Kids’ Room Renovation: Safe Materials, Smart Storage and Room to Grow

Difficulty

Beginner

Time

1 week

A kids' room has to be safe, easy to clean and flexible, because a nursery becomes a toddler room and then a teen's den faster than you'd think. Plan for the next five years, not just this one.

Safety first

• Anchor all tall furniture — dressers, bookcases and wardrobes — to the wall with anti-tip kits. Tip-overs are a serious, preventable hazard.
• Use tamper-resistant outlets or outlet covers.
• Keep blind and curtain cords out of reach, or choose cordless blinds.
• Choose low-VOC or zero-VOC paint and finish renovation work several days — ideally a couple of weeks — before the child moves in, with the room well ventilated.
• In older homes, test for lead paint before sanding windows, doors or trim.
• Window guards or restrictors on upper floors.

Walls that survive crayons

Use scrubbable matte or eggshell paint. Easy creative ideas:

• A simple mountain or arch mural painted with tape and two or three colors.
• A chalkboard or whiteboard paint section at kid height.
• Peel-and-stick wallpaper for a feature wall that's easy to change as tastes change.

Floors: warm, quiet and wipeable

Laminate or vinyl plank with a good acoustic underlayment, topped with a washable rug for play. Avoid high-gloss finishes that get slippery in socks.

Storage that grows

• Low open shelves and bins toddlers can reach — tidying becomes a game.
• Adjustable shelving and wardrobe rails you can raise later.
• Under-bed drawers for out-of-season clothes and toys.
• A desk zone with good task lighting for school years.

Lighting for every age

Dimmable ceiling light, a warm night light, and a reading lamp by the bed. Avoid bare bulbs within reach and hot halogen lamps.