Just Kidding

As the kids go back to school this month, it got me thinking about how they need somewhere in the house to do all that homework they’re about to receive! Having a dedicated space which is relaxing and interesting means that it may make homework time just that little bit easier. In the same way you’d want to fix up your own home-office space to feel like a stylish part of your home, it can also be done for your kid’s workspace too! Whether it’s a whole room dedicated to the cause, or a smaller space in their bedroom, there are loads of different ways to create the right space, for little ones and for teenagers.

A playroom in the home is a great space for children to have fun in, but as they get older they may need to use the room to study in as well, so finding the right balance between the two is key. I love the look of this room below; it’s a lively, open space that’s full of colour. The interesting shelving units keep the toys at bay whilst homework takes place, and the large table and bean bags instead of chairs gives off a more relaxed vibe, making it suitable for switching in between homework and fun; a good idea for younger kids who don’t need such a regimented work space.

A playroom-homework space combination from Lonny Magazine via Pinterest

I love the idea of using bean bags as a form of seating for your child’s space; making it feel like it’s strictly for kids. However, there are some rather stylish bean bags that, as an adult, I still kind of want. This arrow design from Not on the High Street is lovely, it’s fun enough for little ones, but also has a grown up style that’ll continue to be cool as they get older.

Children’s Monochrome Bean Bag with Arrows by Tillyanna from Not on the High Street

If you have a large, beautiful table that’s perfect for the kid’s but you don’t want it forever ruined with pen marks and spillages, investing in a plastic table cover is a good way to go. While I’ve seen some pretty ghastly plastic table covers in my time, they’re not all bad. This clear plastic cover with polka dots from Table Protect Direct is the best of both worlds; sophisticated enough to fit in with your existing design scheme, but fun enough for a kid’s space.

Crystal Clear White Spot Vinyl Table Cloth from Table Protect Direct

Giving your children a stylish place to work in their bedroom means that not only will you get your own space back, but they’ll be more inclined to work there if it feels grown up and personal. It’s also a good idea if you need the work space to be in a bedroom, that you make the space its own individual area so that you can separate work from the rest of the room. I love the look of this work space created for a child; white furniture with pastel accents creates an inviting and fun area which can easily be incorporated into an existing bedroom scheme.

A white and pastel work space for a child from Claire Archibald via Pinterest

A good desk for a kid’s bedroom must be both durable and stylish enough to last for years. A simple design that can be adapted with accessories over time is a good investment, and it’ll help turn a work area into a place where the kid’s want to be. This desk from La Redoute is a great buy; the white lacquered top and interestingly shaped wooden legs gives it a sophisticated but playful feel; with just a hint of mid-century to it.

Jimi’s Child Desk from La Redoute

While it’s important to let your child have their own style, sometimes you’ll find that they might want to copy yours (at least for a few years!) So finding miniature versions your own style for your kid’s workspace is a great way to encourage them to work and feel more grown up, especially if you too are at your own desk working. I really like this child’s version of the clear plastic chair design by Kartell that’s been making the rounds for a while now, all it needs is the addition of a seat cushion, something fun like a faux fur sheepskin, to give some extra comfort and style.

Loulou Ghost Children’s Chair in Light Blue by Kartell from Amara

If you’re limited on space in your child’s bedroom, using some wall-mounted shelves instead of free-standing ones can save you a whole bunch of room. These wooden shelving boxes from Maison du Monde are a good buy, they’ll be able to hold a lot of stuff, plus they’re a fun, colourful way to be organised.

Multi-coloured Wooden Shelves from Maison du Monde

As your kids turn into teenagers, giving them their own homework space is even more important. This beautifully designed space is a perfect, mature room; there aren’t any childish items that’ll annoy the brooding teenager, instead they’re presented with somewhere stylish, making them feel more like an adult.

Grown up work space from Interior Blog Awards via Pinterest

A large desk, which is stylish and has space for written and computer work doesn’t have to cost a fortune; Ikea have a rather elegant design to hand. The Alex desk is a simple style that’ll appease all teenage tastes; and will look good in any interior scheme.

Alex Desk from Ikea

Giving your teenager some interesting prints to put up on the wall of their homework area will also help to make it feel more mature. Desenio do some cheap but stylish prints, like this banana leaf print of artsy world map, both of which would feel at home in a teenage work spot.

Banana Leaf Print from Desino

World Map Print from Desenio

Creating a space for your kids to work in doesn’t mean having to skip out on style. You can make high functioning areas that can still look good and feel fun; making the mission to get all the homework complete just a touch more interesting for both you and your child.

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Child’s Play

 

One of the upsides about designing a playroom, nursery or kid’s room in a home is that you’re given the chance to have a little more fun than usual, and create some design schemes that are equally about playfulness as well as functionality. Though the room is labelled a ‘kids room’ the chances are the adults will be spending just as much time in there are the little ones, so why not create a space that both the kids and the adults enjoy being in.

From walls to accessories, whether you want to go all in, or create a space that can be adapted as your children get older, there are hundreds of exciting decorating ideas for your child’s room that are too hard to resist. I’ve chosen some stylish products that’ll make your kid’s room your new favourite hangout spot.

‘Cranes in Flight’ from the Palmetto collection by Harlequin

I’ve admired this wallpaper from Harlequin for a while now and it’s just absolutely beautiful, and perfect for a nursey. The flying cranes and dreamy clouds will create a sweet, tranquil space turning a wall into a visual lullaby. It also comes in six different colourways from platinum to emerald to suit all kinds of taste.

For a robust piece of furniture that can stand a few knocks, this letter head chest of drawers from Loaf can also be a hand learning tool. The style of the finish is ideal if you’re into an industrial or contemporary look and don’t want to interrupt the flow of your interior’s scheme.

‘Letter head chest of drawers’ from Loaf

Another gem from Loaf are these sweet knitted pouffes, great if you want to add some soft furnishings to your play area, as well being a suitable candidate to transfer to a teenagers room.

‘Bug pouffes’ from Loaf

A really easy way to add some individuality to a kid’s room, that won’t break the bank and are easily removed as hobbies or interests change, are wall stickers. There are an abundance of styles around that range from big to small, two of my favourites are these sweet penguin silhouettes from Brume and these enchanting birch trees from Not on the High Street.

‘Penguin Wall Stickers’ from Brume

‘Birch Tree Forest Wall Stickers’ from Not on the High Street

There is always so much fun to be had when choosing lighting for a room, and in a child’s room you can really mix it up. Even if your child isn’t scared of the dark, night lights are a must for the amazing designs alone! This castle light from The White Company is absolutely adorable and would make a wonderful, calming presence perched on a bookcase or chest of drawers.

‘Castle Light’ from The White Company

Another fun design comes from Not on the High Street in the form of this stylish moon light.

‘Moon Night Light’ from Not on the High Street

To outshine the glow in the dark stars that pretty much adorned all bedroom ceilings when I was younger, opt for these show stopping, carnival-esque star lights that will give a fun, decorative feel to a playroom. The bright yellows and blue are perfect to form an imaginative and creative space, or go for the white stars if you want a classic style that will be enjoyed by your child as they move into their teens.

‘Carnival Star Light’ from Not on the High Street

For something a little softer, Lolly & Boo have some sweet lampshade designs in lovely pastel colours. I particularly like this fun elk pattern that will add a bit of whimsy and character to a room.

‘Elk Family Drum Lampshade’ from Lolly & Boo

And finally, I couldn’t resist this delightful cloud garland from The White Company, superb for a nursery and helping your little ones drift off to sleep.

‘Cloud Garland’ from The White Company

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