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I'm a mom of 3 and an interior designer. It's OK not to give your kids the decor they're asking for.
Lauren Behfarin has three kids and designs kids' rooms for a living.Courtesy of Lauren BehfarinLauren Behfarin lives in New York with her three kids.She says it's important that parents don't just default to kids' aesthetics.Designing with the next parenting stage in mind can save time and money, she says.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lauren Behfarin, founder of Little Room Supply. It has been edited for length and clarity.When I became a mom 12 years ago, everything changed. I'd been working in IT, but suddenly that career didn't feel like a good fit. I was existing in the world of newborns, and I wanted to be able to work from home with my daughter.That's when I started my career as an interior designer, focused on children's spaces. As a mom, I understand what works in these spaces and why it's important to design for parents who love it.Now my kids are 12, 10, and 6. We're transitioning into phase two of parenting: no more bouncy chairs and playmats, but lots of sports. Through the last decade, I've learned a lot about designing a room for parents and kids. Here's how to begin.Start with one piece you loveDesigning can be intimidating. If you're feeling overwhelmed, start with one piece you love. Maybe it's a crib you adore, or a piece of art you've been saving for years. One of my clients used a framed piece of music their grandparents had written, which became the inspiration for the whole room.Lauren. Behfarin founded Little Room Supply.Courtesy of Lauren BehfarinIf you don't have anything in mind, look at wallpaper prints that can accent a room. From that starting point, you can gather tones, fabrics, and textures to match.Take your kids' suggestions with a grain of saltToo often, parents get stuck on what their kids want. Your daughter might tell you she wants everything in her room to be purple. I'm here to tell you, lovingly, that your daughter doesn't yet know what she's talking about.Lauren Behfarin says. to take your kids' suggestions with a grain of salt.Courtesy of Lauren BehfarinAs parents, we redirect all the time. Don't be afraid to do that when it comes to design. Show your child a few print options, but only offer choices you're happy with. Remember, you can make the kids happy while also redirecting.Design with the next phase of childhood in mindKids grow so fast that by the time you've accepted one stage, they're on to the next. That's a challenge when you're decorating. For more permanent features, like wallpaper, I always guide people away from specific interests. Don't paste the walls with bunnies or horses — shapes, stripes, or tie dye patterns are more likely to stand the. test of time.Lauren Behfarin recommends designing a kid's room with the next phase in mind.Courtesy of Lauren BehfarinThis works with furniture too. I always select cribs that convert into toddler beds. My son, who is 10, uses a dresser that doubled as a changing table when he was a baby. Choosing items and designing with your next phase in mind will help save you time and money.Coordinate with the. rest of your homeWhen you're working on a playroom or kids' bedroom, it's easy to think of it in isolation. Yet, I've found the aesthetic flows much better if it's cohesive with the rest of the house. You don't want to walk into one room and suddenly feel like you're in a Gymboree.Lauren Behfarin says parents should coordinate kids' rooms with the rest of the house.Courtesy of Lauren BehfarinApproach this by thinking about your family's tastes. Then, just put a child-friendly twist on it. If that sounds too abstract, try this test: leave the door to the bedroom or playroom open. Look down the hall and think about how the areas you can see compare to one another. While every space can have its own personality, the transition between them should flow rather than be jarring.Read the original article on Business Insider
