Let’s keep the discussion about arranging a room going with yet another case study.  Here are three iterations of a little girl’s bedroom.

This first option makes good use of open area for play.  However, there are areas of clutter, such as the bookcase and shelves between the windows and the bed and desk area being squeezed so close together.  But overall, this arrangement is great for singing into a hairbrush with friends in front of the mirror. ;) 

This is a more classic arrangement, with a few pieces taken out of the room (the flokati rug, the oversized pink chair and a night table).  The shelves have been cleared off a bit and the room seems to breathe a bit better.  Very pretty and clean.  Very girly.

Now here is where things changed dramatically!  The little girl grew out of pink!  She wanted a beach theme.
The walls were painted White Sand (Benjamin Moore).  Such a wonderfully neutral canvas!

With the wall-mounted canopy taken down, there were suddenly more options for the arrangement of the furniture.  Setting the bed at an angle gave the otherwise box-sized room a bit of interest. It also created natural “centers” for activities such as homework, play, and getting dressed. Two of the three shelves between the windows were removed, and the desk was placed underneath.

This was actually a very inexpensive redesign project.  The bedding was found on eBay and parts of the curtains were retained with white sheers layered underneath.  The flokati rug also made its way back into the room.  Notice that the bench and desk chair were covered with fabric from an extra pillowcase from her bedding – a great inexpensive way to tie it in!

The banner flags were tacked up with thumb tacks and outline the room and cutting across the bed.  It adds a playful splash of color.  A new lamp shade was added to the existing wall sconce, and fiber optic butterfly lights were strung across the bed – a creative night light!

Because the room itself is so neutral, it will be very easy down the road to change colors, themes, etc. to fit her growing age.  Til then, surf’s up!

Want to see more?  Click here for a slideshow.