Tips for creating a children's bedroom

Future planning is the key to creating a functional and fun children's bedroom that can grow and change as your children do.Tips on how to create the ideal children's bedroom.Use these tips to create an entire room or change one element, such as flooring, walls, bed, storage and wall coverings.


Flooring

• Flooring should be a soft, impact-absorbing material such as carpet or a rug.
• Carpet should be woollen rather than nylon and avoid shaggy versions – they are hard to keep clean and a sure-fire germ breeding ground.
• If you have a hard floor that needs to be covered with rugs, the same rules apply, short-weave, woollen varieties are best. Always use an anti-slip underlay.
• Experiment with bright colours and patterns.

Walls

• Consider the walls a blank canvas that will be added to over the years.
• Choose a wash-and-wear paint variety that makes cleaning spills and marks easy.
• Consider painting a large area with chalkboard paint. This provides children with a creative space where they won't get into trouble for writing on the walls. As they get older, you can easily paint over it to match the remaining walls– after all, it is just paint.
• Have removable hooks on hand to hang the kids' artwork, height charts, a mirror and photos. Try to avoid hammering anything in permanently as their tastes will change.

Bed

• Think long term when you are buying beds – gimmicky racing car beds are fun for a year or two but they will be outgrown quickly.
• Ensure bunk beds are secured to the wall and have protective guardrails on all sides.
• Put beds next to a wall rather than in the middle of the room or under a window. This allows more play area and there is no danger of little ones climbing out the window from a bed.
• Use patterned and themed quilt covers and pillows to decorate beds. These can be interchanged as your children get older. It is a good idea to choose machine-washable fabrics, especially for younger children.

Storage

• A good storage system is the key to maintaining a tidy and organised children's bedroom.
• Divide items into such categories as ''used everyday'', ''used every other day'', ''used occasionally'' and ''seldom used''. Then store accordingly. For example, place most used items on easily accessible, open shelves and seldom used items at the top of cupboards.
• Use boxes and crates to store toys. See-through ones are best so children can see what is in them. Use colourful labels with symbols or pictures.
• Drawers are better than shelves or cupboards as they are easier to reach and organise.

Other furniture

• Stools are handy. They can be used as a step up to bed and for reaching high shelves around the rest of the home. For example, in the bathroom when cleaning teeth and washing hands. Just make sure they are stored safely away to prevent children climbing out windows and getting into things they shouldn't, such as the medicine cabinet.
• Make room for a desk and chair. This can be a spot for drawing and artwork at a young age and for homework and study as children get older. Consider the ergonomics of the area. It is a good idea to buy a good quality chair that is height-adjustable. Again, make sure you have plenty of shelving and drawer space at the desk area for stationary and books.

Window coverings

• Curtains and blinds are another element that can be interchanged over time as children get older. Choose bright colours or cartoon prints for young children. They might like to choose their own as they get older.
• Be aware of blind and curtain cords. These can be a safety hazard to toddlers.