When decorating a room, choosing colour schemes and moving furniture can result in a considerable amount of stress. Combining this with allowing your child to be involved in the process could seem like a disaster waiting to happen.

There can, however, be positives to letting your child have a say in the decoration of his or her bedroom, although these vary depending on the age of your child. For a young child, below the age of ten years, it can be a good way to teach some level of responsibility by allowing them to pick wallpaper or something to match the colour scheme. They’ll feel involved and less affected by the disruption to their room if they feel a part of the change. For older children, in their early teens and onwards, it can be an excellent way to allow them to express their individuality and feel like they have their own space. This will allow them to feel comfortable in their surroundings, an important factor for older children who are taking exams and studying in their bedroom.

There are negatives to allowing children to design their own bedrooms which are just as important to remember. Children could end up throwing tantrums if they have an idea in their head which doesn’t happen, for example due to it being over-budget or impractical. Common themes in children’s’ bedrooms include colours or themes which they will have a strong – but brief – fixation on, leaving you with a bedroom that they want redecorating a relatively short amount of time later, costing you more money in the long run.

A good way to prevent any problems with your child being involved is to lay down certain ground rules before you start decorating. A brilliant way to teach your child about budgeting, if they are old enough to understand money, is to set a budget for the decorating and encourage them to work to it. Drawing pictures and ideas of how they would like their bedroom and talking about which ones you both like best before you start is also a good way to prevent arguments.

If a child wants to join in decorating their room, by setting rules beforehand it can be a fun learning experience for them. Of course it’s important to remember that there can be problems and tantrums and so judge what your child – and your home – needs first.

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