Decorating a child’s room need not be expensive but with a few good ideas and a pot of paint you can go crazy and create a place that your child will be happy to spend their time. As they grow and their tastes mature, you can redecorate and alter them to suit their individual needs again. I invested in a large cork board so they could pin up their pictures and notices without putting holes in my walls.
When my girls were in the fairy stage, I painted the walls pale green with lilac trimmings. I drew a large white unicorn on the wall; I copied one from a painting book, I had blades of grass, toadstools and fairies around the room. I painted the ceiling in high gloss black with stick on stars, to give the appearance of a night sky. They loved to sit in this room and read stories to the unicorn. When I came in to read to them at night, they felt secure and safe and completely settled. Aside from a set of drawers, a toy box and bean bag to sit on the room was bare and clean. No clutter or mess but then the girly stage came along. Things changed and they wanted make-up and mirrors! Out went the black roof and the unicorn and in came the pale pink walls with lavender trimmings and dresser with mirror. With some mirror balls and boom box in there, they were set to party and dance now. Simple ideas but it shows that you know where they are and they know that you are interested and care about them.
Boy’s rooms can be made just as interesting with dinosaurs, robots or cars. There are lots of great ideas and life size murals on the walls can brighten a child’s space and make it interesting for them. Stimulating a child’s imagination encourages learning and an enquiring mind. Busy children are less likely to get into trouble because they are learning about things that are of interest to them.
As they get older, a desk and chair are of great use. It gives them a quiet place to tackle their homework. I have always had a small bookshelf so they have a place for their favorite books and there is always something to read (even if it is Harry Potter for the 12th time). We visit the library on a regular basis as they have become avid readers.
The colors and pictures will tickle their imaginations in the early stages of development and make them more interested in what is happening in their room, environment and lives. They will also take more pride in their room and with a bit of coaching, they will make more of an effort to keep them clean and tidy and get into good life long habits.
