To decorate a kids bedroom is a total different approach than a grown up bedroom. Is their place to play, day dream or just to be alone sometimes.

The following strategies will make it easier for you to design their little place:

1. Talk to that little person, find out what his/hers favorite characters, colors and themes are.

2. Let them help you in the process, let them decide how they want to show his/her collectibles.

3. Make it mulifunctional, as they use it as play area, reading area, work area and entertaiment area.

4. Make shelving a priority. Storage containers, storage cabinets the more they have the better it gets. Try to give them enough space to put away all their stuff and teach them how to keep them organize.

5. Window treatments must be simple. Avoid long fabric draperies. The fabric used should be versatile. And the pattern should be repeated in pillows, bedspreads, lampshades.

6. We must pay attention to proper Lighting. We should include task lighting for homeworks and readings, as well as soft light for quieter times. Night light is also important.

7. Use wallpaper or paint. You can add a border to the top of the wall and clouds and stars to the ceiling. Make sure the walls are washable. Kids love bright colors but keep them for decorative compliments. Unless you have a big room, in that case you can add one bright color wall.

8. Allow the child to pick the rooms theme. For example, race cars, underwater, outer space, jungle motifs, airplanes, trains, dragons, etc.

Curtains and other fabric-type window treatments have had a resurgence in the past several years, but I advise you to lighten up on any thoughts of heavily styled treatments. When planning the designs for your window treatments, consider treatments that, when open, expose the entire window, letting the light sine in. A fabric scarf draped over decorative rodding is all that is needed in many cases. Pleated shades can be added for room darkening and privacy.

Moldings can separate two wallpapers patterns; add definition to a wall, ceilings and windows; and create instant interior design in a box shaped room.

When selecting moldings -whether crown, chair rail or cove- you will find two types to choose from: solid, which does not have any joints and

fingerjointed, which do have joints.

Fingerjointed are less expensive.

But if you are planning to stain them use solid ones.

Either type are fine for painted finishes.

HOW TO REMOVE OLD MOLDING

Break the paint seal between the molding and the wall with a sharp razor blade.

Then, gently pry apart using a putty knife with a wide blade.

Leaving the putty knife in place to protect the wall, insert a pry bar or chisel into the gap on top of the knife and continue to pry, working your way down the length of the molding until it releases from the wall.

TO INSTALL NEW MOLDING

Carefully measure the molding and cut it using a miter box, a tool that makes precise cuts so the ends of two molding pieces will fit together.

You can avoid dealing with joints by purchasing a piece of molding long enough to fit corner to corner. Ideal for a small bedroom or bath, this option will cost a little more.

For example, you can use 3 pieces of 14foot long molding along the ceiling line of 8´x 10´ room.

However the same room will require 4 molding with no joints.

Nail or staple moldings in place, preferably over a stud or the 2×4 that runs along the top and bottom of the wall. Set the nails, fill the holes with putty, and glue the moldings joints to keep them closed.

You can stain or prime and paint the molding. If you use a single piece on each wall, it is easier to paint or stain it prior to installation.

CREATIVE COMBINATIONS

Molding is available in numerous shapes. Create unique shapes by applying more then one profile together and by using molding in a variety of locations. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Group various widths and profiles for a chair rail that is far from standard.

• Add architectural interest to windows by creating a cornicelike treatment above the frame.

• Highlight a fireplace with built up combinations.

• Frame wallpaper, contrasting paint colors or even pictures to create wall panels.

The most unique spaces come from breaking the rules

Turn your closet catastrophe into a model of efficiency.  Just follow these steps:

Evaluate your clothing. Discard those you don´t wear. If you are hanging on to an item because it was your favorite years ago, it was expensive, or you think it may someday be back in style, get rid of it. Donate to charity or sell it at a garage sale.

Is also a good time to check on the items to keep.  Look for loose buttons, stains, or tears that need to be fix before you can wear them again.

Set them aside for repairs.

Divide your wardrope in categories:

slacks, dresses,  suits, and so on. Subdivided them according to color.  This exercise will improve the appearance of your closet. You can evaluate it easily, let´s say that if you have three blue shirts, you don´t want to buy another one of the same color.

Does your rod provide adequate room for hanging clothes?

Do you have enough shelves for folded items? Is there wall space that is not being used?

Decide where and how you would like to store everything you have decided to keep.  You may want to visit a speciallized store that sales storage equipment.

Create a system

Use all the sort of variety items that will help you stay organized, such as: wire shelves, baskets, plastic bins, boxes, you name them.

Before you invest determine what you need to store

If you go out to buy a shoe rack.  One designed for 24 pairs might  look impressive, but do you need it, if you only have 4 pairs.  Likewise, there is no reason to vuy a slew of storage boxes when a few well-chosen will fit.

Whatever storage tools you choose, plan in advance before you buy them.

We don´t want to buy more than what you need.

Meassuring Up

Hang clothes rods at least 12 inches from the back of the closet.

For double rods, place the upper one 76-84 inches above the floor and the lower one 36-42 inches above the floor..  Heights of 82 and 41 often work well for a double hanging.

Hang a simple rod 63-72 inches above the floor. If you are using show racks below, position rods to keep garments from dragging on the racks.

Space shelves according to what will be stored on them, include 2-3 inches of room above the top item.