As Seen in Our Kids magazine:
Local People and Places... Fairfield and Westchester Counties

From Toddlers to Teens - Navigating the Ins and Outs of Decorating Your Child's Room

By Kory Loucks

Is there a way to design a room for your toddler that has the features you love, but can be easily updated as they grow into their teen years? According to area designers, there is, and it doesn't have to be expensive. It just takes a little creativity. 

One way to save money (and time) is to go with a look that the child will not outgrow quickly. Interior Designer Angela Camarda at Lillian August Collection in Norwalk, suggests selecting fabrics and wall coverings that are more generic. "I am currently working on two boys rooms for my client Marjorie McMorris who lives in Stamford for sons Ryan who is 2-years-old and Kyle, who is 3 months," said Camarda. "And we are working with classic Ralph Lauren plaids for window treatments rather than the typical planes, trains and automobiles." 

In fact, Lillian August just added a whole line of furniture specifically designed to convert and grow as the child grows through the different stages, with storage cubbies, and bureaus and armoires that are reasonably priced.

The designers recommend going with classic styles and quality furniture; think of it as a long-term investment. Jan Kach, designer, buyer and in-house sales person at Kids Home Furnishings in Stamford, noted, "It doesn't have to be baby furniture anymore. It really can be one time purchasing that can last a lifetime for your child at home."
 
Susan Marocco, of Susan Marocco Interiors in Bedford, NY., agreed. She suggests that when you do buy children's furniture, look for pieces that have longevity and can be converted into other uses, "so it has multi-lives." The trend these days, whether girl or boy, is to go with darker colors, even black furniture for a child's room.

Invest in quality furniture and then change the room along the way with less expensive and fun accessories. "People are spending more on artwork and whimsical canvas pieces," says Kach. She also notes that the Indian style canopies made with mosquito netting that hang from the ceiling have become very popular for girls anywhere from 3 to 13-years-old. 

Bye Wallpaper, Hello Paint 

When it comes to children's rooms, and other rooms as well, the consensus is that wallpaper is out, and paint is in, which is good news for the cost conscious because paint is comparatively cheap. "Wallpaper is too permanent," says Kach. "Faux painting and texture painting are still in style - people like the idea of change. You can spend $30 on a gallon of paint without a big commitment - people are much happier with that."
 
Peggy Berk, owner of Area Aesthetics, who serves the tri-state area including Westchester County, recommends staying away from flat paints, and going with high-gloss or semi-gloss paint, that makes the walls much easier to clean. "It is all about paint today, especially in children's rooms. There are lots of fun paints out there," she says. For the child who loves to draw on walls they shouldn't, try chalkboard paint, which is available now in many different colors. 

A client of Marocco's, Margaret Liu of Somers,NY had an idea that didn't cost any more than the price of paint, but gave her girls a real sense of ownership. Liu has two girls, Erica, 12, and Sara, 8. Last year she let them pick out the paint colors and paint their own rooms. "It wasn't exactly the best paint job in the world," says Liu, "but they really enjoyed doing it. It made them feel that this was their room - their creative space."
 
Decals 

Decals have become a creative alternative wallpaper or wall boarders. A clever idea is "ready-made" decals, but an idea that is less expensive, too, is making your own decals from a wallpaper boarder. "What I have done many times is buy a wallpaper boarder, and cut out the airplanes, for example, and make our own design," says Berk. 

Using the cutouts has additional benefits, because they are usually pre-pasted, and will eventually be easier to remove. And, your child can participate in the application, which can be fun too. "Just because it comes in a package does not mean that you can't take the package apart," Berk adds. 

Sleep-Overs 

Trundle beds used to be the thing for sleepover guests, but they can be a disadvantage because you have to have enough clearance space to pull them out. Today there are great alternative solutions available that save on space and are much more versatile. "There are fabulous ottomans that convert into twin-sized beds," said Berk.  The chairs open up and become twin-sized beds. With trundle beds, you always had to be careful where you put the bed and any furniture because you needed room to pull it, but not so with a chair.

Area Rugs

Area rugs are always an excellent idea in children's rooms, rather than wall-to-wall carpeting They can be replaced with other styles as the children grow, and be rolled up when the kids are playing with their trucks and cars. "Fun area rugs and great accessories are a total home run," said Camarda. Lillian August carries a full line of area rugs and coordinating accessories.

Teen-Agers 

When it comes to decorating teen's rooms -the sooner the better. "One of the things that I advise parents is to make the transition of the bedroom before the child is 15- or 16-years-old, when they want to do It themselves," says Berk. "If they become part of what is going on, then they will be happy with it." 

Teens today like to entertain in their rooms, even if there is a family room in the home, because it gives them that sense of privacy and independence. One item that has gained popularity of late, that isn't too expensive, is the dorm-sized refrigerator, which costs around $100. Berk notes that teens "have a more self-sufficient lifestyles at a younger age today." 

So, whether you consult with a designer or do it yourself, there are colorful, stylish and inexpensive ways to transition your kid's bedroom without too much effort. With planning, patience and some imagination you can create a space to grow with that both you and your child will love.