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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to choose for 4 year old ds?

28 replies

sparklyjumper · 29/01/2013 14:01

Decorating 4 year old ds room soon. So painting & replacing duvet cover, rug, curtains etc.

He obviously wants character bedding & curtains & even a suggestion of bright coloured walls. I'd prefer things that will last a bit longer, saw some lovely lego bedding in Next. But feel a bit mean as when we've been looking together he just wanted all his favourite characters.

OP posts:

ISeeSmallPeople · 29/01/2013 14:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BambieO · 29/01/2013 14:03

I will get flamed I'm sure but I really hate bedrooms covered in characters. I'm sure some people love them so I would never judge and some of them do look really nicely done but others can look like Ben 10 just vomited himself all over a room

If you aren't sure how about you choose the main bits and lets DC choose some character accessories?

Jins · 29/01/2013 14:04

I insisted on plain walls, carpets rugs etc and let them choose bedding and curtains. Bedding doesn't last long whatever you buy anyway and the character stuff is cheap enough to replace with something more suitable

purrpurr · 29/01/2013 14:04

YABU! Can't you compromise? Plain walls, bedding, rug and curtains his choice?

Trazzletoes · 29/01/2013 14:05

Can't you get Lego bedding and a character bedding? You are going to need at least 2 sets of bedding aren't you?

How long are you actually expecting a duvet cover to last?

ShephardsDelight · 29/01/2013 14:06

Go to Matalan and get him some Character stuff, keeps him happy and inexpensive.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 29/01/2013 14:07

When we did DS's room we went for plain walls and curtains but let him chose his bedding.......we have framed pictures as well which he can change. So far we have gone from Michael Jackson.....to wrestling.......to the Simpsons. He is 10 now so no character bedding anymore but certainly for a 4 year old it's the way to go.

BlueberryHill · 29/01/2013 14:07

Ebay for character bedding? How about some posters in frames that you can replace when he likes the next character. We've gone from Star Wars to Ben 10 to Power Rangers in a year.

I quite liked Star Wars though.

DumSpiroSpero · 29/01/2013 14:07

DD has always had plain walls & curtains and a character duvet until last year.

Was one of those things I said I wouldn't go in for, but 8 years down the line we've done Snoopy, Balamory, High School Musical, Barbie & Rainbow Magic Fairies...and she's loved all of it!

Thewhingingdefective · 29/01/2013 14:09

Compromise? As others said - plain walls and curtains, with some large wall stickers. A character duvet doesn't cost a bomb and even if the novelty wears off, it's the sort of thing that is cool again when he's off to university.

Completely theming the room on one character or idea is a little bit naff IMVHO, but you can still get it bright and cheery.

Original poster

sparklyjumper · 29/01/2013 14:10

I know it's BIG dilemma!

We were having a look and I felt horrible as everytime he pointed to things he liked I felt like BambieO

I really liked these but he's having none of it.

OP posts:

Pandemoniaa · 29/01/2013 14:10

I hate rooms full of character stuff but you can always go for plain bright walls, carpet etc., and then let him choose whatever bedding he wants. That way he gets his favourite characters on the duvet cover and pillowcases and you get a room that won't be outdated the minute he loses his fondness for the characters.

BambieO · 29/01/2013 14:11

I think some bedding would make him happy, he won't necessarily be fussed with rugs and curtains etc and borders or will he?

I think the idea of changeable frames is fantastic and will definitely be doing that myself, allows them to be creative and enjoy their favourite phase without being permanent.

BambieO · 29/01/2013 14:13

I like the Lego bedding you have found! It's lovely and bright perfect for a growing boy! Maybe you will have to cave on the bedding if it will make him happy? wondering if I am too old for the Lego bedding

5madthings · 29/01/2013 14:14

Love the Lego bedding, you will need more than one set so you choose a set and he chooses a set?

Bejeena · 29/01/2013 14:15

You don't want character bedding but are happy with the Lego? I don't get that as Lego is a toy. Is still a kids duvet cover. If you wanted plain so that it ages well I'd understand. It is his room I would just let him choose on the duvet, the walls are a different matter though.

Bejeena · 29/01/2013 14:15

PS should say I'd love to have the lego bedding too!

Original poster

sparklyjumper · 29/01/2013 14:16

True, the one he's currently got is a year old and has had it's day but that's partly because he's got felt tip on it.

I've got plain spares already but when he has his favourite so I tend to wash it and put it straight back on so never really use two duvet covers, just two sets of sheets.

OP posts:

VinegarTits · 29/01/2013 14:18

think your being a bit mean, why not go with plain curtains and bright walls, with charater bedding? (and get lego bedding as a change over)

CaseyShraeger · 29/01/2013 14:18

I would go with plain walls, plain curtains, and let him choose bedding and (if there's an inexpensive one available) a rug, plus maybe a couple of framed posters.

That isn't what I did with mine, but it's what several years of reflection on the error of my ways have convinced me I should have done.

ll31 · 29/01/2013 14:18

whose sleeping in the room- let him choose

CaseyShraeger · 29/01/2013 14:19

And I love the Lego bedding too!

Original poster

sparklyjumper · 29/01/2013 14:19

Haha, glad people like the lego stuff too, think I'd got my heart set on it, have to keep reminding myself it's not MY room! I thought it was just a bit nicer and last a bit longer than Ben 10, Angry Birds etc.

Perhaps I'll just get the lego stuff and let him choose a cheap character cover to alternate...

OP posts:

steppemum · 29/01/2013 14:20

I think that they can't imagine a bedroom with it all done and looking nice, so they just want the familiar ie character.

We don't have character bedding except for Winnie the Pooh, which we have had for years and they fight over! New stuff doesn't have characrter. The main reason is that they grow out of it. Beware at 4 he is nearly school age and what is cool now will change as soon as they start school.

Actually we did have character I had a Thomas one passed down to us. Ds loved it until the day her started school. Thomas was no longer cool.

The lego looks fab and it is sort of character ish. I would choose it, paint at least one wall bright (it is only a tin of paint to change) and set it all up so he comes in and goes WOW. You can always have a poster on the wall, or a character teddy on the bed

hrrumph · 29/01/2013 14:21

With mine I think I'm going to go with plain walls carpet and curtains. Then allow her to choose bedding. Kid's bedding can be quite cheap and I can just swap it to something more mature later on.

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