The bedroom

1. When good design determines the right growth of the child

When dealing with clients, it is important to study in depth the needs of the individual, trying to satisfy them, taking into account contingent limits such as the budget available and the spatial characteristics available. The ultimate goal is to make the people who will inhabit the spaces happy, and if those people have children or teenagers the task is even more difficult.      

The bedroom design is very important because it is a space where the child's growth will take place, where we will meet to play and study; the environment that will accompany the boy over time during the phases of his life. It is therefore of fundamental importance to take into account some characteristics with a particular attention from the social and psychological point of view.    

The first factor that will determine the physical conformation of the space and that will influence the design choices is the rapid change in the age of the user and consequently in personal tastes. Today on the market it is possible to find furnishing solutions that can evolve over time according to the needs of the newborn who will become a teenager over time. This is a choice that can overcome the problem of progressive change but that risks not coinciding with the taste of the child who will be increasingly demanding over the years.  

It is therefore necessary to make an initial choice, based on the budget available and the flexibility of the environment. It is important to point out that there is a wide choice of solutions on the market that satisfy all needs even at modest costs and that allow you to replace even just part of the furniture according to the needs of the moment.   

If you want to keep costs down, the best solution is to opt for neutral and long-term usable furnishings customized with accessories suitable for specific ages. If your budget allows, you can indulge in more particular lines that emulate soft shapes of clouds and flowers for babies and cartoon characters for school-age children. Then there are wall decorations, very effective for child interaction and easy to apply and remove if necessary.

Fairytale illustrations are perfect for newborns, comics are suitable for children, while skylines of famous cities and graffiti go well with the taste of teenagers. Since needs will change over time, it is important to think long-term. Wall stickers and washable paints are perfect for this purpose. In fact, both allow you to apply and remove decorations with great ease. In any case, the main goal is to find the right balance between functionality and aesthetics, ensuring the best daily livability.

2. Safety and mobility in spaces

The basis of any renovation or new project is the study of the spatial conformation. In the case where the space is limited, it is necessary to study very carefully the most functional solution that makes the most of the environment. As regards the child's bedroom, it is important to divide it into real areas dedicated to specific purposes; in the neonatal age, a space for changing, one for feeding and one for sleeping will be necessary. When the child grows and begins to interact, new needs will arise, such as that of playing and subsequently of doing schoolwork.

La partition space also helps the correct education of the child who will thus learn to have well-defined hours of the day and to define personal habits.

He will understand that there is a timetable for chores and a timetable for rewards and will learn to move in the functional environment for each need.. The of your digital ecosystem.  it is then a fundamental prerogative of the environments in which we live, even more so if they are lived by children, who are much more vulnerable. The first step is therefore to study and predict as much as possible the movements and paths that the child may take over time.
  
The walking lines and trajectories must be safe, without protrusions or dangerous elements for the little ones; useful for this purpose are the edge protectors that, placed on furniture and accessories, prevent injuries in the event of accidental impacts. Furthermore, in the early stages of life, when the child learns to crawl and then walk, the presence of shock-absorbent mats and floor areas can help to feel more at ease. These are simple solutions to place on the floor that require little maintenance and cleaning and can be removed when they are no longer deemed necessary. In children's bedrooms, special attention must be paid because the floor must not be considered just a surface to walk on, but a space to live in, where to sit, play and take the first steps.

The characteristics of solidity, comfort, thermal and acoustic insulation and safety are therefore the basis of correct choices and efficient performance.

Another element to consider before choosing furniture and objects is the materiale of the same which must be non-toxic and natural so as to respect the health of children. The paints that will cover the wall surfaces must be water-based, while the furnishings must be free of chemical glues and materials of non-certified origin. Last but not least, to consider is the aesthetic rendering which in these cases plays an important role; in addition to blending harmoniously with the rest of the house, the finishes chosen specifically must be warm and welcoming and arouse the interest of the little user, perhaps through fairy-tale motifs (in the case of carpeting and anti-trauma inserts) or thanks to the inclusion of textile accessories that are soft and colorful.

The fundamental objective is therefore to optimize the space and make it safe and functional. In the case in which we find ourselves faced with a small environment, it is important to look for solutions that allow us to have everything we need and at the same time to move comfortably and without obstacles. There are many proposals on the market that help those who find themselves faced with spatial constraints; for example, you can choose between bridge bedrooms, loft or foldaway beds and even sliding desks and space-saving containers. These furnishings, in addition to gaining free space to play, stimulate the creativity of the little ones.

A useful and aesthetically pleasing idea is characterized by rigid poufs that perform the dual function of seating and support surface. Over time it has become increasingly simple to find flexible, modular but also visually pleasing solutions thanks to the studied details and heterogeneous materials capable of satisfying the most demanding tastes. What may apparently seem like a constraint, thus becomes an interesting starting point for training the imagination and creativity of adults and children.

Archipel is a series of modular furniture aimed at saving space and creating real play islands. The composition of the modules is simple and occurs through bands fixed with Velcro.

3. The psychology that guides the design process. Color and psychophysical well-being

If you have ever heard of “chromotherapy” you will know that it is a branch of natural medicine aimed at studying the effect of color on the state of mind of man. In fact, it is well known how much the environment can contribute to the well-being or, on the contrary, to the disturbance of those who live there; science maintains that color with its variable wavelengths, influences the mood and state of mind of the observer. 

This premise serves to introduce the theme of color applied to environments and the importance of color choices in the design phase. If it is the room of the little ones, then the attention increases because a good design can guarantee the comfort of the child who will grow in that space dividing himself between playful and educational activities. 

As for the walls, they will play a fundamental role in the mood of those who will spend a lot of time in the bedroom; the ultimate goal is to ensure cheerfulness and liveliness but at the same time peaceful sleep. Below is a brief overview of colors that can help you make wise and informed choices.

BLUE synonymous with relaxation and tranquility, it keeps the heartbeat and blood pressure regular. It helps dissolve tension and is particularly suitable for newborns even in its pastel shades.

PINK for those who love tradition, this is the most used color ever in the case of female children. Romantic, it induces sleep and evokes the world of fairies. For this reason it is particularly suitable for childhood, less so for adolescence. 

YELLOW combined with orange it recalls the warm colors of the sun. Since it promotes concentration and stimulates creativity, it is perfect for teenagers' bedrooms. It is often chosen with green as an additional color to neutral tones to liven them up. If it is a younger child's bedroom it is better to choose them in pastel shades.

GREEN the color that recalls nature, adapts very well to environments intended for adolescents because it promotes open-mindedness and optimism. According to recent studies, this color contributes to the formation of personal character, facilitating balance, self-esteem and good humor.

The shades of PURPLE, BLACK, BROWN and ANTHRACITE are not the best choice for the bedroom because they are too dark and not very stimulating during childhood.

If you want to dare a little more, you can also mix more chromatic shades in order to create a more original environment. The choice of combining a warm shade with a colder one may seem risky and not optimal, but if you opt for a bright tone and a pastel one the result will be unexpected. In any case, asking the child's opinion can be useful to satisfy not only your taste but also that of your children.

Furthermore, if you choose a brighter tone, it is advisable to place it on a single wall or create an insert, thus leaving space for drawings, frames, photos and shelves on the white or softer walls. This is also to avoid getting tired of a color that is in any case more demanding. When choosing the tones for the room we want to set up or renovate, it is essential to take into account how colors are useful for dressing the room and modifying its characteristics on a visual level. Warm tones tend to compress the space while cold ones expand it; for example, if the room is small, a single cold tone will be perfect, avoiding the multicolored choice.

In this regard, the color white is the most suitable to create greater depth and optically expand the spaces; if the choice falls on white, you can give free rein to your imagination regarding complements and accessories that will stand out harmoniously in the neutral ensemble.

4. Needs that change over time: bedrooms that grow with the child

As mentioned previously, when you have to furnish the room of a new baby, you find yourself faced with a choice: renew the environment over time, adapting it to the growth of the child, or choose neutral furnishings that transform with the passing of the years? Naturally, the choice also depends on the budget you have available.

Today on the market there are many solutions designed to change with the needs: made up of modules that can be added or subtracted, they adapt to the physicality and growth of the child. Height-adjustable desks, high chairs that with a gesture become small tables, the rocking horse that transforms into a simple chair and even the cradle that becomes a bed and then a sofa. Some companies offer wardrobes made up of modules that can be added progressively, becoming real wardrobes for teenagers.

Other brands, instead of standardized modules, have preferred to create real kits necessary for the transformation of the furniture. In any case, the basis is the concept of an environment in continuous evolution, flexible and suitable for different needs, which is therefore modeled on the needs of children. Below are some interesting examples of how furniture can live different lives satisfying the needs of the passing time.

The Dot and Cross brand offers a series of designer furniture designed for the little ones but ready to change with their needs. An example is the flexible cot that can become a comfortable sofa useful when the child grows.

5. When needs are special: shared bedrooms

In the case where the environment must be shared by several siblings, perhaps of different sexes or ages, the designer will face a more difficult task: finding the right solution considering the differences and making them an added value. In fact, even if more complicated, the organization of the interior space in this case must be a challenge that overcomes the apparent constraints.

In the case where the children are a boy and a girl, there are several characteristics to analyze, first of all the choice of colors of the walls. Neutral shades of beige, white and gray are preferable and can then be combined with the brighter colors of the accessories of one and the other. If instead you love warmer and brighter tones, opt for yellow and orange, unisex, they will be perfect for both. From the point of view of the furniture instead, the one with clean lines, without references to the world of fairy tales or with bizarre shapes is perfect.

If it's about space-saving furniture, even better! In shared rooms, they allow you to gain centimeters so that children can play more comfortably, they ensure greater order and are multifunctional. As for the actual arrangement of the room, it is important to delimit the spaces, in order to avoid the typical arguments between siblings. A useful and also fun method is to hang or place the initials of their names on shelves or cupboards: effective and practical, they will make the little ones feel important. In this case, the most appropriate wall decorations are those that refer to geometric shapes, since they are suitable for both and are recurrent in contemporary design.

If having children of different sexes causes some problems in organizing the environment, having children of different ages forces you to consider even more factors. This is because in addition to tastes, the different needs corresponding to the different stages of growth must be evaluated.

The toys that are suitable for one will be dangerous or outdated for the other, the ergonomic arrangement of objects and furniture will always be perfect at alternating stages and the decorations will not stimulate the imagination of both. Furthermore, the greater the age difference, the greater the organizational difficulty. However, even if it may seem like an insurmountable problem, there is a solution to everything!

Some simple precautions will allow a harmonious and peaceful sharing of space. For example, in order to ensure greater safety, it is advisable to place the toy containers at a height that is not reachable by the smallest child who could swallow dangerous parts.

Furniture should be distributed correctly, to allow older children to play and walk and younger children to rest. Soft rugs and cushions are also perfect: they keep the environment clean, making it comfortable even for those taking their first steps. When faced with problems dictated by contingency, therefore, it is useful to consider some important factors and seek advice from a professional in the sector to be able to choose in a conscious and reasoned way the elements that will make up the children's space.

6. How to keep order? Some practical advice

One of the biggest difficulties that can be found in spaces intended for children is order, but to overcome the problem of out-of-place toys, books on the floor and unfolded blankets, there are very useful practical solutions. To begin with the walls that can be used as much as the furniture, an interesting novelty is characterized by padded panels that once fixed to the wall, can be used to attach objects, posters and photographs.

Then there are the equipped walls, obtained thanks to modules that, placed side by side in various ways, are ready to host toys, books and lamps. To help maintain order more easily, the classic coat hangers and shelves are also widely used, which, in addition to ensuring the convenience of quickly choosing and putting on clothes and accessories, can be used to move the bare walls.

When it comes to storing toys, you can choose from a wide range of baskets and boxes in various shapes and colors.

A great idea is to arrange objects and toys according to the “bottom up” scheme, placing the most used ones at child height and the least used ones in a higher position. In this way, the parent has a clear idea of ​​where everything is and the child is able to choose what he wants at that precise moment. If you have limited space, the drawers under the bed will be perfect, able to accommodate many toys that will be within reach when needed thanks to the convenient wheels located in the lower part. Wall organizers, bags with a transparent box to identify their contents and toy-boxes are also welcome.

Finally, the attitude that the parent has towards their children regarding order is of fundamental importance: if we get used to involving them from an early age in the organization of spaces, children will feel responsible and will collaborate with pleasure, giving a big concrete contribution.

7. The internal scheme and the age group: characteristics closely linked to each other

When the interior design project concerns the bedroom, it is necessary to take into account the age of the child, because more than for any other user, his needs change over time. It is therefore necessary to guarantee flexibility and be able to predict sudden changes because different tastes and needs correspond to each age. Below are illustrated some interior design project examples, distinguished according to age (newborn and pre-school, school, adolescent) and sex.

0 – 36 MONTHS

During the first few months, the baby's room will be the place dedicated to caring for the little one; the furniture, in addition to being of quality, in order to maintain a healthy environment, must be functional especially for the mother who takes care of the little one. The most suitable tones for the walls are light blue, light blue and pink and they can be enriched with decorations with wallpaper that show subjects belonging to the natural world and fairy tales. Furthermore, these are motifs that can be easily removed as the years go by, perfect therefore for the first phase of the child's growth.

As for the spatial organization, it must be conducted with safety in mind in order to avoid accidents and unexpected events; in this case it is preferable to opt for roomy and functional furniture with soft and simple lines. Storage accessories and wall organizers are practical and useful for mothers when changing the baby, perfect to place near the changing table, they save time and space. Textile accessories, such as rugs, curtains and cushions must be safe and of quality; cotton, linen and natural fibers are preferable, while on the textures you can have fun with polka dots, clouds and stars.

Particular attention should be paid to lighting choices, because if during the day the environment is mostly illuminated by natural light, in the evening and night hours, when the baby may be awake, it is necessary to use artificial light. Pendant lamps and wall lamps that emit a soft and non-violent light that can induce sleep without disturbing the newborn are preferable. Highly recommended are devices characterized by perforated bodies that reflect real light designs on the walls: relaxing and stimulating, they help the child fall asleep.

Below is an example of the composition of the spaces dedicated to the baby and differentiated according to gender

+ 3 YEARS

In this age group the child begins to interact with spaces and people, for this reason the objective is twofold: to find a solution that is safe for the child and that stimulates him sufficiently. The idea of ​​painting the ceiling or the wall at the head of the bed with a starry sky or the walls with cartoon characters may seem risky but if done with care it can give an excellent aesthetic result and efficient results to develop the creativity and imagination of the child.

Very suitable in this phase are the pastel colors of blue, light gray and pink, appreciated by the little ones, they rest the mind and ensure relaxation. It is of fundamental importance to remember in fact, that children must feel protected and safe and for this reason it will be optimal to decorate the walls and recreate "secret" and magical corners inside the bedroom using curtains and fabric houses.

From the furnishing point of view, there are many lines that meet the taste of parents and children: from the ecological ones and completely in wood, to the very colorful ones and with extravagant shapes, up to the transformable and functional ones. Chests of drawers and chests that contain clothes and objects, pull-along boxes used both as a game and as a container, height-adjustable stools, everything can be combined with taste even if they are not part of the same series.

In short, the key word is to choose the furniture with imagination and according to the needs with the aim of stimulating the imagination of the little users helping them to feel an integral part of their living spaces.

Starting from school age, it is essential to take into account the desires of children who are starting to develop their own taste and first interests: decorations of dragons and characters from adventurous legends, crests of their favorite team, educational toys, everything must be designed for their needs. There are also some iconic figures in the growth of the child, which if inserted into the environment make him feel at ease. One of them is the classic house with a sloping roof; it can be purchased as a real game even if it is recommended only in the case of very large spaces. If the size of the room does not allow it, it will be perfect reproduced as a decoration on the wall or transformed into a small bookcase or container with a dual function.

The playful aspect together with the educational one must have priority over everything for the organization of the space which will be functional and welcoming.

Below is an example of the composition of spaces dedicated to school-age children and differentiated by gender

TEENAGER

If during childhood attention is given to the playful aspect, as the years go by and the children grow, the needs change drastically. Toys make room for clothing and accessories for girls, while for boys music and sports prevail. The ideal would be to have plenty of space to tidy everything up in a comfortable walk-in closet, but contingencies do not always allow this. In the case of limited or small spaces, you can opt for shelves and drawers capable of holding accessories and clothes, a desk for studying and a comfortable bed of adequate size. Usually the bedroom is divided into a living area for studying and leisure and a sleeping area.
From the point of view of decorations and accessories, parents must leave room for the choices of the kids that will reflect their specific taste and personality. The freedom in choosing colors and furnishings left to those who will live in the room is of fundamental importance, in addition to expressing the personality of the kids, it ensures their well-being, who will feel at ease. Alternatively, it is advisable to choose furniture with essential lines to allow teenagers to personalize the spaces according to their style.

Below is an example of the composition of the spaces dedicated to the boy and differentiated according to gender

Tags