Home Improvement Blog

Above any other consideration, children’s rooms should be practical and flexible, practical because they will get much more damaging wear than any other room in the home, and flexible because children’s needs change frequently between they birth and the time they leave home.

Planning
As in all room planning, keep an open mind about which room will be used for what purpose. It may be slightly inconvenient to use a smaller bedroom for yourself, but there is a great deal to be gained by  giving the master bedroom over to the children as a sleep/play area. Here they can spread out their toy soldiers or model railways and leave them ready for another day’s play, instead of having to go through the frustration of dismantling their work before a meal or when a company is expected. In addition, the whole family will benefit from a play area where children can knock about happily without having to worry about breaking ornaments or damaging furniture and floor coverings.

Most young children (and many older ones) do not mind sharing a room; but if they differ greatly in age, temperament or interests, life will probably be easier when they have their own. If there are not enough rooms to go round, you may be able to use partition walls or room dividers in the form of large pieces of furniture to make better use of space; just be certain each area has enough light and ventilation, separate entrances would be ideal although they are not absolutely necessary. Any structural changes must, of course, comply with Building Regulation.

Think of installing a wash-basin in the children’s rooms, this will not only make it possible to wash and change small babies in their own room, but will also prove invaluable as the child grows up by relieving pressure on the family bathroom.

You may find it worthwhile installing an intercom here so you can keep in touch with a sleeping infant or a group of lively toddlers at play. These devices are not widly expensive and can be put to use in another area such as a garage or workroom when the children grow up. If you are wiring children’s rooms from scratch, install all socket outlets high on the wall, fit safety plugs to all flexes, and make sure each window, even on the ground floor, is fitted with childproof locks.

Decoration
Try to avoid wishy-washy nursery colours, children usually prefer bright colours which they see more clearly and find more stimulating. In addition, this type of colour suits children of either sex and will remain suitable as they grow older, so redecoration will not be governed by changing tastes. Choose all decorations and furnishings with the idea that they will be used later, and avoid a very babyish look, a tough five-year-old might object violently to carpeting covered with pictures of fluffy bunnies or curtains which feature scenes from Mother Goose, although these might still be in good condition.

Equipment
A baby’s needs are few, a cot or crib, a storage unit for clothes, accessories and stuffed toys and perhaps a high surface for nappy-changing if this is not done in the mother’s lap. There are should also be a comfortable adult-size chair in the room. As the baby grows, you may find a playpen useful, look for something which folds flat when not in use so you can take it from one part of the home to another. You should also provide a large storage area for toys, something simple and low so young children will be able to get out and put away playthings by themselves.

A hinged safety gate in the doorway might be a good idea at this stage so the room can be turned into a giant playpen when there is no adult near to keep a watchful eye. As long as there are no dangerous heating or general electrical appliances around, a toddler can play happily here for long periods. You may be able to make one of these yourself, although there are plenty of adjustable ones on the market at a reasonable price. It is probably also a good idea to fix a large drawing surface such as a blackboard or piece of hardboard low on the wall so exuberant young artists will not ruin the paintwork.

The needs of older children are slightly more sophisticated. They will probably require a work surface fitted up with appropriate lighting and room for extra possessions such as school books and sports equipment. As they grow up, youngsters like to entartain and this could mean providing facilities for the odd overnight guest. Bunk or trundle beds could be the answers here, possibly arranged so the extra one can double up as a storage area when not in use. If space is very short, try turning the room into a bedsitter by putting the mattress up on a platform and using the space underneath as a work or a storage area.

Teenagers like a lot of privacy and therefore need a room that is just as much a living area as a bedroom. Fit the bed with a plain cover and provide lots of cushions so it can be used for general seating when friends come around. Allow plenty of workspace and room for an audio player, personal computer and all the paraphernalia involved with teenagers’ hobbies and collections. A large pinboard will take posters and pictures of the current idol to prevent paint being pulled off the wall each time a new hero is adopted. Most adolescents would be grateful for an electric kettle, a few mugs and a small serving area to cater for guests.

Arrangement
Whatever the age of the children, the furniture and furnishings you choose must be arranged so they can be used comfortably and efficiently. Be sure to position cots and beds out of any draughts and well away from a party wall so there will be no unnecessary noise to disturb sleeping children. Furniture such as wardrobes, cupboards and chairs need just as much room here as in an adult’s room, so measure carefully before you buy.

Remember the more attention you give to the children’s rooms and the more workable and attractive they are, the more your children will enjoy being there instead of in your way and the more they will want to bring home friends instead of wandering off for long periods.

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