As a boy grows from infant to toddler, his bedroom needs to grow along with him, morphing from nursery to a colorful and fun space for playtime, early learning and sleeping. Your first priority is to make the space a safe one: Use outlet covers to keep your toddler from inserting fingers or toys into electrical outlets, remove furniture with sharp corners as well as breakable items. Here are additional tips for decorating a bedroom and turning it into a space custom make for a toddler boy.

Choose a Theme: A favorite toy or cartoon character can provide an easy-to-follow theme for a toddler boy’s bedroom. While you’ll be able to find everything from curtains to bed sheets, pillows and wall decals in a character motif, keep in mind that today’s ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ is tomorrow’s ‘Mutant Ninja Turtle’. Fads come and go, so use a neutral color scheme then choose a few accents, such as pillow cases, toys or wall and furniture decals, to underscore the theme. Next year, when you’re son’s favorite character is the next big thing, it’s easy to change out accessories and bring in the current favorite without breaking the bank again.

Keep it Toddler-Friendly: A toddler will play on the floor in the middle of the room, so keep the space open and furnishings to a minimum. Bean bag chairs and floor cushions will give him comfort while being forgiving and accessible. The bed should be durable enough to withstand jumping, rough n’tumble play and fort-making. Provide a child-size table and chairs for drawing, coloring and playing with blocks. Make storage accessible with multi-colored open bins and a trunk and encourage your toddler to pick up after himself to foster early organizational skills. An easy-touch nightlight, comforting toys, a favorite blanket and story time books are details you’ll want to include. Keep an eye out for potential dangers: bookshelves should be bolted to the wall and choose overhead lighting or wall sconces instead floor lamps that can be pulled over.

If floors are hardwood or tile, be sure to add a well-padded area rug with a non-skid liner to cushion unavoidable falls. In play areas a decorated play mat combines cushioning with a surface that lets toy cars and trains to travel freely.

Special Decorative Touches: Here are a few other ways to add a little more style and color to your child’s room:

• Add a mural even if you are artistically challenged. Craft stores sell paint-by-number wall murals or use you can apply thin laser-cut appliqués to make a mural that can be peeled off and repositioned at will.
• Add a border at approximately chair rail height. Choose one made from wall paper or stencil it on.
• Keep wall art at eye level where your little boy can see it. Wood or metal wall plaques, fabric art, and his finger paintings and budding artworks are inexpensive wall art ideas that add visual stimulation.
• Add a comfortable upholstered chair in a corner for bedtime stories. Install a wall sconce lighting fixture on a dimmer for reading and an optional night light.

All text copyright Shanel. Photo from Flickr - "Multiplicity Max" courtesy of omniNate.