Dr. Decorator Examines Children’s Room
More than any other room in a home, children’s rooms are vehicles for multi-purpose living. A child’s room is a laboratory for development and growth. It is the arena in which children live, learn, and play – the microcosm of his or her world. It is in their rooms and from their cribs that babies discover and explore their personal universe. Within this extension of the womb, babies first connect with their parents and caretakers. It is here that they eat, sleep, play and begin developing into the adults they will one day become.
Not just for sleeping, a child’s bedroom is probably the ultimate studio apartment. It is a space where the child does practically everything that pertains to his or her daily life. Its décor has to suit a multitude of purposes and offer a combination of relaxation and stimulation within the same living space.
The sleeping area often takes up the largest chunk of space in the room, with sleeping requirements varying according to a child’s age. The need for a sleep section runs the gamut from a crib for an infant, to a bunk bed or twin mattress for a toddler, to a full- or queen- size bed for a teen or young adult. Children also like to have sleep-over dates, and this means adding extra sleeping space. This can be accomplished with a bunk bed, a trundle bed, a sleep sofa, or a good old sleeping bag. These options should be considered when planning the furniture layout of a child’s bedroom.
Needs change as a child grows and matures, and living spaces must accommodate such change. In early years, the bed and the changing table are the focus of a child’s room. As the infant becomes a toddler, the living space has t suit more requirements. Storage becomes an important factor. It has always been a source of amazement that little people require so many things – and so much space for these things. The baby needs a place to play, and that means storage for playthings as well as for clothing and baby supplies. This need can be accommodated by built-in closets and shelving. A decorative solution is a shelf running around the top of the room above the windows. For a young child, the shelf can hold stuffed animals. As the child gets older, the shelf can hold books, dolls, or sports trophies.
Children need friends. That means creating space for play and for playmates. Lots of floor space is always a plus so kids can stretch out to play games. If there is room, it is great to have a table-and-chairs set for tea parties, coloring, or board games.
As children get older they want more privacy, and kid’s room becomes a hangout or a private den. Those who are fortunate enough to have large living spaces may even be able to incorporate a sitting area where they can watch TV and play video games. Plasma televisions are moving into children’s rooms along with stereos and sound systems, and must be accommodated.
