Child's room: six essentials

1 Don't splurge too madly on your children's rooms; they'll grown out of the decor as fast as they do out of their shoes. Look out for second-hand furniture and then invest in some paint

2 Make sure the furnishings are tough and able to take a battering

3 Think washable surfaces - for carpets, walls, doors, desktops and anywhere else crayons could be wielded or drinks spilled

4 Do ask for your children's opinions and then - even if you hate what's been proposed - try to give them what they want. They have to live with the results

5 Storage, storage, storage. Parents complain about clothes and toys flung all over the floor and then provide just one small cupboard

6 Brace yourself for having to go through another redecoration next year