The minute we learn there is a baby on the way, most of us start dreaming about the nursery we want to create for them. We have a picture in our minds, thanks to Pinterest and other social media sites, of what a space for our baby looks like and how that room will give them the perfect environment for their first everything. Most of us do not have a mental picture about what is next. How do we provide for the growing child and create a space that will incorporate their needs, interests, and healthy development? It is not hard to do, but it can be tricky!
The same dynamic that starts brewing when they begin talking, and certainly when they start walking, is in play here. There is a balancing act to be carefully navigated between what you begin to envision for your child’s room and what they think they want their room to look like. Be ready for the “no” answer to all your favorite ideas!
We suggest start with the basics. Measure how many square feet you have and what kind of furniture and activity areas can be accommodated. Think about bed size, storage, areas for reading and individual play, seating needs, and if studying will be done in this room. Furniture and room layouts need to be somewhat flexible to handle future needs like sleepovers and hosting friends. We are fans of reading nooks, beds that create a feeling of coziness with draped fabric, and teaching discipline through keeping their rooms organized with great storage.
Next comes the fun part – how do you add the designer touches that affect how your child will feel when they are in it? Every room has a theme, even if the theme is “anything goes!” Most themes are classic, and these are where we tend to go. These include animals with safari images, nature, space, nautical with boats and such, the fairytale princess, and the fun of travel with maps and culturally unique patterns. Newer themes tend to rally around palettes of color like all pastels or bold and geometric. A wave of sophistication is rolling onto the scene as well with mid-century modern or luxury style bedrooms with seating and chests you would normally find in finer living areas.
Wallcoverings, rugs, lighting, and window treatments are taken much more seriously these days. A single wall with wallpaper or a mural can be fabulous and can be easily changed when your child’s tastes or interests change. Pattern and motifs on the ceiling can add delightful, playful interest or make a dramatic statement. Window treatments and rugs can drive your wall color selection or if a particular palette is a must, these features need to compliment those colors. Be intentional with the choices. Strong textiles can make or break the design. We hesitate to recommend beds or rugs or fabrics that are overly theme-based. We do recommend keeping your more expensive items neutral.
Accessorize the room to support the theme but consider collections your child may already have – their own artwork, family photos, souvenirs from family trips, and objects that reflect their own passions and dreams. Do they love baseball, fashion, sailing, or music? Play off their interests and look for unique pieces to hang on the walls.
You want to include your child in the decision making. That is the tricky part. Decide before you even get started what you are and what you are not willing to do. You are still in charge, but it is not a wonderful room if your child does not feel like it is their room or if they do not feel comfortable there. Being able to voice their opinion in the process may be as important as the beautifully designed room itself. Carefully curate the choices you will give your child. Do not offer them something you are never going to do. Listen to what they tell you and what they do not tell you. And if the choice seems to be what they want versus what you want, stop to consider the consequences of your answer.
As grandmothers we are often asked by young mothers what was the hardest part for raising your children. Our answer comes quickly: it is letting go of our expectations for our children and respecting their expectations for themselves. We are responsible for shaping healthy expectations in our children and that mental development starts early. Sometimes when you are designing a bedroom.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Sassy Bird Interiors
211 Main St. Bay St. Louis
228.344.3181
www.sassybirdinteriors.com
