Adapting Your Decor As Your Children Get Older
When I became a mother for the first time, one of the (many) things I quickly realized would never be the same was my home decor. As an interior design enthusiast, who finds a lot of joy in creating a curated space to call home, you can imagine that this was a bit of a hard pill to swallow.
While it’s no surprise that yes, you will have to sacrifice some of your more adult spaces for a child-friendly set-up, one thing that I didn’t take into consideration is how often these spaces will have to change as your kids get older! Getting your home ready for kids is not a one-and-done process — the way your home is set up for babies will not be the same as it is set up for toddlers.
So, as your kids continue to grow — and let’s face it, they grow so fast! — it’s important that your decor adapts with their age. Here are some tips based on my own experience with this that will hopefully put your mind at ease and help you to transition seamlessly from year to year…without breaking the bank to keep up!
Don’t splurge on the nursery
If you’re about to become a mom for the first time, I get it — getting your space ready for your newborn is one of the most exciting times of the journey! However, it’s important to remember that the baby phase goes by so quickly and most of the time, your baby will be in your room with you. So, even though it may take all the self-control in the world, I encourage you to not overspend on a nursery if you’re hoping to be budget conscious. There will be plenty of opportunities to decorate your child’s room in later stages of their lives and these spaces will have a much longer use than a nursery — trust me!
Keep things neutral
I may be biased (if you follow me on the gram, you know I love a good beige aesthetic) but keeping your color palette neutral is a great way to keep your decor adaptable throughout all of your children’s stages. This goes especially for the bigger pieces, like beds, dressers, tables, etc.
Much like with any trend, popular kids' styles and fads come and go — especially as your kids get older and begin to show interest in various shows, books, or movies (any Frozen parents out there?). In these cases, have fun with the smaller decor accents! I’m talking accessories, textiles, decals, and removable wallpaper. It’s not only more affordable, but a lot easier to keep up with the revolving door of trends.
Storage, storage, storage!
Two words: bins and baskets. The number one most important thing to incorporate into your decor as a new parent is storage. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your spaces can become toy rooms if you’re not careful, so having unassuming pieces of furniture that also store toys, blankets, and more will save your life.
On the flip side, even if the pieces don’t allow for storage, investing in convertible furniture that can have multiple uses is a must. Who doesn’t love a pull out couch for movie night that can easily transform back into a nice sofa for when you have guests over? As your children grow, be strategic with your decor and make every space count.
As you all know, my kids are still growing and I am sure that I will run into several more occasions when I have to switch things up especially as they start to go to school! However, with these things in mind, I am ready for it — and for everything I learn along the way, I guess I’ll just have to write a sequel to this blog!
What are some of your go-to ways to keep your decor adaptable as your kids get older? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks.
xo BJS