Toddler Bedroom Ideas That Easily Transform To Teenage Rooms

Summer is a good time to re-decorate childrens bedrooms.   Schedules are not as hectic as they are during the school year and some kids are at away camp, allowing parents to even surprise their cuties with a hot new room when they come home.  When looking to re-design your child's bedroom keep these 3 factors in mind:

Think about         1. Space         2. Look         3. Function.

Choose your kids bed carefully to get you the best space planning possible (see BEDS THAT GROW WITH YOUR KIDS).  Create a look that works with your child as he/she grows (see FOCAL WALL POWER below).  And lastly make the bedroom as functional as possible by investing in the right furniture (see FURNITURE THAT IS THE RIGHT INVESTMENT below).

BEDS THAT GROW WITH YOUR KIDS

Daybeds are excellent bed options for toddler rooms because they allow more space in the center of the bedroom to play.  These beds become relaxed sofa seating for friends when the child gets older.  Add a trundle to allow friends to sleep over!

Another flexible option is to buy a twin or full sized bed on a simple metal frame.  No big decorative head and foot board with it.  Without the bulky frame around it you can easily move it around their bedroom from front and center as toddlers, to pushed up against a wall lengthwise to be more of a bohemian hang out spot, or allow more casual seating in a tight space.  

Here are some examples below:

*With a little DIY you can re-use lighting and furniture by gently sanding the piece with fine grade sand paper, wipe it clean, then spray paint it in a well ventilated area.  

FOCAL WALL POWER

Applying a theme to your kids bedrooms can be so fun but as your children get older they may grow out of it and request changing it up.  If you choose to go crazy and bold on just one focal wall, and keep the other walls a soft neutral color, it will not be as laborious and expensive to make changes.  

Below are great examples:

FURNITURE THAT IS A GREAT INVESTMENT 

Invest in furniture that will grow with your child.  I would avoid buying an expensive matching furniture set when your child is really young.  I have worked on my share of children bedrooms and have heard over and over again from parents 'Do you know anyone who wants this childrens furniture set?  We spent a lot of money on it but doesn't work any more.'  If you want a car bed for your son who loves automobiles, look to local second hand shops, or online sources like Craigslist or Ebay.  

The piece of furniture I would invest in is a bookcase or two!  It grows with your children.  As kids accumulate more home made objects, awards, and books, its a wonderful space saver for all that stuff!  

A great way to use your bookcase if your bedroom is small, is to place it next to your kids bed.  Narrow bookcases like the ones shown below look great with wall sconces screwed into sides.  

*notice how the daybed, as well as the bed with no decorative frame, shown above, work so well flanked by the bookcases!

Buy your furniture as your child grows and needs it.  Don't be afraid of mixing up finishes with the pieces you choose.  An eclectic blend of furnishings will keep your childs room special.

Keep the above ideas in mind and have a ball with bedding, pillows, decor and artwork!  Wall decals are great choices (writing, characters, and even wall scenes).  They can be found everywhere these days, are affordable, and easily removable.

Two Very Lucky Girls - Part II

My friends, you have waited long enough for Part II, to see how the very lucky little girl’s bedroom I wrote about in Part I turned out (to read Part I and see the design board, scroll down to the article with the same title from April 10). When I last wrote, I had just created the design plan. Since then the room has been ‘a rockin’ with change. This was a fun project to work on. The inspiration came from my young client. After sitting with her and listening to what she wanted I realized she was a bold and bright girl and nothing but that would do for her. I wasn’t there for the big reveal but here is the e-mail I received from the little girl’s mother:

“Anna’s room came out PHENOMENAL!!!! When we opened the door her mouth dropped open and she couldn’t speak. She was looking around in amazement and then started jumping up and down yelling THANK YOU SO MUCH!! She was thrilled beyond belief! I can’t wait for you to see it. Thank you so much for an amazing one of a kind room that Anna is soooo happy with! We are very grateful!”

Here is the BEFORE and another view of the AFTER:

My favorite part of the room was the thank you sign left for me from my young happy friend:

Two Very Lucky Little Girls – Part I

I LOVE what I do! I get to help people find inspiration in their living spaces by creating rooms that make them happy. And when I get the opportunity to design a room as a surprise gift for someone, it makes the design even greater because of the sweet sentiment behind it.

I received a phone call last June from a mother of three beautiful young girls. She asked me to design a bedroom for her oldest daughter. It was going to be a surprise birthday present. I sat down with the mom and discussed what the room should include to be functional, and of course the style, colors and interests her daughter had. Once the room was completed, the very lucky young lady was shown her new room and was so excited! Seven months later I was called upon again to design the bedroom of the second oldest daughter. This time I had the opportunity to sit down with this very special young lady and find out what kind of room she wanted. The room was recently finished. Here is what the mother e-mailed me:

“Anna’s room came out PHENOMENAL!!!! When we opened the door her mouth dropped open and she couldn’t speak. She was looking around in amazement and then started jumping up and down yelling THANK YOU SO MUCH!! She was thrilled beyond belief! I can’t wait for you to see it. Thank you so much for an amazing one of a kind room that Anna is soooo happy with! We are very grateful!”

I will be posting the before photo and the finished room soon. Until then here is the presentation board. Stay tuned!