Peel-and-stick vinyl decals, like these surfboards and Hawaiian-style
flowers, can change the personality of a room without taking up an
inch of space. Photo courtesy of Wallies.
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Small Spaces: Autumn is a Wonderful Season of Change
Christine Brun
It's fall, that time of year when young adults leave the nest for
college or university. It's also a time when younger siblings who have
long eyed their older sibling's bedroom can claim that space for their
own.
What you do with that room obviously depends on the age of the new occupant. Because teenagers are generally more interested in privacy than room size, it is reasonably normal for adolescents to hole up in their new rooms with the doors shut.
Today's teens have text messaging, e-mail and I-pods, where previous generations only had the telephone. Yet the teenage urge to feel like part of a group is the same as it was for previous generations. Personal style can be a big part of that.
That's where parents come in. What are some things parents can do to older siblings' rooms to give it a personality that complement those of their new occupants?
The first and most affordable option is to change the color of the room. Fortunately, 1 or 2 gallons of paint, at about $20 each, is a design option that falls well within reach of all but the tightest budgets. Another benefit to using paint as your tool of change is that it doesn't take away valuable space.
While I always advise testing the color with a quart of paint before wasting time painting an entire room, I also recommend letting children pick their colors. If you are nervous, encourage your child to test out two or three options first.
The next quick fix can be bedding. Visit discount retailers such as Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, Ross, or Target. Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things, or mail-order catalogs also have reasonable offerings. Keep in mind that many mail orders can be returned if you are unsatisfied, so it might be more comfortable to go that route.
Children are drawn to up-to-date color schemes that might not fit into your idea of appropriate decor, but let it go! Giving your child the choice is more important than you personally liking the color they select. Close the door if it offends you, and try to keep your opinions to yourself because the larger point is to give your child a sense of independence.
Since the golden age of Hollywood, youngsters have tacked up photos of their favorite stars on bedroom walls. Posters of Judy Garland, James Dean and the Beatles, for example have long been used as wallpaper. Today, peel-off decor is a trendy new way different decorative items can be applied directly onto walls to easily make murals.
The cool vinyl design in the photograph is called Surf Boards. Produced by Wallies, it is made up of six surfboards, eight leaves, 12 large flowers and 16 small flowers. The six surfboards are 8 3/4 inches wide and 33 3/4 inches tall. The Hawaiian-style leaves and flowers range in size from 5 3/4 inches to 2 1/4 inches. The two-sheet package costs $39.99.
Wallies' vinyl decals are easily cleaned and take up absolutely no extra room. They come in motifs designed to attract all age groups, from tots to teens.
In space-challenged bedrooms, it can be difficult to come up with great personality-altering design ideas that don't take up valuable inches. Another slim trick for altering the mood in a room is lighting.
Most parents wish to steer their children away from candles, so you might want to encourage other ways to get mood-shifting ambiance. You can buy twinkle lights inexpensively and string them creatively around the windows, on bedposts or from wall to wall. Lava lamps, first hip in the 1960s and early '70s, are still popular today. Mostly employed for effect because they don't emit enough light to serve any function, they are fun to watch and weirdly appealing.
========
Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Big Ideas for Small Spaces." Send questions and comments to her by e-mail at christinebrun@sbcglobal.net. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
This news arrived on: 09/24/2008
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Posted Comments:
10-02-2008 06:10
MVP wrote:
Lowering cost for bedding
Go online and look at the clearance items on some of the shopping channels. I have purchased a complete comforter set for as little as $50 (including shipping). This was complete with all decorative pillows, shams and sheets. The quality is wonderful (especially HSN), timing is everything. You should check often to catch your steal. Also, these take items back as well for full credit and some offer 3 and 4 payment options w/credit or debit card.
Thrift stores and Flea markets you can locate items for a room you wish to add. For example, I purchased a $3.00 vanity stool for black and antique gold room. I removed the staples from the cushion, purchased spray can of paint, 21" of very nice material from inexpensive store. This only required some light sanding on the bottom (which was metal) and a can of Rust type paint in color of choice. Pin down your fabric (use as a pattern) to the cushion cover you removed from an item, cut and using a heavy duty staple gun place on new fabric (pull taunt). This stool now looks brand new and is worth much more for a fraction of what was invested.
Thrift stores and Flea markets you can locate items for a room you wish to add. For example, I purchased a $3.00 vanity stool for black and antique gold room. I removed the staples from the cushion, purchased spray can of paint, 21" of very nice material from inexpensive store. This only required some light sanding on the bottom (which was metal) and a can of Rust type paint in color of choice. Pin down your fabric (use as a pattern) to the cushion cover you removed from an item, cut and using a heavy duty staple gun place on new fabric (pull taunt). This stool now looks brand new and is worth much more for a fraction of what was invested.
10-02-2008 06:00
MVP wrote:
Changing by Paint
Another option to lowering costs is by painting with the major home improvement companies private labeled paints. These paints run as much as 1/3 to 1/2 the cost. If you have light colors and you are covering with something slightly or darker, you will be able to do this with as little as 2 coats. Primer is always worth the money and it must be used if you have to purchase the more expensive paint colors. For example, if you are coloring in an emerald green, it is best to buy the name brand with a primer. However, for those lighter colors and pastels, I have found the store's version works just as well for a fraction of the cost. Also, always ask where the paint cans are that colors were wrong and they are selling for approx. $5.00 a gallon. One store calls this "Oops Paint". You can luck up on some really nice colors that work for you.
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