Turn on style for the kids

Small children can be boisterous, imaginative and messy little beasts and those endearing qualities mean they make a huge impact on your home.

Their belongings seem to spread into every nook and cranny, and there's no way sensible parents want to spend their whole time stressing about mess or constantly shrieking 'tidy up'.

So the best approach is to create a bedroom that a child loves, and one where it's easy to play, feel safe and, most importantly, is fun to be in.

It should be their own special space where they can also have their friends, and a snug sanctuary at the end of the day for story-telling sessions before bedtime.

Beware of being too grown-up when you plan and decorate this room.

Ideally, the room should be able to grow and change as you child does, so that you're not involved in constant redecoration.

Colourful furnishings rather than brightly-painted walls, cots that transform into beds, stylish rather than 'cute' furniture and versatile storage are all ways to keep costs down.

Ultimately the room you create may echo your own childhood one or perhaps the one you dreamt of having.

But whatever effort you make, be sure it will pay off - this is a room your child will always remember.