A young girl needs her own space – ideally an organised room that stimulates her imagination and provides her with comfort and security. Here are a few design tips to set up your child’s room -
A learning environment
For a happy child, learning and fun are two sides of a coin. The years from one to five are most critical for this is the time when she learns more than she will her entire life. Ensure that her room isn’t chock-a-block with toys; often the problem of plenty means there’s no room left for imaginative play. Psychologist Kim Payne, author of Simple Parenting, writes that a “clutter of toys and materials make for less play”. Toys needn’t be expensive to aid learning. Stock her room with things that all kids enjoy – cardboard boxes, egg cartons, old notebooks and magazines, old greeting cards, crayons, pencils and colours.
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Forget the whole blue for boys and pink for girls. Colour codifying spaces is equivalent to force feeding a child’s likings, so steer clear. Any colour can work for a child’s room, be it sunny yellow, burnt orange, lime green, sea green or old ivory and citrus colours. Explore the idea of two colours (kiwi and marshmallow) with a neutral trim (cinnamon brown) to tie the room together.
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Choose a bed that fits the room comfortably, be it single or double. A loft bed pushes the sleeping space up by four or five feet and works well in a small room. Ensure that the bed is safe – your little girl shouldn’t fall out. Add a comfortable mattress, an appliquéd or quilted bedspread and an inviting comforter. Help your toddler manage clutter by providing enough storage. Explore hidden areas and neglected corners for closets and shelves. Bins and baskets are ideal to put away all her stuff. A closet with space for her many clothes, shoes and accessories (that she can reach) is a must.
Of floors and windows
The floor is often home ground for toddlers. Stone or tiles are the best bet as they are easy to rid of the many spills and messes that are bound to occur. Carpets are better avoided – they trap dust and often trip up small feet. Children tend to sleep better in a dark room, so select window treatments that are effective in blocking the light. Choose from heavy lined curtains, opaque Roman blinds or thick chiks. A night lamp is essential.
Set the stage
Create a room that’s fun, lively and engaging. Use cartoon wallpaper, or plan a colourful mural or a family tree on a wall. When it comes to themes, go with animals, musicals, colours, shapes, numbers, etc. Alphabet décor is a popular way to score a gender-neutral room. Use wood letters, fun nursery rhymes, and poem themes – they will give your child food for thought for quite some time! Later, these can give way to framed maps, globes and other learning aids. Decals, stickers and wallpapers can turn the character of a room on its head.
Think of the future
It may be tempting to splurge on all the pint-sized stuff you lay your eyes on, but desist. It’s a matter of time before your little girl grows out of the car-shaped study table or the fairy princess-type bed. Look for things that can grow with your child – a high chair that can be split into a table and chair, a toddler’s bed that converts into a twin bed, or stackable bins that can be used for years.