Creating A Happy Bedroom For Your Child
Your child’s bedroom is their sanctuary. It’s the place we want them to wake up and go to sleep feeling safe, loved and important. As parents we need to make sure their bedroom is as calm and uncluttered as possible so they are able to feel in control of their part of the house. Storage is a big part of keeping clutter under control as is making sure we take old toys and clothes to the charity shop . Fewer toys allow children to really play with the ones they have. If you have a lot of toys, toy rotation keeps their bedroom clear and allows them to fully enjoy each toy.
Your child’s bedroom should reflect what matters to them, so keep photographs of their favourite people at eye height for them. Do you have a photograph from a day where they were particularly happy? Perhaps a favourite holiday, or a photo you took of them with their grandma. Making children feel safe and loved involves reminding them daily of things which make them feel joy. Not all our children’s days will be happy, sadly, and some of their days will be downright hard, particularly when they get to school, but making sure their bedroom reminds them of happier days can remind them that more happy days are to come.
For young children and toddlers, it’s important to make sure their bedroom is a physically safe place for them to be. Chests of drawers must be tethered to the wall and plug sockets covered. Windows should also be locked, and their toys should not be breakable. The idea is to allow them to enjoy their bedroom without you needing to intervene too much.,
A reading corner is perfect for any age of child. Little ones may enjoy having a teepee filled with cosy cushions and blankets, while a teenager may love to have a comfortable chair or sofa in the corner, next to a side table and lamp.
Young children like to feel in control of their surroundings, and therefore, it’s a good idea to keep books and toys on shelves down low so they don’t need to ask you to get them.
When it comes to decor for their room, the key is to follow their lead. While you may love pastel colours, they may prefer bright, beautiful colours. When you’re decorating their room, give them a couple of options. Too many choices can be overwhelming for young children, but a couple allows them to feel in control and that their wishes and opinions are important to you. When you’re choosing these options, make sure they closely reflect their preferences for colours and interests. If your child loves dogs for example, make sure some of the options feature dogs. Avoiding designs based on an interest which is likely to change in the near future will also save you time and money. They may love Peppa Pig today but in six months time think it’s too “babyish”.
If your child’s room has space, a small table and chairs can be a lovely addition to your child’s bedroom. When their friends come over you could allow them to have their dinner together in their bedroom as a special treat. A table is also a great place to play board games- you’re much less likely to lose the pieces on a table.
It tends to be better to keep televisions out of children’s bedrooms, however if you choose to have one for them, make sure they cannot access anything which will upset or disturb them. It’s okay to watch something a bit spooky in the living room but ideally not when they are alone. As we said before, this is their safe space.
All in all, it’s better to have fewer items which they love and take care of, rather than lots of toys and soft furnishings which allow the room to get messy quickly and overwhelm your child.