Design: Lindsey Brooke Design Photography: Amy Bartlam
The majority of our clients here at LBD are families. That means, in every project, we take special consideration of durability, safety and longevity. From high-performance Crypton fabric selections to furniture that will grow with them, there’s a lot to take into consideration when planning a space they’ll grow out of in a few years.
Our goal is always to invest smartly in pieces that will grow with them, and save on pieces they can swap out with their taste as they get older.One of the most frequently asked questions we get from our clients is why invest in a space they’ll change up? We’ve crafted a perfect formula to outline exact which pieces they’ll grow out of and want to switch up versus the items you should save on, because they are a bit more trendy. Below, we’re sharing where to splurge and where to save in kids’ spaces.
Design: Lindsey Brooke Design Photography: Amy Bartlam
Design: J. Kurtz Design Photography: Amy Bartlam
Where to Splurge in Kids Spaces
Beds: We always encourage our clients to invest in a quality bed as soon as they are out of a crib. A full size bed is ideal, especially for boys. By the time they are teenagers, they’ll need the extra space and a quality bed frame will last for years. A solid wood or metal bed frame will never go out of style.
Dressers: Any way you slice it, dressers are always expensive. The construction of a dresser is complicated, involves lots of parts, and takes immense time to build. Investing in a quality dresser (or dressers – we love them as bedside tables) is a sound investment that will grow with them. Keep them neutral, solid wood, and opt for dovetail construction.
Window Treatments: Especially when ordering custom, make sure your window treatments are neutral in both pattern and color. We always opt for linen because it hangs beautifully, but a cotton blend will also stand the test of time.
Wallpaper: We love a statement wall, especially in a kid space. Opt for a neutral pattern or color with texture and invest in having it professionally installed. If you’re not sure the little ones will want to commit long term, we LOVE the removable options from our friends at Chasing Paper.
Design: Amber Interiors Photography: Tessa Neustadt
Where to Save in Kids Spaces
Paint: The truth is, every kids’ space is going to need to be touched up frequently. From backpack dings to crayon, you’ll likely be freshening up paint more often than you thing. Stay away from a matte finish and opt for an eggshell. High-gloss options are also fun in a kids space! We always keep a spare gallon on the garage, so we can quickly touch up the full room every four months or so.
Bedding: Kids are rough on bedding. Between accidents, spills, wrestling and midnight snacks, we go through sheets about every 18 months. This is where you can have fun with color, pattern or a theme. Fun throw pillows, cozy blankets and a favorite stuffy are perfect on the bed.Rugs: There are so many amazing synthetic rugs now, often made of recycled plastics, that can be cleaned with soap and water. Use rugs to bring in more color to a space (since the big pieces were kept neutral) and play with textures.
Art: Don’t spend money on art for kids spaces. This will change so frequently as kids go through phases and change their interest. Let them pick out what they like or are into. Etsy is great for downloadable art, which you can print at home and pop into frames. We also LOVE how Emily Henderson frames her kids’ art and makes them into a chic gallery wall.
Accent Decor: You can bring a lot of personality into a space with just the accent decor. Lighting, accessories, figurines are the perfect place to add pops of color and a bit of whimsy.
Design: Lindsey Brooke Design Photography: Amy Bartlam
Design: Lindsey Brooke Design Photography: Amy Bartlam
Design: Lindsey Brooke Design Photography: Amy Bartlam
In playrooms, you want to splurge on the pieces you use everyday like sofas, storage systems and seating. A high-quality couch with high-performance fabric can be easily cleaned and will withstand daily wear and tear from the littles. Storage systems are key in kid spaces to ensure things are accessible, but easy to put away as well. For our clients, this often means custom built-ins, which the kids can grow into over time.
As always, our mantra is spend on the things you touch every day, save on things that just sit there. With the exception of bedding (because there are so many high-quality yet affordable options out there), this never steers us wrong! Looking for a bit more inspiration? Check out our favorite kids’ spaces here, here and here.