Spring Cleaning Kid’s Rooms

My kids love and dread summer vacation at the same time. They hate the ordeal of spring-cleaning their bedrooms, even though they like the results and are happy once it’s done. It’s almost that time of year again, and I can already hear, “Awwwwww, Mom, do I have to?” Here are some tips to make things less stressful when spring cleaning children’s bedrooms: Lighten Up Relax. Kids are not going to do things perfectly so don’t expect it and you won’t be disappointed. Let kids turn on some of their favorite tunes (at your choice of decibels) to lighten the … Continue reading →

Cute Ideas for Kid’s Rooms

Quite often, I come across really cute stuff that just inspires ideas for home decorating. Some ideas are inspired by crafts, clothing, and more, while others are basically new ways to implement other decorating ideas. Here are some examples that can be used for cute accents in kid’s rooms: Fresh as a Daisy I saw a cute craft project the other day, one to make a spring cap for a little girl. It was a simple baseball cap, covered with brightly colored felt flowers and buttons. It made me think of doing something similar for a décor element in a … Continue reading →

More Toddler Room Decorating Tips

A few months ago I detailed the makeover we gave our daughter’s bedroom. The transformation from nursery to toddler’s room was made with careful planning and a lot of input from our daughter. (She may be a toddler, but she voices her opinions like a teenager.) Little did I know that our day’s worth of labor would simply be the start of what has turned into a multi-month long project that’s still a work in progress. Since my last blog my daughter has acquired a freestanding puppet theater, a plastic ball pit and another kid-size table and two matching chairs. … Continue reading →

My Home Is A Stage

If the world is a stage then my home should be considered an off-off-off Broadway theatre. Ever since my daughter could say “ta-da,” she’s been using our home as her stage. From dancing hula to singing her favorite nursery rhymes, her nightly routines have become fan favorites around here. Of course, if one is going to perform for a crowd of well-wishers (most of which are stuffed and have four legs), then naturally one needs a proper place to showcase such stellar talent. No, we didn’t construct an actual stage for her (she prefers standing on her bed), but I … Continue reading →

Kids Rooms… Scary Places or Comfy Spaces?

It’s common for children’s bedrooms and playrooms to get messy quickly. The best way to resolve this problem is to consistently straighten and organize these areas in order to avoid allowing them to get out of control. Most parents have had to deal with this situation at some point. Room cleaning seems to keep getting put off, because we have limited time or simply don’t feel like dealing with the usual complaints or our kids efforts to do everything but actually get the room cleaned up. When this happens, it can lead to an overwhelming mess. Kids and parents alike … Continue reading →

Would You Buy Your Child A King-Size Bed?

Recently, I was browsing around a children’s furniture store with a friend of mine (she’s pregnant) and realized that a lot had changed since I had been in there while I was pregnant. Gone were the pastel colored furniture pieces featuring popular fictional characters. They had been noticeably replaced with carved dark-wood armoires and sleigh beds. I made a comment to one of the salespeople who tersely informed me that many adults are now buying pieces, “not just for their kid’s rooms but for the rest of the house as well.” (Sorry, I thought I was in a children’s furniture … Continue reading →

Is Your Home a Hang Out?

Do your children’s school friends and neighborhood kids like to hang out at your house? When I was growing up, our house was the hang out. We spent a lot of time outside during good weather, but my mom didn’t seem to mind having a bunch of kids inside when it was cold or raining. I didn’t realize until much later that she liked it that way because she could keep track of my brother and I easier, if we and our friends were hanging around the house. If you want your home to be the hang out, there are … Continue reading →

Kids’ Décor: From Young at Art, Little Rock

Have you ever thought about dressing up furnishings in your kids’ rooms with cute knobs and drawer pulls? Adding new hardware alone, or adding cute hardware and a fresh coat of bright paint, is a great way to get more life from existing pieces. If you want to give it a try, visit Young@Art and browse through the collection of adorable hand painted ceramic pulls and knobs they have available. From fire trucks and frogs to flowers and teacups, you’ll find these pieces unique and adorable. There are also sports themes, ladybugs, stars, hearts, crosses and more. They are too … Continue reading →

Wave Goodbye to Boredom

There is no rule that says a party has to be for a special occasion. You can throw your kids a great summer party “just because.” Try a pool party or a waves and water theme, and “wave” goodbye to boredom. Start by swagging blue streamers in different shades of blue to create the look of waves. Add a blue or blue-green tablecloth to the table and surround with more wave-like swags. When setting the table, alternate with light blue and dark blue or blue and green plates and napkins when setting the table. Add a fish bowl in the … Continue reading →

Decorative Storage for Kid’s Rooms

There are so many attractive options available today for home storage needs, that you can find something to complement most any space. However, when it comes to kid’s rooms, you can select from the available options and use them as is, or you can go one step further. Those cute canvas storage bins are great and they come in many bright colors. They are so much nicer looking than plastic or cardboard boxes that need assembly and then soon fall apart (those may work in some instances, but sturdier options usually work better in kid’s rooms). You can also other … Continue reading →