Room to Grow: Designing Kid-Friendly Spaces

The most important thing to consider when planning
a child’s room is to create a comfortable environment that gives the
child confidence and a sense of individuality, says interior designer
Leanne Croft.

If you choose to hire a professional designer, be
sure to have the designer talk with your child to get his or her input.
If you’re the creative force, be sure to consider your child’s interests
and hobbies. The more a child’s bedroom or playroom reflects his or her
taste, the more he’ll enjoy spending time in it and take pride in caring
for it.

Designing Your Baby’s
Room

When decorating a baby’s room, remember that
infancy is short-term. Ducks and bunnies wear thin faster than you might
think.

Croft suggests personalizing babies’ rooms with
little touches, such as a mobile or even wallpaper border made of black
and white photos of family members. "When a child is as young as 4
months old, the mom can hold that baby up and say, ‘There’s Grandma!’"
she says. "Sometimes that’s better than looking at a cow or a pig."

Older Children’s Rooms

Use your child’s personality and interests as
inspiration for a decorating theme. But don’t go too overboard on the
theme. Inevitably, children grow and change, and you want the room to
grow with the child.

• Accommodate your child’s temporary or trendy
interests with accessories, bed coverings or framed posters

• Choose furniture that suits your child’s size