Kids need their own space, and their bedrooms have to make them feel secure, safe and inspired. A kid’s room is a multipurpose place, somewhere to study, play, rest, read and sleep, as well as an escape when they need a bit of space.

Most people find designing and decorating our children’s rooms an enjoyable experience – we draw on our own childhood – and use a blend of the modern and the nostalgic in their designs. But it is surprisingly easy to get it wrong, with factors such as badly planned layout, clashing tones or not enough division between areas. It is also easy to go overboard – not only will a cluttered room become messy and claustrophobic, it will also stifle a child’s creativity.

Here are some tips.

Walls

While it might be tempting to go crazy with the colour scheme – kids love bright colours after all – the best option is a neutral bright tone. White, or some variation such as cream, will stop the room feeling claustrophobic, and is easy to repaint if it becomes covered in pen, paint and crayon (which it will). It also fosters a sense of creativity and independence, as your child will be able to adorn their walls with paintings, postcards and posters of their choosing. If you must choose a brighter colour, limit it to a feature wall. And opting for paint over wallpaper is a must – a new coat is far less hassle than hanging new paper.

Zones

We mentioned that a kid’s room needs to be multi purpose, and the layout should reflect that. As with the rest of your home, assigning certain activities to certain zones helps to increase productivity. A space for homework and study should be kept separate from a play area. Consider a teepee, wendy house or tent for your little one to play in, – a surefire way to spark their imagination and keep them occupied for hours. A reading nook is a great idea to encourage your child to become a bookworm – if space allows. And the sleeping area should be kept separate for peaceful, rejuvenating sleep – an essential part of a child’s development.

Lighting

Again with the multi tasking, the lighting in a kid’s room needs to be adjustable and varied to encourage different activities. Dimmer switches are a good idea, and more affordable than ever. You can even incorporate smart technology into the system. Table lamps come in all shapes and sizes, from traditional to modern through to fun novelty lamps your kid will love. Kids love fairy lights as well, or Christmas tree lights all year round. And for those little ones who don’t like pitch darkness, plug in nightlights offer some comfort during the witching hour.

Storage

Kids come with ALOT of baggage. It’s important to have plenty of space for toys, books, school papers and stationery. A good idea is to have most of the boxes, crates or drawers at kid height, to encourage them to clear up after themselves. Many storage solutions are available to suit all budgets and space requirements – if the room is compact there are furniture items that double as cupboards, draws and shelving.

Flooring

We love to use wood or wood effect flooring in our homes – but in a kid’s room carpet is king. Having a softer floor adds a warmer feel for coziness and a softer landing for the inevitable bumps and falls. Kids love to play on the floor, so making it comfortable and safe for them is a must. If you already have wooden floors and can’t bear to cover them, a sheepskin rug or a novelty floor mat – those with maps or road layouts are always popular – will better suit your needs.

Ceiling

Don’t limit your design to walls and floors- the ceiling is often overlooked, but in a kid’s room can be an excellent place to put extra decorative touches. You can use mobiles – a perennial favourite – and glow in the dark stars, which add a nice atmosphere and can encourage peaceful sleep.

It’s fun to decorate a room for a kid, but as with any project in the home, preparation is key. And a bit of know-how will stand you in good stead to create the perfect space for your little one.

How have you decorated your kid’s room? Tell us in the comments below.