – a perfect place for homework. Incorporate pin boards to hang pictures and notes or do a gallery wall with their own projects. They’ll love seeing their own art in the space.
Paint is the simplest way to change a room. Tone down bright colours by painting the room a neutral shade and using accessories to bring fun in to the room. Choose fabrics with bold geometric prints- these are still young and fresh without being juvenile. Update furniture by swapping out kid-friendly items for more mature looking pieces.
The most important advice I like to give to my clients is to make it personal. You want the room to feel like your kid’s own space. Let them help out with the decorating process and have fun with it!

Feel free to send me your comments or questions to askjean@nichedecor.ca