KidSpace Stuff

Kids’ Room Double-Duty Storage

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 302013

Stylish Storage Solutions. That ‘s what parents say they want when we talk kids’ room design. What they really want is stylish storage that serves two purposes—meaning kids’ room double duty storage.

Double-duty storage is great for small spaces because it serves two purposes. The real trick is making sure both can be used simultaneously or easy to switch from one to the other.

For instance, the top photo shows a mounted shelf. Double duty? The drawer. Both usable at the same time.

Photo to the right shows storage supporting the bed. The pull out desk is a 3^rd bonus.

Easy….storage stools. Lift the lid, fill the cavity, sit on it. Need I say more?

Introducing…..the bench-bed-bookcase. Does three count?

Is it a bookcase or is it a dresser? Doesn’t really matter—it’s double duty with both accessible at the same time.

Now this is stylish! A play table for kids with storage for any kidstuff they can fit in the drawer. Need to save space? Get creative and look for double-duty storage.

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More storage ideas can be found here and here:

Unusual Places to Store Kids’ Books, Activity Center Storage Ideas, Kids’ Bathroom Unique Storage Ideas, Top Family Room Storage Ideas, Awesome Bike Storage Idea, and Tips on Teen Room Storage.

Eco-Friendly Kids’ Bedroom Ideas

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 292013

I recently read an article on ideas to make your kid’s bedroom eco-friendly and was amazed at how the term eco-friendly is so misunderstood. It is often used interchangeably with “green”, sustainable, and organic.

Eco-friendly actually means not harmful to the environment….reduced, minimal or no harm at all to ecosystems. It is a combination of all the current buzzwords touted for many products on the market—green + sustainable + organic = eco-friendly.

I have already written about the differences between green, sustainable and organic (see it here) and have a series of posts on eco-friendly fabrics, furniture, and finishes in the Series: Green, Organic Kids’ Rooms.

Now I have a few more ideas on how to apply it all to your kids’ rooms.

Organic

Organic refers to the way things are grown….and there is no such thing as “organic furniture” but fabrics may be made of organic fibers.

Organic fabrics may be eco-friendly if they are free of harmful dyes, not just organically grown.

Sustainable

This means responsibly sourced products used…..or reused by recycling materials to keep them out of the landfill.

recycled pallets for kids indoor playhouse

Indoor playhouse made from recycled pallets. Now that’s creative reuse!

Recycled canvas bean bag and tent for kids’ room accessories…..”use it up” in a stylish new way!

Green

Green refers to reduction of harmful environmental impact…..water, energy, air and materials.

eco-friendly chalk paint on recycled furniture

Use low VOC paint for healthier indoor air….and choose paint that can be used on ANY surface, including recycled old furniture, like chalk paint shown here.

Green furniture sustainably produced with non-toxic finishes, responsible recycling, and environmentally conscious practices……and it’s beautiful design too!

Finding eco-friendly furnishings and accessories for kids’ bedrooms has become easier over the last decade. The best part? Styles have improved and more options are available which makes the task of designing eco-friendly kids’ rooms much easier too.

Warm and Cool Color Schemes for Teen Rooms

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 252013

What is it that makes colors warm or cool? Could it be a physiological link to fiery red or sunny yellow hues creating warmth? Or maybe the emotional connection to ocean blue that keeps us cool? Either way, knowing how to use warm and cool color schemes for teen rooms makes a difference in comfort.

Half of the color wheel is considered warm—the other half is cold. Nothing new or earth shattering here…..you have heard this before. It’s just that each half has different psychological effects on humans, which affects how you use color.

Cool Colors

Blues, greens, and purples on the color wheel
Appears to recede making space expand
Tends to make us feel colder
Great for homes in warm climates or west facing rooms
Calming, peaceful, serene, and tranquil

Warm Colors

Reds, yellows, and oranges on the color wheel
Appears to advance toward you making space feel smaller
Creates feeling of intimacy and closeness
Makes people feel warmer
Used in colder climates to increase feeling of warmth
Great to use in rooms with northern exposure

Everyone perceives color differently but the feeling of warmth and coolness tends to be universal. Keep this in mind when selecting color schemes. If your child is often cold, add warmer colors like rich reds and oranges to their room. If cool colors like blue or green are favorites, try a complementary or triadic scheme.

Color is a powerful tool of change in a room…..including using warm and cool colors to affect the feelings of physical comfort. After looking at the rooms shown, did you “feel” the difference?

Watch the Kids’ Room Color Essentials design basics to cover the following:

Light and Dark
Warm and Cool
Chroma and Intensity
Tints, Tones, and Shades
Monochromatic Schemes
Analogous Schemes
Triadic Schemes
Complementary Schemes

Kids’ Room Color Schemes {Jolly Green}

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 242013

For the kid who loves green and wants a room full of the color…..and for the parent who really doesn’t want to see green each time they walk through the door, there is a way to enjoy happy hues (in this case, what I call jolly green) without overwhelm.

It’s called “cooling strategies.” Take that overwhelming color and make it manageable by surrounding with neutrals or more temperate tones. For color, blues work perfectly with green as does a little rusty red. Black, white, and warm woods are neutrals you can use for variety.

Here are a few rooms that took a jolt of jolly green and toned it down with blues, neutrals, and woods.

Jolly green and navy blue are perfect companions for a boy’s room. Used on the wall, green attracts the eye creating a focal point for an art wall. Nice addition of deep red for an accent too.

Jolly green makes a dramatic backdrop for sports artwork on the wall in a boy’s bedroom.

green and blue bloys room with black accents

Another mixture of strong green and blue, this time with black accents added to the scheme.

Balanced with shades of blue, crisp white, and natural wood tones, pops of bright green can also work well for a baby nursery color scheme.

Mixed with white and warm wood floor for a monochromatic scheme, jolly green can easily work alone. The key is balance…..not too much of a good thing.

See….that was easy. Don’t you like green a little better now?

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More Kids’ Room Color Schemes:

Girls’ Room Butterfly Accessories

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 232013

Bugs and insects are not on my top 10 favorites list for girls’ room accessories—but then there’s the butterfly. Colorful little creatures that “please the eye and gladden the heart”….and just perfect for using for little girls’ bedroom decor.

From paper to paint to patterned fabric, the butterfly symbolizes so many wonderful things like freedom to let your spirit soar and the wonders of nature.

With its amazing transformation into a winged-marvel, who would dare call it an insect? Here are a few ways to let your creativity soar in your daughter’s bedroom.

Paper butterflies adorning a wall

butterfly bedding and artrwork for girls bedroom

Butterfly bedding and mounted artwork

Baby nursery mobile


“Time Flies” clock	Baby footprint butterflies

Colorful butterflies from old book pages

Really Cool Levitating Table

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 222013

This falls into the category of amazing and really cool stuff…..something too cool to not share. Scrolling through one of the blogs I read, I found a table like none other in design—a levitating table.

Looks solid, but it’s not. Or maybe, it is solid but moveable. No, maybe it’s solid floating in mid-air while sitting on the floor.

It is a combination of wood, magnets, and stainless steel…..but you have to watch the short video to get the full effect.

RPR Float Table from RockPaperRobot on Vimeo.

Want to amaze your kids with something really cool and unique? Just get a Levitating Table by RPR…..they might just get a little more excited about physics class!

Light or Dark = Kids’ Room Color Drama

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 182013

Did you know light or dark colors both equally create drama in kids’ rooms? Yep. When used in the right places, polar opposites on the spectrum can create an amazing dramatic color scheme. Here’s how……

Drama with Light Colors

Creating a dramatic kids’ room color scheme using light colors doesn’t mean every surface is white or a light tint of color. You still need contrast but in the right places. Light colors are an amazing background for dramatic artwork and accessories.

Light colors have the ability to:

Create bright airy looking rooms.
Trick the eye into making small spaces look bigger.
Make ceilings look higher.
Let dramatic patterns on carpet or furnishings be a focal point without competition.
Reflect light brightening basement rooms or north-facing rooms with little or no natural light.

light colors for baby nursery color scheme

Dramatic pattern on the area rug and baby blanket becomes a focal point in a baby nursery with a light color scheme. Pattern, texture, and varying shades create interest. Beautiful bright, airy room!

light colors make small space seem larger

Just think how small this space would appear if the walls were dark. Light colored walls, floor, and white ceiling create a feeling of openness in small attic spaces.

Drama with Dark Colors

Dark colors automatically create a feeling of drama in a room because they tend to dominate a space. The key to using dark colors without overwhelming a room is placement and using the right amount. Don’t overdo a good thing!

Dark colors have the ability to:

Create cozy spaces—great for quiet rooms like reading areas and study centers.
Provide excellent camouflage for ugly surfaces.
Dominate a room for a dramatic effect.
Absorb light making large rooms look smaller, more intimate.
Make light and bright furniture and accents stand out.

dark color scheme for teen girls bedroom

Dark colored furniture, draperies, and accessories create a cozy teen bedroom. Notice how the comforter’s large floral pattern stands out, giving the room a little more dramatic effect in addition to dramatic use of plum and dark gold.

How dramatic is navy against white? Plus, the red accents and chevron pillow pattern pop against navy blue in this cozy reading corner.

Using color effectively can enhance any kids’ space. The right placement of light or dark colors creates the drama kids love in a room they call their own.

Need more on color? Read the Kids’ Room Color Essentials design basics covering:

Light and Dark
Warm and Cool
Chroma and Intensity
Tints, Tones, and Shades
Monochromatic Schemes
Analogous Schemes
Triadic Schemes
Complementary Schemes

Really Unique Bunkrooms for Kids

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 172013

If your last round of holiday or summer guests was a little unorganized and you have room for a bunkroom…..now is the time to get started because I guarantee—they’ll be back! And if you want to keep them coming back, nothing is more exciting than a really unique bunkroom for kids to call home during a visit.

Why not try one of these amazing ideas……

Sailboats everywhere…..on the walls, the ceiling, and even the beds! Pure fun and adventure awaits as each visitor takes on the sea. I’m sure imaginations will go wild….as will the fish tales.

bright green painted bunkroom cubes for kids

Colorful cubicles can easily fill a corner in a large room, each with plenty of space and light for reading, playing, or talking to other guests

It’s a log cabin life……with a rustic, western look used to fill small, unused spaces in attic, alcoves, or lofts.

Reminiscent of the original “bunkroom” from the ranch, tuck your little “hired hands” in bed each night in a room stacked with beds surrounded by barnwood.

Utilize a loft or room with a vaulted ceiling by going up, up, up with beds. Love the combination of old wood beams with metal ladders and railings plus the pop of orange for eye candy.

What a view! Two over three with storage bins below the bed. Who could resist bunking in a room like this one…..watching the sunrise for sure!

Need more bunkroom ideas? Check out Kids’ Unique Bunkrooms, Awesome Bunkrooms at Grandma’s, Unique Nautical Bunkrooms, and the Kids’ Bunk Room Essentials Series for storage, privacy, and small space ideas.

Drawing Art on Kids’ Room Walls

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 162013

Do your kids like to draw “art” on the wall? Some of mine did but not too often (thank goodness!) and it was mostly light, easy to clean stuff.

When I found the photos in this post, it turned my thoughts to “what if drawing on the wall was really art instead of just scribbles?”

I’m not talking about painted murals or anything elaborate….not even color-by-number or wallpaper, just black and white line drawings.

I LOVE the cityscape behind the collection of toy cars. What a great place for little boys to play!

Artwork designed for timeout…..cute and simple.

Vintage room décor? Draw old suitcases on the wall when you don’t have room to stack the real thing.

Who doesn’t love a Vespa! Great addition to a playroom or bedroom designed around travel.

Featuring your budding artist-in-residence…..organic, continuous thoughts on the wall.

And, when you tire of the drawing on the wall, there’s always paint to cover and restore the walls back to the ordinary. Hmmm…..I see a project beginning.

3 Reasons Parents want LED Showerheads

Posted by jsimpson at 10:00 am

Apr 152013

Have you seen the LED showerheads? I think it is really ingenious design but there are 3 reasons parents want them for the kids’ bathroom….and it’s more than just getting them to bathe!

1) Protection from Scalding: You don’t have to wait for kids to scream “it’s cold” or cry when it’s hot—a temperature sensor within the unit causes the color to change….blue for cold, red for hot, and green for “just right”!

2) Extra Light in the Bathroom: The LED light illuminates the waterfall—no batteries needed as the light is powered by running water.

3) Easy Retrofit: Most units match with any standard shower hose for a quick change-out of the old head for the new and hand held units are great for bathing little tykes.

Price will range from $10 to $250. To make sure you get a unit that will last, remember, you get what you pay for…..stick with a company that sells quality fixtures.

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