Most parents decorate their nursery with a plan in mind. What is the theme and/or color scheme that fits your style and will make the nursery a special place for your child? 
What is the best layout for the room – where will you place the crib, change table and rocker or glider to make it easy to move around in the room? How will you store toys, books, etc.?
When kids start to assert their individuality between ages three and five, that's a good time for a room makeover. And the first step you should take is to go through the same planning process you used for the nursery with a few major exceptions
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Kids want to be involved in the decision process, and child development experts say that letting your child participate is healthy.
When a child is involved, they are more likely to accept and enjoy the room. But getting your child involved can also be a challenge. For example, your child may be all about Thomas the Tank Engine today, but will most likely grow out of that phase soon. So if you are okay with a theme, the first thing you should do is help guide them to a theme or concept that can grow with them. And remember that bed covers, wall hangings and décor items that feature a theme like cars and racing are easier and less expensive to change that that cute car bed with racing stripes that might be a bust at age five when T-ball and soccer are more important.
Planning your big kid’s room layout will require thinking about larger furniture, computer desks and study areas, and even more storage space.
Parents often let their kids help pick their first "big bed.", and those big beds are getting bigger: Some families are skipping toddler beds and moving straight to full or queen-size, but we’re not sure it’s the best thing for the child.
Lofts and bunk beds are less practical – and less popular with safety experts – but they're a hit with children. Kids Today, a magazine for manufacturers and retailers of juvenile furniture, brings a group of children to the International Home Furnishings Market to test products, and consistently gets high marks on toddler-to-teen setups that feature a computer desk and storage spaces, topped by a loft bed. Children say they like the storage cubbies and "secret" niches as well as the lighted nesting spot under the loft where a child can curl up and read.
Day beds and trundles, which save space and make room for sleepover guests, can work later in guest rooms. Canopies and coronas, circular frames used for hanging sheer fabric from the ceiling, are popular. You can hang a corona from the ceiling to make any bed princess-y, then remove it when tastes change.
Think About Giving Your Child a Place to Work and Play
Experts say that scaled-down furniture contributes to a child's sense of security. But not all miniature furniture is practical. A mini upholstered club chair probably wouldn't be used for more than a few years, for example. Still, it can be hard not to cave when you child’s eyes light up at the thought of a little chair just for them.
As a child starts getting homework, a workstation with shelving, desk space, and drawers is a good investment. Armoires and entertainment centers, which now come as part of children's bedroom groupings, accommodate computers, CDs, and video-game setups and can be used later in other rooms. Because parents like to keep an eye on their kids' computer habits, home builders are adding "command centers," usually near the kitchen, with shelving, desks, and computer setups that both kids and parents can use. Such centers also work in upstairs hallways, playrooms, or media rooms used by the whole family.
Making the Right Color Choice can also be a Challenge.
When it comes to transforming a room, it's not just the furniture that's a challenge--it's the children. Experts agree that by getting kids involved, there's a better chance they'll enjoy the room and even take care of the furniture. But you also run the risk of disappointment when you veto their choice of black or deep purple walls.
One strategy to avoid that scenario is to give your child a box of crayons with acceptable color choices to let them pick out their favorite. Or some parents have had success in showing their child photos from magazines or catalogs and asking what they like.
At A Room Of Their Own, we’ve added over 2,000 square feet of floor space devoted exclusively to big kid’s room set-ups. Stop in and let one of our Sales Advisers show the variety of styles and finishes we have to offer. Or bring your big kid with you, and let them explore the possibilities.
Drop the soap: Newborns don't need a bath every day. In fact, a lot of babies get rashes and dry skin from too many baths. Until your baby's umbilical cord stump falls off, wash her with a soft sponge or cloth instead of putting her in the tub. When the cord has healed, she only needs a bath once or twice a week. After a few months, daily baths are fine (though not necessary), but use a moisturizer as soon as she's out of the tub. --Sharlene K. Johnson
