With the Easter holidays in full swing, the children's bedroom becomes the backdrop to weeks of fun, relaxing and prepping for the academic year.

A fresh new look in their room could be a perfect opportunity. But it could also mean complete chaos. So what’s the answer?

As both a mum and interior designer, for me the best way to keep children interested in decorating is to involve them from the off. Children’s imaginations are spectacular so harness as much of their creativity as your time and budget will allow.

Unleash the Banksy of tomorrow

Get your children to take ownership of their room by getting them in on the job at hand. Involving them in the decorating process needn’t be a logistical challenge, nor result in a nightmare vision of abstract art having had your paint pots knocked in every direction. For a start, the design direction you take can be decided, or at least influenced, by them. If you feel that you’re able to entrust them with a paintbrush, let them get to work with a few rules – and plenty of cover sheets – in place.

Reflect their age

Ask them about any characters they’d like to include, think about their interests, the shows they like, their hobbies and consider their personality. You’ll likely receive a million and one ideas in return, but anything that lets them stamp their own personality in their room is a good thing. After all, if they see it as theirs they will be more inclined to look after it in the years to come.

Storage solutions

Storage plays a hugely important role in a child’s room – especially if you don’t want their worthy possessions scattered throughout the rest of your home. Children, no matter their age, will always need a good chunk of storage whether it’s to stow toys, school books or even hair products and it’s vital you consider your child’s growing and changing interests.

If the child’s room is quite compact, consider modular furniture such as storage boxes that serve as seating or a study area under a cabin bed. If you are feeling particularly creative and are handy with a tool box, why not try building something yourself – a made-to-measure storage solution unique to your home.

Investment pieces

Children grow up, often too fast for our liking. Which means some furnishings will be much more transient than others. Bed spreads, artwork, even wallpaper, are all relatively easy to replace – and it won’t cost a fortune to do so. But the core bedroom furniture – beds and wardrobes – can be quite expensive.

Myself and my team of designers would always advise to buy the best your budget can afford and think about the long-term. If you’re replacing a bed in a kid’s room, think about whether your child will end up sharing a room with a sibling – is it worth buying bunk beds or will two singles work better in the space?

The same goes for wardrobes. Built-in wardrobes are a fantastic way to make the most of every inch of space but can be pricey. But if you end up replacing a smaller, cheaper wardrobe every few years, cost wise it will soon add up.

Jacky’s Top Tips for a decorating a child’s bedroom

1. Involve your child from the offset.
2. Invest wisely in big tickets items like a bed and wardrobe.
3. Storage is key for a clutter-free bedroom.
4. Use accessories to reflect your child’s interests.
5. Buy plenty of cover sheets if you are letting your child paint for the first time.