5 Rules for Designing Your Child’s Bedroom
Consider these important elements to help you create a space where your little one can thrive
Chiquit Brammall
26 August 2021
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
Designing a child’s room can offer plenty of possibilities for fun colour choices and creative ideas, but there’s actually more to the process than meets the eye. If you want to create a space that will help your offspring to grow well physically, mentally and emotionally, it’s worth considering a few key planning essentials.
Here, Singapore-based paediatric chiropractor Fiona Kim gives her expert advice on how to ensure your child’s room is perfect for playing, sleeping and learning.
Here, Singapore-based paediatric chiropractor Fiona Kim gives her expert advice on how to ensure your child’s room is perfect for playing, sleeping and learning.
Consider their ergonomic needs
Adjustable chairs, such as the Tripp Trapp one pictured here, are a great investment, as they will grow with your child from their toddler years till they’re at their own desk working on their primary school homework. Having a chair like this will help a child to sit well at a height that’s right for the table.
For the optimum position when a child is sitting at their desk, Fiona Kim suggests:
Adjustable chairs, such as the Tripp Trapp one pictured here, are a great investment, as they will grow with your child from their toddler years till they’re at their own desk working on their primary school homework. Having a chair like this will help a child to sit well at a height that’s right for the table.
For the optimum position when a child is sitting at their desk, Fiona Kim suggests:
- knees should not be bent less than 90 degrees.
- the head should be looking forwards (not down).
- the upper arm should be close to the body, elbows bent no less than 90 degrees, and wrists straight (bent no more than 15 degrees).
- feet are flat on a surface.
- the chair should have back support.
Create zones for sleep, play and work
How do you establish good sleep habits in your child? Train them that the bed is for relaxing and sleeping by zoning the bedroom according to function.
Provide a proper space for the desk, so your child will not be tempted to do their schoolwork on the bed. Establish a separate corner for play, too, so he or she won’t clutter their restful sleep area.
How do you establish good sleep habits in your child? Train them that the bed is for relaxing and sleeping by zoning the bedroom according to function.
Provide a proper space for the desk, so your child will not be tempted to do their schoolwork on the bed. Establish a separate corner for play, too, so he or she won’t clutter their restful sleep area.
Provide the right lights
You can help your child retain good eyesight by providing proper lighting. This means a good amount of natural light, a warm white light for general illumination of the room after the sun goes down, and a task light for schoolwork.
Some children may also need a night light for anxiety or night-time fears, while some may be comfortable enough knowing that the light switch is within arm’s reach of the bed.
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You can help your child retain good eyesight by providing proper lighting. This means a good amount of natural light, a warm white light for general illumination of the room after the sun goes down, and a task light for schoolwork.
Some children may also need a night light for anxiety or night-time fears, while some may be comfortable enough knowing that the light switch is within arm’s reach of the bed.
Ready to find an interior designer to renovate your home? Look no further than the Houzz Professionals Directory, where you can see past projects and read client reviews for pros in your area.
Give them colour therapy
You can use colour to enhance your child’s sleep, concentration or psychological comfort. Children with a lot of energy, for example, may benefit from a soothing colour in their environment, Fiona says.
Likewise, she adds, “if a room is super fun, bright and stimulating, some children may have a harder time winding down for rest.”
You can use colour to enhance your child’s sleep, concentration or psychological comfort. Children with a lot of energy, for example, may benefit from a soothing colour in their environment, Fiona says.
Likewise, she adds, “if a room is super fun, bright and stimulating, some children may have a harder time winding down for rest.”
Some psychologists believe these hues promote certain feelings, so use them accordingly:
- Red – passion, aggression
- Orange – pleasure, optimism
- Yellow – creativity, fun
- Green – balance, harmony
- Blue – peace, calmness
- Violet – meditation, imagination
Help to expand their imagination and creativity
Pinboards like this one allow children to decorate using their favourite things, while a world map (like the one below) prompts them to think of travels and adventures.
Pinboards like this one allow children to decorate using their favourite things, while a world map (like the one below) prompts them to think of travels and adventures.
“It’s important to give your child some ownership in the design of their room,” interior designer Nikki Hunt of Design Intervention says. This allows the child to express his or her personality and creativity, and encourages them to take responsibility for their room’s upkeep.
Tell us:
How have you designed your child’s room to help them stay healthy and happy? Share a photo in the Comments.
Tell us:
How have you designed your child’s room to help them stay healthy and happy? Share a photo in the Comments.
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I would suggest instead of providing storage for everything they accumulate over the years, a regime of passing on things that are no longer age appropriate is healthier for the mind and the planet - with the exception of a few treasures.
Book shelves or cases, and new age-appropriate books added throughout the year, year after year, feeding their favorite subjects, so the kids have a library of treasured books, and develop good reading habits by the time they reach high school. A child who doesn't read at home becomes both bored and boring as a kid and a boring adult, less creative, and less appealing for future employers.
I'd also recommend a globe. Yes, sure, globes need geopolitical revision from time to time, but the basic idea is to develop understanding of map-reading and spatial relationships, something you can't get from google maps. During story time, look at the globe together to find the author's home state or country, or the setting of the story. The same after watching a movie together. Later, find the locations of international news.
I know, this is all available online, but if there are going to be things in the room, why not make them engaging, colorful, and informative?
There is a very high likelihood that a kid will end up doing schoolwork on the bed at some point regardless of how well set up the desk area is. My advice? Don’t sweat the small stuff. And if they prefer to do math with music blaring in their ears, that’s fine too!