It probably only seems like yesterday that you brought your baby home. Now, before your very eyes it seems, that little person who once depended on you for everything now has a mind of his own and an opinion…on everything!
So when it comes time to convert the crib to a bed and move the rocking chair into storage, don’t forget to update your toddler’s décor as well. It will be a while before you little one can express a desire for a kids area rug, a certain paint color or bedspread, but that doesn’t mean that her bedroom needs to feel like a nursery. You can create a fun space for her to sleep and play with minimal cost and effort.
The updates listed below require simple changes — nothing that requires pulling out the drop cloth and putting a new coat of paint on the walls. You can keep her pink area rugs or his blue area rugs. The truth is you really don’t need to change much of the color scheme; you just need to create more purpose-built space and add details that make it look like a child spends his time there, not a baby.
So, here they are in no particular order, some quick fixes to help your child’s room grow right along with him:
Add a canopy – Little girls will love the romantic touch of a canopy over the bed. Your little princess can have fun helping you add ribbons, feathers, tiny butterfly appliques – whatever her heart desires to dress it up. When she gets older, it can easily be removed if she wants something new. On the floor by the bed, oval area rugs help tie the look together.
Add or change decals – Your little one might be over bears and giraffes, but you can still add detail to his or her room with removable wall decals. Decals of trees that appear to climb up the corner of one wall seem to be a popular choice, but others can easily be ordered in pictures and shapes your child prefers. This is another easy change once your toddler grows older – simply peel it off when the time comes.
Make it a double – Toddler beds, especially those that convert from a crib, are nice but if yours doesn’t have the ability to “grow” any bigger, you’ll be searching for a new bed before you know it. If you have the space and you think your child will be ok with it, you can always try a double bed instead. It will grow with your child until he’s ready to leave the nest. And then he might just take it with him!
Add more storage – As children age, they seem to accumulate more belongings almost out of thin air. You can add stylish storage options for toys, books, bikes, and other kid gear without creating more clutter. Once it’s time to do away with the changing table, consider adding a large dresser or bureau that can hold both clothing and artwork or keepsakes. Look for other furniture with built-in storage like a low table with drawers or a bookshelf designed to also hold decorative storage baskets.
Upgrade the closet – Your new dresser won’t hold everything your little one needs, so put some thought into organizing or upgrading her closet. Install a closet organizer to create a place for everything. Then, hang clothing according to size or season for easy access with little packing and unpacking. Fold items that need not be hung on the organizers shelves. You can even use this as secondary storage for toys that aren’t being used.
Give him a place to sit – Your budding preschooler might be fine playing with crayons and books on the floor, but you can show him or her that learning is a priority by adding a desk or table. He’ll love to have a place to draw and you can sit down with him and show him how nice it is to have a desk of his own. If you want to invest in toddler size furniture, try to keep it cheap. Ask a friend with older children if they have a desk they’re looking to unload or search a consignment shop for a great little table and chairs.