Back to School Room Renovation

Back-to-school is rapidly approaching, and I fondly remember shopping with my grandmother every year for new clothes, shoes and school supplies. It might be a good idea to come up with some new traditions with your own children. For example, try thinking of ways to decorate or update the look of your child’s bedroom. Look at it as an opportunity to create a fresh environment to kick-off a new year of learning.

Here are some tips to help you achieve an A+ makeover. Start with the most inexpensive change you can make, which is to give the bedroom a new coat of paint. Stay away from pastels and opt for more vibrant colors that can transition with them all the way thru their teenage years, such as turquoise, lime and orange. Accent walls can go a long way to infuse style and color in a room, so even if you only paint one wall, it will make a big difference.

If you’re dealing with a small space, or a bedroom shared by two children, it’s important to choose smaller furniture that also does double-duty. For example, in the makeover featured, I used low-profile platform beds, and the desk in the middle can also function as a nightstand for both. The beds up against the wall can also be used as a sofa during the day, creating the look of a mini-studio. Of course, you want to create a fun environment for them to hang out with friends, but you also want to give them all the tools to hit the books and do their homework.

Keep children organized by providing them with a place for everything—such as floating shelves for their books and trophies; corkboards that can be painted the same color as the walls to display photos, diplomas and ribbons; and a storage chest at the foot of the bed is great to keep their book bags, sports equipment, even instruments from band class. The bedroom should be a reflection of the child’s personality, so go ahead and let them express themselves.