Thursday, August 6, 2009

Bedroom Makeover - Get The Kids Doing The Work!

If you're thinking of re-decorating your child's bedroom, you should involve them right at the beginning with the planning stage and make them responsible for ensuring that their room is redecorated to their taste and style. That way, not only will they appreciate just how much effort and money is required to get their room the way they like it, they'll also keep it in pristine condition. Well, maybe that's hoping a little too much, but getting them involved is a positive step on the road to learning valuable life lessons such as responsibility and independence.

By getting your children to draft the plans for their bedrooms you'll help stimulate their imagination and enthusiasm as they realise that they can shape their own living environment. Of course, you might have to temper their demands a little; turning their bedroom into a simulated space station or pony's stable might be a step too far, but you'll both have fun deciding what is acceptable and what is affordable.

You'll also help your children develop their spatial awareness and planning skills as they soon realise that they have to find furniture to fit their room, as the other way round is really not an option! Making the best use of those little nooks and crannies for storage space and which way round to put the bed will be examples of some of the challenges that they face. Indeed which bed to plump for: single, double, bunk, cabin or for those with absolutely no space issues - the ultimate king-size - will also be another choice they must consider, under your wise guidance of course!

They can also learn some valuable financial skills by being set a budget for the entire project, and planning skills will be advanced by giving them a timescale within which they must complete the makeover. When it comes to buying the necessary bits and pieces you can either drag them down to the local shops or give them the alternative of sourcing their own furniture, curtains and bedding accessories online. Chances are they'll go for the latter option, especially if they are teenagers, as that involves by far the least effort!

So, if you are at a stage where one of more of your kid's bedrooms is in need of a touch of redecoration or they've simply outgrown their existing furniture and decor, then get them involved. It will be a rewarding exercise for both you and them, and what's more they'll end up living in a room for which they have decided the decor. You never know, they may even take more pride in its appearance; you can only hope!

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.

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