Decreasing screen time: Kids’ bedroom design ideas that encourage offline play

Screens are a part of everyday modern life with kids. They make learning easier, with schools often setting homework online. Out of school hours, kids log in to chat and play with their friends. However, as with anything in life, there needs to be a healthy balance – too much screen time can prevent kids from setting healthy boundaries with the digital world.

Kids' bedroom design is fundamental in shaping daily habits, including how much time they spend on screens. Encouraging minimal screen time usage in childhood can help set the foundation for their teenage years and beyond. Here are some simple hacks and decorating ideas to help with creating a relaxing bedroom.

Focus on play

If your younger kids are tempted by their tablets first thing in the morning, and neglecting toys or morning routines, move their screens out of their bedroom or into a dedicated drawer so they aren't the first thing they see in the morning.

By keeping the colours and design of bedrooms fun and playful, kids are enticed to enjoy playing in the space. This appeals to their creativity and encourages them to explore with their toys before picking up an iPad.

Use fitted furniture to reduce clutter 

Some kids may choose the easier option of reaching for their tablets when their rooms are messy and cluttered. But with clever storage, with soft toys in a toy basket, board games in a cubby and colouring books and pencils in drawers, they're more likely to reach for fun alternatives.

Explore bespoke fitted furniture solutions. These can include fitted wardrobes with built-in cubbies and drawers for kids' toys and possessions. Depending on the layout of their rooms, you could incorporate a reading nook with a fitted bookshelf or a cosy seating area into awkwardly shaped wall spaces.

Create a comfortable wind-down area

Some kids have built a habit of self-soothing with screens. They may watch their favourite comfort shows on demand on tablets or play video games that let them immerse themselves in other worlds. Find ideas for decorating to allow kids' bedrooms to become their safe space so they're less dependent on their screens.

1.    You can incorporate fairy lights, soft rugs, beanbags and blankets, and fill the walls with their own artwork to create a comforting atmosphere.

2.    You could also create a fort-style play area, a comfortable reading nook, a low table for arts and crafts, or a rail for their costumes. Surround them with the things they love!

3.    Display their achievements, such as certificates and medals, which have come from sports or maths quizzes, to encourage them to remember there's a fun, productive world beyond the screen.

Keep screens out of sight

Another key rule is 'out of sight, out of mind'. Have you noticed how kids explore and use their creativity differently when screens aren't available? Try to recreate this by keeping TVs, games consoles, tablets and computers out of bedrooms and in communal areas. This way, when they go to their rooms to play, or if their friends come over, they'll find other things to do.

Bedrooms are for relaxing. If screens keep your kids awake at night, their mental and physical health can benefit from screens being inaccessible well before bedtime to help them switch off.

Ready to create a bedroom that inspires more play and less screen time?

Intentional, calming bedroom design ideas bring kids comfort so they can properly switch off, which helps build good habits as they develop and grow.

At Hammonds, we can help with designing and decorating the perfect space for your little ones. Book a free design visit today and request a free brochure to discover how a bespoke fitted bedroom can create a space your child loves spending time in – screen-free!