|
The key word in children's lighting design is “fun.” From wacky animals to bright stripes to cartoon characters, the right lighting fixture can add a spark to a child's bedroom and playroom.
- The basic choice boils down to floor lamps or hanging lamps. And if your kid is old enough to read in bed, make sure to include at least one table lamp.
- That still leaves plenty of room to customize. There is plenty of theme lighting out there to suit any child's tastes. Want a Nascar lamp? Mickey Mouse? Head online and browse to see the range available. Offline, flea markets and yard sales can yield great vintage treasures, like bronzed leather cowboy boot lamps.
- Don't overlook do-it-yourself lights, either. A mason jar lamp with an electric candle inside takes about a half hour to make, and can be decorated in whatever way you (and your child) want. Try finger-painting the jar or gluing on keepsake items like photographs or dried flowers.
- For older children, try to pick designs that will fit with their changing tastes as they enter adolescence. Hard as it is to believe when they're five and watching the same cartoon over and over, they may eventually grow tired of seeing Nemo on their lamp. Sometimes just swapping a patterned lampshade for one in a subtle pastel color can upgrade the décor without breaking the budget.
- Don't forget novelty lights! Many box stores offer strings of lights in star or twinkling patterns that can be strung across the walls. These can also double as nightlights.
- There are some safety pointers to keep in mind when shopping for children's lighting for younger children. First, look for designs that give off little heat, to prevent burnt fingers. You may also want to use low-wattage bulbs, particularly for nightlights, and insert safety plugs into the wall sockets for standing lamps. Make sure novelty lights are well secured out of reach to prevent a child from accidentally chewing on or breaking the electrical cord.
- Finally, make sure your child isn't experiencing eyestrain from lights that are too dim. Swapping in a higher-wattage bulb might help. Just double-check that the wattage doesn't exceed the maximum limit for that light fixture.
|
