Growing pains: Creating a bedroom for all ages
As you start nesting for your bundle of joy, know this: He or she will not be bundle-sized forever. Planning and decorating a child's bedroom made to last isn't impossible, according to interior designer Sherri Blum, it's all about pieces that can transition. "Your child's needs will be constantly changing, therefore purchasing furniture that will last through all stages is key," says Blum, owner of Maryland-based Sherri Blum Designs.
"Invest in good quality furniture that can stay with your child through all stages," she says. You can avoid the problems that parents of the past have faced - having to sell or store the crib, changing table and other nursery furniture and décor, and then having to buy a complete new set of furniture!
Follow these tips from Blum and Shalena Smith, founder of Los Angeles-based Ga Ga Designs, to create a bedroom that your child won't out grow.
Armoire amor
Blum recommends using an armoire or dresser as a changing station, rather than buying the traditional table that will be all-too-soon void. "Simply add a safe and secure changing pad inside the doors and the cabinet or drawers below can hold supplies," Blum says. "When the child grows older, this can be used to hold a television or computer or even clothing."
Crib to bed
Convertible furniture can literally grow up with your child, especially cribs that convert into full-size beds. According to Blum, many of these convert cribs have drawers in the bottom, which offers a nice storage option. Smith agrees: "These days there is some variety in children furniture that wasn't available 10 years ago," she says.
Rock that chair
When purchasing the rocker, you don't have to think nursery and it doesn't have to be a new purchase. Buy a comfortable chair that you love or use a chair that you already have. Smith says that she often looks outside the nursery when shopping for furniture.
"For a rocking chair or a glider, don't just buy a wimpy chair," Smith says, who also recommends avoiding character- or cartoon-themed fabric. "Sometimes when I'm designing a room on a budget I'll bring a chair from the living room and bring it into the nursery. Then afterward you could easily pull that chair out into your master bedroom or your living room."
No duck, no duck, no goose
Resist the urge to slap that baby duck border or paint that Disney Princess mural - keeping your walls bare will ensure you won't hear how uncool yellow ducks are from your child. Instead, invest in wall hangings or classic wall décor that will last. "Monograms are popular today," Blum says, who has a line of canvas wall hangings. "It adds a nice, personalized touch to the room. Consider painting a monogram over the child's headboard, which adds a custom and personalized touch that saves money over hiring a muralist to paint an elaborate wall mural."
Closet space
It's unlikely your baby will be crying for more closet space, so use this area to its optima as a place for maximum storage. "Take out that long rod and replace it with a good closet organizer that will allow you to have a place for all of the little things we accumulate for babies such as hats, socks, bibs and blankets," Blum says. "Babies don't need a lot of hanging space, their clothes are tiny and often fewer things need hung."