Now that we’re all well into the winter season and Christmas is on its way, the kids will be home for the holidays and spending more time indoors. To tackle those chilly nights, you may need to make a few adjustments to your child’s bedroom. This is not just about making sure they’re physically warm enough but also that the room is a welcoming, cosy space for those short winter days. Here’s how a few clever touches can make all the difference.
Upgrade your bedding
When it’s frosty and windy outside, nothing beats a warm, snuggly bed. Younger children and toddlers can have different bedding needs, and may require more warmth than you’d want for yourself as an adult. Check that sheets are warm enough, and if not, consider special winter sheets that are softer and cosier on the skin. Consider swapping in a thicker comforter or duvet or add a few lovely quilted blankets over the usual sleeping arrangement – the good thing about this is that you can adjust the bed’s warmth depending on the weather.
Try layering on coordinating blankets, quilts and throws that will not only add some warmth, but will look wonderfully cosy and inviting when draped or rolled neatly across the foot of the bed. Finish the look with a fluffy, much-loved teddy and you may find yourself no longer having to beg the kids to go to bed each evening.
Creative lighting
Darker, shorter days call for gentler and more cheerful lighting. Ditch any harsh overhead lights that will only emphasize the dull greys of winter we all know and hate. Try instead to add a warm, soft glow to bedrooms. Fairy lights are a classic and will brighten up any room, whether draped across a headboard or strung around a window frame. Choose those with muted, delicate colours to evoke some peace and quiet for story time.
Alternatively, a charming night light will bring that tranquil, comfy feeling to your child’s room, and we like to think it could help nightly bedtime routines run a little more smoothly! We all loved glow-in-the-dark stars when we were kids – why not get some and make an afternoon out of recreating well-known constellations on the ceiling with your child? Any opportunity to decorate may be a welcome distraction from the fact that drizzle makes outdoor play a little more difficult.
Accessories
With home décor of any kind, cosiness often comes down to the details. You don’t need to make over your child’s entire room – simply pick a few high-impact accessories and accent pieces to bring in some winter warmth. One particularly useful accessory is a rug. In a child’s room, you have creative license to go wild with seriously cute character rugs that tie in with your main theme. A sleepy star or smiling rabbit rug are all charming – but will also make sure there’s something warm underfoot for those chilly mornings. A cosy bean bag propped in front of a bookcase immediately creates a reading nook for those who like to curl up with a favourite fairy tale when it’s dark and cold outside. Play with textures and light by attaching bunting to the wall, or add luxurious coloured mosquito nets or lamp shades made of warmer, more tactile fabrics.
Think about piling a few extra blankets, knitted cushions, pillows and teddies onto the bed. If your child has a play tent or similar, a “security blanket” or a few carefully positioned floor cushions can turn it into a snuggly cocoon just waiting for a nap or quiet indoor game. Get the little ones involved in Christmas crafts. Why not do a simple DIY project to make a festive pom pom garland to hang on the bedroom door, or a felted ornament or Christmas stocking they can hang at the bottom of their bed?
A child’s bedroom serves so many purposes – it’s a place to play, to rest, to learn. Over the dreary winter months, your child may be spending more and more time indoors, so it makes sense to take the time to make it a little more alluring. With just a bit of effort, you can make your child’s room feel as fun and cosy as a late-night pillow fort.