Perfect Room for a Little Person

Monochrome is the perfect look for a gender neutral room

Patricia Hoyna shows us how it’s done

The brief was to design a ‘gender neutral’ bedroom for a 3 1/2-year-old Sam. His parents had scrupulously avoided pink and blue when buying toys and clothes in order to avoid the limitations of stereotyped gender roles. In Sweden, where Sam’s parents come from, national curriculum requires preschools to “counteract traditional gender roles and gender patterns”, children are encouraged to explore.

The Scandi love for black and white is still going strong and what better way to use a monochrome colour scheme and inject some colour and playfulness with accent tones, fun toys and inspiring accessories! Sam loves animals, especially those featured in his books, so I found plenty of them. I sourced different shapes and sizes, some animals are there to hug and provide comfort, some to hold.

Sam’s stack of books keeps the room bright! There is something wonderfully crisp, calming and clean about black and white combo. As with every other colour, a successful room design is about getting the proportions right. When I chat to kids about their colour preferences, they often choose a pair: pink and purple or red and blue. I always honour their wishes, but the method is that one colour must dominate, otherwise it’s a visual disaster and it would be quite unsettling. The best approach is to split the colours to 70:30 ratio. Because it’s a room for a little one, I’ve opted for 70% white and 30% black with a splash of warm and cheery yellow. Bringing an accent colour can do wonders to elevate the look and feel of the space.

Top Tip

When designing a room don’t just think about the colour – pattern and texture are equally important

I have a tip for you: when designing a room don’t just think about the colour – pattern and texture are equally important. The wallpaper I chose, with its subtle design, makes the room feel cosier without overwhelming the eye. The combination of different patterns provides visual interest. It’s the same with texture: bring in a variety of textiles that are pleasant to touch. Comfort has much more to do with the way we feel rather than the way it looks. The most sensual fabrics delight the skin. How about a mohair blanket, wool rug or velvet cushion? These are tried and tested for pleasure zones. I use them in layers for flexibility, piling them up in the winter and stripping them down in summer.

Sam enjoys drawing, so despite the room being of modest proportions, we’ve found a desk where this little artist can work on producing wonderful artworks. Children are incredibly creative and there is a better way of sticking their drawings than with a magnet to the fridge. The selection of lovely frames in all shapes and colours are easily accessible, so why not make a fuss and create a lovely exhibition in the hallway?! Not only will it give them sense of pride and recognition but also by expanding their input to other rooms than their bedroom we make it a home without boundaries.

Patricia Hoyna lives and works in Edinburgh, check out the rest of her portfolio here.

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