Make your child’s room as awesome as they are!
Design for your child
One of the first mistakes parents make when creating a space for their kids is not involving them in the process enough, or at all. The best way is to make your kids a part of it from the beginning. As though you might like to have all the bells and whistles, kids mostly just want something simple. Plus, giving them a little control can make all the difference in how well-loved the room becomes.
“2017 has seen the emergence of a trend that stems from the celebration of individuality. The creation of bespoke, designer bedroom furnishings that truly echo the unique personality of the young person sleeping, playing, learning and creating within it,” says Phil Tsvetkov, General Manager of Moon Kids.
Colour their world
Paint can be a very evocative substance for kids, they can often be quite passionate about the colours they love and those they can’t stand. You could also consider the ‘psychology of colour’ in choosing the base shade for their child’s area. Blue is a great colour for a kids’ space as its peaceful and is also said to help productivity. Green is another good colour because of its calming effect.
Though kids often love colours like red and yellow, using them only as accent colours may make for a more pleasant space. Red is stimulating, causing excitement and anger. While yellow can have a very unsettling effect; even though it’s cheerful and sunny, it can make people lose their tempers.
“Colour can spur creativity, impact mood and inspire works of art. Monochrome is the trending style right now, but don’t be afraid to explore new options and to stand out from the crowd,” says Tsvetkov.
Create a bed
Today there are very few limits when it comes to creating an original bed that is inspired by the imagination. And from Cinderella’s carriage to medieval castles, you name it and Moon Kids can build it.
“A child’s bedroom should be a representation of who they are: a space where they can feel safe, comfortable and inspired. With our team of designers and highly skilled carpenters working hand in hand with our customers, we can make any dream bed a reality,” says Tsvetkov.
“Invest in quality furniture items which will grow with your child and adapt to their changing needs. Choose a standard size single or double bed with plenty of built in storage like the Home Centre Carter bed,” says Michel Vandamme, Head of Design at Home Centre.
Focus on kid-friendly materials
Choose materials that were both attractive and durable, think about creating a soft, modular flooring that can be easily replaced. Buy a few extra tiles so that when one gets dirty, you can simply take it out and replace it. It’s also important to choose high-grade paint that can withstand multiple cleanings before having to be repainted. While for fabrics, choose stain-guarded, relatively inexpensive cottons and rugged denims.
“Choose neutral grey, white and wood finishes on your furniture as this allows you to easily change the wall paint, decorative accessories and bedding to suit your child at various ages,” says Vandamme.
Add some accessories
Tsvetkov says a few wisely designed storage units and clever accessories can really bring a room to life: ensuring that a space is not only homage to the occupant, but also a practical living environment.
“Home Centre’s Blocks storage boxes are a flexible option for toy storage and they come in a variety of sizes to suit your spatial needs,” says Vandamme. “The Princess stackable storage boxes can be wheeled underneath the play bed at the end of the day when it’s time to tidy up and easily wheeled out again when it’s time to play”.
Don’t neglect safety
Creating a room that’s just for kids means they will sometimes end up there without much adult supervision, which is why safety is a key concern in any room you design with kids in mind. Make sure the space is completely finished before your child is left alone, so there’s nothing they can get caught, cut, or slip on.
Make sure that any furniture that can be climbed on or that might wobble is secured to the wall. And any large, heavy items like televisions should also be secured. Make sure any cords - television, curtain etc- are hidden, wound up, and secured. And cover every power outlet.
Finally, don’t forget lighting safety. Check that light fixtures are fully enclosed and that they don’t get hot enough to burn.