Transform your child’s space into their happy place

With so many of us at home these days, many parents are thinking about how to revamp or redo their children’s spaces. It can be daunting to imagine how to make these changes, how to create a space for your child that reflects who they are, and functions for their “now” needs.

When you have a baby, you have a certain type of space. A nursery. It’s decked out with a crib, a changing table–baby things. But then your baby grows. As your child grows, their space grows with them.

In my experience, by the time a child is around 9 years old, having them weigh in on changes is important. Depending on the child, their level of involvement will vary, but I’d start by taking their wishes into consideration around that age.

Clear the cutter

Clearing out the extraneous stuff is the first step in moving toward an organized and beautiful space. Be aware that anything that isn’t used, isn’t played with, or doesn’t fit needs to be moved out–either donated or thrown away.

Divide and conquer

My granddaughter lives in a small apartment and has her own bedroom. She has no siblings, so she doesn’t have to share her space, but that space is her only space. During the pandemic and at-home learning, her space has had to function as a classroom, an art studio, and a play space, and also allow for sleeping. So, there were lots of needs to address in a limited area.

With a budget-friendly bookshelf from IKEA, her room was divided into two separate spaces. One side became her sleeping-space, while the other her school-space, art-space, and play-space. Carts on wheels house art supplies. Desk drawers accommodate her schoolwork. Shelves provide space for her collections.

What brings your child joy?

*Are they big Bulls fans?

*Do they collect owls?

*Is ballet their thing?

*Do they like calico critters?

Incorporate the things they love to look at, enjoy playing with, or need in order to be successful.

Back to my granddaughter: Because she loves Harry Potter, we used a deep blue paint around her bed with stars to create the night sky, and she painted small canvasses with Harry Potter images to camouflage the openings of her IKEA bookshelf/room divider. Simple, yet so effective!

Shop at home first

On a budget? No problem! Re-designing a child’s room can often employ what’s already on hand. The goal doesn’t have to be to buy new things or paint the walls, but rather to use what your child has and re-purpose it.

Everything should have a home

For instance, when working with a 10-year-old girl for a bedroom makeover, we worked with what she had, and just focused on making her room neater–so that everything had a home. Ultimately, she was delighted to see that the only clothes hanging in her closet or folded neatly in her drawers were things she enjoyed wearing. She adored that her best-loved stuffed animals were prominently displayed. It delighted her that she could easily reach her favorite bedside table necessities.

Balance the personal and the functional

Keep in mind two things: Make the space personal, while at the same time allowing it to function for their needs. The good news is you don’t need a big budget to create a space for your child that reflects who they are, that works for them, and brings them joy!

There’s no ‘one size fits all’

There are many ways to go about designing and creating a child’s space, and so much of it depends on your personal environment, your budget, and your child’s personality. The variety of situations are endless, just as each child is unique. For example, does your child share a room with a sibling? Do you have a separate playroom? How big is the space? All of these factors come into play when planning a child’s room.

Remember:

• Keep your child in mind.

• Ask for their input.

• Identify their needs.

Once you’ve taken into consideration those few things, you’re on the road to a what could be a fun bonding opportunity for you and your kiddo.

Linda Parks is a Professional Organizer and Space Planner, working in the industry for over 20 years. She specializes in creating spaces that inspire and homes you want to go home to. She is the author of Clear Your Space…Clear Your Mind.