Dowsing & Reynolds

How Lighting and Finishing Touches Shaped This Calm Children’s Bedroom

Designing a children’s bedroom that works now and still feels right in a few years’ time is all about the foundations. From colour choices to lighting and finishing touches, these details can make a real difference to how the room feels day to day.

Becky from @twitchettshome recently refreshed her son’s bedroom, choosing our Semi-Flush Frosted Bubble Chandelier for the main ceiling light. The soft glow and rounded shapes add a gentle focal point while still sitting comfortably within the calm style seen throughout her home.

We chatted to Becky about the inspiration behind the room, how she approaches lighting when designing a space, and the details she believes make the biggest difference.

You’ve gone for a colour-drench in your son’s room – what inspired the blue shade and how did you balance it with built-in furniture and finishes?

I chose Blue Shade 5 by V&Co Paint because it’s a rich, saturated colour that doesn’t immediately scream “kids’ room”, yet still works beautifully in a space like this. My son loves Thomas the Tank Engine and the film Up, and this colour gives a subtle nod to those interests without making the room feel overly themed.

Using the same blue throughout the room helps everything feel cohesive and actually makes the space feel bigger. To balance such a strong colour, I paired it with finishes in softer, neutral tones – a light cream chevron-weave carpet, a striped cotton blind and the Bubble Chandelier.

Those elements keep the room feeling calm while still allowing it to feel playful and personal. Adding his toys, bedding and some brass details brings everything together and creates a space that feels stylish but still unmistakably a child’s room.

You chose the Frosted Bubble Chandelier as the centrepiece for the bedroom – how does it help set the mood and feel of the room?

The Bubble Chandelier felt like a natural choice for this room. It’s timeless in its design, so it works beautifully now but will also grow with the space over time.

The light it gives off is soft and ambient, and whether it’s switched on or off it still adds something to the room visually. At the same time, it has a playful feel that connects to something our son loves, without making the room feel too heavily themed.

What I love most about it is how you can’t help but look at it. It naturally draws your eye upward, adding height and softness while still making a statement. It’s delicate, yet impactful, which is exactly what I wanted for the space.

Switches and sockets are often overlooked – why did you decide to upgrade the switches and sockets in the room, and what difference did they make to the final look?

Switches and sockets are non-negotiable for me – they’re just as important as any other detail in a room. If you’ve put thought into designing a room, why leave plain white plugs and switches? 

Choosing finishes that work with the rest of the room adds a quiet sense of luxury. You might think no one will notice, but I promise… once you do one room, you’ll end up updating the whole house.

What are your tips for creating a child’s room that’s both design-led and practical – especially one that grows with them?

For me, it always starts with thinking long-term. Children’s rooms don’t need to be completely redesigned every couple of years. If the foundations are right, the room can evolve as they do.

I started with a paint colour that works for my son now but will still feel timeless later on. Then I focus on the core pieces – a good-quality bed, practical storage and furniture that will last. Those are the investment items that need to work just as well in five years as they do today.

Then I layer in personality through accessories that are easy to change: bedding, artwork, cushions, lamps… These can shift as their interests change without needing a full overhaul.

I also think about flexibility. Can the desk work for kids crafts now and homework later? Can shelving display toys today and books tomorrow? Choosing adaptable pieces will help with longevity.

Finally, I avoid going too theme-heavy. It’s tempting, but themes date quickly. Instead, I prefer to hint at their interests in subtler ways that can be swapped out easily. The goal is a space that feels considered and beautiful, but still completely liveable – somewhere that reflects your child’s personality while still feeling connected to the rest of the home.

For anyone unsure where to start with lighting or finishing touches – what gave you the confidence to make the decisions you made?

It always comes back to the details, and lighting in particular is one of the most powerful tools in a room because it can completely transform the mood. 

In my opinion, there’s nothing more jarring than ending the day in a room flooded with harsh, bright overhead lighting. I like my home to feel calm on an evening so I try to choose lighting that feels warm, layered and intentional. It should work practically, but it should also look good even when it’s switched off. It needs to serve a purpose, but it should also look beautiful, even when it’s switched off.

The same applies to finishing touches. In many new build homes, the default is standard white switches and sockets. They do the job, but swapping them for something like black, brushed brass, or bronze instantly makes a room feel more considered and complete.

These details may seem small, but they’re often what make the biggest difference. When every element is chosen with purpose, the entire room feels more cohesive.

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