Kids’ bedrooms: function, flexibility and a healthy dose of fun

Sarah’s top tip for creating a kids’ room is having fun with the space, bringing as much character and light into the room design. When it comes to kids’ bedrooms, it’s important to keep the room versatile and flexible, with the freedom to adjust the space as the child grows. While you may start with a space for a cot, changing table and nursing chair, think about the next stages and how the space will change when you swap those nursery items for a single bed, desk or study area.

You just want to have something where you can add or change on a budget, we don’t want to make it too polarising where, as the kids get older, you have to rip it out or re-paint it all over again

So, what did they get out last week’s room reveals?

When it came to Kirsty & Jesse’s girly kids’ bedroom, Sarah loved the banquet seating area and the tranquil colour palette. Jono also noted the small wallpaper feature they used to add something extra to the space, adding that it also keeps the room flexible and easy to change should a buyer have different needs or tastes. Overall, there were lots of subtle details in the room to love, like the inset ceiling with the Gyprock Concerto cornice, as Jono says, “with the ceiling, the cornice becomes the detail, and you get all of the beautiful natural light via the windows”.

Onto Tanya & Vito’s room and the Blockcast experts agree that they’ve done a great job of tying all their spaces together, while maintaining the uniqueness of each room. They’ve done this by using a few key elements – like arches and terrazzo features – throughout the home to bring it all cohesively together. The only note that Sarah makes regarding their kids’ room is the choice of building a fixed bunk bed into the room. Fixed furniture makes your less flexible and adaptable, so it is something to think about, especially if looking to sell the home later on. The same goes for the bold terrazzo-style wallpaper that decorates most of the room. “Unlike Mitch and Mark’s, this is a kids’ room that really has to stay as a kids’ room. If you wanted to change it, it would be quite a lot of work because everything is built in, rather than moveable,” Neale explained during the reveal.

Great examples of forward planning and flexible thinking, Mitch & Mark’s kids’ bedroom also features a gorgeous bunk bed that can easily be swapped out for a queen bed, importantly with power points already in place if the space were to be converted to an additional bedroom. Their jungle-themed wallpaper is also non-polarising and easy to update as it’s only across one wall. Overall, they’ve done a fantastic job with layout and created a magical kids haven – that’s guaranteed to score bonus points on the real-estate brochure!

Jono’s Top Tips

Tip 1

Look up and take note of the details you can add to your walls and ceilings. Decorative cornice is perfect for a period home, or a home with a more classic style. It’s a beautiful way to finish a wall and it adds a level of finesse and detailing you see in a luxury home.

Tip 2

When it comes to a kids’ room, don’t forget to be flexible and allow the room to grow with your child. Making sure there’s space in a room to change over time will be really beneficial in the long run but consider your budget first.

Tip 3

Add personality to a kids’ room through colour, decals and wallpaper. These are easily swapped out if you need a change, but it helps add detail and depth to a room in such a simple way.

Tip 4

Don’t over clutter your space. Most kids are pretty good at creating mess, so make sure there is plenty of storage to hide away toys and keeping it open and simple, means more room for activities.

Tip 5

Insulate your internal walls. It helps with reducing sound travel, a must when you’ve got a baby and it helps keep the home cosy in those cooler days.

To hear more design and building insights, listen to The Blockcast featuring interior designer Jono Fleming each Monday after The Block reveals.

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