1. MAKE THE CLOSET PART OF A MURAL
Bringing a dash of color to her boy's bedroom ideas, interior designer Ursula Wesselingh, founder of Room to Bloom has included the exterior of the closet in a charming mountain-scape wall mural.
It's something that's possible to create even if you're not an artist, according to Justyna Korczynska, senior graphic designer at Crown Paints. 'One of the simplest, yet most effective ideas is a mountain-scape,' says Justyna. 'To paint one, you need two paint colors and some masking tape. Create simple triangular mountain shapes for the bottom half of the wall and paint it in a contrasting shade.'
2. UTILIZE AN AWKWARD SPACE
This pull out kid's closet cleverly utilizes an awkward space in this little girls bedroom in the eaves, also by Ursula at Room to Bloom. It's not only a lesson in cool and clever spatial efficiency, it serves a practical purpose too. A ideal case study for the next time you're wondering how to design a kid's room. 'For little ones, using low hanging rails and storing essentials in easily accessible drawers or baskets on low shelves allows them to reach their things and encourages them to put them away,' says Ursula.
3. JAZZ UP THE DOORS WITH PATTERN
'Building cupboards all the way to the ceiling makes the most of what would otherwise be dead space,' says Irene Gunter, founder, Gunter & Co. 'If the ceiling is particularly high, you could ask your designer to create space for cupboards at the very top.'
4. BLEND FREESTANDING FURNITURE INTO THE BACKGROUND
There's no doubt commissioning a made-to measure closet is the best way to maximize space and nail a cool design. However, there are other stylish solutions if your budget won't stretch to that with freestanding options.
5. CUSTOMIZE A CLOSET WITH OPEN SHELVING
As kids grow up and their needs change, it may be possible to customise the closet they already have rather than replace it. In fact, many of the best teenage bedroom ideas are ones that have grown with them from infancy.
6. WALLPAPER THE INSIDE
It's not just the closet exterior where you can be creative. At Zulufish, interior designer Caroline Milns combines fun and function. The owner of this wardrobe is greeted by pretty pink flamingos when they get dressed. And it's easy to update when she grows up and starts to consider teenage girl bedroom ideas, too.
7. THINK ABOUT FLEXIBILITY
When kids are at an 'in between' age it's best to think about the flexibility of the furniture you buy. What appeals at age 10 is unlikely to warrant the same enthusiasm at 13. 'I'm a big fan of flexible storage in kids rooms,' says interior designer Nicki Bamford-Bowes, founder of @thentheywentwild. 'Consider using a locker style wardrobe on wheels. Not only do they look cool in teenage rooms, but moveable furniture is brilliant for small spaces as it can be easily rolled out of the way for sleepovers and gaming gatherings.'
8. ADD PRETTY HANDLES
A simple way to add sparkle to your kid's closet ideas is by fitting pretty door knobs. It's a design style that's popular with Katie Glaister and Henry Miller-Robinson at K&H Design. Combined with the delicate pink paint shade and the traditional glass panels on this floor-to-ceiling closet, the flowery handles add a whimsical touch to this space. A perfect execution of girl's bedroom ideas. The design duo have incorporated toy cars and other fun themes in their kids bedroom schemes too.
9. INTRODUCE CHARACTER TO CLASSIC JOINERY
Most kids love animals, so bring their favorite fauna to life as part of their bedroom storage solution. These characters emerge from the closet and hang across the storage in a playful way that will delight little ones in this scheme from Ventura. At the same time the expensive joinery is in a classic color that will stay looking stylish for years to come.
'When designing wardrobes for children’s bedrooms, it's important to create something that can grow with the child,' says Arlene McIntyre, Creative Director at Ventura Design. 'Always design a wardrobe with more space than you currently need so that in five years’ time, there's no need to replace it for a larger one.'
10. INCLUDE A DESK
In a generously sized room where space is less of an issue it pays to think ahead. Instead of taking up the entire floor-to-ceiling wall space with a closet, include a desk area in between. The amount of storage space for clothes is more than adequate, while small bedroom desk ideas will serve them well throughout their school life. Plan the inside of the closet well and it can adapt to their changing needs.