Room can grow with baby, toddler, teen

Dallas-based designer Stephanie Anne offer these decorating tips for the ages:

Baby's room

* Instead of using all pink for a girl, use yellow, green, purple and blue for versatility when the baby is older. These colors are easier to coordinate with fabrics. (Rugs help pull together many different colors.)

* Select bedding that has different patterns and colors. Stripes, geometric patterns, floral patterns and solids all transition well.

* A four-color, four-poster crib suits either a boy or girl. By changing the finials, you can add personality.

* Dressers can store diapers now but they can store clothes later. Farm-style doors offer easy access to supplies. A removable wooden changing pad is covered in fabric, but that can be easily removed later.

* Prepainted knobs add personality and can be easily changed.

Toddler's room

* Toddlers like to play in their rooms, so foster creativity and independence by adding accessories and toys that they like.

* Remove the side of the crib rail, turning it into a toddler daybed. Keep the baby bedding but add pillows to the bed to make it cozy for a toddler.

* Add a stepstool so that kids can crawl into bed.

* A diaper stacker can now hold extra clothes.

* Get rid of the changing pad and add accessories on top of the dresser, formerly known as the changing table.

* Add to the room a toy box and a child-size seat, such as a rocking chair or covered chair. Add a slipcover to quickly update it as tastes change.

Teen-ager's room

* Pre-teens and teen-agers both spend a lot of time in their rooms, so they need places to relax, do homework and hang out with their friends. One sleeping option to consider is a twin bed with a trundle bed for hosting an extra guest.

* Add new accessories to the top of the dresser to reflect the personality of your child.

* Update the lampshade and wall treatment.

* If needed, paint the room.

* Add a bulletin board for hanging photos, ticket stubs and party invitations. Add new artwork and accessories to the walls. Update the knobs and drawer pulls.

* The armoire may now hold makeup, a mirror, television, stereo and books, and the toy box now serves as a trunk for storing mementos, extra blankets, sports gear and more. It also adds extra seating in the room.