How to Choose Kids Bedding

Wrap your little one in the sweetest of dreams come true! When it's time to decorate your child's bedroom, you'll find that the style options haven't decreased since he or she was a baby. If anything, this market is exploding with designs and concepts that will allow you to create a unique space that's perfect for your child.

Designing and Decorating Children's Rooms

You probably know your son or daughter likes and dislikes by now, but it's still important to talk to your older child and include him or her in the design process when launching a new bedroom decor. Even at a relatively young age, your child, no doubt, will have preferences in terms of style. There are several different styles in kids design:

• Classic. Kids who prefer classsic styles are drawn to soft colors and traditional patterns such as gingham, paisley, and floral prints.

• Modern. Kids with a new preference want clean lines with little clutter. But they also like bold stripes or bright/primary colors and patterns.

• Themes. Many children want to design their rooms around a theme, such as a princess or a ballerina for a girl and sports or western for a boy.

Then there are the kids who like an eclectic look, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. The best way to determine your child's style is to show him or her photos of different colors and patterns. Soon, a distinct form of personality will emerge.

When tackling that new decor, a great place to start is with children's bedding. Kids bedding sets make the process even more comfortable because they include the sheets, pillow shams, comforter, and some are also available with decorative accessory options such as throw pillows, bed skirts, and more. Keeping in mind your child's preferences, start picking out bedding, and then go from there to complete the room.

Themed Bedding

There are so many bedding sets available for every theme; all you need to do is choose the theme you and your childlike. Choose a theme that relates to your lifestyle. You can choose a theme to match the child's father's occupation, fireman, police officer, or what your child dreams to be - surfer, astronaut, or just about anything else! You can choose a theme to match your goals for your child. Choose a color that'll put your child in a good mood and help him wake up with a smile.

If you're more the classsic type and your child insists on a theme or if you're on a budget, here are some ideas that'll make both you and your child happy.

Themed bedding is sometimes overpowering, especially in a small room. If the room already has a theme - wall art, rugs, lamps, and other decorative accessories, the bedding can follow the overall color scheme. In most theme bedding sets, each piece is a different pattern. Neutral bedding with solid dust ruffle solid pillows and a theme quilt and throw pillows looks more classsy and pleasing to the eye.

Another thing to keep in mind is that themes are outgrown quickly. To bring excitement to a bedding set, add accents that coordinate with the room's theme. If you have a Hawaiian or safari idea, how about adding a grass skirt dust ruffle? For a ballerina room, add a tulle layer over the bed skirt and ruffles of tulle to the pillows. Add a baseball throw pillow for your slugger, beach ball pillow for a beach theme, and a life preserver pillow for a nautical room.

Many room decor accessories are available with custom options. This allows you to create one-of-a-kind decor to match your taste and preferences perfectly. Window treatments and lamps can be made to match your child's bedding using the same fabrics as the bedding. Or they can be made to match the color scheme or room theme with the colors and materials of your choice.

Designing your own set

If you can't seem to find a set that meets your style, why not design your own bedding? Look for all the pieces you need; sheets, pillows, comforters, and dust ruffles in coordinating fabrics. Like this, you can be sure that no one has the same bedding set as your child.

When designing your own set, look for patterns and solids that coordinate well. Very often, mixing too many plaids and models don't look that great. Use solids to bring different designs together without being overpowering.

If you have something specific in mind for the bedding, the custom is the way to go. This will ensure a fit that's right and a style that is just for you.

Sheets

The softness of the leaf is really what makes a difference, as that's what your child will sleep on and feel. Look for a cotton fabric that is soft and has a high thread-count to ensure comfortable sleep for your child. Silks add an elegant touch and are great for accents but should not be used for sheets. Children are very active and will wear out their bedding quickly unless it is durable and easy to care for.

Comforter options

Duvet or Quilt?

Using a duvet for your child's bed makes it easier for your child to learn to make his bed every morning. All he has is one piece to throw over the bed, and it's all done. A quilt along with a flat sheet, on the other hand, can sometimes get a little complicated for a young child. In order for the bed to look neat in the morning, both layers must be arranged nicely, and the sheet must get tucked in under the mattress so that it doesn't stick out from under the blanket.

An active sleeper can get frustrated, as the sheet will very often get tangled up beneath the quilt. When using a duvet, it's easy to ensure that all the linen matches. Changing the linen, though, can be a lot harder. It's a big job to put the comforter into the duvet cover. A quilt, in this case, is quicker and less tiring.

Comforter or Hugger? 

A comforter is great for an adult, but what about a toddler just learning to make his bed? That's what comforter huggers are for. A hugger is a comforter with two fitted corners. The corners at the foot of the quilt wrap around so that the hugger "hugs" the mattress. A hugger is great for a child learning to make his bed as two corners are already in place of and all he needs to do is pull it straight. It also is excellent to ensure that little toes keep warm at night.

Canopies:

A canopy bed in your child's room is sure to spark your child's imagination and make him or her feel like royalty. There are two types of canopies for you to consider; a straight awning and a camelback canopy. A camelback canopy is a canopy with a "hump" like a camel, while a straight canopy is, by definition, straight. Both lend a sophisticated air to any bedroom. Be sure to purchase canopy bedding that fits the shape of your canopy bed.

The Bottom Line

Designing your child's room starts with choosing a style that both you and your child are happy with. Select bedding according to your taste and your child's taste and move on from there to complete the rest of the decor. No matter what design you choose for your child, make sure your selection comes in twin bedding, full bedding, or whatever size your son or daughter has. You may want to check dimensions before falling in love with a color or pattern.

Our Mom Expert

Caron Webber, 37, is the mother of five children, ages 2 to 12.

"My oldest daughter is very indecisive, and it seems as if her taste changes on a daily basis. You can imagine how difficult it is to decide on bedding! When we did her most recent room makeover, I got tired of her flip-flopping and came up with a brilliant solution: a reversible comforter. One side is relatively sedated with a soft pastel color; the other side has a brighter, bolder pattern. She also has two sheet sets, depending on which side of the comforter is showing. Now it's easy for her to change the look of her room whenever she wants to."

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