Are you upgrading your nursery to a big kid’s room? Or do your older children want the ‘grown-up’ bedroom of their dreams? Giving our kids’ bedrooms a little refresh can be a fun exercise. However, as easy as it is to get excited and run wild with colours and patterns, it’s also important to create a functional room with plenty of storage.
Clever use of space and some creative thinking is the keys to keeping kids’ toys, books and clothes organised. Choose items that are flexible and can be used in multiple ways and you’ll save yourself the hassle and expense of continually having to buy new pieces. Plus, if you choose quality pieces for your children, the furniture will last, as they move from their newborn days into their teenage years. But how do you get started?
Here’s your guide to the essentials to keep for kids’ rooms:
Organisation for little ones
For a first-time mum, organising a room for your new love can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. No matter how big the dedicated space might be, it’s easy to keep it organised. Look for furniture that has more than one use. A chest of drawers, for example, is the perfect height to place a change pad on, and you’ll have the benefit of space to keep nappies, burp cloths, swaddle blankets, and clothes tidily tucked away, while saving the space you would otherwise use for a stand-alone change table. Your kids can use the piece way past the toilet-training days and it will be an essential part of their room as they grow.
Combine a good night’s sleep with less clutter
A comfortable bed is a must – no matter what your age. Like many adult beds, children’s beds also come with plenty of functional storage space. A bed with in-built storage is a clever place to keep spare bedding, blankets or out-of-season clothes out of sight while still keeping them accessible. There are plenty of options to consider: beds with drawers; gas-lift bases; or even under-bed storage cubes.
For kiddos that are a little older, bunk or loft beds are a great option. Not only do they add a little bit of fun to your kids’ bedroom, they’re also great for shared spaces; you can even fit a desk or cupboard underneath to save on space. Trundle beds are also a great choice. If your kiddo has friends come over to stay, they can be pulled out easily to create extra sleeping space.
Bedside tables: one piece of furniture, many uses
A bedside table with drawers is a great addition to a kids’ room, no matter their age. While they’re babies you can place it next to a rocking chair as a spot to keep your phone, drink bottle and other supplies handy when you’re feeding during the night wake-ups. Once your children are older they can have it beside the bed – for keeping their own treasures in the drawers, while displaying more practical things, such as a light and a clock, on top.
You can have plenty of fun picking out a bedside table that matches your little one’s style. A funky option for a colourful bedroom is a mini metal locker with shelves, or you could go with a light or dark wood for a more traditional style.
Create a reading nook
If your child has a ton of books that are taking over the room, creating a dedicated reading nook is a clever way to keep the books under control. Set up a cosy spot with a bookshelf, a comfy floor cushion or beanbag and a snuggly blanket. Not only will the books be contained, your child will also have a special place to wind down.
Choose a bookshelf that’s at your children’s height so they can pick books out themselves. For pre-schoolers, find one where you can face books forward so they can see the covers. A rotating bookshelf is a fun way to create a mini ‘library’ for your child. Make sure it’s large enough to store all the books in your current collection, with room to add more in the future. Pop up a tent or teepee and your quiet zone will be complete.
Go vertical
Fighting a small space? Use the walls! Floating shelves are a great way to store items off the floor and out of the way. Whether you choose narrow shelves for books or wider ones for soft toys and other items, going vertical is a clever way to create order in your kid’s room, without sacrificing floor space. If you have special keepsake items, this is a great way to display them out of reach of little hands. Involve your kids and get them to choose what they want to place on each shelf.
Whether you’re trying to design your kid’s room to avoid clutter, or you’re deep in a battle against mess, these five essentials will help you make smart furniture choices to organise a room that will go the distance.
