If you thought four year olds had opinions, wait until you tackle the transformation of an older child's room, particularly a boy's where decoration means camouflage walls and Power Ranger bedlinen – and mess is the order of the day.

But, with careful planning and negotiation, a solution can be reached. There are some brilliant ideas and products around that will please both you and your child.

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK

•As an alternative to carpet, consider floorboards or a wooden floor with a rug as a stylish as well as practical option.

•This age group needs plenty of space to put up posters and pictures, which change all the time. A perfect solution for this is to put up magnetic wallpaper, available in black or a variety of colour finishes including white as shown here.

•Again, organised storage is essential. A shelving unit which acts as a partition is an excellent idea, particularly if two children are sharing a room or you want to divide off a quiet area for homework. Large buckets or baskets are perfect for organising clutter.
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