However much you don’t want them to grow up, there’s inevitably going to come a time when your kids are going to want to swap their pink painted walls or Thomas the Tank Engine cabin bed for posters of their favorite bands and furniture that isn’t painted in primary colors. Much like ripping a plaster off a wound, it’s often best to go in and do a makeover on their bedroom, transforming it all in one go rather than replacing things piecemeal.
Don’t reject their ideas
Tweens and young teens often have very clear ideas about what they want their grownup bedroom to look like, and the chances are it’s not going to be an exact match for what you have in mind. Rejecting their ideas out of hand isn’t the answer; instead, you need to be prepared to compromise, which will also give your child some useful knowledge on using negotiation skills.
As an example, one of the common points of contention between parents and children is when the child wants their room to be painted black. Unless you’re a bit of a goth yourself, you probably don’t want your kids to be living in a room that resembles a gloomy cave. However, there’s no reason why they couldn’t have a black feature wall that would be easy enough to paint over when they got tired of it, or they could choose soft furnishings in black, which will look stylish anyway but are easy to change when the time comes.
Think about the layout
When you and your child are designing the layout, make sure there’s space for a full-size bed and a study area. If they like their games, you could make a separate gaming area or simply design the study area, so it’s dual purpose. Decide on the bedroom essentials first, then see what space you have left for other features. There are some extremely clever space-saving storage solutions available now that can give your child everything they need even in a small bedroom.
Involve your child
Make sure your child is involved at every stage, from planning and design to starting work, decorating, and getting everything back in. For one thing, they’re more likely to appreciate the effort involved, and for another, they need to feel invested in how their room looks. It’s important that your child likes their room and feels safe and secure. They’re just starting out on some of the most testing few years of their life, and having a sanctuary is going to be very important for them.
Declutter
Once you’ve decided on the layout and décor, you can start taking everything out of the room ready for the makeover to begin. This is a great opportunity for some serious decluttering, but make sure you work with your child, so you don’t throw out anything particularly precious! Toys and clothes that they’ve grown out of can be donated to charity, or you could try selling them to help fund the makeover. Give the empty room a thorough deep clean, and then you’re ready to begin.
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