By Svenja Gernoth
When deciding on a theme for this special place in your home, experts all agree that your child must play an active role.
Little boys thrive in a fun environment, but also need a room that feels safe and comfortable. Classic colours such as blue, red and green have always been a favorite. Keeping the furniture in neutral shades and spicing the room up by incorporating your child’s favourite colour takes into consideration your child’s individuality by allowing him to play an active role in the decision-making process.
Lampshades, throws,bean bags, chalk boards, duvet sets and blown up images or stickers are a great way to bring a theme to life without compromising on the actual furniture. Others such as camouflage, pirates, superheroes and space are also very creative and fun.
In terms of layout, experts say that parents should try and create the biggest play area possible as this will encourage your child to be active, therefore ingenious storage solutions are needed. Sewing large pockets onto curtains is a great way of storing soft toys.
If your flooring is too hard, place a fun and soft rug down and always ensure that there are no rough edges on the furniture in the room as this could pose potential danger. Also, invest in anti-slam systems for drawers not only for safety reasons but to preserve your furniture as well.
In every girl is a princess and that is why special attention must be given to ensure that her room reflects a sanctified palace. Think soft, cuddly, pretty but also modern and functional as an over-the-top theme will date very quickly.
It is important that your child can express her individuality and can be involved when selecting the decor of her room. Select basic sustainable furniture and then decorate the rest of the room with the selected theme. Circles and stripes, polka dots, the sea, fairies, butterflies and starlight are ever popular themes for girls room, but most experts agree that instead of adhering to a specific theme, rather work with her favourite colours and add a touch of the theme with fun trimmings.
Mosquito netting and fairy lights can transform any plain bed into an intimate and beautiful resting place, and beds on an elevated frame allow for tidy storage underneath.
Take special care to make this room yielding and snug with rugs, throws and pillows, and if there is enough space, experts suggest adding a little reading corner.
Another factor to consider is lighting. If your child has a desk in the room, make sure there is adequate lighting for him or her to do homework. A bedside lamp encourages reading, and depending on the age, a fun night light can also aid in your child feeling safe when alone in the room at night.
Let creating this room be a fun filled experience for your children as their active involvement will boost their confidence and ultimately result in a place they love to call home.
With special thanks to Artstick, Halogen International, Kids Living, Wetherlys and Scarborough, S. (2008). Children’s rooms. Struik Publishing.
