PLAN THE PERFECT
DREAMING OF CREATING KID-APPROVED SPACES TO LAST, BOTH IN TERMS OF STYLE AND FUNCTION? WE ASKED THE EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR TIPS
FEATURE JENNIFER MORGAN
Come with us (if you dare) into the world of children’s bedroom design, where smart furniture choices, savvy storage solutions and the chance to reflect your offspring’s personality form the basis of a room that will last. But how and where do you start with this balancing act? We asked three children’s room experts – aproduct designer and two interior designers – just what makes a room for a school-age-through-to-tween child a success.
A SPACE TO CALL THEIR OWN
‘The sign of a truly excellent kid’s bedroom is one where the child feels that it’s their own personal space,’ says D’arby. ‘Functionality should be at its core, as the space needs to do lots of things, whether that’s work, rest or play.’
Fi agrees: ‘Depending on the child’s age, this may look like a room with a small area to play, a study station, a chill-out/reading nook and a comfy bed that’s warm and inviting.’
When designing for tweens, Medina says don’t ignore the hormones. ‘At this age, children are experiencing a major transformation with puberty – suddenly it appears their tastes have matured. They need a room that suits their preferences and meets their needs for study, time alone and with friends.’
GROWING PAINS
‘We expect children’s bedrooms to serve this multitude of purposes – and that’s a lot of jobs for one room,’ says D’arby, ‘so when I’m designing, I’m always looking at pieces that are going to adapt.’ Medina adds, ‘Storage – and a lack of – is always a problem. We resolve this with multifunctional pieces.’ Fi says, ‘Try using the walls for shelving and totes, and make use of underneath the bed, too.’
For tricky spaces, Fi recommends a mid or high-sleeper bed, ‘with a desk, storage and bed built in. This way you can properly zone the room with a study station,
