S O C I E T Y

Designing a den for teenaged children
Specific ingredients which need to be clearly defined while planning a room for teenaged children are study zone, entertainment and relaxing zone, fitness zone, get-ready zone and sleep zone, says Namrita Kalsi

• How to create space in nooks and crannies

Designing a den for teenaged children

Specific ingredients which need to be clearly defined while planning a room for teenaged children are study zone, entertainment and relaxing zone, fitness zone, get-ready zone and sleep zone, says Namrita Kalsi

THIS is a recipe for the decor of a teenager’s room. Specific ingredients which need to be clearly defined are study zone, entertainment and relaxing zone, fitness zone, get-ready zone and sleep zone.

The process of interior decor begins with the selection of a proper room for a teenager. Let the room be little private from the main circulation area to give him or her the necessary breathing space and yet near enough to keep an eye on the teenager constantly. Keep in mind the special needs of children appearing in the board exams. They have to balance two to three tuitions every day in addition to attending school or college and manage time for self-study. Let guests not disturb their tight schedules and concentration.

The room colour should be preferably pastels as dark colours may distract and disturb the thinking. Linen and room accessories can bring in splashes of colours. Finish of the room should be maintainable, attained through sun-mica and washable distempers.

Hi-tech has greatly altered the zonal relationships as mentioned above. Overlapping is the buzzword.

Computers with internet connection replace a television set, music system, encyclopaedias and reference books, library area, instructional material and multimedia resources, copy-pen- pencil, paint, brush, creativity kits and easel, et al.

A teenager’s room spectacularly reflects these trends immediately. Reflect it in the study and entertainment panels. Let it occupy one whole wall or L- shaped space and let it face the bed-cum-bunk. Special non-magnetic space for computer floppies, CD and DVD storage. If your ward is brilliant, display it on the pin board. Pin board is also for time-tables, lesson plans, things to do/ remember, notes, collages and posters. Change the display as trends/ moods change. Create space for school and tuition bag. Dustbin goes below to receive that is not required.

For seating there can be a comfortable mattress on floor, beanbag clad in leather, plastic air-chair, a water chair or a hammock in a corner. Let it be a total casual scene. The bed should be comfortable but not luxurious. Preferably in the corner with space for reading material and reading lights. Add floor rugs for controlled comfort.

Cater to spilled, overflowing and littered clothes, have a bag for dirty linen, wet towel, oversized and smelly shoes with properly designed cupboard and overhead storage space.

Dressing table, jewelery, mirror and lights, weight- lifting machine, punch bag and stationary cycle. Both need mirror so bunch them together

Do your good deed to environment, keep a greeny in the room and water it every day.

How to create space in nooks and crannies

• Space under staircases is usually wasted.With little imagination this can be converted into a wardrobe or open-shelved storage space.
  
  

• Corners in rooms usually can’t take in any furniture, but specially designed furniture can be fitted for such purposes.
  
  

• Similarly corners in bathrooms can also have special fittings, such as wash-hand basins and bath tubs.
  
  

• Use large-sized mirrors in small toilets to give a greater feeling of space.
  
  

• Create lofts for storage of junk, etc, in rooms like lobby, garages and kitchens; instead of wasting space on creating a store.
  
  

• In new constructions, basements or split-levels should be explored to create, more usable space.
  
  

• Sliding doors do save on space, as hinged doors waste a lot of space; wherever possible. To divide a large room with flexibility, such as a drawing-dining use sliding-folding doors.
  
  

• Kitchens should have breakfast tables to save on formal dining rooms.
  
  

• Use built-in furniture or multi-purpose furniture such as bunk-beds and sofa-cum-beds and also built-in cupboards to save space in small houses.
  
  

• Bay-windows can be used for sitting and creating cosy corners for relaxing, lounging etc.