Create adequate storage
Organisation is paramount in a child’s room and storage should be visible and easy to reach – if kids can’t see their toys, they’re less likely to play with them. The trick is to display toys in a neatly arranged fashion – shelves work perfectly for this purpose and allow for toys to be easily rotated. You can never have enough baskets and crates to store neatly under beds or at the bottom of cupboards. Storage boxes on casters make for easy moving and can be pulled from room to room.

Personalise their space
It’s important to stamp the child’s identity onto their space as it gives them a sense of ownership and belonging. A traditional décor idea is to have their names displayed on their bedroom door – this is the first thing they’ll learn to recognise when they go to school. Name flags also work well as they can be moved around from bedposts to the wall and even across a window. A name can also be proudly displayed using wooden letters, as a mural on the wall, or embroidered onto bedlinen and toy bags.

Take to the floor
Rugs are an easy way to warm a room, make it more comfortable, and enhance a décor theme. If the floor is soft and comfy, kids will automatically engage in longer periods of play, at this level. Otherwise, install a low table for train tracks and Lego. Mount as much storage and display space on the wall as possible to leave more floor space open for playing.

Fabric finesse
Pure plain cottons are best for bedding as you want to keep bedtime calm and comforting. Bring colour and busy fabrics into curtaining, cushions, mats and rugs. Denim is great for boys as it works well as a base colour that can be mixed in with reds or blues. And the more you wash it, the more character it acquires – it’s also durable enough to withstand the rough and tumble play enjoyed by boys!

Lighting
Kids’ rooms need overhead lighting as well as a nightlight or bedside lamp. When they get older, introduce a desk lamp too. Dimmer switches are useful and shaped wall lights are fun, although they’re more decorative than functional. Lampshades and Vinyl wall stickers are easy to change and can easily update the look of a room.