Summer is considered a milestone season for children; it’s when complete a full year at school and move on to the next one, and during this transition period they may suddenly suggest changes that affirm their new “grown-up” status. For example, your child may ask to update their bedroom.
Don’t panic at the prospect – you don’t necessarily have to commit to a full transformation, and it doesn’t need to be super expensive either. Some small but thoughtful changes can make a big difference, ensuring that your child’s living space is as cool and comfortable as it needs to be while reflecting their age and stage.
Here are some easy ways you can refresh your child’s room this summer.
Perform a summer clear-out.
It’s highly probable that your child’s bedroom is cluttered with books, toys, and clothes that are no longer in use. Getting rid of items that your child considers “babyish” is one way to quickly increase their bedroom’s cool factor. Added bonus: this also makes the place look tidier.
It’s a good idea to throw the items together and decide what should stay, what should go, and what should be kept in storage. Remember to keep precious items that have sentimental value. Your child may not appreciate them now, but they probably will later!
The items you’re throwing out can be donated or even sold if they’re of good quality. Why not agree that any money received for them will be spent on bedroom upgrades?
Buy a new bed.
Buying a new bed is an expense, of course, but it’s often an unavoidable one. As children grow, they need a place to sleep that comfortably accommodates their changing bodies. Check that your child is still sleeping well and has enough space to stretch out.
There are many children’s bed available now, so you may wish to upgrade their sleeping arrangements for reasons other than size. For example, you might decide that it’s time to maximise the area available in their bedroom by buying a cabin bed with storage space included.
Involving your child in the process of buying their new bed will help them feel excited about their bedroom again. Maybe they’ll even be more enthusiastic about bedtime!
Inject some personality.
It’s your child’s space, so it’s natural that they use its decoration to express their personality. Find ways for them to do this like letting them choose and hang some fun new posters. If you’d rather they didn’t cover their walls, printing out photos of them with their friends to display in funky frames is another option.
A little investment could go a long way. Maybe a new bedding set that matches their evolving taste is all your child really needs to see their room as “cool” again. Maybe they’d like to paint an accent wall their favourite colour. The great thing about painting a wall is that it also functions as a fun summer holiday activity!
Make it fit for purpose.
Your child’s room needs to change alongside your child. Their hobbies and habits may have evolved since you last set up their space, so think about how you can better match their bedroom to their lifestyle. For example, if your child is beginning to study more at home, it might be time to move a desk and office chair into their room.
Maybe your child loves to read; you could rearrange their room to set up a library corner for them. Maybe they like to play video games. Working with what you already have, you can easily make their gaming equipment more of a central feature in their bedroom.
Let them play with the layout.
You’d be amazed at the difference a simple furniture reshuffle can make. It can really change the energy of a room! A good idea might be to involve your child in planning a new layout for their furniture and possessions. Draw up some ideas and discuss them together. Often, a child just wants to feel like they have some control over their own space.
The great thing about moving furniture around is that it doesn’t have to represent a permanent change. Your child’s routine over summer is different, with a greater focus on play and a little more flexibility. That makes it a perfect moment for this kind of harmless experimentation.
It can be hard to keep up with what your child considers to be cool. However, if they’re expressing dissatisfaction with their bedroom, this can be addressed relatively easily. Remember, a few small changes over summer can have a big impact.