Little and not so little Children's Bedrooms

I thought long and hard about the title of today's blog; whilst its okay I suppose to call a 10-year-old a child, I'm not sure about what a 15-year-old is happy being referred to as?  Well, children's bedrooms it will just have to be today!

Something I do know, is that regardless of a child's age; they love colourful, fun, bright and interesting bedrooms!  Unlike adults who I find are mostly very serious about their rooms, children love their rooms to be fun and they need it to be functional for their age.  A child's room also needs to be designed so that as they grow and want to change things that it isn't always a headache for dad who has to continually fork out a load of cash!

The average child spends more time in their bedrooms than what adults do, whether its playing, reading, doing homework or just chilling with friends - I'm not inclined to sitting with my mates on my bed in my room anymore, not sure about you though?  And its this that we have to keep in mind when designing a space that needs to be comfortable, practical yet creative and ultimately a room that they WANT to be spending time in.

When designing a space and creating a bedroom for an infant or toddler, the emphasis is on the layout and space for items other than a bed such as changing compactors, prams, toys, a play area and did I say toys?  As they get older, more thought needs to be put into how the room is set up and what furniture pieces and accessories are needed.  A room for a scholar needs to be more practical and have a layout that is uncluttered to assist with keeping it tidy; it needs a working space - shelves for books and CDs and a desk for your inspiring 'student'.  Adding a cabinet to the room lends a nice touch of decor whilst again offering an answer to practicality.  Whilst not forgetting space for sports kit, surfboards and IT related gaming consoles!

Now the inundated supply of visuals today has nothing to do with my loss of thought but more to do with painting possibilities of what can be done and to share ideas of what is 'out there'.  I find that looking at lots of creations and ideas helps me to design what will work for me whilst at the same time being inspired by what I see happening around me.

Looking at just the shell of a bedroom, the first consideration (and the easiest way to give it a new look down the line) always has to be the colour on the walls, the colour and type of flooring - what is practical for the age of the child in the room, the room's furniture and lighting.  A dimmer is good for all ages as it lets you create a distinctive mood and again adds to practicality.  Accessories, softs and blinds / curtains will change from season to season and with discernment needn't all be changed simultaneously every time your child or you for that matter get tired of the look. 

Its in a sense easier to design a room for a little one, they know no better - you design it for you ultimately.  You want a fun, beautiful and charming room.  One that echoes lullaby's and fairy tales....  A room for a pretentious 16-year-old girl is a whole different ball game - and thankfully so!  It makes what I do so much more enjoyable and challenging!  So whilst a room doesn't necessarily have to have a distinct theme it is a good idea to interconnect the decorating elements creating an ambiance and a functionality to a space called a child's bedroom!