Interior Design is a personal narrative and a means to communicate your life journey, aspirations, and passion. 

Attics in particular, have an undeniable allure—tucked away and brimming with mystery, they seem tailor-made for sparking a child's imagination. If you’re looking to transform your attic into a magical children's room, you're embarking on a project that promises to be as enchanting as the space itself. 

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I think a child's bedroom should feel almost other wordly. A place to dream, to feel safe, yet independent, whilst capturing their imaginations as they grow and learn. I wanted to design a whimsical attic space. My aim was to create an elegant and playful attic design with a sprinkle of real magic that will work with the sprogs for many years to come (or until the "paint it black" phase!). 

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CREATE A THEME

It all starts with a theme. Choosing a theme can guide your design and help create a coherent, magical space. Consider themes like a castle, a woodland wonderland, an outer space adventure, a traditional circus or seaside vibes and then start creating your mood board from there. A theme will help you select colours, furniture, and decorations that create a unified, immersive experience. For this particular attic space, my theme was English country flowers. 

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Nature's Inspiration  : Central to my vision was a yearning for a serene and magical space. The design concept draws inspiration from the natural world, seamlessly weaving in nature's hues, floral pattern and grounding textures, harmonised with organic materials.

Tips:

- Involve your child in the decision-making process to ensure the room reflects their personality.

Opt for a versatile colour palette that will grow with your child.

- Personalising the room makes it truly special. Incorporate elements that reflect your child’s personality, achievements, and interests

- Play with Colours. The right colours can transform your attic into a vibrant, magical haven. Soft pastels can create a dreamy atmosphere, while bold colours add excitement. Consider painting a mural or using wallpaper with a fun pattern to set the tone.

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SELECT THE RIGHT FURNITURE

Furniture forms the backbone of any room, so choose pieces that are both functional and age-appropriate. Key items include a bed, storage solutions and a workspace.

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Bed: Depending on the size of the room and your child's age, consider a standard bed, a loft bed with space underneath for play or storage, or a bunk bed for shared rooms.

Storage: Incorporate ample storage to keep the room tidy. Include dressers, shelves, toy chests and under-bed storage boxes. Bins and baskets can make it easier for younger children to help with tidying up. Slightly stronger lines and more natural unpainted wood gives a playful yet balanced feel. A "campaign" vintage style, using desks, chairs, cabinets and trunks is elegant, classical and timeless. Vintage toys, cars and suitcases add to the adventurous design, and evoke magical escapades to come. 

‍Workspace: A desk or small table with chairs can provide a dedicated area for homework, crafts, and creative activities.

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Tips:

- Choose durable, high-quality furniture that can withstand the wear and tear of childhood. I love using vintage pre-loved items, the quality of craftsmanship is always exceptional; those pieces were made to last. 

- Think about built-in storage to maximise space.

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ANTIQUE SOURCING

My children's design concepts centre on creating an inviting and magical ambiance.

This is achieved through carefully curated furnishings, cosy nooks for play and reading, and sourced vintage and antique pieces that will lend themselves to a whimsical atmosphere, but that aren't too precious to be used and loved by children. Always look on eBay. In my opinion, if you're patient, you'll always be able to get what you want second hand on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. These beds and most of the throws and textiles I have in the attic rooms are from eBay. 

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I source most of my vintage finds at low cost. In that way, if it does get damaged, you're not going to be too precious about it. (I must admit the wallpaper ripping "Moving Molly" moment by my daughter made me slightly frazzled...) However, things will get broken and stained - they're children after all. This is their home and you don't want them walking on eggshells, but I also believe in teaching them to respect their home and appreciate design. We often go to our local antiques Brocante where they browse and choose very small pieces; usually shells or insects in amber and the like. It's important to try and involve them in your design process if you can; they are (sort of) your clients!

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CREATE ZONES

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A well-designed children’s bedroom should cater to various activities, from sleeping and playing to reading and homework and, of course, sleep overs! Creating distinct zones can help organise the space and make it more functional.

Sleep Zone: Ensure the bed area is calming and conducive to rest. Use soft bedding, cosy blankets, and plush pillows.

Play Zone: Dedicate a section of the room for toys and games. A play mat or rug can define the area, while storage bins keep it organised.

Homework Zone: Set up a desk with adequate lighting and storage for school supplies. Make sure the chair is comfortable and the workspace is free from distractions.

Reading Nook: It's so easy to create a cosy corner with a bookshelf, bean bag chair or floor cushions. Try using a tent to create a secret nook or even second hand curtains you can drape from a hook in the ceiling. 

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MAXIMISE SPACE - CLEVER STORAGE

Attics often have awkward angles and limited space, so clever storage solutions are a must. Built-in shelves, and under-the-bed storage can help keep the room organised and free up space for play. Use colourful bins and boxes to add a playful touch..

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ELEMENTS OF MAGIC

Finally, sprinkle in elements that will make the room feel truly magical. A starry ceiling, a faux fireplace or a hidden door can add a sense of wonder. Consider creating a "fairy garden" in one corner or a fairy door on the skirting board. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your wonderful imagination. Any child's bedroom aims to serve as a whimsical sanctuary that blends sleep and play. 

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LAYERING & TEXTURE

I think this is probably the easiest tip I can give you in order to create a magical children's room. Don't buy all new, or all old. Both buys bring a different texture to a room which adds layers of comfort and interest in their own way. Old pieces often have imperfections; rough edges or worn areas which add an element of interest, both from a, "I wonder where this has been”, perspective, but also imperfections that catch the imagination. Add a beautiful new wallpaper to a wonky room with old beams and it will feel like a cottage, or add an old rug to a newly built room and it will feel cosy and considered.

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STUFF

Add stuff. Let your children add stuff. It's what makes a home. Whether that's the chair, lined with 101 Teddy Bears, or an old wooden box in which to house ribbons, gems, hair clips etc. They're special places to keep secrets and magical bits and bobs. Vintage toys are aesthetically very pleasing. 

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I bought a vintage dolls house from Facebook Marketplace which has brought great joy, and an antique dolls crib is also a sweet addition gifted by her Grandparents. Thoughtfully curated furniture pieces featuring soft lines and tactile fabrics enhance comfort without compromising style. Rugs and curtains can tie the room together. Choose a soft, durable rug for a cosy play area and curtains that block light for better sleep.

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I also think you can be really playful with the stairs and/or doorway to your child's room. The stairs leading to our attic rooms are the opening chapters of the story one is about to enter and as important as the bedrooms themselves. They compliment and interact with their surroundings. They are there not merely to take you from one floor to another, but to become part of the design and experience of a building. On our attic stairs, I leaned into a botanical theme, where climbing leafy limbs take the visitor into the enchanting attic rooms. Raw rope or roughly sawn timber for a bannister adds to the mystique and a colourful, playful runner captures the ambience of the world one is about to enter. 

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Our colour scheme takes its cue from the concept’s emphasis on organic serenity and playful adventure. Red and Green serve as the foundational hue, instilling a calm and earthy atmosphere. Soft beige offers a neutral backdrop that complements the green, providing both balance and warmth and a blue accent will add a more grounded approach. Accents of warm wood tones bring depth and natural texture to the space, reinforcing its inviting ambiance. Punctuations of brass add a nod to vintage and together these colours combine to manifest a harmonious, layered environment that feels both whimsical and timeless.

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