Whether you have a newborn or a teen, a child’s bedroom should be a space where they feel secure, comfortable and inspired. However, creating a well-thought-out bedroom that will last them a decade or more can be a huge challenge.
Sticks and Wombat’s auctioneer Daniel D’Assisi always advises to be conscious of the longevity of your design: If you plan on staying in the home for an extended period of time, selecting styling elements that can grow with your child into their teen years is important and will save you from having to restyle as quickly as your child grows up.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when it comes to planning your child’s space.
It’s easy to be swept up in all the excitement of a new arrival and decorate with conventional cutesy colours like pink or blue. However, these sugary pastels are going to feel too babyish in a year or two, and could even have an impact on your house sale by discouraging potential buyers at the thought of redecorating. Consider a gender-neutral scheme instead, such as black and white, and create a discreet backdrop that will transition with your child through to their teens.
Ditch the intense themed rooms, such as Disney characters or racing cars, or you’ll have a dated room that you’ll want to redecorate in a few years time. If you still want to add motifs and decals to the wall for a touch of fun and humour, hunt out easy-peel stickers that can be removed without damaging your walls.
If you want to introduce colour and pattern to the room, add it through the accessories, rather than on the walls, so the room can be updated without the need for an entire overhaul. Items such as lamps, rugs, bed linen and cushions, can bring a big burst of colour to neutral spaces, and once the child gets bigger, these can be swapped for more grown-up designs. Striking prints and posters can also bring interest to neutral walls and then simply changed for more age-appropriate designs when the time comes.
When it comes to choosing furniture for your child’s bedroom, a baby cot is a necessity that can’t be avoided, however if you choose a design that transforms into a toddler bed, it will last a few years longer. Avoid child-size wardrobes or baby-coloured chest of drawers, as your child will soon out grow these designs too. Instead, go for solidly built, quality furniture in classic designs that you won’t need to change every six months. It may cost a little more up front, but you’ll save money in the long term, and well-made furniture can be handed down from one child to another. Multi-use furniture is also a good choice, such as trundle beds that offer an extra bed for sleepovers, or bench seats with hidden storage beneath.
Storage is often over looked when it comes to planning a child’s bedroom, however it’s a key factor in creating a well-thought out room that’s practical and efficient. If you are renovating, consider building in robes as you can never have too much storage!’ Also, provide plenty of decorative baskets, tubs, or crates to encourage children to tidy away toys, while cube shelving is ideal for storing books at easy reach.
If, like the contestants on the Block, you foresee yourself selling in the near future, Daniel D’Assisi recommends focusing solely on saleability: It is important not to polarise potential future purchasers by styling your bedroom in an obvious gender or age specific fashion to maximise the suitability of your property to a cross section of families and in turn improving your potential sale outcome.
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