| Decorating and setting up a child's room is one of the | | | | · The window(s) cannot be overlooked. Because |
| most fun and challenging tasks for a parent. Depending | | | | kids tend to wake easily once some light starts to |
| on the age of your child, this could really be a | | | | enter the room, your choice should have some sort of |
| teamwork effort -- or a cause of major disputes. Here | | | | liner or other blackout feature. (For this reason you will |
| are some basic guidelines to get the job done with a | | | | also want window treatments that extend about 3 |
| little less stress, and looking great. | | | | inches beyond each side of the window.) But at the |
| Just don't forget to set down the rules with your kids | | | | same time, a room with no natural light can be |
| before you get started! | | | | confusing, especially to a young child who can't or |
| · Keep function in mind. This is a room for sleeping, | | | | doesn't think to read the clock. The most practical |
| reading, homework, playing, talking on the phone, | | | | solution is to install a simple, neutral coloured blind or |
| relaxing, listening to music... And if your child is still quite | | | | shade (such as horizontal blinds, pleated- or roller |
| young, keep in mind that one day (s)he will be doing all | | | | shades...), then hang a fabric valance, with or without |
| these things and more. | | | | side panels, to give the room a finished look. |
| · No matter the age of your child, keep the | | | | · Rugs, although warms and cozy, tend to be a bit |
| characters for the accessories rather than as the | | | | of a problem in kids' rooms. For younger children, you'll |
| general theme for the room. Dora the Explorer, | | | | want to keep in mind that toy cars, and other rolling |
| Superman, Spongebob, Barbie... will only be appreciated | | | | toys and vehicles, will not work on a rug. There's also |
| for so long before you're being expected to keep up | | | | the issue of sand, which, even if shoes are off, tends |
| with what's cool and replace what's no longer "in". The | | | | to stick to socks until there is a nice clean rug for it to |
| cost of replacing a wallpaper border, a pillow, a lamp, | | | | transfer itself onto. For the slightly older crowd, there |
| and a clock is much less than the cost of having | | | | might be concern for food and even eraser bits and |
| wallpaper stripped, the walls prepared and repainted, | | | | pencil sharpener shavings if homework is done nearby. |
| and replacing all bedding and linens along with the rest. | | | | Spilled beverages and the inability to do a puzzle on a |
| · Carefully select "reusable" comforters or duvet | | | | rug are concerns too. A good rule of thumb is that if |
| covers. Look for stripes, plaids, modern-looking florals, | | | | the rug cannot be washed in the washing machine, it is |
| geometric or abstract patterns, two- or three-tone | | | | not the right rug for a child's room. |
| simple patterns, and so on, matched with solid colours. | | | | · Closet organizer systems are a must for any |
| These are reusable because they'll still match even | | | | child's room. For younger children, they enable them to |
| when the accessories are replaced. | | | | reach and put away their own things at an earlier age. |
| · Furniture should be carefully chosen. Inexpensive | | | | For kids of all ages (and grown-ups too!) they provide |
| furniture made of melamine on press-wood tends to | | | | some organization and order, allowing you to store |
| have a short lifespan and does not handle even | | | | much more in the same sized space. A two-tiered rod |
| normal "wear and tear" with dignity. At the same time, | | | | system with a couple of shelves is really all that's |
| there is no reason to purchase the most expensive | | | | needed. If you (or someone you know) are handy, a |
| furniture that money can buy. Another option to | | | | homemade system can be perfect. Professionally |
| consider is that children's items are easy to find | | | | done closet systems tend to be very costly and aren't |
| second hand. A quality bedroom set used for a few | | | | necessarily beneficial in a child's room where the |
| years by a child will likely have few, if any, signs of | | | | needs could change a couple of times before |
| previous ownership, and the price will probably be | | | | adulthood is reached. |
| about 30% lower than if it were new. Avoid furnishings | | | | · Most importantly, children should always be given |
| with pictures on them, as your child will quickly outgrow | | | | the opportunity to have a say about what will be done |
| Winnie-the-Pooh or pastel flowers. Opt for white, | | | | to their rooms. For younger children, simply show them |
| off-white, wood, or a combination of wood with a | | | | two options and let them make the final choice. For |
| colour. There are models available in combinations of | | | | older children you can almost sit back and relax while |
| two different wood colours, such as natural maple with | | | | they make the choices with you only offering guidance |
| blue stained wood. | | | | and controlling the budget. Some children are not able |
| · If the room will have a desk, significant toy | | | | to express or define what they like or want, or they |
| storage, or a television (with or without a small sofa or | | | | just do not have the experience to even know what |
| armchair), locate these items away from the sleeping | | | | they would want. You will have to work a bit |
| area. | | | | backward in this case, and start instead by making a |
| · Make sure the lighting can serve each activity to | | | | list of what they do not like, then from what's left, ask |
| be done in the room. Of course a good general light is | | | | leading questions like, "Do you prefer blue or green? |
| required, and a lamp should be located on the night | | | | Plaid or checkerboard?" and so on, until you're both |
| table for bedtime reading, a task lamp on the desk, and | | | | happy. |
| a soft, subtle nightlight placed to be functional. Instead | | | | Many children initially resist change in their bedrooms. |
| of the traditional little nightlights that plug directly into the | | | | This is normal and the best way to help them through |
| outlet, look at the "decorative lamps" that are now | | | | it is to make them feel as though they are involved |
| easily available in all different styles; they cast a soft, | | | | with the project. Reassure them by telling them that |
| warm glow into the room without actually providing | | | | once the room is changed they might have room for a |
| any real light. | | | | couple of their favorite toys (that are now in the |
| · Wall shelves are among the most practical | | | | playroom) in their room, and that you won't do anything |
| things for a child's room. Perfect for storing some | | | | without them knowing first, and so on. |
| books; decorative items; stuffed animals; photos or | | | | For more on decorating children's rooms, a trip to your |
| artwork; neatly boxed toys or components for toys or | | | | local library or bookstore will give you access to many |
| arts and crafts... | | | | wonderful books on the topic. |