Kids grow up so fast! One minute you are cradling a newborn in your arms and the next you have a hormone-laden teen rampaging around your house and eating all your food. Just when you think you have their room perfectly set up, they grow and their needs change. You have to start all over again and this can cost you a fortune on new furniture and paint! Becoming a parent is overwhelming enough without stressing about paint and curtains.

The solution is to set up your kid’s room in a way that will last them. It can evolve with them as they go through the various stages of childhood. Then you can turn it into a spare room when they leave home!

Set a budget and stick to it

Start by trawling the web and the high street for bargains. You do not have to buy everything brand new. You can literally cut your budget in half by looking for used items of furniture. Many items have barely been used and are in perfect condition.

It is easy to organise getting the items to your own home. You will be surprised at what you can fit into a family car with back seats folded down. For really large items you can use https://www.shiply.com/ to get a quote and compare services. You don’t have to spend hours on the phone and you simply have to fill in one simple form.

Buying ‘out of season’ is a top tip. Look out for fluffy blankets in the early summer and light throws in the autumn. All you have to do is store them safely until you need them.

There are plenty of places to pick up used furniture at a mere fraction of their cost new. Try sites such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/ or Gumtree where you can select sellers who live near you.

It is a mistake to limit yourself to an online search. Why not take a peek on your high street and try to spot some bargains in charity shops. The British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/shop/our-local-shops/furniture-and-electrical-shops has dedicated stores where they only sell furniture and electrical items.

Recycling is a very cost-effective method. You can adapt chests of drawers and bureaus by giving them a new coat of varnish. If you want to be very artistic, try out a stencil. The kids will love helping you!

Choose a design that can be adapted

It is easy to be tempted by cute, miniature baby furniture. Who wouldn’t? However, this is going to last you for a couple of years at the most and so it is not a great investment. Swap it for some larger items that will grow with your kid.

If you choose the right changing station you can easily convert it into shelves or a desk for homework when your child starts school. A bed can be somewhere to sleep plus storage so that toys and books can be packed away.

Be careful with colour schemes. Choose neutral floor coverings and ceiling paint because they are hard and expensive to change.

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