A mother by heart and an architect by profession, I am tabulating a few considerations for designing cheerful kids’ bedrooms, with ease and understanding.
Going down my memory lane, I remember enjoying rides on a green metal swing kept in our balcony. I remember a table having a royal blue mica with a dining table chair as my desk, to study on. Writing on the doors of our apartment with chalk, while talking to myself, owning a black stray cat as my own, putting up a tent with pillows and cushions for the wedding of my dolls….. I remember sharing space with my siblings.
Well, the priceless memories are countless and we all have our own share of cherished remembrances in our subconscious minds. These happy memories stay with us forever.
The surroundings and the belongings, we grow with, leave a lasting imprint on us. We narrate our childhood stories to our children. We wish to pass on the goodness of those growing-up stories. From our own experiences, we realize what we could not possess or accomplish and wish not to deprive our children of the same.
We were privileged and blessed and so are our children for getting the best from their parents. Unfortunately, many children have to struggle even for the basics. I just finished reading the book Refugee by Alan Gratz. it is a heartbreaking tale of three children, struggling for their existence. ( click here to read my review).
designing kids’ bedrooms
In an effort to ensure that our children carry sweet and healthy memories of their stay with us, we venture on a mission to design the best kids’ bedrooms for them. Surroundings help mould a child’s psychology. Shaping their spaces is like shaping their future and personality. An ill-equipped, deprived, unorganized, cramped space gives rise to a disturbed mind fighting for space. A well-thought-out space assists in the healthy upbringing and conditioning of the child.
The delightful experience of working for children is very satisfying and rewarding. Relatively undemanding they are quick to please. They are so enthused to watch their room being designed. I feel privileged and love the joyful journey of designing rooms for kids.
The challenges are of a different kind here. Children grow really fast and so do their fast-changing needs. It might not be as simple as it looks. We want to design each detail with utmost care and attention for these small wonders.
My approach for designing a kids’ bedrooms :
Let the child participate in the design process.
Children love to participate in whatever is happening around them. Sometimes we just don’t care to pay attention to what they have to say. They can surprise us with their insightful suggestions. Kids also have very strong favorites. Find out their favorite colors and build a sensible palette around them.
They feel very responsible in taking decisions and learn to live with them. The importance bestowed on them fills them with confidence. So it is a good idea to involve the kid in the informed decision-making process.
zone out space for various activities :
List out the functional needs of the child in accordance with the age. Then clearly demarcate each activity within the space. A well set out play area, hobby corner, homework station, sleeping, lounging area, etc encourage the child to focus and engage better. Otherwise, the confused minds of little ones end up doing homework on a bed or eating on a bed.
Defined zoning helps them to engage in each activity without getting distracted.
Aim to create an interactive kids’ bedrooms :
Young minds get bored so easily. Statements like `what to do?’, or `I have nothing to do now’ are frequent. A space that keeps them engaged and busy is ideal. Easy to access, visually available objects keep them busy. They are encouraged to use their belongings if they are visible and accessible to them. A world map on one of the walls for example would keep the kid engaged and dream big.
Emphasis on organized storage :
For the inevitable clutter provide for sufficient and easy to access storage. Books, stationary, notebooks, clothes, socks, accessories, stuffed toys, toys, board games huff.. the list is endless. There is a need to clearly mark out storage, which may be labeled, to keep the confusion at bay. Clearly, the need for storage is huge here. Children tend to accumulate so much in a short period of time.
Drawers, cabinets, bookshelves, wardrobes, cubbyholes we need to consider all possibilities. But teach them to get rid of the clutter regularly.
in kids’ bedrooms Safety comes first :
These restless, inquisitive and naughty creatures can be very unpredictable. Their agile and overactive bodies can land them in trouble. Whatever is being designed must ensure safety. Covers for electrical outlets, hidden cables, rounded and soft edges, non-slippery surfaces, accessible shelving, window security are a few points to consider.
Light and flexible furniture :
Go for furniture that is easy to move around and is light and airy in feel. Heavy furniture pieces confirming a particular style add to the already stuffy nature of the room. Multipurpose furniture serves well here. Furniture pieces that have the right dimensions to suit the child. Mix up small and large-scale pieces for longevity. If we select everything small scale we might need to change very soon.
A desk and chair that ergonomically suit the child is a must. Chairs with back support, adjustable height, armrest, footrest all are essential for the right posture. Sofa, bed, etc. are preferred in adult size. Arranging furniture along the periphery creates a play area in the middle.
Look at kids’ bedrooms from a child’s perspective :
We need to literally look at our space from their eyes. Bend down to their height and perceive the space from there. How do you find a shelf high up beyond your reach or an art piece you can not even see and comprehend. Consider the ergonomics for your child.
Ditch the theme approach :
Designing a room around favorite cartoon characters or princesses and fairylands are all bygone now. Children grow at the speed of light. So do their tastes and preferences. Designing the rooms with beds in the form of a car or a train engine is all very innovative but is a huge waste at the same time. Kids outgrow this ultra kiddish stuff way too fast. Instead of burning a hole in your pocket with themed investment pieces, you can work on a theme through swappable and replaceable items like bedsheets, cushions, lamps, accessories, etc.
Energize kids’ bedrooms with Colors and patterns :
A kid’s room is a place where you can have a lot of fun designing. You get the opportunity to incorporate those bold and whimsical patterns and colors. The choice of colors depends on many factors one of the important ones being the age of the kid. For a nursery soothing, light pastels work well. In a toddler’s room bright, saturated colors impart the zeal. And for teens and pre-teens, a more mature palette is recommended.
A bold wallpaper with a geometrical pattern or floral and animal prints and motifs is befitting. You could pick a focal wall or back of a bookshelf to display wallpaper. A patterned headboard, cushions, quilts, rugs are other places to play with patterns.
Provide Ample light and ventilation :
Kids need sufficient light to perform various activities efficiently. Proper ambient, task and accent lighting ensure that the kid stays alert and active and is able to focus better. Functions like reading, homework, painting, drawing, crafts, etc need a prolonged use of eyes and ample light is a must.
A bedroom that is connected to nature is healthy and vibrant for the kid. Try to choose a bedroom location that is connected to some open space – a balcony, a courtyard, or even a window with a view. A window seat is a nice place to read a book.
Personalize kids’ bedrooms for warmth and comfort :
Apart from being functionally efficient ensure that the room is cozy and warm for the child. Children love to cuddle in corners with cushions, stuff toys, etc. A spongy reading chair or sofa with lots of cushions, rugs on the hard floor, bean bags, drapes, and blinds soften the space. A reading corner next to a window is a nice idea to encourage a child to read.
Personalize the space. Children naturally have a sense of ownership. They love to own and claim things. They love to write their names on objects. Personal pieces like art, accessories give them a sense of belonging and adds warmth to the bedroom.
fun and funky elements
Keep the room in good humor and add some funky elements for the kids to enjoy. A small tent house, tepee in a corner, a whimsical painting, fun quotations, help add a touch of fancy to the room that kids enjoy. A canopy bed or poster bed with sheer curtains or a bunk bed in the shape of a house, fill the room with a dreamy air.
Children love to have a hideaway corner where they can dream and make plans and talk to themselves.
design a bedRoom that grows :
Design a space that evolves with the growing child. The room should have the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the child. We should be able to swap things without touching on the essence of the space for a substantial period.
aim for Independent and self-sufficient space :
For a child his/her room is like a home within the home. It has to be self-sufficient and private for the child to enjoy the stay. Kids have a strong sense of territory. They love to own a part of the land and entertain their friends there. We need to respect their privacy and independence. A constant observation kinda scenario can hamper a child’s growth and development. Especially teenagers need that me time to recharge themselves.
The intention in designing a kid’s bedroom is to create a wholesome, reassuring, comfortable, and pleasant space. Even if it is not very luxurious the soulful sectors drive the child to spend some memorable moments. Where they share a hearty laugh with friends, a warm hug with their parents, a fight with their siblings…
For these twinkle-eyed cute little ones, we need to design from our hearts. In fact, the whole house has to be designed in a child-friendly manner. We hope that the spaces designed for them help them dream big, boost their confidence for them to have an enjoyable stay. It is worthwhile to realize that one day these special people will move on in the journey of their life with some happy moments to cherish for a lifetime.
Till next time…..
