Transitioning to a “big kid room”
DESIGN, Living
The time when children transition from their nursery to a “big kid room” usually falls around the age of 4-5 years, often coinciding with the moment they are about to start school. It’s a milestone which is often celebrated with a room update, to reflect the new phase in their lives.
This bright and happy space is a room I designed for a boy called Tobias. I’d designed his nursery in the family’s previous home, and after the moved I was called on again to design a “big boy room”.
Working closely with Tobias’ mum, I chose a soft grey base for the room to fit with the rest of the house and north-east aspect of his bedroom. There’s a lovely carefree quality to the light that hits his room in the mornings, which I didn’t want to fight with darker colours. Yellow accents pick up on the vibe and carry it through when the sun moves over to the other side of the house.
Tobias had outgrown his cot bed, so a big kid bed was the next step. It became the focal point of the room. Thinking ahead we went for a bunk bed – Tobias wanted one for sleepovers with friends. Until he is old enough to sleep upstairs though, the top bunk was made inaccessible with a stair blocking device.
A small desk and chair mark the milestone of starting school. Although young children like Tobias are unlikely to use a desk for homework, most like the idea of a desk. It provides a surface that is useful for collections and is often used as a, well, handy day-to- day dumping ground.
There is ample storage in three house shaped cabinets for clothes, books and toys – as children grow, their possessions multiply at an alarming speed. I liked the idea of building a landscape around the houses, so I used a subtle star and sky theme in the room: starry wallpaper as a backdrop, and accessories that reference the sky, such as clouds, a moon, rain drops, stars, and a kite. Against the neutral base, swapping accessories is all it takes to help the room grow with Tobias for years to come.
Next month: In February I’ll be sharing tips on how to stay on top of clutter in kid’s bedrooms and play areas. This is one of the top issues my clients struggle with, so stay tuned!
