As we grow up, many of us start to think about settling down and having a family of our own.

However, it is not always easy to plan ahead for such things and so, when it comes to your child’s bedroom, you need a workable solution that suits both you and your child as your lifestyle and environment changes around you.

Colours

Most people choose soft pastel shades when decorating a room for a new baby and, although this might not be the first choice for most teenagers, it is a good place to start.

Neutral colours are a great blank canvas and so as your child grows; they can adapt it to suit their style.

Most children love to have artwork and posters on their walls so it won’t really matter what colour is underneath. Help them find the right one for them that really expresses their personality, such as the personalised stenciling or abstract art available from Wayfair.

If you want to save yourself some trouble in the future, paint your nursery walls with washable paint. It comes in handy when your little one is going through that ‘doodle on the walls’ phase and can even remove the artist endeavors of the most rebellious teenager.

Lighting

It is always a good idea to get a dimmer switch fitted as soon as you decorate your room for the new arrival.

They work wonders with children of all ages, from tiny babies whose eyes are still adjusting and little children who need a comforting light at night, to emotional teenagers who want to turn their room into a cave.

Try and spread out your lights where you can as well, either by using wall lights or by adding a few extra fixtures into the ceiling. Of course, it goes without saying that natural light is important too so get a nice big window fitted if you don’t already have one.

The Bed

It goes without saying that your child’s bed will change dramatically as they grow but you can still stay ahead of the curve and adapt as your child matures.

Starting out with a standard cot, you can move onto a child’s bed that adapts as your little one grows, with removable side bars and a changeable mattress.Then, once they are old enough to have a proper bed, go for one with extra storage and make your life easier, and tidier, in the long run.

Children are naturally rather untidy so a bed with cupboards underneath or above can be valuable!

Flexibility

This is the single most important thing to remember when decorating your child’s room. When they are infants, you can do as you please. However, once your little ones start to develop a personality of their own, you need to step back and let it flourish.

You may adore the look of lacy pillows and cotton candy bedspreads, but your budding rock star or football fan might have different ideas.

Talk to other parents about how they reached a compromise with their own children on sites such as DadsOnline and find kindred spirits to guide you. If you don’t want a war to start under your own roof, let the little things go and make the room a place for them to feel safe and comfortable in.