When it comes to decor, a child's bedroom goes through more transformation than any other room in the house.
So how do you incorporate the change from infant, to preschooler to teen, without getting overwhelmed by the work or costs involved?
"Once you invest in basic furniture that can grow with your child, the use of different paint colours and techniques can transform a living space more simply and economically than any other decorating tool," says Melanie Rice of Para Paints.
Pastels or wall stencils for a baby nursery, for example, can easily be converted to brighter colours or themes for school-aged children, and finally changed to more subtle colours that suit a teenager, says Rice.
Here are some tips from Para Paint:
· Do your homework on colours. Studies show wall colour of children's rooms affect their mood and behaviour. Blues are a popular choice because they tend to soothe, relax and improve productivity. Pinks and purples have a sweet, childlike appeal favoured by young girls, as do greens, which are also considered calming.
Colours to avoid include bright yellows, known to upset babies and raise tempers, and reds, which, while stimulating creativity, can also increase sleeplessness, blood pressure and respiration rate. For teens asking for black, before balking at the suggestion, consider the fact that the colour denotes submissiveness and is considered to be timeless, classy and sophisticated.
· Involve your child in choosing a theme. From racing cars, sports, animals and bugs, to beaches, stars, castles and flowers, themes help give decorating direction and can be achieved simply by using painting techniques.
· Apply pre-cut stencils, or make your own, to paint shapes or images around the room. Use a paint-by-number mural kit to make one wall the focal point, create images using rubber or sponge stamps, or have your kids spread latex paint on their hands and stamp a hand "border."
Have fun with faux finishes. From simple methods like sponging, colour washing or glazing, to more complicated ragging, combing or crackling, faux finishes will create interest in your child's room.
· Unique designs can easily be made using common household items such as plastic bags, old spray bottles, plastic container lids, scrub brushes, combs or old clothing, while walls can be made to shimmer by applying metallic glazes, available in gold or silver, over a base coat.
