Welcome to the first part of my BTS Design series! I want to take you all inside my brain as I discuss how I approach and design kid spaces. This blog post is going to be focusing on infant through school aged children. Let's get started on four key things I think about when designing kid friendly spaces for my interior design clients.
FLEXIBILITY is Key!
When I say flexibility, I mean flexibility when it comes to layout. Kids grow up very quickly so it is important to design spaces that encourage creativity while keeping up with their changing interests and increasing energy. When it comes to creating a flexible layout, I first begin with dividing the bedroom or play area into different zones. If I am designing a space for an infant or toddler, I will more than likely push most of the furniture to the wall, giving them planty of space to crawl and roam without knocking into anything. From here, I will more than likely create a sleeping zone, a reading zone, a toy playing zone, and, if space allows, I will design an activity zone to encourage motor skills. If I am designing a layout for school aged children, I like to divide the room into the following zones: sleeping zone, lounging zone, study/educational zone, and play zone. Each of these zones gives the ability of the layout to grow with them no matter what specific furnishings are selected.
Always think EASY TO CLEAN for materials!
Designing for children means that the materials selected will get more wear and tear from daily activities. With this in mind, I will more often select materials that are highly durable and easy to clean. For flooring, opt for flooring that is scratch resistant. When it comes to area rugs, carefully choose ones that are low maintence or washable. Wall paint is a very important material so opt for satin or semi gloss finishes that can be washable or easily scrubbable. Kids tend to be messy. For this reason when designing kids spaces, it is important to think through every material and ask yourself, "is this easy to clean?"
You can never have too much STORAGE!
To help kids truly feel at home in their spaces, I carefully consider things like height and accessibilty to make sure all the items in the bedroom or play area are truly kid friendly. Furnishings should have plenty of storage and easily accessible. Consider under the bed storage or additional storage in closets for things like toys or extra clothes that are out of season. I love selecting multifunctional furniture for kids spacces such as a headboard that has built in bookshelves or an ottoman that doubles as storage.
Adding PLAYFUL ELEMENTS makes it fun!
To spark creativity, it's important to add in a variety of playful elements within a room. In the sleeping zone for example, maybe the bed could have an irregular shape that makes them feel like they are in a space ship or simply there could be a fun accent pillow of their favorite animal. In an activity zone, I often try to add things like ball pits or, if there is vertical space, maybe even a climbing ladder. Designing kid friendly spaces is all about finding a playful touch to add that speaks to them.
GOOD LIGHTING helps in kids rooms too!
I always emphasize natural light in all areas of the homes I design, and kids spaces are no exception. I always try to add in large windows where possible to accentuate the natural light that may already exist. Keep window treatments simple. For infants and toddlers that like to pull things, opt for window shades with blackout lining. For school aged children, keep the materials light and breathable with light filtering properties. Kid spaces are normally not the place to use anything like velvet or silk for window treatments. Fun ceiling fans or accent lights can create a playful atmosphere in kids spaces and add a hint of their personality to their room. Think about using dimmer switches so that overhead lights can be adjusted for morning or bedtime routines.
Designing kid-friendly spaces is all about creating a balance between functionality, flexibility, and fun. By carefully considering layouts, durable materials, accessible storage, playful elements, and good lighting, I design kid spaces that adapt to your child’s growth while reflecting their unique personality. Whether it’s a cozy reading nook for a toddler or a study zone for a school-aged child, each space should feel purposeful and personal. Stay tuned for more in this BTS Design series, where I’ll continue sharing my tips and insights on designing spaces that work beautifully for kids and their families!