How to make your child’s bedroom design last

Designing your child’s bedroom can be a challenge. From bunk beds to bright pink walls and storage, there is a lot to consider when trying to create a space which will keep the little ones happy for years to come.

But you don’t have to choose between practicality and personality. With just a few helpful hints you can really get the creative juices flowing without having to worry about your children outgrowing their bedrooms.

• Use a soft colour palette

Repainting a bedroom can take a lot of time and hassle, not to mention the costs of forking out on different tins of paint every few months. Your kids will probably be wanting bright pink, blue or yellow walls, which will only seem appealing to them for a short time.

To avoid the fuss choose a subtle off white shade as a base or alternatively, buy the colour they are wanting in pastille. Decorate the rest of the room in vibrant colours with bed covers, decorations, furnishings and drapery.

• Fit wooden floors or dark carpets

Children tend to make a lot of mess, and if you opt for fresh white or cream carpets, they can end up getting tired and damaged pretty fast. Instead, have hardwood floors fitted which can handle spills, and put inexpensive rugs down.

If you don’t want to spend a lot refurbishing the floors, just lay dark coloured carpets in navy or soft reds, which won’t give away the tell-tale signs of their messy accidents.

• Buy sturdy furniture that will last

Don’t be tempted to get the cheap furniture for the short term. Instead, invest in the sturdiest pieces that will hold up to kids climbing and clambering all over them. That way you won’t be faced with the need to replace their entire bedroom set in a couple of years.

Beds can pose a difficult choice. Bunk beds can be a great option for children sharing a room or for those who want their friends to stay over frequently. However, these have a relatively short life span. Choose detachable bunk beds if they are a must-have, but try to opt for a full sized bed that will see them through to their teens.

• Choose timeless styles and patterns

Image courtesy of Send Chocolate. Sourced from flickr.com

Although you can try to convince them to keep their walls in subdued shades, ultimately their room should be their choice. That means if they want bright and colourful wallpaper it’s only fair to let kids be kids.

To compromise, choose wallpaper in a pattern that will stay in style. For a timeless girly feel choose vintage florals and opt for a pink shade that is not too demanding. For the boy’s bedroom, nautical wallpaper with anchors or sky blue cloud patterns will stand the test of time.

• Give them plenty of storage

Kids love to collect lots of books, toys and clothes, which inevitably leads to a lot of clutter. It is therefore important to make sure they have enough storage space. Wardrobes and drawers are always ideal, but if you’re struggling to accommodate all their stuff, or you have a limited amount of space, there are alternatives.

Websites such as OakFurnitureUK.co offer a huge range of storage options for your children’s bedroom. Bedside drawer chests are great for clothes, and when they are older, a second one on the other side of the bed is a chic storage solution. Under bed storage drawers are great for keeping school books, shoes and P.E. kits in, whilst blanket/storage boxes are the perfect place to keep all their teddies.

• Personalise the space with decorations

Once you have everything in place, you and your little one can enjoy putting your own stamp on the space. Vibrant and personalised cushions are easy to wash, inexpensive and can really brighten up the room. The same goes for statement lighting. Cute nightlights or colourful lampshades can tailor the room to your child’s style with minimal effort.

Posters, wall stickers and curtains can change the appearance of their room quickly and can be easily replaced when their tastes change. The same goes for bed linens, which are a fantastic way to keep their room feeling their own without you having to spend a lot of time and money.