As your child grows up and becomes more independent, their preferences will evolve. The toys will disappear into boxes, never to be played with again. Colors they once loved will suddenly embarrass them. The cute twin-size mattress will be too small, and a room they once adored won’t match their style. They’ll probably come to you for help redesigning their room as their tastes change. Here are seven tips for transitioning your child’s room as they age.
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1. Spring Clean First
Go through everything in the room with your child, sorting items into two categories: one for things to keep and another for items to discard. This teaches them how to make space for new interests. Before you make any big changes to your child’s room, you want to give it a thorough spring cleaning. The goal is to throw out the old and bring in the new.
Go through all their toys, clothes, books and other gadgets. This process declutters the room and gives you insight into their evolving tastes. Decide together whether you want to dispose of the unwanted items, donate them to charity or sell anything still in good condition. If you choose to sell, your child may want to keep the profits. Once everything is cleared out, you’ll have a fresh start for updating the room.
2. Design the Room Together
Designing your child’s room together is a great way to understand your child’s evolving tastes. Let them choose the color palette for the room, what will go on their walls and what kind of furniture they would like. Whether it’s a gaming setup, a bean bag to lounge on or unique lights, the choice should be theirs. Letting them choose also fosters a sense of ownership.
Not all children know what they want. If yours is having difficulty, browse through decor magazines together to find styles they like. You can also walk through furniture stores so they can begin to get an idea of their preferences. Make a note of what grabs them, and put those items on a list of possible decor furniture for their room. Some kids don’t care to get heavily involved in the design process, while others may genuinely adore it.
3. Pick a New Bed for Their Growing Bodies
As children grow, so do their needs. This doesn’t just refer to their tastes; it refers to their growing bodies, too. Your child will probably outgrow their twin bed and will need one that supports a constantly growing body. After you’ve decided to switch out the old bed, choose a new one together. Pick a bed that suits the look of their new room, like a full-size mattress with comforters, pillows and sheets that match their color preferences. Remember that full-size mattresses come in different styles, so having your child choose a style that works for them may be worth it.
4. Incorporate Shelves to Stay Organized
Adding shelves to your child’s room can help keep all their new items organized, such as their schoolbooks, gaming stuff, trophies or hobby collections. Let them choose the types of shelves they want as well as the color. The beauty of shelves is that your child can organize their bedroom space in a way that makes sense to them. Furthermore, shelves aren’t just a practical addition. They can add style and personality to your child’s room.
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5. Add a Laundry Hamper
Find a dedicated spot to add a laundry hamper to your child’s room. Besides having a place to store all their dirty clothes, it teaches them about responsibility and the importance of keeping their room tidy. It also helps avoid mixing the clean and dirty clothes. You might also want to teach them to sort their clothes, such as whites versus dark-colored clothes on laundry day. This is a great way to prepare them for college life and beyond. Like shelves or furniture, a laundry hamper doesn’t just have to be a practical addition. It can reflect their personality and style, too.
6. Purchase a Mirror
Children transitioning into teenagers start to become more conscious about their appearances. If you don’t have one in the bathroom, put a full-length mirror in their room. If your child has just started wearing makeup, they can apply it and do their hair in the privacy of their own room. In addition, having a full-length mirror allows them to experiment with outfits without feeling judged by the rest of the family.
7. Reorganize Their Clothes Closet
Now that you’ve helped to decorate your child’s room and chosen something perfect from a variety of bedroom furniture sets, it’s time to go through their closet and toss out any clothes they’ve outgrown. Children grow fast, so this is a task that you should plan to do every season. Once you’ve given or thrown away their old clothes, let them choose a closet setup that they’re comfortable with: bins for different clothes, shelves or hangers. They can also choose to separate their school clothes from their weekend wear.
Changing Styles
Transitioning your child’s room as they age is more than just tossing out old items and bringing in new ones; it’s also about helping them develop their taste and style. By letting them make their own design choices, you’re giving them a sense of ownership and allowing them to enjoy their bedroom space that much more.
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