A child’s room should be fun, playful, comfortable and above all, safe. Moreover, the child’s room should also evolve, keeping pace with the baby’s changing needs, as s/he grows. “Although safety is a major concern, the space should allow the child to explore one’s curiosity. Imagination plays a great role in the development of a child’s mind,” points out Prashant Chauhan, creative director of Zero 9 design firm, Mumbai. “To make the room fun and to boost the child’s recognition abilities, incorporate various shapes, colours and textures in the décor. Play areas can be made with soft flooring, to ensure the toddler can enjoy without hurting himself even if he falls,” Chauhan advises.
Ensure that there is adequate light in the room and that the lighting fixtures and other electrical appliances are above their reach. “Use mirrors in the room, for toddlers to understand concept of reflection. Writable surfaces, such as back-painted glass, wallpapers and special paints, are useful for children who like to scribble on the walls to express themselves,” adds Chauhan.
Setting the right mood
Colours should be chosen carefully, as it can affect one’s mood. “The right colours can highlight and elevate the look of the room. For children’s rooms, avoid bright colours. Instead, opt for pastel colours which look subtle and are pleasant to look at. Pastel colours also help to reflect natural light and are better than artificial bright lights, which could be harmful for the child’s eyes,” explains Hetal Shukla, interior designer and artist of Artlab.
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Rishina Kapur of Delhi, opted for a white and pink theme for her daughter’s room. “The bed is kept against the wall on one side. The other side of the bed had safety rails, which were subsequently removed, after she turned two-and-a-half years old. One of the wardrobe’s doors has her photographs and the other has a soft board, where she can display her art work. I sometimes hang fruit and vegetable posters on it, to encourage learning,” elaborates Kapur.
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Saving space
Opt for multi-functional furniture, such as sofa-cum-beds. The bed can have comfortable and fancy headboards, which complement the theme of the room. Décor themes for children’s rooms can be based on fairy tales and superheroes and can include fancy furniture, wall murals, decals and wall tattoos. If there are two kids sharing a room, you can divide the space equally between them, with relevant themes for young girls and boys, adds Shukla.
The study table and chair should be comfortable and of the right size, for the child to sit in a healthy posture. You can use boxes of various sizes, to segregate and store the child’s various items and encourage them to take up the responsibility of keeping things organised.
Dos and don’ts for children’s rooms
- Never hang anything heavy over the baby’s cot.
- The room must have limited furniture and enough floor space for the child to play around.
- Avoid sharp edges on shelves, as it can hurt the child.
- To prevent toddlers from hurting their fingers while opening and closing drawers, use hardware that makes movement soft or install latches.
- Keep furniture away from windows and balconies.
- To make the baby’s room non-slippery, opt for rubber mat flooring.
- Opt for washable/writable paint or wallpaper, or add a simple white board, to make learning fun.
- Add tiny lights on the ceiling, to give the effect of twinkling stars in the sky.
- When installing locks, ensure that they can be opened from the outside if the child gets locked inside.
- Remove small toys and other choking hazards from children’s rooms.
Purnima Goswami Sharma is a freelance writer based in Mumbai, who has been contributing to various newspapers, magazines and portals for the last two decades. Besides being a research writer for various TV shows, she has been a visiting faculty at SNDT for Communication Skills. She hold a master’s degree in English Literature from Mumbai University and a diploma in Communications and Journalism. She writes on diverse subjects like real estate, interiors, education, lifestyle, health, entertainment and environment.
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