February 17, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • Page 23 & Decorating Home Improvement How to create a playful child’s room on a budget (ARA) Parents want the best for their children, but also need to be budget-conscious. Sometimes, what started as a fun redecorating project can quickly turn into an over- whelming task that everyone in the family dreads finishing. However, with some thoughtful pre-planning, redecorating children’s spaces doesn’t have to drain your bank account or your patience, notes Donna Schroeder, Dutch Boy color marketing and design manager. “There are a few basic decorating foundations that can have a huge impact on a child’s room, with color being at the forefront,” Schroeder said. “Aside from floors and window treatments, the largest area where color is used is on the walls. Luckily for parents, painting their child’s room is a fun, easy, and very inexpensive way to update a living space. It’s also a great way to involve your child in the decision process so they can help create a memorable space to call their own.” When choosing paint, a little forethought and some fundamental knowledge on color selection are all that’s needed. Don’t make the mistake of thinking there are “right or wrong colors.” Let creativity be your guide. Redecorating a fresh, new space for children goes beyond selecting paint colors and decorating themes. If you’re planning a significant revamping of a room, or are perhaps welcoming a new baby, look into double-duty fur- niture, such as changing tables that convert easily into a bureau, so once a baby is out of diapers, the table can still serve a purpose in the room. If your children are older, there is nothing wrong with refurbishing hand-me-down furniture to give their rooms a new look, and save some money. A little ingenuity, paint, and some old-fashioned elbow grease can turn a beat-up, dated armoire, bookshelf, or desk into a whimsical piece of expression in any room, not to mention handy storage for toys, clothing, books, and more. Speaking of storage, more is always better: over-plan rather than installing just enough for current belongings. Let’s face it: Children come with lots of stuff that seems to multiply nightly. The cabinet that can hold a few blankets and books today likely will end up stuffed with clothes, toys, and collectibles even a year or two down the road. There are plenty of cost-effective, colorful storage and closet units available. Remember to extend creativity to the finishing touches, such as window treatments and novelty throw rugs. Create fanciful designs on plain, inexpensive roman shades or room-darkening blinds by decorating them with patterns from fun stencils or stamps, using paints that coordi- nate with the wall and trim palette. From flowers or cars to trains or fairies, the possibilities for livening up plain window treatments are endless, and far from costly. Area rugs add another bit of special personalization to a child’s bedroom. A lively, patterned rug can add a lighthearted feel to any space. “With a little planning and a lot of imagination, it’s easy to create a playful space for kids that pops with color and some personalized magic, even on the tightest budget,” Schroeder said. “In fact, they might like it so much when you send them to their room they might not want to leave.” ������������������ WINTER SALE Boilers Repaired or Replaced in One Day Carpet, Laminate, Hardwood & Area Rugs ������������������������������ FEBRUARY 15 - 27 • Oil Tank Abatement • Chimney Liners • Water Heaters • Sewers & Drains • Cast Iron Gas Fired Boilers ����������������������������������������� ������������ Senior Discounts • N.J. 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