With regards to home décor and interior design, the ‘nesting instinct’ can really kick in when the patter of tiny feet is imminent. Preparing for the arrival of a baby, necessarily involves the acquisition of basic, practical pieces of furniture and equipment but you can still have lots of fun creating a safe, cosy space for a little person to grow up in.
Babies don’t tend to express much preference about the design of their nursery space, as long as it’s clean safe and soothing, so it might be a false economy to go ‘all out’ with the initial décor. Plus, if you are short on space the room might still be useful as an occasional guest bedroom, so look at investing in flexible and space-saving furniture such as a futon bed.
But as your child grows, you can start to explore interesting ways to design, with their help, a really engaging space that is inspired by their interests, hobbies or needs. Consider the room layout and try to zone different areas for storage, sleep, study, and play. By selecting the right soft furnishings, wallpapers, bedding, lighting, rugs, and paint palettes, you could create a distinct theme based on favourite activities, colours, or storybook characters. Choose furniture that can be easily re-purposed or updated so that the room can adapt and grow with the child.
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking…
Jungle
If your child is a budding Attenborough, or a tree-climbing Mowgli, they might relish the idea of a jungle den. Colonial style rattan furniture or a bed canopy is an inexpensive and durable way to suggest a safari style retreat.
Pick out a feature wall and create a lush rainforest environment using a leafy wallpaper pattern of vegetation. To encourage imaginative play and to add texture, maybe add a pot plant -artificial ones are safer, and more resilient to having toy monkeys climbing them!
Serengeti Animal Printed Wallpaper
Artificial Real Touch Rubber Tree
Depending on your child’s particular, wildlife obsession, be it animals, dinosaurs, insects or the zoo, this theme is infinitely adaptable so you can personalise it with the finer details, such as framed prints, bed linens, rugs and curtains.
A good night’s sleep is everyone’s goal, so take time choosing a good bed for your little one. Some are cleverly designed to adapt and extend as they grow, and with good quality bedding and some familiar comforting features, you are halfway towards establishing healthy sleep habits.
This clever jungle bed set is perfect for when your baby graduates from a cot to a bed, as it looks great and keeps them safe from falling out of bed!
For fun seating this big yellow Giraffe makes a bold, colourful feature.
A set of Big Game trophy heads, like this one, completes the African safari vibe.
Start them off appreciating wall art with this cute print.
Woodland
Here’s another natural history inspired theme that can be used to dramatic effect so that your little Gruffalo will love spending time there and showing friends around. Again, wallpaper can be a way to create a sense of the great outdoors. Providing a small space for a nature table, or a vintage type-case with little compartments, where they can show off their finds encourages your child to find wonder in the natural world. Fill a ti-pi tent with comfy cushions to make a cosy reading corner that’s safe from lions and tigers and bears.
Bear in Forest by Becky Baur Print
Peter Rabbit Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set
Adventure
Is your child showing signs of being the next Buzz Aldrin? Encourage their passion for adventure and space travel with a theme that will let them reach for the stars. Painting the ceiling a deep blue such as this Sanderson Indigo emulsion will make the room feel bigger and you can let them help you map out some of the constellations with decals or glow in the dark stars. Choose some fun, space explorer bedding, and, when they have a co-pilot to sleep-over, a handy pack-away sleeping bag like this is the perfect accessory:
Kids Single Sleeping Bag in Space Print
Lost in Space Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set
And don’t forget that you can complement your chosen theme with clever lighting. They’ll need a bedside lamp or night light, as well as a main light. You can have fun with shades that cast patterned shadows or a cosy directional glow.
Kids White Ceramic Star Night Light
Whatever theme you choose for your kid’s bedroom, try to encourage creativity and learning, and if you have room, try to include a desk or a creative space for homework and art projects. Make sure to install plenty of shelving for books and educational toys too, so that the adult space in the house doesn’t get overrun. And, remember to add personal touches such as their own artwork in frames, or family photographs, to finish off the safe and happy space where they can grow, express themselves and display their treasures.
