5 T I P S F O R D E S I G N I N G K I D ’ S R O O M

If you’ve followed AKD since the beginning, you know that kid’s rooms have been a big part of the portfolio. Even though kid’s spaces are not as commonly requested, I’ve had the opportunity to design nurseries, boys and girls bedrooms and playrooms for clients. A question I frequently get asked is if it’s smart to invest in a room that the kid’s will grow out of. While it makes sense to splurge on certain pieces, you can certainly get by with some items that are more affordable. But the most important thing to remember is the way the room should function for your child. So today I’m sharing 5 simple and inexpensive tips (which I’ve implemented in past projects), that you can easily apply to your child’s space. Above all, it will allow you to strike the all-important balance between practical and adorable!

Furniture Layout

In a lot of the homes I’ve worked on, secondary bedrooms assigned to the little ones are quite small. And that’s not a bad thing. I like to apply the “less is more” rule here. By keeping furniture items and decor to a minimum, you’ll establish a clean canvas to add on to as your child grows, and create more space to play and move around in freely. Placing the bed up against a corner is a great way to achieve this. It saves space and could also be a great option for toddlers transitioning to a real bed.

While some storage pieces are imperative, a nightstand isn’t always necessary. If it fits, great. But if not, substitute something else that would be more practical in the space, like a table and chairs for arts and crafts, or open shelving that house their toys and books.

Drapery Panels

All of my clients have requested drapery panels for their children’s rooms. In addition to existing window coverings (which were usually light filtering), they wanted to incorporate black out panels to facilitate nap time and regulate the room’s temperature. I like to include drapery panels in my designs anyway (even if they are purely for aesthetics), so this was a no-brainer! DIY drapery panels are readily available at so many retailers and are easy to set up with the right hardware and rods.

Storage

No matter how you look at it, kids will accumulate an exorbitant amount of stuff. Whether it’s toys, games, books, or little tchotchkes all over your floor, having a catchall to store these items is a must. Plus, it makes clean-up time a breeze and even the kid’s can help put away their stuff! Large baskets on the floor for toys, lidded baskets for laundry and shelf baskets are all great options to keep the room neat and tidy.

Books

Another popular request has been book storage. Whether it’s in a playroom or bedroom, I like to arrange book spines by color. It helps keep up aesthetics and is a great visual for the kid’s to put books back on the shelf where they belong. Plus it’s fun for them and it reinforces teaching colors so you can fulfill your parental obligation of education for the day!

Accent Decor

And this is where the adorable part comes in! Infuse a bit of imagination and whimsical decor into their rooms with playful artwork, printed sheets and colorful pillows. It brings in personality and pops of color, and are inexpensive and easy to switch out as your child grows.