5 Rules for Designing Your Child's Bedroom
It's not all fun and games when it comes to creating a space your child will grow in
How important is the design of your child’s bedroom?
1. Consider their ergonomic needs
This green chair is called Stokke, and is known by savvy parents as an adjustable chair that will grow with your child from his toddler years till he’s at his own desk working on his primary school assignments. It helps a child sit well, at a height that is right for the table.
When a child is sitting at their desk, the optimum position says
paediatric chiropractor Fiona Kim, is:
This green chair is called Stokke, and is known by savvy parents as an adjustable chair that will grow with your child from his toddler years till he’s at his own desk working on his primary school assignments. It helps a child sit well, at a height that is right for the table.
When a child is sitting at their desk, the optimum position says
paediatric chiropractor Fiona Kim, is:
- knees should not be bent less than 90 degrees
- head should be looking forward (not down)
- the upper arm should be close to the body, elbows bent no less than 90 degrees, and wrists straight (no more than 15 degrees bent)
- chair should have back support
- feet are flat on a surface
Chairs aren’t the only thing that needs to be ergonomic, however. As children sleep from eight to 12 hours a day, the bed is also a key piece of furniture to consider. Try a height-adjustable bed such as this one, and you won’t need to replace the bed every few years as your child grows. It starts very low (most parents don’t even bother with a bed frame, simply placing the mattress on the floor so that when the child rolls off the bed, there isn’t much impact), for the safety of a small child. Then you can simply raise the mattress frame (and mattress) a notch or two higher, as your child grows taller.
The added benefit of a height-adjustable bed is that your child can enjoy a good, firm mattress that can last them about 10 years. Kim advises a firm mattress to support the child’s growing body, “allowing for joints and muscles to rest, and the body to restore itself,” she says. Add a soft mattress overlay if your child needs a softer surface.
The added benefit of a height-adjustable bed is that your child can enjoy a good, firm mattress that can last them about 10 years. Kim advises a firm mattress to support the child’s growing body, “allowing for joints and muscles to rest, and the body to restore itself,” she says. Add a soft mattress overlay if your child needs a softer surface.
2. Create zones for sleep, play and work
How do you establish good sleep habits in your child? Train her that the bed is only for relaxing and sleeping by zoning the bedroom according to function. Provide a proper space for the desk so your child will not be tempted to do her schoolwork on the bed. Establish a separate corner for play, too, so your child will not clutter her restful sleep area.
How do you establish good sleep habits in your child? Train her that the bed is only for relaxing and sleeping by zoning the bedroom according to function. Provide a proper space for the desk so your child will not be tempted to do her schoolwork on the bed. Establish a separate corner for play, too, so your child will not clutter her restful sleep area.
3. Provide the right lights
So many Singaporean children suffer from astigmatism or myopia at a very young age. While some of this may be genetic, we can help prevent their failing eyesight by providing proper lighting. This means a good amount of natural light, a warm white light for general illumination of the room after the sun goes down, and a task light for schoolwork.
Some children may also need a night light for anxiety or nighttime fears, while some may be comfortable enough knowing that the light switch is within arm’s length of the bed.
Fun Lights: 11 Quirky Lamps for Kids’ Rooms
So many Singaporean children suffer from astigmatism or myopia at a very young age. While some of this may be genetic, we can help prevent their failing eyesight by providing proper lighting. This means a good amount of natural light, a warm white light for general illumination of the room after the sun goes down, and a task light for schoolwork.
Some children may also need a night light for anxiety or nighttime fears, while some may be comfortable enough knowing that the light switch is within arm’s length of the bed.
Fun Lights: 11 Quirky Lamps for Kids’ Rooms
4. Give them colour therapy
Don’t let ‘girly’ and ‘boyish’ descriptions of colour prevent you from using it in a way to enhance your child’s sleep, concentration or psychological comfort. Hyperactive children, for example, may benefit from a soothing colour in their environment, says Kim. Likewise, she adds, “if a room is super fun, bright and stimulating, some children may have a harder time winding down for rest.”
Psychologists believe that these hues promote certain behaviour, so use them accordingly:
Don’t let ‘girly’ and ‘boyish’ descriptions of colour prevent you from using it in a way to enhance your child’s sleep, concentration or psychological comfort. Hyperactive children, for example, may benefit from a soothing colour in their environment, says Kim. Likewise, she adds, “if a room is super fun, bright and stimulating, some children may have a harder time winding down for rest.”
Psychologists believe that these hues promote certain behaviour, so use them accordingly:
- Red – passion, aggression
- Orange – pleasure, optimism
- Yellow – creativity, fun
- Green – balance, harmony
- Blue – peace, calmness
- Violet – meditation, imagination
5. Let the room help them expand their imagination and creativity
Pinboards such as the above allow them to decorate using their favourite things, while a world map such as the one on the left, prompts them to think of travels and adventures.
“It is important to give your child some ownership in the design of his room,” interior designer Nikki Hunt of Design Intervention says. This allows the child to express his personality and creativity, and encourages him to take responsibility for his room’s upkeep.
TELL US
How have you designed your child’s room to aid his/her development? Share a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Read stories on kids rooms
Browse nursery and kids room design ideas
Pinboards such as the above allow them to decorate using their favourite things, while a world map such as the one on the left, prompts them to think of travels and adventures.
“It is important to give your child some ownership in the design of his room,” interior designer Nikki Hunt of Design Intervention says. This allows the child to express his personality and creativity, and encourages him to take responsibility for his room’s upkeep.
TELL US
How have you designed your child’s room to aid his/her development? Share a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Read stories on kids rooms
Browse nursery and kids room design ideas
After all, our kids’ futures begin at home. We can contribute to their foundation by creating spaces that will help them grow well physically, mentally and emotionally. Here’s how we can do this in their bedrooms.