Toddlers Bedroom
Let’s keep it simple
When it comes to decorating your toddler’s bedroom there are so many things to take into consideration. You have your taste, your child taste and then also practicality to add to the mix. You could end up with a beautiful bedroom which you end up tidying for hours every week once the hurricane has torn every book out of the shelves, played with every toy and dragged all their teddies back to bed.
Stars from Little-cloud
Before even starting put together a board on Pinterest or save ideas into Instagram or the old-fashioned cork pinboard. List ideas that you love, want and also don’t want. I sometimes struggle when I don’t have a clear idea of what I want before I start ordering. It took me 25 paint samples before I chose one, simply because I wasn’t 100 sure what I wanted! Help yourself to my Pinterest board if you’re in need of toddler bedroom inspiration - link at the bottom.
I have a list of where I bought everything at the end of the post so if you don’t know where to start with buying check it out.
1. Curtains are expensive! Let’s face it, your darling child may like dinosaurs today, ballerinas tomorrow and finish the week shouting Elsa at you. In other words, choose a curtain that will work for a while. Once you have chosen fabric, had the things made you will be looking at your overall budget wondering what happened. I went for something that had multiple colours in it to suit her changing tastes, was playful yet grown up (hope she likes them till she is 20 at least!) Finally curtains that I would happily move to another location in the house. Our curtain fabric is from Charlotte Gaisford and is called Blue Tiger (its BEAUTIFUL!)
2. Carpets – go for something that you can wash easily. I would love to go natural however I know what will happen. It will look beautiful for a few weeks but sooner or later disaster will hit. We live in an old house and unfortunately have problems with moths.
3. Washable walls! My daughters’ room is very white, but it is washable. I made sure to buy a little extra paint, just in case. We used a lovely chalky white (Wevet) by Farrow and Ball and so far so washable.
4. Wooden Toys – Not only do they last longer; they are usually pretty solid so firstly there is less breakage but secondly so much easier to tidy up. Sweep in a big bag without having to worry about random little bits here there and everywhere. If the dog steals them they tend to last a little longer.
5.Comfort – I love a super comfy bed, therefore I wanted to have the same for my daughter. I wanted her to disappear into her room excited about climbing into her bed. The bed itself has a frame otherwise I would be worried she would fall; it also creates a den feel to her bed. Bedding, buy lots of it. There will be accidents and it’s so annoying to keep having to add to the collection, so just buy it from the start. I buy bigger sizes rather than going slowly up the ranks to keep the costs down.
6. Lighting – I would highly recommend HUB lighting. It will link in with your WIFI so rather than trying to sneak into your child’s room to dim or switch there light off. It also comes in multiple different colours so you can switch it to suit your mood. Finally, you can go wire free if you’re worried about your child getting hold of the wires or playing with the plug when you’re not there.
Fabric from Charlotte Gaisford, drawers Oliver Bonas, afternoon tea set Great Little trading and skirt and elephant from the White Company
7. Furniture – I found furniture for her room all over the place. She has pieces from Oliver Bonas and a Made. Don’t stick with children’s furniture only as it reduces your options. I didn’t want her room looking over childish so I have a nice mix. All of the furniture will last her a long time and if she ever decides she doesn’t want it I will happily have it in another room.
8. Art work – This and the next point are easily my favourite bits. You have done the boring part, painting, the sensible part, furniture. Now you get the fun bit. I have a mixture of things on G’s walls. Animals, to lovely quotes to prints of art work from places we have visited together. I understand of course that the latter points mean very little to her but hopefully they will as she gets older. Personally, it’s a nice reminder for me too and I don’t want anything on my walls which doesn’t make happy. All the art work in G’s room is from direct from the artists. You would be amazed at the work you can find for very fair prices.
9. Decorations – let the fun continue! This is where Instagram comes into its own. There are so many unique small brands out there with beautiful things. This may take a little longer than turning up to a superstore and decking your child’s room out but I can’t tell you how much it is worth taking that extra time. Not only are you supporting small business but you would be surprised that the prices are the same and often the quality is better.
10. Tidy up (funs over). Even with the best planning unless you have an angel child you will need to tidy their room at some point or if you have the skills get them to tidy it. Rope buckets are perfect for this! Sweep and drop everything into those and slot them back into a shelf. My daughter can easily tidy up using this and you can move the rope bucket about which is why I prefer it to wooden boxes.
Where to buy
Furniture
· Oliver Bonas can be a little hit and miss with furniture but it is worth checking out. I bought the white draws and bedside table from here - https://www.oliverbonas.com/furniture
· Wardrobe – this part was hard for me as we have a very low ceiling on the way upstairs so anything larger than draws needed to be self build. https://www.thechildrensfurniturecompany.com/childrens-wardrobe-double-starlight
· Perfect for wooden toys too. We bought shelves from here along with rope baskets and an afternoon tea set. https://www.gltc.co.uk
· For beautiful bedding as well as unique pieces and finishing touches - https://monlitcabane.com/en/
Art Work and decorations
· I’m in love with this artists work, so magical and beautiful https://www.jasminerebecca.com
· These are simply beautiful quotes and sketches to alongside them - https://shop.charliemackesy.com
· Glittery stars and moons – these have taken Instagram by storm and its not hard to see why - https://www.little-cloud.co.uk
Extra
· Bedding – Pottery Barn https://www.potterybarnkids.co.uk
· Curtain fabric, my absolute favourite fabric. Also beautiful to work with - https://www.charlottegaisford.co.uk/product/tiger-blue-small-scale/ You can order samples directly.