Now is the time to get your kids' spaces organized at home and at school. Most experts agree that an organized child is more productive and has a greater chance for achieving success. But there's more. "A well-designed environment is essential in providing children with a sense of calm and security," says my guest, Michelle Pollak, an interior designer and member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Pollak specializes in designing children's rooms, furniture, even playhouses. "Furniture scale, color palettes and lighting can all affect a child's mood and sense of comfort," she notes.
Join Education columnist Evelyn Vuko and her guest online Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m. ET for some economical tips on how to make all your kids' environments comfortable and efficient.
Evelyn Vuko
(washingtonpost.com)
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The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
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Evelyn Vuko: Got a question about how to get your kids organized for the new school year? My guest, interior designer, Michelle Pollak, believes that good design pivots on organization, and it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Let's talk creating spaces where kids will be happy to learn...
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Chicago, Ill.:
My son has an attention disorder and I'm thinking that his bedroom can be better arranged and designed to make him feel calmer. Any suggestions for colors, design, fabic or furniture that you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Michelle Pollak: Color has a lot of effect on mood, as does clutter and overall "busy-ness". In terms of which colors to choose, that really varies depending on the person.
As a designer, I try to discover what the client's individual preferences are and design around those. For example, if a certain color really makes you feel happy or serene, I suggest incorporating a form of that color in the design scheme.
This is by no means an exact rule, but I find that "quiet" colors (i.e. not bright primary colors) are the most relaxing and calming. For example, if your child likes blue or red, work with a designer (or on your own) to find a subtle shade of that color.
Also, keep the space as uncluttered as possible, as this will give it a more open, calm feel.
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Evelyn Vuko: Based on some of the questions coming in, please keep in mind that Michelle is an interior designer who has no experience in dealing with kids with learning disorders. Her skill is in creating environments for kids that aesthetically pleasing as well as relaxing and calming.
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Phoenixville, Pa.:
I'm moving my teenager daughter into our guest room so she won't have to share with her younger sister anymore. However, the room is long and narrow, 9X16, with one window at the narrow end. How in the world and where do I fit a desk, a chair, table and a bed into that small space? Help!
Michelle Pollak: That is going to take some creativity (and also very good space planning)! That's a challenging space, and one that I can't thoroughly address without access to photos or a floor plan.
However, I can say, do whatever it takes to preserve the window space, as this is (I'm presuming) your best source of light. Also, a window is a feature which creates a feeling of "open-ness", which is essential in a room with these dimensions.
One suggestion on furniture is to look into multi-functional pieces. For example, consider a bed with drawers underneath to create more storage space without the need for additional furniture. Research desks that save space while still being comfortable and easy to use.
These are the practical issues. Just as important are the aesthetic ones. With the correct use of color, fabrics, and furniture materials, the room can be given a better feel.
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Leonardtown, Md.:
My daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD in the past year, is there anything that I or the teachers can do to ensure this doesn't effect her learning?
Evelyn Vuko: It's the school teacher speaking here...I don't think anyone will despute the fact that ADHD can complicate the learning equation for kids, but there are also many support systems that can be put into place that will help her work more efficiently and comfortably. Since I don't know the age of your daughter, I'll just make some general suggestions. Set a conference with the teacher and inform him/her of this recent diagnosis and share any teaching suggestions that you've been given by the person who tested her. Pay particular attention to helping her accurately process directions, for example. Verbal as well as written directions, picture clues if she's young, and repeating directions helps kids with ADHD remember better. I find that kids with ADHD respond exceptionally well to private tutoring. If this is something you can afford, this one-to-one relationship helps focus a child's attention, develop efficient learning methods and produces another advocate for your child. Keep a careful, but unobtrusive watch on her progress yourself and don't be afraid to step in when she demonstrates that she needs help.
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Annapolis, Md.:
I have an eighth grade daughter. Are there any inexpensive racks that she can use to set out her clothes the night before? (theone for suits are too large and too expensive). Do you have any suggestions for taming the school clutter (papers, fliers, assignments, etc.) that she can use?
Evelyn Vuko: Living in a condo with not enough closet space (don't get me started) I am always on the hunt for racks and storage systems. I found one recently to use in my guest room that might work for your daughter...it has hooks on the top that fit over the top of the door and on the front it has five hooks for hanging clothes, spaced widely enough to even use hangers. If you hang this outside her closet door or even inside the door of her bedroom, she'll have a place to hang her clothes just for the next day. For her papers and fliers and assignments, I'd suggest small and inexpensive filing carts on wheels (I got mine at Staples). Then buy assorted color hanging files and color code her papers---purple for tests, green for assignments completed, yellow for fliers, etc. Hope these ideas work for you, too.
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Harrisburg, Pa.:
Do you feel strongly about any paint colors that should not be used in a child's room? What colors do you like to use, and why?
Michelle Pollak: As I mentioned in one of my previous responses, color is very important, as it can affect the mood and feel of a space.
There are no "wrong" colors, but some colors may not be the best choice for everyone. For example, in a child's room, I prefer soft, calming colors overall, with brighter punches of color as accessories.
However, that type of color scheme may not be the best for every child. This is how I usually determine color scheme:
I find out as much about the child as possible, in terms of color preferences. I also try to find out from the parent how hectic the child's lifestyle is. For those with more hectic, stressful (yes, children these days can be very stressed!) lives, I suggest a more calming color scheme. For those who don't experience a great deal of over-stimulation (from school, computers, t.v., etc.), a brighter color palette may work.
Some of my personal likes and dislikes include:
Personal favorites are very soft yellows, greens, blush colors, grey-blues, and lavenders. I don't like these particular colors in their fully saturated form, however.
The only colors I personally try to avoid are very bright primary colors, especially in large doses. That's not to say a few toys or accessories in these colors aren't okay; I just wouldn't paint an entire room this way.
I'm a big proponent of using color properly. Since I have only limited time to address each question, I unfortunately can't go into every detail, but I'm happy to address color questions further if you'd like to contact me at the www.lapetitemaison.com. website. You can email me from there!
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Anonymous:
This is more of a child development question but does the color of a room affect the way a child develops over the years?
Evelyn Vuko: You mean if you paint the blue room will he always be blue? I doubt it. However, I think some kids, and adults, are very sensitive and responsive to colors. One of my students even invented the word "colorbetical" to signify how she organized her notebooks and files. Whenever she's observing a scene or a painting or watching a movie, it's always the colors she notices first. She's a color-sensitive kid. Her mother, on the other hand, told me she never notices color, she sees everything in black and white. She always let her daughter take the lead when it comes to chosing colors for her own room--because it matters to this child. Color-consciousness or the lack of it probably has scant impact on the way a child develops but it can be something that makes a color-conscious kid happy or turn them into an interior designer one day.
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Washington, D.C.:
Please talk to me about lighting my son's room. He's in high school and has an incredible amount of paperwork I don't feel he's got the right kind of light in his bedroom for all that close work. Some people tell me that halogen is better than incandescent and now I'm confused. Please advise.
Michelle Pollak: I agree that lighting is a crucial part of design. In fact, I sometimes work with lighting designers who specialize in just that arena.
As a general rule, I always stress daylight first. Then you can bring in the artificial lighting that works best. If you can utilize the natural light that comes into his room, that would be the first step.
Place his desk and study area (sometimes that's even a bed if I remember my high school study habits) where the natural light can reach. Glare can sometimes be a problem with natural light. This can be addressed with the proper window treatments, such as blinds, wovens, adjustable shades, etc.
Regarding the type of artificial light to use -- halogen vs. incandescent -- this isn't as simple. There are various factors to consider, such as energy costs, the cost of the lamp (or bulb) itself and some conflicting health issues regarding each. This is definitely an area for a specialized lighting designer.
In my own office, I work by natural light (I have a huge window) and in the evenings, I work by incandescent light. That works well for me!
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Maryland:
You talk about calming colors but I was wondering what color would make a child more productive?
Evelyn Vuko: Wouldn't it be wonderful to find such a color? Do you think they could produce enough of it to paint all the kids bedrooms and classrooms across the country? Don't let me get carried away. Seriously, I think if a child responds to and loves colors, a favorite color might be inspiring. One of my students, for example, found it much more fun and was more consistent about doing her spelling homework in a notebook that I'd covered for her in purple felt.
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Washington, D.C.:
Hello,
We have two boys, ages 7 and 9, who share the same bedroom. Neither is especially neat. Do you have any suggestions about how I can arrange their 10x14 room in order to create study areas, storage for toys and sports equipment, a half-dresser each, and 2 twin beds? We cannot afford a separate bedroom for each, so we have to be creative with what we have.
TT
Michelle Pollak: I shared a room with my sister growing up, so I remember well how challenging that can be!
First of all, I recommend finding the right storage furniture, which is getting easier to do these days. There are quite a few places out there, including catalogue companies, that specialize just in storage items.
Anything you can do to minimize clutter and provide a space for things will maximize the usefulness of the room, as well as create a space that feels good.
There are also several companies that provide a ceiling system that you self install, from which you can hang a curtain panel to give each boy his own space. Another way to do this is to choose a piece of furniture that serves as a room divider.
Finding the right furniture will take a little bit of searching, but can really help make their room neater and more comfortable. Consider things such as beds with storage underneath.
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Arlington, Va.:
I like this subject.
I'd just like to put my two cents in on the color. If you pick out the preferred colors and let your child select from those, the child feels very proud about the selection and will like the room even more.
Evelyn Vuko: Another color person joins the group! Hello, colorful one. You are right on target about this. Though I hate the word "ownership" when a child is allowed to make as large a decision about the color on the walls of his/her bedroom, it does make him/her feel like they have a bigger stake in the process. The bigger the stake kids have in all elements of their school work and home life, the more they care about the results.
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Washington, D.C.:
What watts for lamp do you recommend?
Michelle Pollak: This is definitely a subject for a qualified lighting designer...or in lieu of that, a good lighting store.
The answer depends on many variables!
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Virginia:
A lot of stores have back-to-school sales on creating storage space, etc. for kids. However, what are the basics that a child really needs in her room (especially if she/he has a small room and will need study space in there as well) to help them organize their school work, computer with their dresser, etc.?
Evelyn Vuko: I'm only a designer in my dreams but I have to add my two cents here. Instead of using a separate dresser, why not consider a day bed that has a trundle bed drawer on the bottom? Rather than putting an extra mattress in that trundle drawer, why not use those drawers for her clothes? In this case, she might not need a separate dresser, which would allow more space for a desk and a chair. And make sure the desk has lots of drawers, including a file drawer for filing her school supplies.
Michelle Pollak: Regarding the issue of storage: you can (almost) never have too much! Remember that as your child grows, they will need even more storage space, since their interests will change and will need to be accommodated.
I'm a huge fan of hiding everything possible, which reduces visual clutter. This helps me (at least in my office) think more clearly and work more efficiently.
For example, if you have bookshelves where everything is seen, also provide storage which can be fully enclosed or covered, such as cabinets with doors. That way, all the icky stuff (a professional term meaning things that don't look good out!) can be hidden.
Keep in mind that the aesthetics of a space have a lot to do with the way the room feels and thus how well it can be utilized. A pretty space is inviting and also more conducive to working more productively (in most cases!).
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Evelyn Vuko: Michelle and I both wish we could answer all these questions in greater detail, especially the ones about color! Michelle suggests that you take her general comments and personalize them with more research on your own or consult an interior designer. And don't forget to get the kids involved in the process. Join me again live online on September 7th to talk about the transition to middle school.
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