UK Designers' Secrets to Creating Kids' Rooms That Grow With Them
These decor choices will save you the time, money and waste of having to update your child’s space in years to come
Amanda Pollard
29 February 2020
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Wondering what’s the most important thing to include in a room for your baby or young child? Yes, toy storage is essential, but if you want to avoid waste, it’s vital to incorporate furniture and decor that lasts. Take a look at these rooms, where UK Houzz professionals have planned ahead to help homeowners avoid frequently updating paintwork and throwing outgrown furniture and items into landfill.
Work in a wall of storage
Kids’ clutter gets everywhere, no matter how tidy you try to be, but you can make it easier to stay organised by incorporating plenty of storage in their room. Though rather than choosing a miniature wardrobe they’ll outgrow, try fitting bespoke shelves and cabinets that will be just as useful for adults later as they are for children now.
In this teenager’s bedroom, Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors has designed a wall of cabinetry with space-saving sliding doors. The joinery is practical for the child who lives here, but is stylish and functional enough to last for years to come.
Kids’ clutter gets everywhere, no matter how tidy you try to be, but you can make it easier to stay organised by incorporating plenty of storage in their room. Though rather than choosing a miniature wardrobe they’ll outgrow, try fitting bespoke shelves and cabinets that will be just as useful for adults later as they are for children now.
In this teenager’s bedroom, Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors has designed a wall of cabinetry with space-saving sliding doors. The joinery is practical for the child who lives here, but is stylish and functional enough to last for years to come.
Add adaptable details
When you’re creating your storage, think about how the cabinetry will be used later on. With some careful planning, you can include some wiggle room for adapting the joinery for changing needs.
Here, Karen Knox of Making Spaces has built useful plywood storage for her young son. The wide, open surface to the left of the bed is ideal for building and displaying Lego, but as he grows, Knox can attach an extra surface onto it to turn it into a desk.
When you’re creating your storage, think about how the cabinetry will be used later on. With some careful planning, you can include some wiggle room for adapting the joinery for changing needs.
Here, Karen Knox of Making Spaces has built useful plywood storage for her young son. The wide, open surface to the left of the bed is ideal for building and displaying Lego, but as he grows, Knox can attach an extra surface onto it to turn it into a desk.
Double up
Combine storage with seating to provide a place for children and teenagers to snuggle up. The key to making it work is to ensure the area is low enough for kids, but large enough for grown-ups.
The team at Mimodo Architects dedicated ample space at the centre of these cupboards to construct a bench seat. It’s cosy and spacious enough to remain useful as the child grows.
Need expert solutions to design storage that will stand the test of time? Find joinery and cabinet makers near you on Houzz for customised options
Combine storage with seating to provide a place for children and teenagers to snuggle up. The key to making it work is to ensure the area is low enough for kids, but large enough for grown-ups.
The team at Mimodo Architects dedicated ample space at the centre of these cupboards to construct a bench seat. It’s cosy and spacious enough to remain useful as the child grows.
Need expert solutions to design storage that will stand the test of time? Find joinery and cabinet makers near you on Houzz for customised options
Choose a piece that could be repurposed
If you’re hoping to add some kid-friendly freestanding furniture, consider going down the recycled route. Hunt in second-hand outlets and online for fun vintage items to add character to your child’s space.
Here, designer Mel Massey added an old school desk and a mid-century wardrobe to her son’s bedroom. The beauty of pieces like these is they can be repurposed elsewhere or sold on again to another homeowner.
If you’re hoping to add some kid-friendly freestanding furniture, consider going down the recycled route. Hunt in second-hand outlets and online for fun vintage items to add character to your child’s space.
Here, designer Mel Massey added an old school desk and a mid-century wardrobe to her son’s bedroom. The beauty of pieces like these is they can be repurposed elsewhere or sold on again to another homeowner.
Swerve single use
The need for nursery furniture can be fairly fleeting, particularly cots and changing tables. As soon as your toddler is out of nappies or sleeping in a bed, they become redundant.
Indie & Co’s clients had this in mind when they turned this vintage chest into a changing station for their baby. The cabinet is beautiful enough to stay put in the bedroom and can simply be used for storage in years to come.
The need for nursery furniture can be fairly fleeting, particularly cots and changing tables. As soon as your toddler is out of nappies or sleeping in a bed, they become redundant.
Indie & Co’s clients had this in mind when they turned this vintage chest into a changing station for their baby. The cabinet is beautiful enough to stay put in the bedroom and can simply be used for storage in years to come.
Revamp an heirloom
A piece of furniture that has sentimental value will be treasured for years in a child’s bedroom. Even the tattiest of items can often be restored and upcycled to look as good as new.
The chair in this child’s room belonged to the owner’s grandmother, so interior designer Joy Flanagan had it reupholstered. It looks fantastic as a reading chair now, and can stay in the space for years to come.
Why Your Home Needs a Pair of Vintage Armchairs
A piece of furniture that has sentimental value will be treasured for years in a child’s bedroom. Even the tattiest of items can often be restored and upcycled to look as good as new.
The chair in this child’s room belonged to the owner’s grandmother, so interior designer Joy Flanagan had it reupholstered. It looks fantastic as a reading chair now, and can stay in the space for years to come.
Why Your Home Needs a Pair of Vintage Armchairs
Colour carefully
When it comes to selecting a colour scheme, go for a palette that appeals to kids and adults alike. A neutral backdrop is ideal for framing smaller, bolder accents that can easily be updated. Alternatively, opt for an interesting shade combination that’s not typically for children.
This child’s bedroom, designed by Jenn Hannotte, is a combination of fresh white and blue-toned charcoal grey. The dark wall is the perfect backdrop for bright artwork, but can easily be complemented by grown-up accessories later on.
9 Ways to Bring Moody Blue Into Your Home
When it comes to selecting a colour scheme, go for a palette that appeals to kids and adults alike. A neutral backdrop is ideal for framing smaller, bolder accents that can easily be updated. Alternatively, opt for an interesting shade combination that’s not typically for children.
This child’s bedroom, designed by Jenn Hannotte, is a combination of fresh white and blue-toned charcoal grey. The dark wall is the perfect backdrop for bright artwork, but can easily be complemented by grown-up accessories later on.
9 Ways to Bring Moody Blue Into Your Home
Stick around
If you’re going for neutral tones, try adding brighter hues in temporary forms. In this apartment, a wall of stickers brings a playful look to a pale grey wall.
The little girl who uses this space can easily remove them later, leaving a blank surface to add more grown-up designs.
Your turn
What long-lasting items have you included in your child’s bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more bedroom design inspiration? Check out these 7 Ideas to Borrow From Small Well-Designed Bedrooms
If you’re going for neutral tones, try adding brighter hues in temporary forms. In this apartment, a wall of stickers brings a playful look to a pale grey wall.
The little girl who uses this space can easily remove them later, leaving a blank surface to add more grown-up designs.
Your turn
What long-lasting items have you included in your child’s bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more bedroom design inspiration? Check out these 7 Ideas to Borrow From Small Well-Designed Bedrooms
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These are some amazing suggestions with really good examples!
Lovely article! You found plenty of great examples of creative storage and your advice was both practical and thoughtful. Thank you so much for including our project!!
Great article but what’s the age range?? Because kids of different ages have different needs..