Give Kids a Bedroom To Grow On

Whether they're toddlers or pre-teens, kids of all ages are getting more involved in designing their own rooms. And while that's good news as far as creating a room their kids will like, moms are still faced with the difficult challenge of finding affordable furniture that works as their children grow and their styles change.

Fortunately, according to the experts at Pier 1 Kids, a solutions-based children's furniture and accessories retailer, you don't have to break the bank to create a great looking room your kids will love now and in the future.

'The secret to all great room designs is mixing quality anchor furniture that has timeless good looks with great accent pieces that can be easily changed to update the feel,' said Pier 1 Kids Director of Merchandising Peter Fowler. And, according to Fowler, there are plenty of options to fit most any budget.

One trick of the trade is mixing wood and metal elements. 'Don't be afraid to mix an iron bed with a wooden dresser, not only is it a great look, but often an iron bed is a great value,' said Fowler. 'Plus, iron styles range from traditional to rustic or modern,' he added.

Once you get the foundation pieces like the bed and dresser selected, then it's easy to create a custom look using paint, wall art, accessories and accent pieces. Kids want their rooms to look and feel like them, to fit their personality and be a comfortable place to do their schoolwork and play. Fowler suggests involving kids in the process. 'Letting your child take part in choosing paint colors, fabrics and accessories will help you create a room they can really call their own.'

And when it comes to changing a room's style, it can be as simple as changing the bedding and accessories. 'Our Avery Bedroom Collection is extremely popular with both moms and kids because it has a completely different feel when you put it in a celery-colored room and use our Ballerina Collection Bedding than it does when you put in a royal purple room and use our Moroccan Nights Bedding,' said Fowler.

And finally, creating a look that will grow with your child means selecting high-quality, built-to-last furniture that will work well with future additions like a study desk or floor mirror. Manufacturers are catching on. Not only are they creating furniture like transitional starter beds that can grow into bunk beds, which can transform into twin beds, but they're also creating collections with more pieces. 'Pier 1 Kids now has bedroom collections that come with everything from writing desks and bookcases to wall shelves and mirrors, and best of all, these collections are built to last,' said Fowler.

So no matter what age your child is now, with all these choices, it's never been easier to create the perfect bedroom with plenty of room to grow.