Decorate your child’s room so everyone is happy

May 4, 2009 1:21 pm
Bright letters and images capture the young imagination. An ABC table and chair Sst gives little ones a special place to write and draw.
Bright letters and images capture the young imagination. An ABC table and chair Sst gives little ones a special place to write and draw.

(ARA) – Parents know that they rarely have the same ideas and opinions as their children. When decorating your child’s room, you might want one design while your 8-year-old daughter has a completely different concept in mind. Don’t worry parents, with a few tricks, you’ll be able to design a room that is stylish, functional and fun for your child.

“Since your child’s bedroom is the one room in the house where they get to express themselves, personalization will help them create a sense of identity for themselves,” says Jeff Nokkeo, academic director for Interior Design at The Art Institute of California — San Francisco.

Here are some decorating tips that will help keep the whole family happy:

* Talk to your child about his or her vision for the room. Then select a color palette and theme together. What are her likes and dislikes? Does he have a favorite hobby or activity he likes to do? Incorporating some of the child’s design ideas into the room will help make it feel like his or her own.

* Does she want overpowering or bright colors? “Compromise by using a neutral wall color in the room and adding punch and color with accessories and accents like bedding, lamps, wall art and other decorations,” Nokkeo suggests.

* Likewise, keep window shades neutral, but add a fun, colorful valance. The neutral base will make it easy for you to change the room when your child’s tastes change again in a couple years.

Both furniture manufacturers and home decor companies have special sections for children, so there are plenty of options to choose from. You’ll notice color trends as you start to shop – most major retailers will stock similar colors in any given season, making it easy to mix and match products from different stores. Here’s a look at some of the hottest trends for children’s bedrooms:

For Girls

It’s all about bright colors for girls, from purple to lime green to the ever-popular pink. Retro patterns are making a comeback, and they may look familiar to moms who had something similar when they were young. But make no mistake: these patterns are updated with a twist for a fun, funky look.

For Boys

If your little guy loves sports, choose accessories that have his favorite professional logo on them, such as a bedspread or poster. If your son isn’t a sports nut, you can incorporate any interest into affordable decor that will personalize the room. For example, if your son loves to play Army, add some camouflage curtains. Does he like science? Add a wall mural of the solar system. And if you don’t have a theme to work with, just choose his favorite colors and find accessories that incorporate that color.

For Both

Functionality is important in a child’s room. Adding items like a desk or table to work on is a great idea.

Courtesy of ARAcontent