How to plan the ultimate bedroom for your child

A child’s bedroom is a place in which to play, to learn, to rest and to dream, but as most parents know, kids can be messy and accumulate stuff, so it needs to be practical too.

One of the first considerations when designing a children’s bedroom is the amount of space you have. Plan where the bigger items of furniture will go and then calculate how much storage you need for clothes, toys and other items. Built-in cupboards can save on floor space, and boxes and baskets make tidying up easy – these can be incorporated in other pieces of furniture, such as drawers built in beneath beds, or placed on low, open shelves for accessibility.

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For older kids, set aside a study area with adequate lighting to avoid eye strain, and include a bookshelf to store school supplies. Younger children need floor space to play, so keep a large area free for them to spread out.

When it comes to choosing suitable flooring, it needs to be comfortable and easy to clean. Select carpets manufactured with stain-resistant technology and made from natural fibres, as they are hypoallergenic. Soften hard flooring, such as wood and laminate, with rugs that can be washed without difficulty.

Decorating a children’s bedroom is the fun part, so involve the kids when it comes to picking colours and themes. If you want to think about the room long-term and save on a big redecoration project later, rather go for a basic monochrome palette for larger items, including furniture, walls and curtaining, which can withstand time and trends. Then add changeable accessories, such as linen and even wall decals, which suit a theme and the child’s age.

Fabrics should be durable and stain-repellent, as chances are they will experience the effect of grubby fingers and spills, but don’t feel limited by functionality. Mix and match patterns and colours, and introduce scatters, floor cushions and throws that have character – no child wants a boring room.

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Similarly, wall finishes also need to be practical to withstand experiential felt pen art, scuffs and sticky marks. Paint should be washable and breathable. A great idea is to incorporate chalkboard paint in the room, on which kids can feel free to draw, or can it can be used as a reminder board for schoolgoers.

Solid, well-made furniture is most suitable for kids, and even better when it has a dual purpose to grow with a child, such as a compact that can be converted to a desk, or a crib that can be adjusted to a toddler bed. If you want to save costs, look at how existing furniture can be used: a dresser can be a changing table, or a single bed a daybed in the room until ready for use. Anchor bookcases and larger pieces that might get climbed on, to stop them from tipping.