Advertise
With Us

Click here to request more information.
OC Family reaches:

• Active & educated parents
• Growing families
• And more...

Early Years (2-6)

Dream room Create a space to be remembered for life. By Emily WatsonPublished: September, 2009

Print This Article Email This Article RSS Subscribe

A child’s room is often his first expression of individuality. It shelters his dreams while providing warmth, safety and comfort. It is also a haven for imagination and play. Yet many children resist sleeping in their own room. Can a room’s decor coax a child to stay in his space? Decorating experts say yes. And if you involve the child in the selection process, it can enhance his individuality, self-expression and confidence.     “Every child is unique, and their room is generally the only place in the home that is uniquely theirs,” says Cindy McLeod of Beds Plus Kids Stuff.     While many parents decorate according to their own tastes, McLeod encourages them to involve their child in the decision-making process. Have him choose his favorite colors, and seek out kid-friendly textures and materials to enhance tactile development.     “If a child has the opportunity to be involved in these decisions, he will most likely find his own room to be a place of comfort and joy,” says McLeod. “This might mean that the parents will have to compromise their own tastes. But it’s an opportunity to allow their child the freedom of choice and to verbalize how he feels and what he likes, leading to stronger character traits of independence, self-expression and security.”     When inviting your child into the decision-making process, avoid giving him too many choices, which can cause confusion. Instead, narrow down the selection to a few items and allow him to make the final decision.     In today’s shaky economy, many parents are looking for long-term furniture purchases. Choose products that are made of hardwood rather than pressed wood, particleboard or laminates. Hardwood offers a higher-quality, longer-lasting product. By maintaining its appearance and sturdiness throughout the years, it could save hundreds of dollars in the long run.     To ease the child’s transition from the crib, parents should think long term and go directly to a twin or full-size bed with guardrails. As the child grows into the bed, the guardrails can be removed.     “Avoid an unnecessary investment in a toddler bed that will only provide a temporary fix,” says McLeod. “Toddlers and young children get attached to their beds, and at such a young age, a single transition from the crib could avoid an emotional crisis for the child.”     Beds Plus Kids Stuff – with locations in Laguna Nigel and Corona – manufactures a unique bed called the Jr. Loft. It’s half the height of a bunk bed, making it safer than a traditional bunk bed, and it’s particularly popular with children. The space under the bed can fit shelving or drawers to save valuable floor space.     Another feature that will further give the child’s room his or her own identity is a decorative mural. Murals have been celebrated for bringing art into the public sphere and will bring delight to any child’s room.     A custom mural – unique to the child’s room and tastes – will help the child take pride in his or her space, says Heidi Ingersoll Allen of The Princess and the Pirate. Allen has been painting children’s murals for 13 years. She says children will enjoy spending more time in their room and are more apt to invite friends over and keep their space clean.     Murals can also ease the transition from a crib or the birth of a new sibling, and can help coax children into sleeping in their own room. A former Disneyland ride and set designer, Seth Thomas of Tic Toc Murals says parents have called him after creating a mural to say that their child – who slept with Mommy and Daddy or often came out of his room at night – is now sleeping in his own room.     When choosing a theme, consider what the child will grow into.     “I try to steer parents to get murals that will last five years or more,” says Allen.     Wall art might reflect a child’s hobbies – surfing, motocross, horseback riding – or a favorite movie or television character. Young girls tend to fancy fairy, princess and flowery garden themes, while boys are apt to choose sports-related images. The beach, underwater and jungle themes are popular gender-neutral themes for parents who may be moving future children into a room.     Another benefit: Murals are low maintenance and hide fingerprints. Since they’re composed of paint, murals are easily covered over and do not damage the walls, as wallpaper often does.     Muralists will typically come to the house to assess the wall space, windows and furniture arrangement. The cost starts at $250 and goes up to about $500 a day – depending on the detail and depth of the design.     “Children get inspired by having it on the wall,” says Thomas. “It makes them feel comfortable – it’s their special place.” Emily Watson is an intern at OC Family magazine. A ROOM OF THEIR OWN For murals and creative bedroom ideas:   > Posh Paint Designs / The Princess and the Pirate Heidi Ingersoll Allen heidi@poshpaintdesigns.com 949.873.5809 poshpaintdesigns.com theprincessandthepirate.com   > Beds Plus Kids Stuff 460 McKinley St., Suite 101 Corona 951.734.7278 bedspluskidsstuff.com   > Beds Plus Kids Stuff 28142 Camino Capistrano Suite 103 Laguna Niguel 949.364.6496. bedspluskidsstuff.com > Tic Toc Murals Seth Thomas 949.916.5043  tictocmurals.com tictocmurals@cox.net

SEARCH THE SITE