My husband and I carefully selected a periwinkle color for the walls with a glaze wash of yellow (totally experimental). It turned out pretty good! Very cheery. The window treatments I played around with a bit until I got the perfect thick, yellow curtains that kept the light out when closed (my girl yanked all the shades down and made stick instruments out of the plastic rods) and kept open in the day by a swag of silky, flowery material that I tied back in a bow.
A beautiful plush dark periwinkle carpet laid at her feet and kept her toesies warm in the winter. There is almost nothing more fun than helping to make your kids’ rooms a step above the ordinary and an inspiring retreat for them.
Here are some quick ideas to help inspire your little one and keep them amused and delighted in their own space:
Let there be light! Strings of lights do not have to be used only around Christmas. Try scouting out different stores (Lowe’s, Target, small accessory stores) and see what they have for strings of lights. There may be some pretty pastel lights in pinks, blues and yellows (think Easter) that you could hang on a wall in a pattern, or above the bed, or around a window. Kids love these (and so do adults).
Color is key! But there is no reason to only think girl = pink or boy = blue. I love subtle but carefully planned colors. I don’t think the use of energy driven colors (red) are wise for the wee one’s sanctuary. Soft tones are best, but what’s really the most fun here are the accessories! Cool artwork, wall art, bulletin boards (for older kids), lamps and rugs are what really spice things up.
Creative, quiet nooks! A space in the corner for a desk or table is essential. Use one with plenty of drawers or shelves and space for a little person to draw, read or play. A place for paper, scissors, crayons, tape and other goodies for arts and crafts should be made easily accessible. This really helps the child establish a routine to work by themselves, or with their siblings or friends, and use their creative minds to relax and just mellow out after a long tiring day. The best way to get the most out of a space like this would be to NOT have a TV in the room, or a computer with access to the internet.
Most of all, this is a time for you and your child to get together and brainstorm your ideas and really come together. This will thrill and delight them in many ways to be a part of the process. It will enhance their feelings of comfort and peace in their very own place.
Kristin McClellan is a professional home stager and redesigner who runs her business, HomeCharmers, with her husband, Nathaniel, a flooring expert and furniture craftsman. They work together to make people’s homes more buyer-friendly and help homeowners who are staying enjoy it more. You can reach her at 899-1239 or www.homecharmers.net.