Building a Kids' Room: Very Important Tips
PAINT/FABRIC
Selecting a color
Don't be afraid of a sophisticated palette -- try a hue you'd want in your own room. If you do subscribe to the prescribed pink-for-girls-blue-for-boys approach, consider variations. A vibrant fuchsia or blue-gray are refreshing alternatives to powdery pastels. The key -- particularly for older kids -- is to select color combinations that have longevity and suit a range of styles.
Bedding as Decor
Graphic sheet sets and duvets are a great affordable way to liven up a basic room. They help set the tone: Dainty florals have a sweet vibe while a geometric pattern feels punchy and modern. More interchangeable than furniture or window treatments, bed linens can also better accommodate evolving tastes.
Durable Materials
When outfitting a child's room, pick fabrics that can withstand wear and tear. If something is white, make sure it's machine-washable. Cotton duck, twill and canvas are all low-maintenance and built to last.
FURNITURE
Pieces to Grow With
Unless you plan on constantly redecorating, choose heirloom-worthy pieces that children will come to appreciate. A beautiful armoire is practical for housing everything from toys to clothing. And if a basic rocking chair cramps your style, there are more sophisticated options, like the Eames rocker. Furniture likely to adapt over time -- a crib that converts into a bed, a bureau repurposed as a changing table -- is more cost-effective. Think about what's normally found in other parts of the house that could function in a child's room; a large modern coffee table, for instance, makes a versatile post for art projects and tea parties.
All-Important Lighting
Children should have access to an abundance of light: bright overheads, task lamps for desks, reading lamps for bedside tables and even night-lights, so toes aren't stubbed on the way to the bathroom.
Ground Effects
A rug provides insulation for hardwood floors, extra padding for busy knees and another blast of color or pattern.
STORAGE
The Big Ideas
Children have tons of stuff -- now figure out where it's all going. Space permitting, plot out where to use organizational pieces: a tall chest of drawers, a bookshelf, shelving, cabinets, etc. Take advantage of the room's architecture. If there's a recess or indentation in the wall, install shelving. But keep the height of the child in mind. Toys, books and puzzles should be within arm's reach, so he or she can pull items out and put them away. Other, more decorative bits can live higher up.
Middle Ground
While labeled boxes, bins, and baskets may seem semi-neurotic, they actually preserve sanity. Everything from superheroes and dinosaurs to model modes of transportation can have its own designated spot. This will encourage organization and make for easy after-play cleanup that kids can be involved in.
Think Small
Take advantage of all usable space. Stow off-season clothes and out-of-favor playthings under the bed. Put up a bulletin board for loose papers and memorabilia. Hang peg hooks (low!) inside a closet door for jerseys, hats and belts. Same goes for behind the bedroom door.
BABY ROOM
Healthy Choices
A lot of children's furniture is, unfortunately, made with toxins and formaldehyde. Scrutinize material information and, when possible, go for natural alternatives, like wood, sea grass, sisal, hemp, or jute. Many paint companies offer water-based, low-and-non-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) products, which won't release harmful gases into the air. And an ever-growing variety of eco bed lines and fabric (bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, etc.) for curtains and upholstery is ripe for the picking. Even mattresses come stuffed with all-organic filling and wool casings.
A Note on Themes
Keep in mind that overly juvenile, cartoon-y motifs aren't necessarily going to make children happy. A well-decorated space sans theme, which leaves room for the imagination to everyone in the family.
Find more great tips for creating a beautiful home with Domino: The Book of Decorating.
About the Authors
Deborah Needleman, founding Editor in Chief; Sara Ruffin Costello, Creative Director; and Dara Caponigro, Style Director, are the creative forces behind domino, the award-winning style and decorating magazine that was published by Condé Nast.
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