1 Paint it!
Okay, so it’s stating the obvious, but a lick of paint can make a huge difference to a room. Get creative with different coloured walls or divide a wall horizontally with different colours on the top and the bottom to add instant style.
2 Sticker fun
An easy tool to quickly change the theme of a room, vinyl wall stickers look like they’ve been painted on and can really make an impact. Smaller stickers are also good for refreshing dull furniture, while chalk stickers add a personal touch to a play area, kitchen or study.
3 Wall hangings
Name signs, stuffed animal heads, canopies and mobiles all add three-dimensional effects. Choose hangings according to the theme of the room and they will enhance its appearance in no time.
4 Borders
Paste a wallpaper border at the top of a wall, close to the ceiling or against it, choosing a design that reflects your child’s interest or stimulates his imagination. Use a colour which is in contrast colour of the wall to let the border stand out. You could also create a point of visual interest closer centre of the room by pasting a border waist height or slightly above.
5 Soft stuff
Good to play with and cute to look at, kids love soft toys and squishy cushions. Use them to decorate shelves, beds, chairs and the floor. If your cuddly animals start breeding – keep them neatly in storage boxes. Wash them regularly – dirty toys are unhygienic and spoil the charm of a room.
6 Storage
It doesn’t matter how gorgeous the décor, if your child’s room is a tip, it ain’t going to look good. Colourful storage solutions solve this problem and add interest to a room in their own right.
7 Rugs and chairs
As your children get older, they’ll use their room for more than just sleeping. It’s good to distinguish different areas for playing and learning. Washable play mats and soft rugs are comfortable for kids to play on, while a cosy arm chair can instantly create an inviting reading corner.
8 Lighting
Good lighting in the room is important and often forgotten, but thankfully it’s also easy to change. Set the right atmosphere by combining different types of table lamps, floor lamps and hanging lamps for different uses. Use different shapes to and colours for a funky effect.
9 Beds
Funky, novelty or themed beds are a great idea for encouraging kids to sleep, but beware of passing novelty fads. Beds need to last, and given most kids’ tastes change quicker than you can say Lightning McQueen it’s safer to choose a general theme that will stand the test of time.
10 Personalise
An easy way to change the room and make it personal is to display a few photos of families and friends. Kids love looking at themselves and will enjoy helping you choose from old family snaps. The same goes for their artwork – nothing will make them feel more proud than seeing their best efforts framed and hung on the wall.
