Decorating a child’s room can be particularly challenging for many parents for several reasons. This is true, especially in selecting a wallpaper.
For starters, there are no strict guidelines for patterns and colors that you can use in making an informed choice.
And then, you have to take into account the fact that your child will go through different stages of growth and development. Along with those stages of growth, his tastes and needs will also change over time.
Finally, a child’s room serves many purposes, including being used for sleeping, studying, and playing.
If you are planning to give your kid’s room an overhaul or if you are expecting a new child, here are some helpful tips for choosing a suitable wallpaper.
For infants
Traditionally, parents choose pastel colors and animal prints for the wallpaper in nurseries.
It is crucial to note that babies have poor eyesight and may not be able to recognize the pastel colors and animal patterns in their rooms. As they continue to grow, they begin to recognize primary colors and patterns.
What do these mean for parents?
When choosing wallpapers for nurseries, you may want to venture a little farther away from traditional colors like pastel hues. You should highly consider using primary colors, especially in a feature wall.
Additionally, look for wallpapers which have larger patterns which your child can recognize as he grows older.
For toddlers
After celebrating his first birthday, your child will undergo a growth spurt. As his motor skills improve, so will his vision and ability to differentiate colors.
At this stage, your child will use his room primarily for sleep and play. As such, opt for colors that have a calming and relaxing effect and patterns that nourish his imagination.
For preschoolers
At around the time your child begins school, he’ll develop his unique sense of taste. This includes color and pattern choices.
Parents may want to include their children in the selection process for a suitable wallpaper. However, you should still retain the final say and take into account factors like the room’s layout and size.
For pre-teens and teens
The onset of puberty brings about massive changes in kids, both physically and behaviorally.
Your child develops a firmer grasp of his tastes, sometimes, in direct opposition of your own. For teens, the emphasis shifts to what is perceived as cool. Here, the cardinal rule is compromise.
At this stage, you might want to recommend that your child look into lighter colors to make his room appear bigger.
As for colors, veer away from bright and stimulating colors like red and orange for the side facing the bed. Instead of these, recommend green and blue. Reserve bright colors for his study area.
Other considerations
Apart from your child’s age, there are a few other essential factors that you need to consider before buying wallpaper for his room.
Chief of these is the fact that you need to find a wallpaper that is easy to clean and maintain. Younger kids can be messy, and their rooms are more prone to wear and tear.
For this, it is highly recommended that you buy a wallpaper that can be easily wiped off with a damp fabric.
You also have to consider the fact that you may have to change the wallpapers a few times, in sync with your kid’s growth and the changes in his body and tastes.
Although it is not necessary to change wallpapers every year, a good rule of thumb to follow is to buy new wallpapers at least four times. And no, you do not need to remove all of the wallpapers. You can simply add a feature wall or reconfigure the room (and the wallpaper for each side) depending on how each area will be used.
When it comes to placement, the purpose should be your guiding principle. That means bright colors and busy patterns for the play area or on the side where the headboard is. For the sleeping area, choose calming colors.
Finally, seek balance. The colors and design should not be too busy or too dull. Remember, your child will spend a sizeable amount of time inside his room.
AUTHOR BIO
James Prathap is the General Manager at NGC Nafees, top importers and exporters of wallpapers, flooring and fabric in the Middle East. Formed three decades ago, the business also offers high-quality panoramics, coordinated fabrics, and creative stickers for residential and commercial projects.
