He’s ready to ditch the toddler bed and upgrade to “big boy’s room.” Now is the time to design a room for your son that will grow with him and keep you from having to start from scratch every couple of years or so. Sure, their likes, dislikes, tastes and personal preferences change faster than a speeding bullet, but there are ways to design a bedroom that will grow with him, saving you time and money in the long run.

Themes

A popular way to decorate a child’s room, either for a boy or girl, is to pick a theme. However, since from three years of age and on, little boys are in the business of growing into bigger boys, there is the danger that they will quickly outgrow the theme you have chosen. While some themes such as pirates, cowboys, outer space, baseball, racing cars and dinosaurs have a timeless appeal, to design a room that will grow with your son, limit the theme to items that can be easily replaced. Should your son outgrow his room’s original theme, if you have chosen space exploration themed bedding and matching curtains, these are easier to change than having to scrape off rocket ship wallpaper and redo the walls.

Walls

Make it colorful but don’t base the room’s décor on your son’s current favorite color in case he changes his mind next week. If you would like to include his favorite color, use it as an accent color rather than for the whole room. Avoid papering the room in a particular theme. Use a border in a particular theme instead.

To create a space that will grow with your child, the same principle applies when decorating the walls. You can advance the theme throughout the room in non-permanent ways by adding posters and pictures that can be changed or updated as required.

Furniture

Select a bedroom set that is well-constructed, durable and stylish. Choose furniture in classic colors like black, dark brown or espresso.

Select as many pieces on casters as possible. This allows you (and your son) the freedom to alter the room’s configuration as his needs change. It will also make it easier to add certain pieces, like a computer desk or TV armoire when he wants someplace to study or play a computer game.

Include lots of storage options. Freeing up floor space for play and exploration is a must in a young boy’s room.