Decorating Kids Rooms
by Joey Lewitin
There are two things two consider when designing the interior of
a child's room. You have to consider the style, the overall effect you want the
décor to have on your child's mind. The other is the mess, children are
naturally sloppy and there rooms will reflect this. The best way to accommodate
both of these necessary considerations is to combine them. You can start
with organization, and then let the child help decorate the containers and
shelves.
A child's room is often filled with toys and games. These toys and games are
going to end up everywhere. Trying to maintain an organizational structure in a
child's room can be almost impossible.
Start by breaking the toys down into simple, broad categories. For instance,
place all of the electronics, and more delicate easily breakable items in one
category, then place action figures, dolls, and other more solid items in
another. There can also be categories for books, games or whatever. The
important thing to remember is to keep it simple. You want the child to
understand the categories, and be able to help with the maintenance.
Next get some big plastic containers. Using tape and markers, write category
names on the big containers in easy to read lettering. Try a different color
code for each category. Go over them with the child, and make sure they
understand what the different boxes are. Try and get containers that are too
big, so that there will be [plenty of room for everything that goes in them,
plus some. For more delicate toys such as cds or computer items, make a special
shelf or use individual boxes, so that the toys don't break when put away.
The first few clean ups you can turn into a game, where you let the child try
and figure out where each toy goes. Make it a fun experience. You want to train
the value of organization into the child.
Once the room is clean, you can start decorating. Here you can work with the
child, letting them choose how they would like the room to look. You could try
wrapping paper on the boxes, so that every time the child wants a toy it looks
as if he or she is grabbing at a whole new present.
Construction paper works well too, and the child can draw on it afterwards. When
you want a change, just rip off the construction paper (carefully, that's your
child's art) and slap some new paper on. As long as the labels remain clear.
You can build mobiles to hang from shelves, or put paper rings painted in
different colors around door knobs. The room itself becomes a toy for the child.
As you can see, decorating a child's room takes a certain amount of planning.
You want to help grow their minds, without creating a décor that is too
complicated to clean. Play is the thing, just have fun and you should do very
well.
Joey Lewitin is an author, a designer, and an artist. Check his website to see
some of his creations such as a variety of
rustic stone furnishings, wall clocks, and art work.