As the saying goes, ‘the days are long and the years are short’, when it comes to parenting. Children go through ages and stages at a seemingly rapid pace, but what doesn’t change is the importance of providing them with a space where they feel safe and can express themselves.
For most children, that’s their bedroom, whether it’s a room of their own or shared with siblings. Luckily, there are smart ways to accommodate kids’ changing tastes without breaking the bank.
Interior designer and stylist Gretchen Lowe says accessories such as cushions, art and lamps are affordable ways to let children express their individuality. Practical and fun bedding is great for personalisation. “The Warehouse has such a vast selection to choose from at different price points. It makes it easy to be creative and still work to a budget.”
Gretchen styled this brand-new, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home on Richardson Rd in Mt Roskill using pieces from The Warehouse. Her styling for a child’s room includes a Living & Co Kids Comforter Set Sleepysaurus, paired with a Coral Fleece Dino throw. What’s the beauty of a reversible design? Flip the edge of the comforter back for a cool contrast or if your child decides they’re tired of dinosaurs, it’s no problem to turn the whole comforter over for a fresh look.
Start your property search
Keep your eye out for accessories and art to mix things up, too. Gretchen recommends lightweight frames hung on 3M removeable fixtures to display children’s art and posters. “My daughter is into Taylor Swift big-time at the moment. Rather than putting posters on the walls it’s a good idea to pop pictures inside a frame that can easily be swapped out later on,” says the mother of two.
“Children’s tastes change a lot, so accessories are more budget-friendly than repainting walls or replacing large pieces of bedroom furniture,” Gretchen says.
When it comes to buying furniture for a child’s bedroom, durability, safety, and versatility should be front of mind. “You need something sturdy enough to withstand the energy of active kids,” Gretchen advises.
Avoid choosing tall, top-heavy furniture that could be a tip hazard. Take care to secure large furniture items to walls. And while it’s fun to be bold with colour and pattern with bedding and accessories, consider purchasing beds and drawer sets in neutral colours, such as a white Tahoe single bed with storage, which comes with four drawers in its base.
“Underbed storage is really key,” the designer says. Another of her picks for smart storage is the Living & Co Storage Tub from The Warehouse. “It's great for toys, books and accessories.” Cube shelving with baskets or crates also helps to store bits and pieces, while storing Lego in see-through containers is one of Gretchen’s top tips. “Use whatever system works best for you so it’s easy for kids to be able to find things independently when they’re old enough and then tidy up after themselves.”
Many children share bedrooms and there are clever ways to give children their own zones. Gretchen suggests each child has their own colour-coded bedding and perhaps a small chair or bean bag to match. “You could also hang a print with your child’s name above each bed and if the room is big enough, use a bookshelf or desk to divide the room.”
Gretchen says desks are still great to have even in this age of laptops and iPads – they encourage children to be organised, and they provide a distraction-free zone for homework. “Even if that homework is on a computer, you still need somewhere to go. It’s also good to encourage things like crafts and reading and writing. Kids love stationery, which is a nice thing to have in this digital age.”
Get inspired by visiting thewarehouse.co.nz or check out the range at The Warehouse near you.
