Fun Kids Room Ideas For Every Stage of Childhood
These Spunky Kids Room Ideas Will Keep Kids of Any Age Happy and Entertained As They Grow Up.
Kids are picky and they grow fast! So, finding the right kids room decor that will last can be a real challenge. Luckily, these designer ideas will help save confusion and headache when attempting to create the perfect, long lasting kids bedroom.
Age
Age is a big factor to think about when coming up with kids' room ideas. According to the CDC the “young teen” years start at age twelve. This leaves eleven years of childhood where parents will have a large say in their child's bedroom design.
However, not all ages of childhood are the same. In fact, child development is often broken up into the six stages listed below:
Infants (0-1 year)
Toddlers (1-3 years)
Preschoolers (3-5 years)
Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
When looking at kids' bedroom decor, these stages can be used as guidelines. The goal is for a kids room to last as long as possible. Flowing through these stages effortlessly and seamlessly is essential because designing a new kids bedroom every 2 years can be a daunting task. Not to mention, it is not light on the bank account.
In order to get started with some effective kids room ideas, it is easiest to break the childhood years down and examine what is necessary for each stage of childhood.
Infants & Toddlers
The infant and toddler stages often align with the nursery years. This is the room many women have dreamed of decorating since playing with dolls as little girls. The nursery, especially for a first kid, is extra special and holds a lot of sentimental value. Plus, the best part about a nursery is that mom and dad get to be the boss of decoration.
Keeping the little tot in mind, here are some tips:
Keep It Safe!
The most important aspect of designing a kids bedroom is making sure the room is safe! Nevertheless, safety does not have to come at the cost of beauty. Most kids' room furniture comes with safety in mind, so anything bought in a nursery specific section should be okay, but always double check the things you buy!
Be sure to stay away from sharp edges and fragile, breakable items.
Make It Light!
No matter the gender of your child, be sure to make the room full of sunlight and contrasting colors. There is actually science behind nursery decoration. The first five years, and especially the first three years, are extremely important to the development of a child. These years shape the organization and function of the brain for the rest of the child's life.
According to an article from Vinyl Impression, babies who are stimulated by their environments reach developmental milestones faster. This article also equates surrounding babies with only pastels as blindfolding them. So, although pastels might be the desired aesthetic, keep in mind babies need stimulation!
Use contrasting colors, intriguing shapes, and interactive items. Despite the fact that mommy and daddy are in control of design, the baby's needs should come first. Nevertheless, don’t stress — a colorful, shape-filled, interactive room should make the design journey that much more interesting!
Have Fun!
Whether the nursery is for a first child, middle child, or last child, have fun with the process of designing. New studies and kids room trends come out every single year. Get creative, do research on what is hot, and most of all enjoy the process.
Preschoolers
Preschoolers are in the age range of three to five years old. These are still vital years for brain development. At this point the baby may be outgrowing the crib. It’s time to upgrade to a bed and it may also be time to think about kids' room storage.
Between three and five walking and talking happens. A preschoolers bedroom can absolutely evolve from the nursery, but it must accommodate the new little human that is now gallivanting around the space.
Built in custom storage is a great idea for the toys that will inevitably start to pile up. Not only will they keep the room tidy, but it will start to teach motor function and organizational skills to the toddler.
Middle Childhood
Middle childhood ranges from six to eleven and a lot of changes happen within those years. The little kid that once listened easily to mom and dad is beginning to form their own opinion and their unique personality is coming to light. Also...they are most likely getting BIG.
The key to a great kids room is that it grows with the child. By this time, the nursery should have evolved a great deal. It’s initial growth may have been for function, but now it’s time to make the room a little more personal!
Kids room decor takes on a different role now. The details don’t just need to speak to mom and dad, but also should help the child explore the person they are becoming. Nothing drastic needs to change, but decorative details can be enhanced.
Think about the details. Is the child taking a liking to trains, cars, music, dancing, etc? Add more of these elements. The child may not be able to fully express their wants and needs, but personal elements catered to them can help them explore who they want to become.
It will be helpful to focus on aspects like kids room rugs, light fixture changes, new drapery, new interactive elements, or a new color scheme.
Furthermore, small decor details are the way to go in this stage because as the teen years approach there may be some larger redecorations on the horizon.
Brand Recommendations
Find affordable, mid range, and high end recommendations for kids room decoration below.
Affordable Options
Non-Designer Lines/Retail: Pottery Barn Kids, PB Teen, Restoration Hardware Baby & Child, Crate & Barrel
Designer Lines: Braxton Culler, Kravet Edge, Woodbridge, Somerset Bay
Quality Options
Mid-Range Designer Lines: Kravet
High End Options
High End Designer Lines: Hickory Chair, Baker