This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lauren Behfarin, founder of Little Room Supply. It has been edited for length and clarity.
When I became a mom 12 years ago, everything changed. I’d been working in IT, but suddenly that career didn’t feel like a good fit. I was existing in the world of newborns, and I wanted to be able to work from home with my daughter.
That’s when I started my career as an interior designer, focused on children’s spaces. As a mom, I understand what works in these spaces and why it’s important to design for parents who love it.
Now my kids are 12, 10, and 6. We’re transitioning into phase two of parenting: no more bouncy chairs and playmats, but lots of sports. Through the last decade, I’ve learned a lot about designing a room for parents and kids. Here’s how to begin.
Start with one piece you love
Designing can be intimidating. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with one piece you love. Maybe it’s a crib you adore, or a piece of art you’ve been saving for years. One of my clients used a framed piece of music their grandparents had written, which became the inspiration for the whole room.
If you don’t have anything in mind, look at wallpaper prints that can accent a room. From that starting point, you can gather tones, fabrics, and textures to match.
Take your kids’ suggestions with a grain of salt
Too often, parents get stuck on what their kids want. Your daughter might tell you she wants everything in her room to be purple. I’m here to tell you, lovingly, that your daughter doesn’t yet know what she’s talking about.
As parents, we redirect all the time. Don’t be afraid to do that when it comes to design. Show your child a few print options, but only offer choices you’re happy with. Remember, you can make the kids happy while also redirecting.
Design with the next phase of childhood in mind
Kids grow so fast that by the time you’ve accepted one stage, they’re on to the next. That’s a challenge when you’re decorating. For more permanent features, like wallpaper, I always guide people away from specific interests. Don’t paste the walls with bunnies or horses — shapes, stripes, or tie dye patterns are more likely to stand the test of time.
This works with furniture too. I always select cribs that convert into toddler beds. My son, who is 10, uses a dresser that doubled as a changing table when he was a baby. Choosing items and designing with your next phase in mind will help save you time and money.
Coordinate with the rest of your home
When you’re working on a playroom or kids’ bedroom, it’s easy to think of it in isolation. Yet, I’ve found the aesthetic flows much better if it’s cohesive with the rest of the house. You don’t want to walk into one room and suddenly feel like you’re in a Gymboree.
Approach this by thinking about your family’s tastes. Then, just put a child-friendly twist on it. If that sounds too abstract, try this test: leave the door to the bedroom or playroom open. Look down the hall and think about how the areas you can see compare to one another. While every space can have its own personality, the transition between them should flow rather than be jarring.
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