Children’s rooms are among the most difficult to decorate — mostly because the occupants are constantly growing and changing. Within a matter of years, that perfect princess- or train-themed room looks too babyish for a preteen, sending you back to square one. Whether you’re treating your child to a room makeover or trying to sell your home, here are a few tips for making a child’s room attractive and fun, yet timeless.
Think before you theme. Many parents want to create themed rooms for their children, capitalizing on their child’s current interests. If executed well, a theme can unify the space and add a degree of style. But so much can go wrong. Your child likely will outgrow a theme centered on a favorite cartoon character or toy. The key is to select a universally loved and timeless theme — and then not go overboard. Ask yourself, can this room grow with my child? Or, if a guest needed to stay in this room, would they be comfortable? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.
Invite in the light. A dark room is not inviting — especially for a child’s room. Keep window dressings light, airy, and simple. Paint the walls a light color. Here’s a trick: Use a higher sheen paint on the walls, like satin. Not only will the reflective finish help move light around the room, but it’s easier to clean. Finally, add light fixtures with soft, daylight-spectrum bulbs.
Function and fun. When staging or designing a space, you want to keep it open and uncluttered — quite the challenge when children and their toys are concerned. Keep furniture to the essentials — a bed, nightstand, a dresser and a storage piece for quick pickup of all those playthings.
Storage solutions. The ideal kid’s room can go from chaos to clean and free of clutter within a few minutes. The key is providing easily accessible storage containers. Boxes, bins and lidded baskets are all good choices and come in lots of attractive designs to compliment any décor.
Safety first. Children’s rooms need extra consideration when it comes to safety. Furniture should be anchored to avoid tip-over hazards. Cords should be kept neat and out of reach. Windows should be in good, working condition. Tip for sellers: Remove photos and any other items that contain personal information about your children before potential buyers tour your home.
