Even before a baby is born parents begin to plan and dream about the baby’s room. Pink or blue, yellow or green, these are often the first questions that come into play. Of course it is natural to focus on the baby and plan a beautiful room for him or her but it is important and valuable to look beyond and see how the room can grow with your child.
When selecting furniture look beyond the options in the “baby superstore” and opt for pieces that can grow with your child. Any dresser can be used as a changing table by simply securing a changing pad to the top. Then as the baby grows you can remove the pad and have a beautiful dresser to carry your child through the years.
When using window treatments such as cellular shades or wood blinds you can add a cute nursery themed valance that can be removed or swapped out as the child grows. The biggest investment in the room is the carpet or flooring so pick a color that can blend with more mature colors as your child grows. Then in a few years’ time you can update the room with a fresh coat of paint and some new linens.
Decorating for an older child or teen can be a challenge. It is important to listen to their wants and needs but still put in perspective what can be done. As adolescents they will spend a lot time in their rooms on their own, doing homework, and hanging out with friends so you want the space to be both functional and fun. Allow your child to have input on big, but less expensive items, such as paint color. That will give them their overall big wish of getting the color room that they want and still give you room to make other decisions. Think about how they use their room, do they play games on the floor so they need a soft open area to play on? Do they often have friends sleep over? If yes, then a high riser or bunk bed is a must. If they play an instrument such as guitar, having a comfy chair will give them a place to practice.
It is also a good idea to incorporate some of your child’s favorite likes or hobbies into the decor. Flowers, beads or butterflies hung around the room add a fun and decorative element. A basketball hoop on the wall or a rug with sports court lines can offer kids an opportunity for hours of playing fun. Older kids can create a collage to hang on the wall and all ages will benefit from a big cork board which gives kids a place to hang their stuff but still keeps the room neat and organized.
In a world where we put so much time and effort into so many aspects of our children’s lives it is important to carefully plan their rooms as well. This will give you the long lasting function that you desire and they appreciate. Creating a fun, well organized and warm environment will keep your kids happy in their rooms for years to come.
By Shoshana Halpert
