Simply child’s play

Their belongings seem to spread into every nook and cranny, and there is no way sensible parents want to spend their whole time stressing about mess, or constantly shrieking “tidy up”.

So the best approach is to create a bedroom that a child loves, and one where it is easy to play, feel safe and, most importantly, is fun to be in.

It should be their own special space where they can also bring their friends, and a snug sanctuary at the end of the day for story-telling sessions before bedtime.

Beware of being too grown-up when you plan and decorate this room.

“It is very tempting to want to decorate your child’s room to suit your own taste and style,” said Sarah Quilliam, head of product design for Hillarys, specialist blind company.

“But while parents often like ‘tasteful’, safe neutrals, children love bright colours, busy walls and funky furniture. So take some deep breaths, count to 100, and try and look at the world from their perspective.”

Ideally, the room should be able to grow and change with your child, so you are not constantly redecorating.

Colourful furnishings, rather than brightly-painted walls, cots that transform into beds, stylish rather than ‘cute’ furniture and versatile storage are all ways to keep costs down.

Crouch down to your child’s height so you can see the the room through his eyes. It will help ensure storage is planned so it is easy to reach.

But whatever effort you make, be assured it will pay off — this is a room your child will always remember.

The Mamas & Papas furniture range is comprehensive. A sleek, contemporary Horizons range, in a light oak effect with steel handles, is unlikely to date, with a cot/junior bed priced at £440.

Alternatively, the Prairie collection in white tongue and groove trimmed with oak, is just as good looking and well-priced.

The cot bed is £250, and bookcase, £225.

Many children resort to that rebellious childhood refrain: “I don’t want to go to bed”, but imaginative beds could help minimise late-night tantrums.

Designers are transforming what is often the largest piece of furniture in a room into exciting play spaces, as well as somewhere to sleep.

Enchant little girls with a ‘fairy palace’ Galaxy bed, £299, from Littlewoods, which has a pink tower, a tunnel and a slide from the top bunk to the floor. The company also has a bed for budding boy racers — Red Sportscar bed, £129, with a back ‘spoiler’ shelf for treasures.

Or try Ikea’s Kura bed, £109, which converts from low to high, and can be covered by a magical-looking tent, £10, which mimics a night sky.

settle small children on light evenings, and should help them waking at dawn during summer months.

Hillarys deep blue Night Sky blind, features moons and stars, and starts from £54 measured, made and fitted.

Little ones often prefer cosy spaces but you need versatile furniture to make the most of a compact room.

“Just because it is small, does not mean you cannot maximise the space,”

said Fionnuala Johnston, design co-ordinator at B&Q.

“Look for a bed that is more than a bed — one with storage or an extra bed underneath. And choose extra storage that can hang on the wall, or back of the door.”

B&Q’s pine Felix low cabin bed with storage, £255, is ideal for children of any age, or its white painted Wizard range has a bed with ladder, £212.50, matching pull-out desk and bookcase, £63.75 each, and chest, £76.50.

Hideaway beds are useful especially when children have the inevitable ‘sleep overs’, and Marks & Spencer has a solid oak Radcot hideaway bed, £599, which includes two mattresses. Just one of the stars in its new Kids At Home range.

Enhance space by painting walls one colour and pick a theme colour for furnishings. To add easy storage, French company Vertbaudet has enchanting storage chests on wheels, £29, and boxes decorted with animals and flowers.

Think outside the traditional decorating box — blue for a boy, pink for a girl — and try restful greens or perhaps a welcome touch of sunshine yellow for walls.

“Have a neutral shade on three walls, a splash of colour for the feature wall, or bring a room to life with decorative borders or wall stickers,” Fionnuala suggested.

Try B&Q Colours silk paint in Sunflower, £10.98 for 2.5 litres, and wall stickers: Dora, Thomas the Tank Engine or Disney characters, from £8.98.

You are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful children’s bedding at stores such as Laura Ashley and Marks & Spencer, and many of the ranges have co-ordinating curtains and accessories.

Alternatively, The White Company has two lovely ranges, a Yachting set for boys, in classic white and blue with the luxury quilt and cushion from £70, and ‘Gone Sailing’ sign, £14. Or Amelia for girls, with pink and white flowers and hearts. A duvet cover costs £45.

Make your own furnishings by seeking out fabric ranges at stores such as John Lewis, or German company JAB’s Cotton Dreams fabrics embroidered with children’s motifs, from fairy cakes and giraffes to elephants.

Fabric from £19 per square metre.

Where to buy
■ B&Q: 0845 850 0175 / www.diy.com
■ Hillarys: 0800 916 6516 / www.hillarys.co.uk
■ Ikea: www.ikea.com
■ JAB: 020 7349 3782 /www.JAB.de
■ Laura Ashley: 0871 230 2301 / www.lauraashley.com
■ Littlewoods: 08705 99 11 11 / www.littlewoodsdirect.com
■ Mamas & Papas: 0845 268 2000 / www.mamasandpapas.com
■ Marks & Spencer: 0845 603 1603 / www.marksandspencer.com
■ Vertbaudet: 0844 842 0000/www.vertbaudet.co.uk
■ The White Company: 0870 900 9555 / www.thewhitecompany.co.uk