Why kids should have a say in decorating their rooms

Little kids have big ideas on just about everything these days, including the look of their rooms.

Parents and their offspring don't always agree on what constitutes a great child's bedroom, and the youngster themselves may have a vastly different view as the teenage years approach. The trick is to create a room everyone can live with, which can accommodate all the accoutrements of childhood and adapt to maturing tastes and needs, without a major makeover.

Interior designer Peggy Bels encourages giving your child a say, and if this unleashes a yen for, say, lolly pink, she offers a compromise. "I'd begin with a soft base colour in a palette of grey to create a soothing, contemporary environment, then make it girly by accenting with fuchsia colour on accessories and curtain borders," she said.

The kid's touch can come through a child-like lighting effect, such as a novelty mushroom or rabbit lamp, or draping a canopy over the bed to create a snug, secure feeling, Bels said. "I also like to use vintage pieces like an old school desk and chair, or a mini designer chair from Bertoia or Eames. The mix of all gives personality to the room."

Kids' rooms in Hong Kong are invariably small, so clever storage solutions are a must. Bels, who custom-makes much of the furniture in her projects, is a fan of tailor-made built-ins. She also maximises under-bed storage with a hydraulic lift system that is easy enough for kids to use. Her top tip? "I like also to make a swing out of zesty, colourful rope to use as shelving for teddy bears and dolls," Bels said. "You can display a lot, and the accumulation of teddy bears makes the swing interesting."

Designer Clifton Leung Hin-che agrees that storage is the biggest challenge in achieving a well-designed children's room. "As parents and teachers know, kids aren't naturally neat, but they won't play with toys that are all in a jumble." To help children keep their books and playthings visible, accessible and orderly, the right storage pieces can make a real difference, Leung says. "Make things easier on yourself and them with lots of low, open storage bins, baskets and shelves. Choose shelves that are shallow, and drawers that are ample, making sure there's plenty of room to move around. Under-the-bed storage drawers on wheels are another practical option to help keep less-used items available but not underfoot."

Another of Leung's kids' room design tips is to encourage creative play with things such as chalkboards, magnetic boards, or colourful carpet blocks. He also stresses that toddlers are curious, so for those under three choose furniture that is sturdy and stable enough to be climbed on and crawled under, avoid sharp corners, and use slip-proof pads under every rug.