Colin and Justin: Creating safe, durable kids’ rooms

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It all comes down to auspicious planning, and the creation of flexible spaces into which your little ones can grow

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When imagining junior spaces, discussion, early in the design process, will help your children take ‘ownership’ and commit to change, thereafter.

Crucially, in addition to aesthetic ambition, plans should be tempered by aspects such as safety, growing up and sharing with siblings.

Well being

Whilst adults, typically, can appraise risk, children require its evaluation on their behalf.  Here’s are some considerations to tempt peace of mind:

Tiny fingers can jam in doors, so fit plastic safety mechanisms (easily sourced in hardware stores) to negate concerns.

Ensure blind chains and drapery cords are tucked out of harms way to avoid entanglement in ‘innocent’ window apparatus.

When fitting new windows, choose those with locks that restrict opening, or retro fit ‘limiters’ to existing fenestration.

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Banish trailing electrical flexes, and ensure plugs are fitted with childproof fronts from stores like Home Hardware or Home Depot.

For obvious reasons, we never install real or gas fires in kids’ rooms.

Keep radiators on a separate thermostat so they don’t become too hot. If this isn’t possible, employ safety screens to protect delicate hands.

Rugs should be anchored on anti-glide mats to minimize slippage.

Avoid low hanging shelves: whilst these sound practical, excited play can result in head-on collision.

Paint and paper

Whichever colour you choose, select wipe-able finish (satin, for example, is more durable than matte) so that crayon and pen scribbles can be removed.

Chalkboard paint, whilst fun, is better applied to MDF panels or boards (with dust catching lips) rather than directly onto walls: Rona have various brush on, or aerosol varieties.

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Magnetic paint allows for the repositioning of, for example, pictures or alphabet letters. Some manufacturers have pre-selected shades, but we find magnetic primer (applied below regular latex) more convenient. Visit rustoleum.ca for info.

When using wallpaper, choose washable product, and avoid faddy (and therefore dateable) motifs such as Barbie and Spiderman: restrict ‘themes’ to fabrics and cushions (H&M carry a sweet range) that can be easily nixed should tastes change.

 Carpet

Specify stain repellent product and, following our previous logic, forgo overly emblematic roll stock in favour of options where design comes from colour – rather than, say a Batman motif – to allow tailoring as your kid matures.

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Flexible flooring

Vinyl product, strip form to resemble wood or tile form to mimic stone, copes well with thrills and spills, and is warm under foot – visit www.karndean.com for inspo. If you or your kids crave more pattern, add vibrancy with washable rugs or mats.

Wood

Future proof with engineered boards that can be sanded and varnished as tastes evolve.

For reliable quality, visit www.kentwoodfloors.com The brand’s smart ‘visualizer’ tool superimposes their flooring into your room photography so it can be virtually appraised ‘in situ’.

Lighting

When choosing bedside or floor lamps, favour heavy-based models that are less easily knocked over.

Bunk beds

Select models whose lower levels convert into seating (or study nooks) should second beds become surplus.

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If bunks are near ceiling fixtures, or if kids are within reach of cables, engage a qualified electrician to reposition wiring.

Multi purpose beds

Divans on legs provide space to stash linens and toys in shallow boxes. If you have a redundant chest in your basement, remove drawers and add wheels to create inexpensive (roll out of sight) storage.

Futon

Space saving, and typically low slung, they can be incorporated into a host of aesthetics. Get ready to slumber at www.futonshop.ca

Sofa beds

If you hope to achieve a look that’s more lounge than bedroom, sofa beds (on sprung bases, or built from dense foam) allow you to adapt space further into childhood.

Extenda-beds

Whilst these look like cribs, they morph to become great toddler sleep zones (or day beds) thanks to height adjustable mattresses and removable sidebars.  Pull back the covers at www.littleseedskids.com for inspiration.

It’s fair to conclude that decor for the young, and indeed young at heart, should be fun.

But it all comes down to auspicious planning, and the creation of flexible spaces into which your little ones can grow, rather than grow out of.  More from us next time…

Watch for Colin and Justin on Citytv’s Breakfast Television. Find the Colin
and Justin Collection in stores across Canada. Visit www.colinandjustin.tv.

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