For most parents, it may seem like just yesterday they were welcoming their new bundle of joy into their home. But now their once snuggly baby has turned into a full-on energetic kid who has mastered walking and talking and is ready for a bit more independence than babyhood allowed. Transitioning from a nursery to a big kid room doesn’t have to be tough (I promise!).
If this sounds like your family dynamic at the moment, it might be time to consider turning your nursery into a space that’s both fun and functional for your growing kiddo.
3 Quick Tips to Begin the Transition from Nursery to Big Kid Room
Here is a trio of tips on how to ace this room transition:
1. Start with a General Theme
First, begin your nursery room makeover with a theme in mind, as this is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. In addition to such creative planning, a general theme helps you narrow down choices regarding fabrics, curtains, and paint colors and keeps the overall look of your kid’s new space pulled together.
One piece of advice, though: Don’t go with a theme that’s rather juvenile, especially if you don’t want to redo your son or daughter’s room every year. Instead, stick to a youthful theme and vibe that allows your little one to grow with their surroundings.
2. Replace the Crib with a New, Big Kid Bed
This step might pull at your heartstrings a bit (sob), but getting rid of your son or daughter’s crib is a must for this room transition. In fact, for many parents, the urge to redecorate follows closely behind their decision to switch out the nursery crib in favor of a big girl or boy bed primarily due to their toddler’s newfound ability to crawl out of the said crib.
Don’t sweat this change, as there are plenty of safety options to keep your growing child safe in their new bed. Case in point: Items such as bed guard rails can keep younger kids from falling. Then again, you can also opt for a low-to-the-ground, platform-style bed, which still offers plenty of space to accommodate their growing bodies.
3. Swap Out Baby Décor for Something More Mature
Now is a great time to swap out that giant nursery wall mural with some fun art your older kid can appreciate. Adding a gallery wall, for example, is a super chic way to incorporate both your theme and your child’s interests into their updated room.
To get started, shop for some appealing and versatile kids wall art that can be easily ordered and sized to fit your wall space. That way, whenever the mood strikes, you and your kiddo can change up the wall art effortlessly or any time something just feels too young or dated.
Plan for the Long Term
For parents planning a nursery room makeover, one of the most valuable pieces of advice you can take to heart is to consider the longevity of pieces in which you’re investing. Take the time now to think about how each item might be able to be reimagined down the line.
For instance, keep primary furniture pieces, such as dressers or bed frames, more neutral in color to ensure these big-ticket items can grow with your child.
If you do it right, these pieces will stand the test of time and potentially be repurposed and/or handed down to other family members or friends to further your investment.
Indeed, the perfect balance for a room transition is bringing in fun, whimsical elements such as color-themed wall art and complementing those light touches with more functional purchases like an upgraded big-kid bed.
Have you had to transition a child from their nursery to a big kid’s room? If so, how did it go for you? Do you have any tips you would like to share with us?