How to Design the Perfect Room for Your Toddler
When it is finally time to transition your little one from sleeping in a crib to a toddler bed, there are likely going to be more than a few alterations that you will want to make to their room as a whole. Naturally, the needs of a toddler are far different from those of an infant, and you want to create a space for your little one that he or she can grow into. From changing out their bed to adding in some fun elements for playtime, there are multiple directions that you can go with your toddler’s new setup.
It is important to bear in mind the fact that transitioning into a toddler bed can be an overwhelming time. You don’t necessarily want to throw too much at your toddler too fast. It can be really helpful to keep the original design of their nursery in mind as you go through the planning process. Ultimately, though, by keeping familiar elements in the picture such as wall hangings and favorite toys, you can create a space that your little one will love and that will also have the functionality that you need.
If you are looking to redesign your child’s room so that it is more fit for their next stage in life, here are a few tips that will help you create the perfect room for your toddler.
Start with the Furniture
The main reason that you are pulling the trigger on such a design project probably has to do with the fact that your sweet baby is now a walking, exploring toddler. Whether you have waited until they have figured out how to climb up and out of the crib, or if you sense that the restrictions of a crib are no longer necessary for your little one, chances are that switching from a crib to a bed is the driving factor behind this endeavor.
Since transitioning your toddler to an age and size appropriate bed is your starting point, so should the rest of the furniture in the room be. When you change out the bed, it is also likely time to change out other pieces of furniture too. For instance, it is unlikely that your toddler can fit on a changing table anymore, so use this opportunity to explore other storage solutions.
Moreover, the clothes that your wee one wears are significantly bigger than those tiny onesies that they wore in the early months. This means that the wardrobe you have been using to store their clothes is probably too small to accommodate the clothes that they are in now.
You can also use this opportunity to add in some extra pieces if you have the space for it. Your little one will likely be spending more time playing in their room, so you can feel free to switch out the feeding chair that you used to use for those late-night feeds for a fun bean bag chair from Fombag. This will be a great place for your toddler to sit for the five minutes a day that they don’t spend running about the place. If you place it next to a toddler-friendly bookcase filled with their favorite picture books, you might even be able to get them to sit still for a full ten minutes a day! Thankfully, such things also make great additions to any fort that you and your little one feel like building.
Use Toys as Décor
The transition into a big-kid bed can be incredibly stressful for a toddler. You will very likely be spending a night or two on the floor next to them while they get used to this big change in their little world. For this reason, you will probably want to keep as many other familiar pieces in the design of your toddler’s room as possible. By using familiar toys as design elements, for instance, you can help your child feel more at home and comfortable with their new situation.
If you child has amassed a great number of stuffed animals, you can arrange them on a shelf or in a soft basket for the corner. This little “zoo” of stuffed animals will provide some familiar faces that your child will recognize. Let them know that any time they feel worried or scared, their animal friends are right there to help with a cuddle.
Another idea is to hang some secure shelves on the wall where a few of your child’s older toys that they have since outgrown can live. For instance, you can arrange the simple blocks that they used to be amazed by in a fun way on a shelf. Not only will this make for an adorable decorative piece, but the familiarity of such toys will help your toddler feel that this is their space.
Find the Right Balance of Color
When you were first designing your baby’s nursery, you likely went with a softer color scheme that would be more conducive to a calming, sleep-encouraging environment for your new little one. While you don’t want to depart from that concept entirely, your toddler is going to be using their room for playing as well as sleeping these days. With that in mind, you can be a bit more adventurous with the colors you choose. You don’t want to go overboard, though, as you don’t want to disrupt sleep by adding in too many bright and stimulating colors.
Rather, look to incorporate some brighter colors in the décor pieces that you choose as opposed to changing the color of the walls to something brighter. Your goal should be to find a balance between the softer colors that encourage sleep and the more fun, bright colors for playtime. It can help to keep the brighter colors confined to areas away from the bed, such as to the toybox on the other side of the room. With little touches of color here and there, you can create a fun space that won’t disrupt your toddler’s sleep.