(ARA) – Most parents can relate: Redecorating your child’s room often turns out to be far more challenging than freshening up the decor in other areas of your home. After all, kids have their own personalities and tastes – and what you like might not mesh with their ideas of the world’s coolest bedrooms.

Obviously, as parents, we want the best for our kids but we also need to be budget-conscious these days. And, redecorating projects often spiral into endeavors that gobble up not only your budget but also your sanity. Often, what started out as a fun redecorating project can quickly turn into an overwhelming task that everyone in the family dreads finishing.

But, if you do it right and with some thoughtful pre-planning, redecorating kid spaces doesn’t have to be draining to 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 says. “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 — and your child’s tastes — be your guide.

To lend a helping hand, Crayola and Dutch Boy offer a complete, 96-color palette of Crayola colors tinted in Dutch Boy Paint. It features fun, unique color chips sure to generate some enthusiasm from any child for a room makeover, as well as 16 inspiration cards featuring exciting room themes and designs that can help jump-start the creative process. With so many choices, chances are your child’s “favoritest” color will be among the mix.

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 furniture, 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’s 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 old 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: kids 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 and colorful storage and closet units available at a variety of home improvement retailers.

And don’t forget extending creativity to the finishing touches — accessories like 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 coordinate 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 says. “In fact, they might like it so much when you send them to their room; they might not want to leave.”

(ARA) – Indicators are implying that the U.S. economy is finally showing some signs of improvement. The markets are rising, and overall consumer confidence goes up every day. To the relief of people across the country, one area that is at last seeing some light at the end of the tunnel is the housing market.

As the economy stabilizes, homeowners are expected to begin investing more money into their homes, particularly the aesthetics of their homes. But the recession did have a profound impact on the manner in which people approach design and decor.

In economically prosperous times, design and color trends tend to be heavily influenced by tangible, worldly items that are created or manufactured by people and businesses. These items represent the more affluent lifestyles we enjoy during those times.

Correspondingly, during more difficult time periods, design influence returns to holistic, spiritual and simplistic elements that represent the richness of life that abounds in nature, relationships and spirituality.

This year’s color trends are rooted in that richness, says Dutch Boy Color Marketing and Design Manager Donna Schroeder.

“Colors that provide hope and affirmation that the greater economic market will continue to improve are at the forefront of decor for 2010,” Schroeder says. “People are much more introspective about color this year and will be painting in a way that not only is aesthetically pleasing, but also ’saturates the senses’ and is reflective of a society eager to reconnect with education, nature, spirituality and world culture.”

According to Schroeder, Dutch Boy’s 2010 design trends have been categorized into four different “personalities.” These “personality” palettes are composed of colors that embody a homeowner’s personal style and taste. Each of the trend personalities, along with images of the paint colors, can be found at www.DutchBoy.com.

Purist
This trend reflects the elements of nature: colors of branches, grasses and dark earth underneath the feet. It’s a soothing relief. A retreat from the hectic. It’s terra firma … brought indoors. Purists are concerned about their impact on the world and care deeply about finding balance. Purist colors are natural shades of herbal teas, the stones in the river as the water rushes over them, and the yellow-green of buds as they push up through the springtime earth.

Colors in the Purist palette include: Urban Nature, Naturalist Stone, Lemon Balm, Gingered Root, Catalyst Steel, Natural Canvas, Repurposed and Budding Fern.

Seeker
Seeker goes beyond the ordinary to showcase shades brought forth by history and architecture. Rich, complex hues give this color personality rooms that have a carefully curated, beautifully symbolic touch. What matters to a Seeker is creating meaning, spirituality and beauty in life. Colorful objects made of precise, hexagonal tiles to stylized, architectural furniture are quintessential to the Seeker.

Colors in the Seeker palette include: Antique Rosewood, Medieval Cloverleaf, Olde Stone, Soul-Quenching, Alabaster Frame, Kimono Red, Crossing Midnight and Cathedral Gray.

Muse
Muse is a palette that’s all about feeling and experiencing. These are colors that swaddle and soothe the soul. It’s a color style that reflects the need for sanctuary. Attention to design detail and just the right sensory colors bring Muse to life. This palette is infused with, and inspires, rich details, fine fabrics and soft twilight shades of blush pinks, rosy peach and lilac.

Colors in the Muse palette include: Quiet Drizzle, Aroma Garden, Melodious Peach, Silken Raspberry, Blossomed Lilac, Composed Bloom, Nightingale’s Song and Meadow Pear.

Storyteller
The Storyteller collection shows off color that reflects a life well-lived through traveling and varied interests. Furniture and colors from afar add a vibrant touch to the home and bring life to tales from foreign lands. Everything a Storyteller sees in her travels inspires her home design and color choices. The Storyteller is an experiential explorer.

Colors in the Storyteller palette include: Grecian Sea, Edge of Time, Narrative Cream, Clementine Tart, Journey’s End, Treaded Grapes, Wide Open Sky and Spanish Door.

Though these four trend personalities will certainly be prolific this year, many people will combine the four palettes and blend them all into distinctive personalities. Recognizing this, Dutch Boy has collected a “Blend” palette. What colors are in this palette? All of them.

Blend is exciting, eclectic and adventurous. Blend is, appropriately, a blending combination of two or more of the previous four trends. A person with a Blend personality has a home that is a reflection of the owner’s many moods and styles. An airy, light-filled room might be held to earth by chunky furniture or given flight with watercolor prints. Blend personalities could have a Muse kitchen, Storyteller family room, and a combined Purist and Seeker dining room. Coexistence is at the heart of the Blend personality.

For more information about these color trends and how to choose the perfect paint color, visit www.dutchboy.com, or call (800) 828-5669.

(ARA) – When it comes to creating ambiance and warmth in a home, nothing can beat a fireplace, especially during this time of year. But are you aware that the right fireplace or stove can also help reduce your heating costs? Or that your existing fireplace’s efficiency can be boosted significantly by installing an insert, and for less money than you might think?

Here are five facts about fireplaces and stoves that may surprise you.

1. You can conserve energy, live a greener lifestyle and combat volatile heating costs with a high efficiency fireplace or stove.

Do you use every room in your house every day? If not, try zone heating the areas where you spend the most time with an efficient fireplace or stove. It will cut down on the amount of fuel consumed by your furnace and can reduce home heating bills by 20 to 40 percent, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. Simply turn down the central thermostat and let the fireplace heat where you live. This works whether your fireplace is fueled by natural gas, liquid propane, wood, pellets or other materials.

Renewable fuels like cord wood, pellets and other plant-derived materials are excellent sources of heat. The key is burning them in a high efficiency fireplace or stove, which makes the process much easier than it was for our grandparents. For example, a load of quality wood in a standard Quadra-Fire EPA-certified wood stove can produce heat for up to 15 hours, and in pellet stoves a single 40-pound bag of pellets can produce heat for up to 24 hours. In both cases, the amount of emissions and ash generated by these units has been dramatically reduced. There is also a U.S. tax credit in 2010 of up to $1,500 for the purchase of qualifying wood and pellet stoves.

2. A fireplace can be installed in your existing home without the hassles of adding a traditional chimney.

Don’t have a fireplace? In most homes, a beautiful and efficient gas fireplace can be added for as little as $3,500, including installation. Made possible by direct vent gas technology, the fireplace is vented to the outdoors via a single pipe that runs through the side of the house to the outdoors, drawing air needed for the fire and expelling its byproducts. Direct vent gas technology has brought warmth and ambience to millions of homes.

3. Your inefficient wood burning fireplace can be transformed into a powerful and beautiful heat producer.

If you have a masonry-built wood burning fireplace that is drafty and inefficient, consider updating it with an energy efficient fireplace insert. “It is a fairly simple process to transform these fireplaces into energy efficient powerhouses,” says Jeni Forman of Quadra-Fire. “Professional installation can be completed within four to six hours, and it could make your fireplace up to 85 percent more efficient.” The cost of adding an insert, including installation, can be as low as $2,900 for gas and wood-burning units, and $3,200 for pellet-burning inserts.

4. You can control the heat produced by today’s fireplaces.

Many fireplaces and stoves can be thermostatically controlled – you decide how much heat you want and change it as desired. Some models also allow you to control the height of the flames and have LED lighting in the embers, which can be turned on or off. Controls are accessed either via remote control, on the unit, or they are wall-mounted.

5. Modern fireplace design is pushing traditional boundaries.

If you prefer a traditional fireplace that burns real wood, or simulates it with gas, manufactured logs and burning embers, there are literally hundreds of models from which to choose. However, if your design style leans toward contemporary and you want some new options, today’s modern style fireplaces offer simplistic beauty and elegance. Inspired by European design, many modern style fireplaces are linear in shape, showcasing a panoramic view of the flames that dance in unison with colored glass, shiny metal or other innovative materials like black onyx. Placement is also being redefined, as modern style fireplaces are often positioned at eye level, evoking a living piece of fine art.

It’s winter and there’s nothing better than cozying up to a warm fireplace. Investigate the possibilities at fireplaces.com. The site includes an online program that walks you through the process of designing your fireplace, mixing and matching options with rooms, flooring and wall colors.

(ARA) – We turn to technology to make many aspects of our lives easier – from traveling with a GPS to staying connected with loved ones via social networking Web sites. It’s no surprise, then, that our kitchens, the most-used room in the home, are becoming increasingly high tech.

A study commissioned by a leading kitchen appliance manufacturer showed that a third of respondents spend three to four hours in the kitchen each day, and 20 percent spend five or more hours. The survey also showed that Americans are embracing technologies in this room, with nearly half of the respondents reporting they want a state-of-the-art kitchen.

Responding to the demand for technology, manufacturers are offering new gadgets and products designed to make kitchen tasks easier, faster and more energy-efficient:

* Touchscreen technology centers stationed in the kitchen allow users to access stored or online recipes and cooking tips.

* Energy-efficient pots shorten cooking time and reduce energy usage by as much as 50 percent.

* Water-powered garbage disposal units are operated by the water pressure in the kitchen and require zero electricity.

* Automated pantry systems catalog contents and keep track of what ingredients are running low or need to be replenished.

“The kitchen is the hub of the home, where we spend significant chunks of time preparing meals and participating in a host of other activities,” says Bob Rodenbeck, senior research and development director at Delta Faucet Company. “An often-overlooked opportunity to incorporate technology lies in the faucet. On average, a family of four touches it 150 times a day – when cooking, cleaning the home, washing our hands or just getting a drink of water.”

Delta’s intuitive, touch-activated kitchen faucet offers increased efficiency and helps save water. The Pilar pull-down kitchen faucet with Touch2O Technology can be turned on or off with a simple touch to the spout or handle. With this technology, you’ll no longer have to use messy hands to operate the faucet, and if your hands are full it’s easier to stop the flow of water in between tasks when it’s not needed.

Another innovation that makes Delta pull-down kitchen faucets more convenient and user-friendly is MagnaTite docking, which uses a powerful magnet to keep the pull-down spray wand firmly in place for a cleaner look. Similar in functionality to magnetic closures found on totes and personal electronic cases, the spray head engages with little effort.

So what’s next?

Rodenbeck said his team is always looking for opportunities to enhance the user experience. Delta recently launched two commercial faucets that use the body’s electrical charge to activate the flow of water. “We’re considering ways to apply this technology to residential fixtures in the kitchen and the bath.”

(ARA) – Homeowners embarking on a kitchen remodel typically must select the style, the quality of craftsmanship and the materials that meet their unique values and project goals. With the pressing need to increase energy efficiency and conserve resources, green remodeling continues to gain in popularity.

“Incorporating green elements into a kitchen remodel is no longer considered just a passing fad, but a way of life,” says Dick Titus, executive vice president of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA). “Homeowners feel a social responsibility to choose products that are safe for the environment and their family’s welfare.”

Kitchen cabinets could take up as much as half of a kitchen renovation budget, so it’s vital for homeowners wanting to “green” their kitchens to choose a quality cabinet manufacturer with roots in environmental sustainability. KCMA’s Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) can simplify the quest. ESP enables cabinet manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability and helps consumers easily identify environmentally friendly products. After meeting the certification requirements in areas such as product resource management, air quality, process resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations, companies earn the ESP seal to display on their products. As a criterion in the NAHB Green Building Standard, the first ANSI approved green building rating system for residential construction in the U.S., ESP sets the standard for homeowners looking to integrate affordable eco-friendly cabinets into their home.

ESP encourages the following practices by awarding points to manufacturers who qualify:

Certified by a recognized sustainable forestry program
Wood products, especially cabinets, are an environmentally friendly choice for a number of reasons. One reason is that wood is a naturally renewable resource, meaning new trees will grow in place of those that have already been harvested. ESP certification awards points to manufacturers who use wood in their cabinets that is certified through a recognized sustainable forestry program. Programs such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) put a label on their wood products to show consumers that the resources removed from the forest are at a level the forest is capable of renewing without damaging its future. In doing so, these practices preserve the environment and valuable forest resources.

Use of materials with low levels of formaldehyde
To earn points in ESP’s air quality category, manufacturers must prove that 80 percent of particleboard, medium density fiberboard, hardboard and plywood used in the cabinets meet the low formaldehyde emissions level of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Compwood ATCM. Such materials must be third-party certified by a CARB-approved lab to meet low formaldehyde emission standards. The CARB Compwood ATCM is the lowest formaldehyde standard in the world. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance that can be produced by the human body. It is ubiquitous and a component of hundreds of consumer items.

Eco-friendly manufacturing process
When shopping for eco-friendly cabinets, it is important to not only examine the cabinets, but also the process that was used to manufacture them. Criteria for process resource management includes that the manufacturer have an active recycling program for wastes, an energy-conservation program or another form of environmental-management system. On top of conserving resources, these practices can reduce the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases, and aid in decreasing landfills, all of which have clear societal benefits.

Commitment to the environment and community
When purchasing ESP certified cabinets, homeowners can rest assured that the manufacturer is committed to both the environment and their community. ESP’s environmental stewardship criteria require that the manufacturer have a written policy stating a firm commitment to protect the environment. The community relations category encourages the manufacturer to demonstrate community involvement and leadership through service or charitable organizations and observe all federal, state and local environmental requirements.

With almost 150 ESP certified cabinetry companies to choose from, homeowners have the ability to select environmentally responsible cabinetry tailored to their needs, no matter their price, style, finish and wood preference – just look for the ESP seal located on the base cabinet. For more information and tips on “greening” the home and finding environmentally friendly cabinetry visit www.greencabinetsource.org.

(ARA) – In the world of fashion, accessories can make an average outfit look sophisticated and stylish. The same can be said in the world of home fashion, where smart accessories can turn an already great idea – installing a skylight – into an energy-efficient, eco-conscious home run.

“Long gone are the days when homeowners installed a skylight and couldn’t do much more with it than enjoy the natural light it brought into their homes,” says Joe Patrick, senior product manager with skylight manufacturer Velux. “Today, skylight accessories can enhance the beauty, function and energy efficiency of virtually any skylight.”

Skylights can be installed in nearly any room in the house, and are particularly popular in kitchens and baths where natural light and ventilation is welcome and a window isn’t always practical or possible. New technology from producers like Velux ensures that skylights are now virtually “leak-proof.” In fact, the leading manufacturer markets a deck-mounted skylight line with three layers of water protection that comes with both a no-leak product and installation warranty.

In addition to filling your home with natural light and providing a source of passive natural ventilation, high-quality skylights are Energy Star qualified. Dual pane, argon gas injected, advanced LoE3 glass helps keep heat out in the summer and inside in the winter. The glass also filters ultraviolet sunlight that could fade furnishings inside the home.

Adding accessories, like blinds, allows you to have nearly total control of the heat and light gained or lost through your skylight. You can learn more about skylight accessories at VeluxUSA.com. Once you’ve made the decision to install a skylight in your home, here are some accessories every well-dressed skylight – whether it’s vented or fixed – should sport:

* Blind types now include Venetian blinds, blackout blinds and roller blinds. Depending on what type you choose, you can completely block light entering through the skylight or soften the sunlight entering to a diffused, gentle glow.

* Blinds can be manually controlled, moved with a remote control, or even connected to a home automation system that controls accessories and appliances throughout the house.

* Solar blinds, available for some skylights, can actually qualify you for a 30 percent federal tax credit for the product and installation – with no cap on the credit through 2016. The credit can help you recoup up to 30 percent of the cost of the blinds and the labor to install them. Solar blinds are energy-efficient because they rely on a built-in rechargeable solar battery to power the mechanism that opens and closes the blinds.

* A home automation interface can allow your skylight and blinds to be integrated into a home automation system and controlled in concert with other home technologies like heating and air conditioning, lighting, locks and more.

* Advanced radio frequency remote control make it possible to create a program to control the skylight and blinds automatically, based on the time of day, week or month of the year. This advanced technology provides full control of your skylight and accessories throughout the home.

* Moisture sensors detect precipitation and automatically close a venting skylight when the weather turns wet.

Many of these accessories are available for both venting and fixed skylights. As demand for green building continues to grow, venting skylights are gaining popularity as an energy-efficient way to exhaust hot, stale air and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from homes. To learn more about skylights and proper installation, visit veluxusa.com, energystar.gov, nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org.

(ARA) – In the world of fashion, accessories can make an average outfit look sophisticated and stylish. The same can be said in the world of home fashion, where smart accessories can turn an already great idea – installing a skylight – into an energy-efficient, eco-conscious home run.

“Long gone are the days when homeowners installed a skylight and couldn’t do much more with it than enjoy the natural light it brought into their homes,” says Joe Patrick, senior product manager with skylight manufacturer Velux. “Today, skylight accessories can enhance the beauty, function and energy efficiency of virtually any skylight.”

Skylights can be installed in nearly any room in the house, and are particularly popular in kitchens and baths where natural light and ventilation is welcome and a window isn’t always practical or possible. New technology from producers like Velux ensures that skylights are now virtually “leak-proof.” In fact, the leading manufacturer markets a deck-mounted skylight line with three layers of water protection that comes with both a no-leak product and installation warranty.

In addition to filling your home with natural light and providing a source of passive natural ventilation, high-quality skylights are Energy Star qualified. Dual pane, argon gas injected, advanced LoE3 glass helps keep heat out in the summer and inside in the winter. The glass also filters ultraviolet sunlight that could fade furnishings inside the home.

Adding accessories, like blinds, allows you to have nearly total control of the heat and light gained or lost through your skylight. You can learn more about skylight accessories at VeluxUSA.com. Once you’ve made the decision to install a skylight in your home, here are some accessories every well-dressed skylight – whether it’s vented or fixed – should sport:

* Blind types now include Venetian blinds, blackout blinds and roller blinds. Depending on what type you choose, you can completely block light entering through the skylight or soften the sunlight entering to a diffused, gentle glow.

* Blinds can be manually controlled, moved with a remote control, or even connected to a home automation system that controls accessories and appliances throughout the house.

* Solar blinds, available for some skylights, can actually qualify you for a 30 percent federal tax credit for the product and installation – with no cap on the credit through 2016. The credit can help you recoup up to 30 percent of the cost of the blinds and the labor to install them. Solar blinds are energy-efficient because they rely on a built-in rechargeable solar battery to power the mechanism that opens and closes the blinds.

* A home automation interface can allow your skylight and blinds to be integrated into a home automation system and controlled in concert with other home technologies like heating and air conditioning, lighting, locks and more.

* Advanced radio frequency remote control make it possible to create a program to control the skylight and blinds automatically, based on the time of day, week or month of the year. This advanced technology provides full control of your skylight and accessories throughout the home.

* Moisture sensors detect precipitation and automatically close a venting skylight when the weather turns wet.

Many of these accessories are available for both venting and fixed skylights. As demand for green building continues to grow, venting skylights are gaining popularity as an energy-efficient way to exhaust hot, stale air and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from homes. To learn more about skylights and proper installation, visit veluxusa.com, energystar.gov, nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org.

(ARA) – Playrooms are ideal spaces for encouraging children’s creativity, providing them with the stimulation they crave and helping them create a connection with others. The great news is that you don’t have to build an addition onto the house or set aside your family vacation fund to create a great playroom.

Many unused extra spaces in the home can function as playroom spaces. Whether it’s a sewing room you no longer have time for or maybe an extra bedroom that isn’t being used, make sure the space is safe and secure for the ages of children who will be playing in it. Spaces under staircases and large closets can make great play areas and give an almost fort-like feel for your child to play make-believe in.

Your next step is to define a goal for the room and take into account who will be using the space. Need some direction? Review online resources for playrooms or visit stores that offer playroom ideas. Places like Ikea, Target and the like can be great resources for fun, functional and inexpensive ideas and designs.

“Create universal spaces that will grow with your children,” encourages Nancy Bohnett, academic director of Interior Design at The Art Institute of Las Vegas. “Your first child may be a 3-year-old girl who loves princesses, but she may outgrow her love for pink in a few years and gain a baby brother who will also use the space as he grows.”

Once you’ve got an idea of how you want the room to function, you’ll be able to make a list of the items you’ll need and want, whether it’s an easel for your little artist, bins to store a large collection of blocks or a table for the perfect tea party. You may find that you have many of the items you need, whether they are crammed into your child’s current space or stored in the garage.

For the items you need to purchase, take advantage of places like Ikea, peruse a garage sale, check the listings on Craigslist, find some treasures on eBay or visit a recycled furniture store to pick up pieces you need. With a little TLC and some paint, any piece can make a great addition to your playroom. Closet sweater stackers and over-the-door shoe organizers are great places for coloring books and art supplies.

When it comes to the walls, playrooms should be bright and cheerful, but there’s no need to go overboard with paint. “The reality is that children’s tastes change as they grow. Creating an accent wall in a favorite color is a great way to bring color to the space and save money. It can be something your kids help with, putting their handprints on the wall or something fun and can be easily changed over time,” says Bohnett.

In fact, Bohnett encourages restraint in all the decor. “Be careful not to choose a theme that will be outdated in a short period of time. Allow the toys and creative pieces your children create in the room to dictate the space. You’ll save time, money and frustration in the long run,” she says.

When it comes to flooring, hard and washable surfaces are ideal for these spaces. “Having floors that can withstand the rigors of childhood play is important for a parent’s sanity,” says Bohnett. “Not only do children play with many things that roll along the floor, but they also play with messy things like paints, clay and Mommy’s nail polish.”

Don’t let a small space rain on your playroom parade. “There are simple ways to make a room feel larger,” Bohnett adds. “Do simple things like add a mirror to the room. It can be used for dress-up time and helps the space feel larger.” Children can also use washable markers and paints on the mirror, which can easily be cleaned once playtime is over.

Lighting for the space can be a breeze as well. Overhead lights that are already built into the space, daylight and some indirect light are all you need. Grab an old lamp from the garage and paint it to match the new scheme. It’s a great way to personalize the space and an inexpensive alternative to a custom child-themed lamp.

Last but not least, don’t forget that even in a kids’ space, parents need a little room. Make sure there’s a comfortable place for you to sit and supervise your children and to have the materials at hand you’ll need for the space. To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.