Furnishing children’s bedrooms
Ask any parent, and they’ll tell you that kids seem to be born with strong likes and dislikes! Their personal space – their bedroom – is towards the top of the list of their priorities, says Debbie Cram, interior design consultant at Glasswells home furnishings showroom in Newmarket Road, Bury St Edmunds.
Even five year olds can have very clear ideas as to what’s right for them, says Debbie. All too often though, their wish list is not practical! Nor is it affordable! Compromise is the name of the game, because you’ll want to create a bedroom that reflects their interests, yet is a functional and practical space where they can sleep, play and store their clothes, toys and books.
“Cool” credentials
As children start school they are influenced by all kinds of outside factors. The cosy nursery that had seen you comfortably through their toddler years may suddenly lack the required “cool” credentials.
The themed bedroom is a favourite and you’ll find there’s everything in home furnishings from pirates and princesses to farmyards and flowers. Children are often influenced by the latest blockbusters; Disney and Harry Potter are perennial favourites, whilst The Chronicles of Narnia is a more recent addition.
It can be hard to furnish a room that will span their growth from toddler to teenager, but by planning carefully you can make it last more than just a couple of years. Stick to soft furnishings – curtains and bedding - reflecting the current trends. Keep the walls and furniture neutral and the bedroom may be able to take on another theme later on.
Furniture needs to be sturdy because it will come in for a lot of knocks. Beds make great trampolines and shelves are frequently overloaded! Between the ages of five and 12 is peak clutter time with children, so it’s important that storage is an integral part – otherwise you’ll find your house over-run with children’s paraphernalia!
So invest in the basics. You’ll need a decent sized wardrobe – good for all that sports kit too – a sturdy chest of drawers and shelving. You’ll also need a practical place for homework, so include a table or other flat surface which can double up for hobbies.
A good single bed – possibly with a hideaway bed for when friends stay over - is ideal. Or consider a high level cabin bed with a desk, storage area, sofa or just open space below.
Putting childish things away
If you’re lucky, by the time that your youngsters hit their teens they might be shedding some of the toys and books. Their needs are different, but that’s not the end of the clutter. They will probably need space for hi-fi, games consoles, music systems, TV’s and computers. Friends will come and go, so space is again at a premium!
If you redecorate at this stage, choose furniture carefully. Buying wisely now could save you time and money when your teenager flies the nest.
Teenagers are notoriously untidy. It makes sense to keep furnishings minimal, so that the room is easily cleaned and tidied when the opportunity arises. You may not want to venture in too often! Think in terms of practical flooring, rugs and easy-to-use storage. Include a laundry basket and think of the room as a bedsit if you can. Add a sofa bed, futon or hideaway bed so that friends can “crash” when need be.
Whilst you might prefer sophisticated colours, rebellious offspring will undoubtedly go for something far more dramatic. You may find yourself picking up khaki, olive green, scarlet or purple paint and blinds. They’ll make the room feel dark, so compensate with some bright or adjustable lighting, or you risk homework never getting done! Look at trendy uplighters or wall-lights, or if you are furnishing for girls, something beaded or sparkly.
Avoid making choices that are too restricting. Once your offspring have flown the nest, you’ll need to change the room back to your own tastes to create a home-office or a tasteful spare room. Whatever you do, don’t make it too appealing to their tastes. They might just move back in!
Whatever your stage of life and whatever you’re looking for in terms of home furnishings, you can’t do better than to call in at Glasswells. Glasswells new 73,000 sq. ft. showroom in Ipswich’s Orwell Retail Park opens in December, to complement its stores in Bury St Edmunds, Martlesham Heath, Haverhill and Saffron Walden.
