Safety Precautions for Decorating Kids Rooms

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©Ken Vaughn A cozy sleeping area in a child’s room adorned with kids’ decorations.

While you may not be able to fulfill every wish on your child’s (or your own!) wish list, there are a few essential requirements for each age group that you should concentrate on.

When it comes to decorating your child’s room, safety is a significant concern. Therefore, before using furniture, toys, paints, and fabrics to decorate, you should examine them. Even the location of your child’s bed in relation to the door is a decision that is influenced by safety.

The subsequent pages provide a detailed explanation of the precautions you should take when decorating your child’s room. You can find these pages here:

Safety Tips for a Baby’s Nursery

When decorating your baby’s first room, safety should be your top priority. Learn decorating tips that will ensure your baby sleeps safely and soundly.

Safety Tips for a Toddler’s Room

Parents must be vigilant during the “terrible twos” when safety is a constant concern. Get decorating ideas that cater specifically to a toddler’s needs.

Safety Tips for a Preschooler’s Room

Safety Tips for a Grade-Schooler’s Room

Safety Tips for a Preteen’s Room

Safety Tips for a Teenager’s Room

Decorating your teen’s room is a collaborative effort between you and your child. Learn decorating ideas that accommodate your teen’s sense of style and your need for a safe space.

On the next page, you’ll find safety tips for your baby’s nursery.

To discover more decorating ideas for your children’s rooms, explore:

• Kids’ Rooms
• Baby Nursery Decorating Ideas
• Toddler Bedroom Decorating Ideas
• Kids’ Bedroom Decorating Ideas
• Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas
• Playroom Decorating Ideas
• Kids’ Bathroom Decorating Ideas

Safety Tips for a Baby’s Nursery

A rocking chair makes it easier to spend more time with your baby, which is beneficial for both the baby and you.

A safe place to sleep, a secure spot to change diapers, and a comfortable area for feeding, cuddling, and rocking are all basic yet essential requirements for babies. In reality, a comfortable rocking or gliding chair is just as important as a bed and changing table. Scientific studies have shown that babies require a lot of cuddling to thrive both physically and mentally. If you’re a new parent, you’re probably exhausted and stressed, so make it as simple as possible to spend some face-to-face time with your baby. Both of you will be healthier as a result!

Babies require a comfortable bed as they sleep for most of the time. While a bassinet or cradle may be appealing, these options are only safe for a few months before babies start to move and roll. If a bassinet is in use, it should be on a sturdy base that doesn’t move, and if a cradle is in use, it should not rock more than a few inches on either side to prevent the baby from falling. A well-made crib may be a more practical option, and a young infant can be swaddled to give them a sense of comfort in a smaller enclosure. It’s important not to fill the bed with stuffed animals and pillows, except during playtime. Soft items should be confined to bumper pads that are securely tied and thin blankets that won’t pose a smothering hazard. Babies can often find themselves in situations they can’t get out of.

A changing table will be used frequently, so it’s important to choose a good one. A waist-high chest of drawers can be made into a changing table, but it’s crucial to add a top with a low guardrail and a waterproof pad. Although a chest may be more versatile, it’s not as safe as a changing table, so it’s not recommended. A changing table with open shelves below is easier to reach, and a safety strap that goes across the baby’s middle is essential. It’s important to be able to reach things with one hand while keeping the other hand on the baby.

To assist with midnight feedings and diaper changing, an overhead light on a dimmer that can be switched on from the door for safety reasons is recommended. Choose a room-darkening shade to make daytime naps easier.

When decorating walls, it’s important to remember that babies can’t see subtle colors and details until they’re between six and nine months old. Strongly contrasting colors and simple patterns work better, such as two dots and a curve within a circle that suggests human eyes and a smiling mouth. If vivid colors aren’t preferred, a pastel can be paired with a dark or bright accent hue that can be changed as the child grows. Restful pastel hues throughout the room can also be used with age-appropriate toys for visual stimulation.

Newborns’ sight may be lacking, but their hearing and sense of touch are fully developed at birth. Safe toys with a variety of textures and soft melodic sounds can be used to stimulate them. Crib toys and mobiles that move or play music add attractive color and pattern to the room, but it’s important to ensure that any hanging toys the baby can reach are safe and do not have small detachable parts.

As toddlers grow and their reach increases, it’s crucial to consider decorating ideas that keep them safe.

If you’re looking for more ideas to decorate your children’s rooms, be sure to check out the following: Kids’ Rooms, Baby Nursery Decorating Ideas, Toddler Bedroom Decorating Ideas, Kids’ Bedroom Decorating Ideas, Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas, Playroom Decorating Ideas, and Kids’ Bathroom Decorating Ideas.

When it comes to safety tips for a toddler’s room, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that everything is clean and safe. Avoid hanging tablecloths, breakable or heavy items on tables and shelves, and sharp corners on any furniture. Toddlers will use any vertical item to pull themselves up, so choose sturdy and stable furniture. It’s also important to have clean and resilient floors, or carpeting or rugs that are slip-proof. Depending on your child’s activity level and height, you may want to consider transitioning to a low youth bed.

As your child enters the preschool years, you can start incorporating more decorations with storybook or cartoon characters. Just remember to keep safety in mind and avoid items with small parts that could be easily reached. It’s also important to have storage space to keep toys and clothes off the floor.

If you have a young child who still sleeps in a crib, it might be time to consider transitioning to a bigger bed. While youth beds in fun shapes like race cars or spaceships exist, they may not be the most practical choice due to their limited appeal and questionable quality. Instead, a good alternative is to place a high-quality twin box spring and mattress directly on the floor. This solution is easy and practical, especially since it will only be used for a year or two. To complete the look, add colorful and washable bed linens and a comforter.

At this age, toy storage is crucial since kids tend to accumulate a lot of toys and may struggle with cleaning them up. To make things easier for both you and your child, opt for low, open storage bins, baskets, and shelves with smooth surfaces and rounded corners for safety. Under-the-bed storage drawers on wheels are also a practical option for keeping less-used items out of the way. Additionally, a classic toy chest with a flat top can provide ample storage and an extra play surface, as long as you reinforce the hinges and remove any locks. A low chest of drawers is usually sufficient for clothes storage, but adding a few low, rounded pegs can make hanging items like jackets, overalls, and robes much easier.

Since children at this age like to play wherever you are, make sure to have easily accessible baskets for collecting toys that tend to end up all over the house. If you have the space, dedicate some low shelves for toys in the family room. However, if space is limited, a couple of large, attractive baskets can help with cleanup.

Lastly, make sure the floor is clean and comfortable for your child to play on. While wall-to-wall carpeting provides great comfort, it may not be the most practical choice if your child likes to do craft projects. Consider layering a washable rug or two, or using nonslip rugs on top of easy-to-clean resilient or wood flooring. When choosing rugs or carpets, opt for mid-tone hues with some gray, brown, or taupe undertones, since very dark or light solid colors show every spill and stain. A strongly patterned rug in midrange jewel tones will hide stains even better and add timeless style.

For children aged two to five, a child-sized table and chairs are perfect, and can later be used as a lamp table or an accessory to hold potted plants or towels. If space or budget is an issue, a round-cornered end table and footstool can be used as pint-sized furniture as long as the seat and table height are appropriate. It is important to ensure that the table has enough surface area for projects and that the child’s feet touch the floor. Additionally, a small table can be placed bedside to hold a lamp and storybook. A floor lamp is an alternative, as long as it has a heavyweight base and is not within reach of children. Children at this age are susceptible to scary thoughts and feelings, and to avoid this, it is recommended to keep closet doors closed, use a small night-light, and provide a security blanket or “lovie” for them to cuddle with. It is essential to ensure that the child feels secure and comfortable. For children aged six to eight, decorating ideas should be based on their opinions and likes. Safety is also important, and it is recommended to use bunk beds and loft beds with safety rails on both sides and to ensure that the mattress is below the top of the rail. Loft beds with storage and a desk below can also be a clever solution for shared bedrooms.

As young grade-schoolers start having sleepovers, it’s important to plan how to accommodate these guests. A trundle bed is ideal, but an inflatable air mattress or sleeping bag on an area rug can also work. Make sure there’s a night-light in the bedroom and bathroom, as well as a lighted path to the bathroom for the comfort and safety of young guests.

By age eight, most kids have outgrown their child-size table and chairs, so it’s time to consider putting a desk and work chair in the room. Even if your child does most of their homework in the kitchen or family room, they still need a dedicated study spot to store paperwork and develop responsible work habits. Plan for a student desk and chair, a full-size desk and chair, or a chair with a seat that can be raised. Also, include storage like a two-drawer file cabinet. If your child will be using the computer anywhere in the house, make sure it’s on a desktop that allows for comfortable, strain-free use. Good task lighting is also essential to prevent eyestrain, so put a lamp at your child’s desk and another at their bedside.

At this age, toys of all kinds can be found everywhere, and more storage with cubbyholes, drawers, and compartments can come in handy. Opt for good-looking open storage containers if you want kids to help with tidying up. For clothes and toys, systems that require neat stacking and folding may not work as well as those that allow items to be tossed into storage units. Kids might be willing to part with some of their toys, clothes, and collections from their younger years to clear out the clutter, but don’t be surprised if they are hesitant. Consider donating to children in need or having a garage sale where kids can keep the money made from their old toys and clothing. If all else fails, transfer the outgrown items to the attic or basement.

As your child transitions from a kid to a preteen, their room will likely need a change as well. Get decorating ideas for a safe preteen space on the next page.

For more ideas on decorating your children’s rooms, take a look at:

• Kids’ Rooms
• Baby Nursery Decorating Ideas
• Toddler Bedroom Decorating Ideas
• Kids’ Bedroom Decorating Ideas
• Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas
• Playroom Decorating Ideas
• Kids’ Bathroom Decorating Ideas

Safety Tips for Decorating a Preteen’s Room

Kids between the ages of nine and twelve are in a transitional phase between childhood and adolescence. As they begin to express themselves more through their living spaces, it’s also important for them to gain peer approval. While toys are still important, collections, hobbies, electronic devices, music, and clothing become more significant. Finding storage solutions for all of these items can be challenging, but they can also be used as a basis for decorating.

Preteens and teenagers want to have a say in how their rooms are decorated. Encourage them to express their individuality through displays of their interests, hobbies, and accomplishments, while still leaving room for celebrity posters and memorabilia.

A large cork bulletin board, framed and covered in a kid-friendly fabric, makes a great gift for this age group. Depending on their preferences, the fabric can feature anything from rainbows to race cars. Alternatively, consider a leopard or zebra skin print, jewel-tone stripes, or another funky pattern that complements the room’s color scheme.

At this age, bunk beds and other childish structures will likely fall out of favor. A bunk bed set that can be converted into two twin beds or a daybed with a studio apartment look may better meet their needs. Girls may want a dressing table, while a student desk may be outgrown, and open-bin storage units may no longer suffice.

If you’ve already purchased furniture with an eye to the future, a classic twin bed or a daybed with a trundle will work just fine. Otherwise, you may want to consider a full-size (double) bed or a more grown-up-looking twin bed. Dressers and chests of drawers become more important, as do hutches or bookcases with open shelving to display trophies and other treasured items.

A full-size desk and an adjustable-height desk chair are essential now, as many preteens begin to prefer to do homework in their rooms. At this age, unsupervised Internet use can be a concern, but a computer is likely to be a necessity for schoolwork. Consider designating your child’s bedroom desk as the spot for paperwork and simple project typing, and keeping the Internet-connected computer in the family room. Good task lighting is important, positioned to provide ample illumination on pages but no glare on the computer screen.

While preteens don’t play on the floor as much, they still enjoy lounging there. If you have a “no messy snacks in the bedroom” rule, consider indulging them with a new carpet. Regardless, a few big, colorful floor pillows are sure to be a hit with after-school and sleepover crowds.

At this age, children are more interested in clothes but less interested in taking care of them. To encourage them to be neater, provide plenty of drawers, cubbyholes, or shelves so that everything is visible and it’s easier to put outfits together quickly on busy school mornings. Hooks or pegs are better than hangers, but you can start introducing both. If you want to redecorate your preteen’s room, safe decorating tips for teenage bedrooms are available on the next page. For more decorating ideas for children’s rooms, check out the Kids’ Rooms, Baby Nursery Decorating Ideas, Toddler Bedroom Decorating Ideas, Kids’ Bedroom Decorating Ideas, Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas, Playroom Decorating Ideas, and Kids’ Bathroom Decorating Ideas.

If you didn’t redecorate your preteen’s room, it’s a good idea to do it now. Work together with your teen to create a look that you both like and will last for a while. A new bed ensemble and wall paint can be done on most budgets. If adult-size furniture is needed, good quality hand-me-downs can be refinished. A computer armoire or desk/hutch may be the only new pieces needed, and ready-to-finish furniture stores offer pieces that can coordinate with existing furniture.

For practicality’s sake, skip pastel velvety carpets and choose a more robust variety in a tweedy midtone hue or an Oriental-style rug with jewel-tone patterns that give a grown-up look and hide spills. Replace floor cushions and beanbag chairs with a small easy chair for a guest to add an adult touch. A professional closet-organizing system is the best investment you can make for your teen, but if it’s not within your budget, DIY racking and stacking systems are available through home storage and organization specialty retailers. Large framed cork bulletin boards are perfect for posters and other teen treasures, and you can change the cover fabric and add extra boards. Teens have many hobbies and serious levels of homework, so make it easy for them to build their futures from a safe place at home.

When designing a bedroom for your child, safety should be your top priority. By following these tips, you can create a comfortable and secure space for your little one while also giving yourself peace of mind. For more ideas on decorating children’s rooms, explore the various options such as baby nursery decorating ideas, toddler bedroom decorating ideas, and kids’ bathroom decorating ideas. The authors of this article, Mary Wynn Ryan and Heidi Tyline King, are both experienced writers and editors in the fields of interior design and home furnishings. Ryan has authored numerous books on interior design and written for various magazines, while King has written about decorating projects and America’s culture and history.

FAQ

1. Why is child safety important when decorating their room?

Child safety is important in any aspect of their life, including their room. Children spend a lot of time in their rooms, playing, sleeping, and studying. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that their environment is safe to prevent accidents and injuries.

2. What are some common hazards in kids’ rooms?

Common hazards in kids’ rooms include loose cords, unsecured furniture, sharp edges on furniture or toys, choking hazards, and inadequate lighting. It is essential to identify these hazards and take appropriate measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of injuries.

3. How can I ensure that my child’s furniture is safe?

You can ensure that your child’s furniture is safe by selecting furniture with rounded edges, securing heavy furniture to the wall with anchors, and avoiding furniture with small parts that can be a choking hazard. Additionally, regularly check furniture for loose screws or parts that may need repair.

4. What are some safe ways to decorate a child’s room?

Safe ways to decorate a child’s room include using non-toxic paint, avoiding small decorative items that can be a choking hazard, and choosing window treatments that are cordless or have cords that are out of reach. Also, consider using soft furnishings such as rugs, cushions, and curtains to add color and texture to the room without posing a risk of injury.

5. How can I ensure that the lighting in my child’s room is safe?

You can ensure that the lighting in your child’s room is safe by avoiding lamps with cords that can be pulled or chewed, using LED bulbs that do not get hot, and placing nightlights in safe locations away from flammable materials. Also, ensure that all electrical outlets have protective covers.

6. What are some safe storage solutions for a child’s room?

Safe storage solutions for a child’s room include using low shelves and bins for toys, avoiding glass containers or jars, and securing heavy or tall furniture to the wall to prevent tipping. Additionally, use child-safe locks on drawers and cabinets that contain potentially hazardous items such as sharp objects or chemicals.

7. What are some safe ways to decorate a child’s crib or bed?

Safe ways to decorate a child’s crib or bed include avoiding loose blankets or pillows, using a firm and well-fitting mattress, and choosing bedding that is made of breathable and non-toxic materials. Additionally, avoid placing the crib or bed near windows or cords that can be a strangulation hazard.

8. How can I ensure that my child’s artwork and decorations are safe?

You can ensure that your child’s artwork and decorations are safe by avoiding glass frames or sharp edges on frames, ensuring that wall-mounted items are securely fastened, and avoiding small decorations that can be a choking hazard. Additionally, regularly check decorations for any signs of wear or damage.

9. What are some safe flooring options for a child’s room?

Safe flooring options for a child’s room include carpet, cork, or rubber flooring. These materials are soft and provide cushioning in case of falls. Additionally, avoid using rugs with loose fibers or small parts that can be a choking hazard.

10. How can I teach my child to be safe in their room?

You can teach your child to be safe in their room by explaining potential hazards, showing them how to use furniture and other items safely, and encouraging them to report any safety concerns to an adult. Additionally, involve your child in the process of identifying and eliminating potential hazards in their room.

11. What should I do if my child is injured in their room?

If your child is injured in their room, seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, identify the cause of the injury and take appropriate measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of future injuries. Finally, comfort your child and provide emotional support during their recovery.