See inside this modern kid's bedroom makeover
Interior Design Masters star Nicki Bamford-Bowes shares her daughter’s bedroom makeover and reveals how to create a child’s room that both parents and kids love
“My daughter Bo may be only eight, but she’s full of ideas and bubbling with opinions, so it’s no surprise she had a clear brief for her new bedroom – a ‘fairy secret garden bedroom’,” reveals Nicki, founder of interior design studio & Then They Went Wild. “Trying not to look too horrified as I could see how excited she was, I agreed to the theme, knowing I could make it work without the bright-pink paint and fairy decals.
“While many parents baulk at letting their child have free reign when it comes to design, I believe working together collaboratively is an incredible way to develop their creativity and confidence, empower them to make decisions, find out more about their thoughts and feelings, as well as create a beautiful space you both love and feel proud of.”
Read on to find out how Nicki worked with daughter Bo to create her magical bedroom, plus get her insider tips on how to create a successful scheme by collaborating with your child.
GET A BRIEF
“As an interior designer, I always ask my client for a detailed brief – yes, even the kids! You need to know what they use the room for, the practical elements they need and the style and colours they love. While they may have strong opinions, it’s important to remember that they don’t always know how to turn those ideas into reality. It’s better to ask your child how they want their room to feel rather than a description of how it should look. When I asked Bo to close her eyes and visualise what she wanted, she said ‘pretty’, ‘dreamy’, ’secret’, ‘magical’ and ‘fun’. This is the result you are after, rather than just a sea of Peppa Pig wallpaper.”
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CREATE A MOODBOARD TOGETHER
“Once you have your child’s emotion words and key themes, it’s time to get visual. For Bo’s room, we spent time choosing pictures together and I picked out ideas that we could translate into an interior setting. We were drawn to images of romantic gardens, swings, arches and flowers. Be liberal with your interpretation of the moodboard you’ve created. There’s not actually a fairy in sight in Bo’s room – instead, I used tiny pinhead fairy lights tacked to the Clematis Sian Zeng wallpaper among the flowers to recreate the idea of hundreds of magical fairies living in her ‘fairy garden’ room at night. The picture of a chequered path led us to choose the rug that she has on her floor, while images of magical glades inspired the mushroom light. To give her a ‘secret’ space, we designed a bed with curtains to turn it into a private hideaway.”
LIMIT THEIR OPTIONS…
“We all get overwhelmed by too many choices, but nothing builds a child’s self esteem like being treated as if their opinion is important. Once we’d agreed on a floral wallpaper, I narrowed it down to three options – all of which I liked – and she got to pick the final one. I then offered her a choice of 3 paint colours that complemented the wallpaper. She felt in control, but I knew the final design would work, regardless of what she chose.”
…BUT GIVE IN A LITTLE
“Sometimes we can get so carried away by our adult notion of good taste that we forget how important certain items are to children. By indulging their heart’s desire on the one thing they are desperate for, you can get away with not including a number of the other things on their wishlist you weren’t keen on. Bo had long had her eye on the cane swing seat that was originally in my master bedroom, so I made Bo’s year by offering it to her as part of the redesign. Let them have that garish cartoon character, but in the form of a cushion – it can always be swapped out when they get older.”
SQUEEZE IN STORAGE
“From tots to teens, kids accumulate a lot of stuff. Much of it will be incredibly emotionally important to them, but as a parent you’ll want to see the floor from time to time! That’s why it’s always good to include multiple storage options from the start. Space under beds is invaluable – in Bo’s room I included deep storage drawers underneath the bed frame, as well as a ‘secret bookcase’ with love heart corner shelves so she’s got access to all her books at bedtime. Remember, children will want to access their possessions so keep as much as you can at an accessible height. Allow them to feel at home and empowered in their environment.”
FUTURE-PROOF YOUR DESIGN
“Do they love to dress up? Do they need an area for homework? When planning the room, create zones for their needs, but keep them flexible. Children’s needs change as they grow. A craft table and dressing-up rail can become a desk and place to plan outfits as they head towards their teens. Toy storage can become a place for sports equipment or clothes. I gave Bo a double bed that will give her space as she grows, yet ensured it still felt cosy and fun for a child. Trying to envisage a room that will suit a child through every stage of their life can be overwhelming, but making changes is often easier than you think. Today, even many wallpapers are removable. I’m sure Bo’s room will evolve as she grows up, but I think she will love it for years to come.”
Find more helpful tips from Nicki over on her website and blog andthentheywentwild.co.uk and follow her on Instagram @andthentheywentwild.
Photography: @still_loljohnsonphotography