Decorating
your child’s bedroom is often a game of chance — polka dots or
stripes, purple or blue. Chances are, parent and child are bound to
disagree. Interior design experts say the focus in the beginning
stages of decorating a child’s room shouldn’t focus on color
schemes at all, but rather on space and function.
Tara Wilke, owner of McNabb & Risley Fine Furniture and
Interior Design in Thiensville, says the planning stage is crucial
because you first need to assess what purpose you want the room to
serve. "The first step to consider when designing a child’s
room is to assess how the space is currently working for you and your
child," Wilke explains. "If there are clothes and toys
everywhere, then you may need more storage options. If their homework
is all over the bed, it’s time to invest in a desk with storage
hutch and file cabinet."
Wilke suggests taking a detailed "inventory" of items and
decide what stays and what goes. She also suggests taking measurements
of the room before shopping and making sure to gather paint chips,
swatches and samples of carpets. Bringing your child along on the
shopping trip can help give you a better idea of his or her likes and
dislikes — and avoid a future battle.
"If all else fails, remember you can always keep the door
closed," Wilke says.
Theme rooms are a popular trend right now for any age group —
keep in mind it will most likely fit your child’s interests for only
three or four years, as their tastes change. "Your children are
young for such a short time that if a fairy theme enchants her,
indulge in her wishes," Wilke says. "You don’t have to
furnish the room top to bottom in décor that will be quickly dated.
Start with a collection of fairies for her display or coordinating
artwork and go from there."
Joline Steigerwald, president of Design Resource Center and
European Comforts LLC — Bed & Bath in Elm Grove, says that
classic designs are always in style and incorporating unique items
makes a room stand out. "Right now some of the trends
are stripes, plaids and polka dots in a variety of many colors
and designs," Steigerwald says. "You can add special touches
such as personalization, photos, new hardware, paint, wallpaper,
pillows, window treatments and collectible items."
Steigerwald says theme rooms — from teddy bears to Barbie — are
also a popular choice with her clients and please both parent and
child. "Many of these themes incorporate both boys and girls and
old-fashioned to modern ideas," she says.
