INTERIORS: Kids' bedrooms are child's play

Interior Design - Children’s Bedrooms


Interior Design
Niamh Tuohy

AS a baby, I slept in a lead based painted cot.  I did.  I really did.  At the age of seven, my older brothers taught me to cycle their hand-me-down bicycle on what we now call the M50 and 90 per cent of my toys were made of flammable toxic materials.  I’m amazed I’m still alive. 
Kids of the noughties on the other hand have it made.  No expense is spared when it comes to ‘the apple of your eye’.  But that said, given that we’re heading for a repeat of the 80’s (in terms of economy, not fashion – couldn’t possibly take both on at the same time), why not check out my recession busting (non lethal) tips on designing your wee one their dream bedrooms. 

Colour
What kid doesn’t like colour?  They’re like rainbows with legs and arms.  Allow them to express their creativity by playing with different complimentary shades and tones.  Try to avoid using these colours in permanent features such as on walls or flooring materials, but rather in bed linen, lamp shades or window dressings.  This makes it infinitely easier to make simple alterations as you child gets older and tastes change.

Clutter free spaces
In order to avoid either you or your child breaking your neck on various toys, it’s advisable to incorporate storage into the room.  Using storage under a bed is handy for small spaces.  If you have limited space to play with, build shelving that you can close a door on to keep the room as tidy as you can. 

Flooring
While a deep pile carpet will give a luxurious feel, they’re unlikely to survive the wear and tear that comes with a child’s bedroom.  Before you know it, it will be covered in ink and paint stains and shoe marks.  A wooden floor on the other hand is far easier to maintain and can be sanded down a number of times to remove scrapes and scratches.

Lighting
Children can get scared in a darkened room.  Introduce soft occasional lighting to banish the monsters they see in their heads!

Compact designs
There are very clever options available now in the bedroom furniture range.  Bunk beds combined with a small study area below or a sofa that opens up to a double bed are incredibly handy.  They allow clever use of otherwise dead space as well as offering extra space for those ‘sleep overs’.

Mix and match
Don’t be afraid to play with materials and colours.  Mixing and matching colours that don’t necessarily go together can really bring in the ‘fun’ factor into any room.

Accessories
Accessories are the area of design that can  be as whacky or as traditional as you wish.  It also allows you change the feel and theme of the room very easily as your wee one grows.

Book shelves
If at all possible try to incorporate book shelves into those cleverly designed spaces.  It’s another great way to store a multitude of items.  And hopefully, if filled with books, will encourage reading from a young age.

Themes
All children at some point will be obsessed with one fictional character or another.  Design the room around their favourite cartoon or super hero.  Stencilling can be very easily done and takes no effort to change as their tastes do.

Involve them
Last but not least, remember to involve your child.  This is their space so let them have a say in what goes into it.  They’ll jump at the chance to make decisions and choices on accessories such as bed linen, lighting, colour schemes.  Let their creative juices flow!

Naoimh Tuohy is an interior designer based in Westport and working countrywide. Originally coming from a property background, she made the jump from valuing buildings to redesigning their interiors. She has worked freelance for the last six years and specialises in show houses, home-owner renovations and investment-property fit-outs. She can be contacted at 087 7625539.