Parent's Guide to Childhood Bedroom Redesign and Decor

Decorating your own bedroom may be a breeze, but when it comes to your children, it can be challenging to determine best design practices. Depending on the age of your child, they may want to have a say in the redecorating process, but in the end, it's up to you as a parent to create a healthy and comfortable space for your child to grow. Here are just a few top tips to help redesign your child's bedroom with health and wellbeing in mind.

Choose flexible furniture.

When it comes to choosing the right type of furniture, versatility and flexibility are key. It's typically best to choose furniture that your child can grow into and use for years to come as opposed to a smaller or more limited style that they may very well grow out of in just a year or two.

"Choose flexible furnishings. Go with a style of furniture that has simple lines. A bed that's shaped like a race car is great for a 7-year-old, but when he's 13 it's going to be time to buy new furniture. Daybeds and oak wood are wonderful choices in furniture since they work well with any color and can be used for a child at any age. When buying furniture, remember this tip: The simpler it is, the more flexible it is," says HGTV.

Be wary of air quality contaminants.

If you're planning on applying new paint in addition to getting new furniture, it's important to read labels carefully. Many parents aren't aware of how many traditional paints have damaging toxins: According to Sweden’s Dampness in Buildings and Health study, children with bedroom PGE concentrations in the top 25% (of the study participants) had a 100% higher likelihood of having asthma, a 150% higher likelihood of having eczema, and a 320% higher likelihood of having rhinitis. And considering the fact that the likelihood that allergic rhinitis or asthma will spontaneously go away is approximately 1% per year, it's best to make choices that don't have negative and prolonged health risks. There are plenty of low-VOC and non-toxic options that provide the same beautiful results.

You can also explore the idea of applying a decorative wall covering in addition to or instead of painting. Today, more than one-third of new paper is made with recycled fiber, and you can find countless child-themed designs in stores and online that can truly bring the space to life.

Designate 'zones.'

Depending on the size of the space you're working with, it may be helpful to designate separate 'zones' in your child's bedroom to help them adjust to an everyday routine. For example, have a sleeping area with your child's bed, a study area for older children complete with a desk, and perhaps a play area to keep their toys and spend leisure time. The brain makes the most connections among its cells before your child turns 10, so fill this space with toys and activities that help keep them busy while promoting critical thinking, such as puzzles. Again, establishing separate areas within the larger space is aesthetically pleasing and helps to give your child a better grasp of their daily routine.

Have a budget in mind.

Finally, as you're shopping for new materials, it's best to set a budget and stick to it as much as possible. Stick to practicality over style, although with all the options that have become available, you'll likely have no problem achieving both.

"It's easy to get sucked into spending more than you planned, especially since kids don't separate "need" versus "want." Have your child make a list of all the things he or she wants for the room, from rugs to a lava lamp. Then, commit to the three most important and add the rest of the list as your budget allows," writes Kathy McCleary on HGTV.

Ultimately, it's up to you to work with your child to develop a healthy space they can truly thrive in.