Building a new family home is always an exciting time for families, and many of my clients find that every member of their household – kids included – want to have their say on how they think the house should look. While I agree it’s a great idea to give children at least some input into the look and feel of their new bedrooms, I do encourage those who are willing to let their kids choose the colour scheme and fixtures for their bedrooms to proceed with caution.
All too often I see children’s rooms decorated in colours and prints of the moment. While these designs may work well initially (imagine a princess-mad five-year-old choosing a bright pink for her bedroom walls), the truth is it’s only a matter of time before these bedrooms will become something completely inappropriate and unloved.
Unless you have the finances to be able to change a room to suit every few years, I suggest keeping the walls of a child’s room relatively neutral. It may sound boring, but it is surprising just how simply (and affordably) you can transform a space using soft furnishings and decor. The wall decals that have flooded the market over the past few years, for example, give ample opportunity to add an element of fun. Not only are they inexpensive, but they can easily be removed and replaced with something more age-appropriate as time goes on.
By the same token, replacing a duvet cover can change the look of a room instantly. With a massive range of patterns and colours available these days, it would be relatively easy to find bedding that both parents and kids alike can appreciate. Plus, with amazing sales on manchester popping up all over the show, it’s not going to break the bank if your child decides that yellow is no longer their favourite colour a year or so down the track.
Just like walls, opting for neutral window dressings with just a little added oomph will also ensure your child will continue to love their bedroom in the long run. A roman blind can be made with a deeper bottom where braid, buttons, or even just some patterned fabric could be attached to add a pop of interest and fun. This is something that could be totally led by imagination – I had an idea of a bead trim with letters spelling the child’s name tacked into place to personalise the space – and could be replaced very simply as your child grows out of them.
If you prefer drapes to blinds, curtains in a child’s room could have a deep border, either brightly coloured or boldly patterned, sewn on the bottom. You could also consider sewing pompoms down the leading edges of the curtains, or carefully attaching some colourful bunting to add pizzazz. Again, you would only be limited by your imagination!
In my opinion, the trick to creating a bedroom that your children will love for years to come is to keep the room itself neutral. Introduce simple objects that give the space a childlike feel without taking away from the room, and allow your creativity to flow. Out of all the rooms in your home, your child’s bedroom is the one space where amateur touches are totally acceptable.
Interior Designer, Tauranga
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