Sentiments on Designing A Child’s Bedroom
What is a more sacred space than that we create for children — to sleep, to dream, to ponder the world, to find comfort in home, and wonder and exploration through stories? The books on the shelves, the artwork on the walls, the layered heirlooms, furniture, — the details to honor the natural world to which I hope they come to cherish most.
It is an honor to create a space where magic, comfort, and dreaming are at the forefront of design. I have written previously about designing my son’s bedroom, one focused on the natural world. Dubbing it the tree house, the views directly into the woods surrounding our home provide curiosities about his own little Hundred Acre Wood.
My daughter’s room has come to elicit another type of magic altogether. Still inspired greatly by nature, with wallcovering, antique artwork, dried hydrangeas, rabbits, and another beautiful view looking over our family garden, Natalie’s room has evolved into a magical world of self-expression where she learns, and grows, and is surrounded by meaning.
A National Geographic map of the world, plenty of cozy nooks to curl up with a book, heirloom antique furniture, layers of pillows and blankets old and new, this space has become one of the coziest and warmest rooms in our home.
Her Jenny Lind bed was mine growing up, as well as the matching antique child’s version that has for a second generation proven it’s worth housing cherished stuffed animals and American Girl dolls.
The antique bureau that sits proudly displays family photographs, small keepsakes, and is always a joy to style seasonally. And she most recently now uses the floral motif pillowcases hand-embroidered by her great-grandmother.
And speaking of seasonal rotations, we sourced an antique dish rack and placed directly above her headboard to house our constant rotation of books. After all, aside from comfort, instilling a love of reading and stories is core to how we use this space together. Evening rituals where we take part in reading together has become a pastime that we all look forward to as a family.
We are intentional about keeping art supplies and toys in our playroom to allow Natalie to decide what things she likes to keep in her room, while being cognizant of not over-cluttering her space. I periodically do a deep dive to refresh clothing, and to decide what one or two special things she has worked on or loves that should be displayed. Perhaps something that she made at school or that we built together will hang from her jewelry rack and sit atop her book shelves.
It is here within these walls that children begin to develop a sense of compassion, an understanding of who they are, and an understanding of the world around them. Through their eyes, we have the opportunity to create whimsy, creativity, and hope. We cultivate their uniqueness and celebrate who they are. After all, it is the room where they typically spend the most of their time. It is the first space that they see in the morning, and their last view before drifting off to sleep.
As a designer, it is spaces like these in which I enjoy putting the most thought and care.