Child’s room should foster creativity and learning

They might be small in size and weight, but their dreams are huge, so be sure to have a creative place to foster that imagination and watch them — the kids and their aspirations — grow.

“When it comes to children’s rooms, it’s all about designing a unique space that fosters creativity and learning. Kids often play, read, learn and sleep in their room, so it’s important to have an environment that inspires them and feels personalized and comfortable,” said Alex Bowman, lead trend forecaster for Wayfair. “It’s great to include your children in the design process as it makes them feel like they’re part of the project and allows them to add their own personal touch, which really excites them.”

Beds

From functional to fun, it’s all about tailored. Every kid (and parent) has a different vision for their room. Make it your own with some unique options.

From a toddler bed that grows in stages with your child to a bunk bed outfitted with a tent that leaves room for the imagination, a functional bed doesn’t have to be a boring bed.

“We have some unique specialty beds for children such as the space-saving Stuva loft bed and the versatile Norddal bunk bed, which can also be transformed into two single beds,” said Laiyla Bass, who does marketing and public relations for Ikea in Las Vegas.

“A fan favorite is the Kura reversible bed with canopy top. This bed can be set up with the bed positioned at the bottom or the top when flipped over. The canopy itself provides children with a sense of privacy giving them a room-in-room feel. … Kids love it!”

Daybeds are a little different style: They make the room feel more like a living space before being transformed into a sleeping area. Daybeds such as Birch Lane’s Penrose daybed or Briton offer flexibility and style.

“We believe that daybeds are the perfect piece of furniture for any age in our range,” said Meredith Mahoney, vice president of lifestyle brands at Birch Lane and DwellStudio. “The trundle option in our daybeds is perfect for sleepovers.”

And some bed are all about the fun of the theme.

Wayfair’s Liana Dugout bed will make slugger feel like he’s at the game, and with a trundle, he can bring his friends.

And if you have trouble getting your kids up in the morning, give them an extra incentive with a slide from the bed like Wayfair’s Junior or Mission loft beds.

Play space

The Busa tent from Ikea encourages a little exploration within a private, yet safe space. Who doesn’t want to go hide from mom and dad and have a little fun; and what parent doesn’t want his or her kid to explore but in the safety of a confined area.

“It comes in green and really grabs children’s attention instantly. They love to crawl through the attached tunnel entrance. We’ve seen many games of hide and seek played since we’ve opened,” Bass said.

And a fort can be more than a fort. Check out Birch Lane Kid’s teepees for something a little different that are high on style and definitely a leaping off point for the creative.

The Americana, Wildflower and Great Plains teepees are fun and functional. Just add a couple toys, and children can have hours of fun in their secret fort.

The teepees “are all spacious inside and easy to break down,” Mahoney said. “A mom’s dream come true!”

But tents aren’t just for the floor. Raise your expectations and attach one to the bed.

“We also offer the Kura tent canopy for the Kura bed in blue and pink. These attached to the top of the Kura bed and give the bed a new look and another play area for the child’s imagination.”

Studying and reading

Ikea’s Stuva can be used in a child’s room that’s tight on space because it builds the study space right into the bunk bed.

“Reading nooks are an amazing addition to every child’s room. It gives children a designated place to wind down from the day’s activities and also encourages them to read,” Bass said. “The biggest opportunity we hear about are households that have limited available space for a nook. The Kura bedframe is positioned with the mattress on top, the bottom can easily be used as a reading nook.”

A bed with a built-in bookcase like Birch Lane’s Sumner unit and Fairbanks beds offer storage as a function of the furniture.

“As a parent, organization is also always a top priority, and with juggling schedules, it’s important to have storage areas for easy access to clean up toys or even store sheets,” Mahoney said. “Our specialty beds come in functional, neutral, wood colors that are perfect statement pieces in your child’s room. Neutrals never go out of style.”

Don’t skip on the high design. A reading nook that is inviting and comfortable is more likely to be used. Find a beautiful, comfy chair in just the right size to encourage a date with a great author. Birch Lane offers a few options for kids’ chairs that can stand the test of time with its Dunn, Hartwick and Werner chairs.

“One of our most unique items is our Lomsk swivel chair. It comes in both blue and orange and can easily be incorporated into any children’s room regardless of the theme.”

And if you’re just out of floor space, there’s one last option — let your little monkeys hang from the ceiling in Wayfair’s Joki hanging nest.