Dear friends, any interior space is composed of some primary architectural elements such as walls, floor and ceiling. Depending upon the type of structural framework, the construction method would change.

We always see experience and perceive any interior space in elevation. This means that walls are the first things of any structure that create an impact on our mind. The quality and volume formed because of the walls define an architectural structure.

When we enter a building, what we primarily and dominantly perceive are walls. Let’s see how walls can be used as an excellent element in a bedroom design project.

1) Exposed Brick walls.

In order to use these kind of walls it is necessary to preplan the interior design schedule. Normally if a brick wall is to be kept exposed (without plaster), it is built with high quality bricks which are machine cut for high quality and accuracy.

Since bricks have their own color and texture, this option can be used to create a color contrast by keeping only one wall exposed and other with a contrasting color. This can add some interest in the bedroom.

2) Exposed plaster walls.

An exposed plaster wall is a wall which has not been painted.

These kind of walls are very rarely used in interiors. Since the plaster is a composite material using appropriate qualities of cement, sand and aggregate, the final material has a dull color. A dull color on a space like bedroom would express a kind of depression, hence is not recommended.

But portions of a wall with preplanned design and sketching can be used in association with exposed brick wall. Design pattern with partly colored and partly exposed plaster can be a good idea.

Or a completely exposed plaster wall with a design patter in grooves can be used effectively.

3) Wall with tile cladding.

Tile cladding is what we see in kitchen above the cooking platform. Tile cladding is also used in bathrooms and toilets. These are normally ceramic tiles.

In a bedroom interesting patterns can be created to fake the exposed brick wall mentioned above. Many excellent patters can be used just like a jigsaw puzzle.

4) Paintings.

The word painting has two meanings here.

a) A wall with plane colors applied to it. This is done above the plastered surface of the wall. Two or three coats of the desired shade of the color and base material are applied.

b)Secondly, instead of using plane colors, the entire wall can be used as a "canvas" to paint a story or mural. This is a very good method to paint children bedrooms. Walls can be used as a storyboard to create interest.

5) Wallpapers.

Applying a wallpaper is an excellent way to quickly change the look and feel of the bedroom. Depending upon the "theme" of the room many wallpaper patterns are available.

Wallpapers are very good in large bedrooms. In large bedroom "emptiness" is a big problem. If there are not enough decorating elements available, a room might look empty. Here wallpapers can serve as fillers and quickly add some interest in the room.

6)Textured plaster walls.

These kind of walls need special techniques to create a textured pattern on walls. Once a texture is applied any shade of paint can be used.

One of the great thing about these walls is, when sunlight falls on them, a very interesting play of light and shadows gets created. Because of the undulations in the surface of the plaster, small shadows form on the surface of the wall, giving it a visual quality.

A wall in the bedroom which receives direct sunlight should be chosen for this purpose.

This article shows you how various options to the existing wall finishes are possible, that can enhance the quality of the bedroom interior space.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Here you will find some great concept level design tips for master bedrooms, teen bedrooms and bedroom sets.

Whether you are doing a simple redecorating of your bedroom or a total remodel or addition, one way to keep on schedule is to make sure we complete each task with laser focus and avoid going off on a tangent. Very often we begin a project with a specific goal in mind, only to find ourselves sidetracked. It happens every day in every way. The phone or doorbell rings, one of the kids needs help, or your spouse hollers something unintelligible from the basement. Anything can and often does happen to break our concentration.

Staying focused on the current project of your bedroom remodel will help you to be able to move on to the next phase without having to keep thinking about what you missed in the previous phase. This will help you get the entire project done right and on time. Returning to a previous enterprise in order to tweak or fix something is actually a waste of your time whereas, if you had been focused, you wouldn’t have to "do" it again. Isn’t it amazing how often it is that we have the time to do it again, but often don’t have the time to do it right the first time?

So how do you stay focused on your bedroom design project?

In order to stay focused, one should prepare an outline of exactly what the bedroom design will entail. Whether it be a small redecorating project or a huge “take down the walls” remodel, this is an important step. Preparing a written outline is a surefire way to stay focused on your project. You can prepare different plans for separate projects, with several projects ongoing at the same time. During some projects you may encounter "waiting times", for any number of reasons. Having different project outlines available will ensure that "waiting time" does not necessarily mean "wasted time".

When writing an outline, it’s important to cover each aspect of your project, from start to finish. Always ask and answer the Who, What, Where, When and How questions. This may sound elementary, even redundant, but it works. And no-one can fault what consistently works.

While preparing your outline, ideas about your bedroom will pop into your head. The "what ifs", and "could be’s" will enable you to see a great many possibilities to incorporate into your project. Or not. Whether or not you use those ideas to make your bedroom better will determine the completed product. Those ideas and their quality may or may not be incorporated into the final product, but having those ideas now is certainly better than wishing you had planned for them, when it’s too late. You may need to revisit some aspect of your outline. It’s much easier and less costly to revise the plan, than to revise the project after beginning. An outline will enable you to "see around corners", so to speak. To look ahead and foresee possible problems. It all comes from writing it down. Most of us don’t plan to fail, but very often we fail to plan. Failing to plan is tantamount to planning to fail.

Your outline doesn’t need to be fancy. Depending upon the intricacy of your project, a numbered or bulleted list may serve your purposes. Of course, the more intricate your project, the more intricate your outline will become. You can even incorporate check boxes, so that when those distractions come, as they usually do, you’ll know exactly where you stopped.

Your outline should flow from beginning to end just as if you were actually working on the project. This will help you keep the various phases in perspective. You may need to plan the various phases in detail. These phase plans will become part of your overall plan. For the purposes of building your outline, pretend you’re building a house. The foundation would naturally come first, then the walls, finally the roof. Your outline should follow this "building code". All worthwhile structures follow this example. The fleshing out of your outline would be the same as the landscaping and decorating of your house. Save them for last. In other words, start with the basics: What, When, Where, Why and How, (the foundation). Then move on to the tools, resources and knowledge, (the walls). Next comes the finish (the roof).

The "outline" stage of your project is where you’ll do most of the learning required to reach a successful conclusion of your project. For example: What tools do you need? Where will you find those tools? How much do they cost? What resources can you find to help you? What resources do you have? Where can you go, or who can you see to gain the necessary know-how? These questions and many more need answering before you can expect to be successful in your project. When you ask yourself these questions and get them answered, often you’ll find the project is within your capabilities. When you write down and follow your plan, one step at a time, the project becomes less daunting. The longest journey begins with one step. When you write your outline and re-read it a few times, your memory will be "unlocked" and sometimes you’ll be amazed at what you already knew.

Now you’re ready to go back and flesh out your outline. This is the decorating part if you are planning a huge remodel and where you can get bogged down with the details if you lose sight of the "big picture". Take your time with the details; after all, quality is also part of your project. But put together the details in such a way that they can be changed. This is an outline, not a plan carved in stone. You can make revisions, additions, deletions, substitutions and corrections. It’s easier to make those changes now rather than later.

Another important step is to make sure your project has and end date. If you leave it open ended, you will never finish that great master bedroom! You may find that the bedroom completion date needs to be extended but you must put a stake in the sand at the beginning and have a projected end date. This gives everyone something to work for and creates a sense of urgency.

Depending on the extent of your bedroom project, you can use the outline to generate a formal plan with blueprints and diagrams or just a simple drawing of what you want the room to look like if your project does not involve any building.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs and Decorations where you can learn more about decorating your bedrooms.

Your bedroom is your oasis, but lets face it, if you have small children they are bound to spend time in you room. If you want to have a luxurious bedroom but still be kid friendly, you can make use of some of the new materials and products to achieve both.

If you thought that having a family meant putting your decorating skills and ideas on the back burner then you just haven’t been opening your eyes to the stylish ideas designers use to liven up their own homes and their client’s homes, even with children (and pets) around!

Kid Proof Materials

Yes, choosing the right material can make all the difference when furnishing a home for a family.

Have you always loved leather? Well it’s not only great for minor spills that are quickly wiped off, it also wears well, even gaining a beautiful patina with time and use. Leather does not collect pet hair as a cloth couch or chair would, and crumbs and dirt will wipe off easily. Leather furniture works great to create a sitting area in a masculine, contemporary or exotic look bedroom.

If your bedroom is more light and airy you may prefer fabric upholstery in your sitting area. Think of luxurious Ultrasuede. Sophisticated enough for even the most formal rooms, it’s looks belie the easy care of the material. You won’t deal with fading or staining the way you are accustomed to with cotton, and many stains will come off quite easily with a damp cloth.

Do you have real ruffians running around? You can always count on slipcovers if you need to. Many decorators have used white or cream slipcovers to good effect, although you may consider a stripe or other pattern to disguise everyday wear. And because you can clean them thoroughly by removing them you do not have to be too concerned about occasional messes. Slipcovers also work well on fancy dining room chairs and can be removed for adult-only dinner parties.

Your bedding can be easily washable if you purchase the right materials. A print pattern in cotton or other washable fabric will work well to hide stains. On the other hand, try to stay away from delicate materials like silks or velvets which stain easily and are difficult to clean.

Kid Proof Furniture

If you have small children you may also consider choosing soft furnishings, like ottomans, to replace hazards such as hard edged tables. You can even buy upholstered bed frames that are soft on the corners.

Area rugs can be great for keeping light colored carpets in good shape, but be certain they rest flat so children are not prone to trip over them. Selecting heavy rugs or using a special padding underneath to reduce movement would be especially recommended when using rugs on hard, slippery surfaces.

When choosing wood furnishings, light or dark, be sure it has a protective clear coat so that marks and spills do not ruin the finish.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs and Decorations where you can learn more about elegant bedroom decor.

Decorating your bedroom can be a great way to give your self a tranquil retreat, yet so many people neglect this room. Often times people focus on the public rooms of the home – the kitchen, living room and guest bathroom but the bedroom is your own private sanctuary and you owe yourself to decorate it!

If decorating your bedroom seems like an overwhelming task, you might want to take it easy and make small changes over a period of time instead of one huge change. On way to ease yourself into decorating the bedroom is to start with the walls. Artwork can make a huge difference in the look of your bedroom and is one decorating idea that you can easily reverse if the look doesn’t work.

What is the first thing you notice when you walk into someone’s home? The walls, right? Walls enclose the home, giving a thematic impression. So, if your walls are empty you’ve got to get to work to populate them. Wall hangings can be expensive, but that’s only if you purchase something by a famous dead artist. You can create your own artwork without any art instruction whatsoever. First, you have to consider your theme. If you have a Victorian, feminine or shabby chic bedroom theme then you will want floral or feminine artwork. A modern bedroom theme will look best with prints in sleek frames. A tropical look? Then get some jungle style prints or prints of exotic animals and birds.

Do you have hundreds of pictures and just don’t know what to do with them? If the idea of a personalized bedroom picture wall appeals to you, you could arrange the photos into a huge wall photo collage. Examples include pictures of exotic places, weddings, and children growing up. If there is a teenager in your home, their bedroom is probably home to a huge collection of music CDs. They can create their own wall collage using the cover art from their CDs. Although you will have more fun creating your collage yourself, there are companies that will take care of this for you. The cost ranges from about $50 for an 8×10 to $150 for a 20×24 wall collage.

If your bedroom contains foliage, you might want to consider pressing leaves or flowers and framing your work; the best of these are flat. You basically place the leaves or flowers in a book to allow them to dry flat. They are ready for your wall hanging when they become crisp. This shouldn’t take longer than a week or two. After the items are pressed, you will just need to mount the artwork and hang it on your wall.

When you decorate your bedroom with artwork you are only limited by your imagination. Don’t be afraid to experiment. As mentioned previously, artwork is easily reversible. So, be imaginative and creative and design your artwork.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs and Decorations where you can learn more about designing your dream bedroom.

Your bedroom reflects your personality just as much as your perfume does. Transforming your personal space into a romantic haven can be easy and affordable. A few simple changes will lend a sense of quiet comfort to a room that you’ll love to come back to!

I think we work hard and deserve and little space of serene tranquility. Don’t you? Close the door, leave the word outside and treat yourself!

Of course the first place to start is with your linens. No matter what sheets you like, from non iron percale to pure linen, they should be embroidered or trimmed with eyelet or a beautiful laced edging.

* Have a combination of layers on the bed. It is wonderful to be able to “shed a few petals” during the night as you get warmer. Many layers of light materials, from cotton sheets to down comforters (or two very thin down comforters with a cotton sheet in between) make a great combination.

* If you decide to have an all white or ivory color theme in your room, you might want to add some pastel colored accents such as curtains, pillows, lampshades, etc. The colors can be easily changed for a summer and winter look. Macrame lace curtains, with their rich texture will give your windows a most graceful and dramatic look, especially if they fall generously onto the floor.

* If you like to sew, you can create artful pillows with eyelet trimming. You could place one, two or even three rows of white or ivory eyelet on pastel sheets and pillows, or vice versa. Just remember to keep continuity in the color scheme of your room. You could also cover pillows with any lace of your choice.

* Do not forget to pile pillows of different sizes and textures when you bed is made. They could all blend with the color of your bedspread or pick up on the color of your curtains, chairs, or rugs.

* How about a flowing, lacey, to-the-floor canopy bed cover? You can always tie back the canopy with some lovely tassels during the day. Macrame lace is a preferred choice in Europe because of its elegant, but flowing feel.

* Comforters are making a big comeback, and it’s easy to see why! They are light, warm, and give a room a cozy touch. They are traditionally filled with goose down but are now available with hypoallergenic synthetic fillings that are just as comfortable. Paired with freshly laundered linens, they will be ready to cuddle you for a well deserved rest. One word of advice: Do lock your door; kids love to jump on them!

* You could make a beautiful bed cover out of eyelet material, and just lay it flat over your solid colored sheets or comforter. If you need to make it wider, just make sure the seams will be on the edges of the bed. Some eyelet material can even be cut around the stitched design and requires no sewing (my favorite!). You could also cut out a runner for your dresser or night stand. Classic beauty is always in details!

* A sweep of sheer mosquito netting above your bed is all you need to give your room a sunny, tropical getaway feeling. (I’ll throw in the ocean as a bonus!)

* You can easily give your headboard a personal touch. Sew a slipcover (leaving a few inches of fabric on each side to form a flat flange and to add buttonholes and buttons if you’d like) and cover that fabric with lace or eyelet of your choice. You could then slip this cover over an existing headboard or a cut out piece of plywood.

I hope these tips help you, but in the end, your imagination and creativity will make your bedroom unique as you are.

Martine Lykos is the webmaster of Lace and Linen Classics.

Window treatments are an important part of every room, and since there are windows of every thinkable size and type, they have opened up a wide array of decorating possibilities, and when it comes to window treatment options, window blind shade clearly outperform the competition all around. Just with a click you can see our products and compare it with other window treatments or coverings. The more you know about our window blind shade the more you’ll want them in every room of your house.

Window blinds consist of horizontal wood slats that can be tilted open or close for light control and privacy, and they add a special touch of warmth and rich, natural beauty to any room. When you are trying to make a decision about them you must consider the function, the look and the budget that you desire. For example, if you have a library, or maybe for your bedroom, wooden venetian blinds are just for you. And faux wood blinds would look great in rooms with high humidity such as a bathroom, and they are easy to clean.

Since there are so many windows of several sizes and types, they have opened up a lot of decorating possibilities and because of that window shades have become an important thing to consider when you are decorating your home. But before buying window shades, you have to analyze the functional aspects of your window and determine exactly which window treatment you want. Windows can be decorated for setting the room’s mood and style, but its main purpose is to provide light and air, so keep it in mind.

To make your decision more easily, just make yourself a few questions: how much privacy do you need? How much light control do you want? Is ventilation the main reason for needing the window? Will children be in the room? Once you have thought about all that, come and see us. You can visit us online and find what you need at a very reasonable price. Save a lot of money compared to your local store.

We only offer window blind shade carefully fabricated to your exact measurements from the highest quality components in our factory. We have a large variety of blinds and shades including wood blinds, faux wood blinds, aluminum mini blinds, vertical blinds, honeycomb shades, roller shades and bamboo shades. There are a lot of options so you can choose the one you think will look better in your house.

We assure you that once you see our products you will be convinced that window blind shade look better, install easier and offer greater control over heat and light, require less maintenance and will save you more in heating and cooling costs than other products.

A Herrera is a freelance writer for home topics.

http://www.window-blinds-faux-wood.com/windowblinds/8/window-shades.html

For an excellent way to keep your space why not consider loft beds. These funky and stylish beds allow you to max up your living quarters. Just imagine the room that you will save. Most are fashioned with solid wood oak. Top manufacturers of choice will allow you to explore the many possibilities out there. Kids loft beds make great furniture and accessories for the little people in your household.

If you buy a bunk bed from a reputable retailer, have it installed properly and use it correctly, a bunk bed is a safe sleeping and space-saving solution. Find a retailer and manufacturer you can trust, that will stand behind the product for the lifetime of the bunk bed. You really want to also review the loft bed plans to help you understand what is its construction. You can definitely optimize storage and space with the use of an affordable wall bed. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Whether you call them wall beds, space saver beds, lift beds, rising beds or fold up beds they are truly amazing items.

Some consumers are looking to save space and their biggest concern is room. That is why wall beds have gotten more popular over the years. Wall Bed Systems allows you to extend your living space without costly remodeling and room additions. Turn your den, study, family room, basement or any corner of your home into an Instant Spare Bedroom!

College loft beds are a great choice when looking for an affordable solution to sleeping conditions. Are you looking to maximize space in an overcrowded room? May we suggest raising your bed off the floor with a college loft bed? Consumers also appreciate the area where they can store a loft bed. Price range is very important along with the quality of the bed that you are receiving.

Beds - Alan Zunec is a regular contributor and author on tips and reviews on beds that enhance your sleeping needs.

When we think of bedding, we often recall the flannel sheet sets we slept on as a child. This site is dedicated to providing you with the latest information on sleep sets. When we think of bed linens, we often think of 200 – 600 threat count Egyptian cotton, bridal quality satin, polyester woven satin, polyester knit satin, 100% cotton, and flannel. But the truth is, pure linen fabric actually comes from the stalk of the flax plant making it one of the strongest materials on the market. You can find an array of bed linens online that are both exquisite and luxurious, a deadly combination. Check out the selection of fantastic table lines for the dining room while you’re at it.

You have two options for cleaning your bed linens. You can dry clean them which is not very convenient and can be very expensive or you can simply machine wash them. Washing them is highly recommended because the more they are washed, the softer, more absorbent and luminous they become. The same is true for your table linens. You can either hand or machine wash them but make sure to use the gentle cycle and a mild detergent. Use cool or warm water, never hot water as this can damage the linen fabric. If you stain your bedding, be sure to wash it immediately before the stain sets. Feel free to hang or machine dry but take it out while it is still damp to preserve natural moisture and flexibility.

You will enjoy you bed linens for years. They are beautiful, durable and luxurious. By the way, they are 2 to 3 times stronger than cotton sheets. You will also enjoy your table linens for generations as they are often passed down over time. They actually get softer and finer with every washing.

Amy-Jo Strutt is a successful home decorator writer and regular contributor to comforters-luxury-bedding.com, providing information on comforters, bedding, and linen. http://www.comforters-luxury-bedding.com/linen.html

The word "master" is an antiquated term that suggests control, domination, and inequality, and in today’s cooperative partner and/or single parent household, the label "master suite" has become obsolete. In that light, master bedrooms would more properly be called "main bedrooms" in today’s society.

Far removed from the activity of family rooms and busy kitchens, the bedroom is the place where your day begins and ends. Surprisingly, however, main bedroom redecorating frequently ranks near the bottom of most people’s home renovation lists. But if you want an immediate uplift of your emotional state, there are few projects that will do that more effectively than remodeling your main bedroom.

Remodeling Your Main Bedroom for Happiness

The main bedroom, with its softened textures, serene artwork, and muted patterns, intimately captures the warmth of a home. Passion colors, such as red, purple, royal blue, rose, or the gilt of gold, add drama and indulgence. Plan your main bedroom design with private times in mind, beginning with the purpose of the bedroom. Do you want a Passion Boudoir, Reading Room, or Private Sanctuary?

Passion Boudoir

French women are known to create the sexiest bedrooms in the world, and like many French women, today’s homemakers often plan for sex and decorate accordingly, creating evocative, enticing bedrooms. Here are a few suggestions for creating a Passion Boudoir:

Flattering colors contribute to personal beauty and are erotically appealing. Choose seductive colors like Rouge Red, Lipstick Reds, Creamy Peaches, and Subtle Pinks. Make sure the colors enhance your natural beauty. Be daring and use bold colors on the walls.

Luscious fabrics will set the stage for sensuousness. Use silky, velvet, and chenille textures in combination with nubby textures. Use fabrics that remind you of a favorite shared memory. Exotic patterns, such as animal prints or tropical florals, conjure images of faraway journeys.

Locating mirrors in unusual places, such as the tops of dressers or side tables, reflect dancing candle light. Tropical plants and trees, uplit with special lights, also cast exciting shadows.

An intimate bistro table, set with two chairs, invites private conversations. Dressing tables, furnished with feminine accessories and intimate objects, add mystery and romance to a room.

Just the presence of a bed tray suggests the possibility of the ultimate pleasure: breakfast in bed, while soft lighting, candles, essential oils in a diffuser, and gentle oscillating fans effectively complete the décor in a Passion Boudoir.

Reading Rooms

If you’re one of the many people who love to read in their bedrooms, you might consider designing your main bedroom with lounging and reading books in mind. Since eye experts warn that it’s bad for a person’s eyes to read while lying down (because we tend to hold the book too close), you might begin by enabling proper reading posture by installing padded headboards.

Another consideration is lighting. Eye experts claim that readers need at least two reading lamps of at least 175-200 watts, but that type of lighting would seem quite harsh in a bedroom setting. In fact, as my friend Madi, a devoted bedroom reader, says, "My reading time is some of my most important time, intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. It’s the most intimate time I give myself; it compares to what others may call meditation. Just being in a space that’s warm and comfortable with a good book is the greatest thing in the world to me, and any bright light would change the ambience of that quiet time."

Madi certainly isn’t alone in cherishing her reading time, or in opposing harsh lighting in the bedroom. So instead of individual lights, consider equalizing the overall lighting scheme by adding other less obtrusive lights across the room.

Good colors for Reading Rooms include Old World Ivory, Antique Amber, Sage Green, and Slate Blue. These soft colors reflect light without glare and also support peaceful feelings.

Squishy pillows, luxurious Afghans or throws, landscape paintings with distant horizons, and mirrors for private reflections add feelings of indulgence. A great lounge chair with a floor lamp and nearby tea table completes the additions to a perfect Reading Room.

Private Sanctuary

Perhaps you’d rather turn your main bedroom into a personal retreat, where you can escape and unwind from a busy day. Surround yourself with photos of friends, family, and places you love, as well as your favorite artwork and meaningful mementos. Under-furnished private sanctuaries can also give you the space to contemplate and daydream.

Good colors for private sanctuaries include dark Forest Greens, deep Chocolates, Mochas, Navy or Cobalt Blues, and Eggplant. Darker colors create a womb-like feeling and aid deep sleep.

A writing desk, accompanied by a comfortable chair, induces journal and letter writing. A small refrigerator will make you feel as if you can enjoy your time in the bedroom without interruption, and a television offers the opportunity to watch your favorite movies and shows. Room-darkening window coverings also encourage deep sleep and aid in the restoration of your soul.

Living Room Furniture in Bedrooms

Bedrooms can truly become living rooms when they’re furnished luxuriously — like a private suite. Adding furniture usually considered living room pieces automatically upscales the importance of your bedroom. Sofas, rocking chairs, or matching overstuffed chairs help create the feeling of an oasis.

The bedroom is the most personal of all the rooms in our home. In fact, as a Realtor, I’ve been in houses on home tours where the main bedroom was off-limits. That may seem strange, but it only served to add to the mystery of the home. I’ve also been in a delightful home where the living room itself had actually been turned into a fabulous main bedroom!

Only you can decide the best bedroom setting for your personal preferences and lifestyle, but if you want to make a dramatic change for the better in your life, there’s no better way to accomplish that than remodeling your main bedroom!

Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author’s information with live links only.)

Jeanette Fisher teaches home makers five easy steps to makeover their homes for happiness. She is the author of interior design and real estate books and teaches interior Design Psychology, Free Design Psychology ebooks. http://www.designpsych.com

If you’re not sure where to start or how best to tackle updating your child’s bedroom, you’re not alone. In a lot of families, the baby nursery takes a lot of planning and decorating time but there’s often less thought and energy put into decorating the same child’s room as they grow older.

It’s common for baby toys and furniture like diaper disposals, pull toys and cribs to get removed, but other things often stay around for quite a bit longer than the growing child might wish. For instance a wall paper border with prints more suitable for your baby or young child’s room, may not be as enjoyed by your now older child (or teen?!).

Here are a few tips to help you get started with decorating your child’s room. The best part about this is that your child can help you do it this time around. So this can be a fun project you can do together!

1. Select a new color to paint the walls, a color that your child likes. If you have a strong objection to it, though, negotiate with perhaps a lighter version of that color, or limiting their color choice to only one wall. (Or, encourage them to put up some nice posters to lessen the wall color’s impact!)

2. Mood lighting! Kids of all ages enjoy mood lighting of one sort or another. Together, select either a night light, a small novelty lamp with a low-wattage bulb, or an interesting colored or black light bulb lamp. Other lighting effects kids enjoy include disco lights, dog statues, flowers with light effects, and glow in the dark items.

3. Bedspreads. Get rid of baby blankets and exchange for favorite cartoon throws or bed covers. When they’re teenagers, they might enjoy sports, frilly, or even more adult taste bed coverings.

4. Personalize something for their bureaus or their walls, with their names and/or photographs. Photos can be made into a collage. Exchange those baby and stork photo frames with an upgrade to novelty photo frames. Try one with hearts, a sports theme or a safari look, for instance. Engraved stones with your child’s name or an inspirational thought and personalized acrostic poem name prints are fun and unique decor ideas that kids enjoy. Engraved name stones become long-lasting gifts and keepsakes. Acrostic name prints use the letters of your child’s name to start off self-esteem enhancing phrases that can inspire your child and highlight their special talents and interests.

5. Create a comfort zone area in the room, for cuddling up cozy and reading. You can use big pillows, plush or inflatable chairs, anything your child might enjoy to sit on and relaxing in. You’ll also want to conveniently have some books placed within their arm’s reach. You can also place some music equipment by that area for them to enjoy. And if there’s room, add an additional seating space for you. Then together you can enjoy reading, listening to music, or simply chatting with each other. If you have a teenager, they’ll likely want to have another seating space for you or their friends to use.

6. Together with your child, agree upon a wall paper border that you can use to decorate their room with. This idea can be in addition to or used instead of painting their room. Adding or changing a wall paper border can be a very simple and quick way to change the look and feel of your child’s room.

7. And… here’s an interesting idea my daughter suggested when I asked her for suggestions about decorating a child’s room … (I simply had to share this intriguing idea with you!) She said, "tell them to get an extra thick room door so you don’t hear your kids fighting!"

Can you tell that she shares her room with her sister and something about the noise level in their room at times?

Hmmm… she might have a good idea there after all!

Liz Hekimian-Williams is founder of Giftsprings.com, a home decor and gift shop that features unique personalized gifts including engraved stones and personalized acrostic name prints, as well as novelty decor photo frames and accent lamps. To delight your child with his or her name etched in stone, you are invited to explore the personalized engraved stones available at http://www.giftsprings.com/category/estones

© 2004 by Liz Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings.com

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