Question about decorating a room for an adopted child?

Question

During a home inspeciton/study, you need to have a room ready for the new child, right? But I do not want to put a room together before being matched with a specific child because I don't know wheather they'll want soccer balls or butterflies or anything in between! I do know that I would like to adopt a girl. So should I paint and decorate and get everything ready just to re-do it all later, or will it be okay with the case worker to leave it pretty plain, or something in between?

Answer 1

they just want to make sure you have enough space and it is clean & safe--

Answer 2

You will need to show that you have space for the child-not necessarily a ready room!  The child can even share a room with another sibling, s/he just needs to have their own bed (you might want to go ahead and have that).

I have known people that went through the first part of the home study (it is an ongoing process, not a one time thing) with the room they intended to use as a nursery still being used as an office or storage room, etc.  Again, they just want to make sure the child will have a place to sleep-they do not need to see a finished room.

If you wish, you could go ahead and have the room clean and ready to decorate, with a bed and dresser, etc. in there-perhaps a few things here and there that you think a little girl would like.  Toss a few magazines (there are some specifically for children's rooms) on the night stand and tell them that you plan to let your new child help decorate the room.

From the sound of the question, you intend to adopt an older child (good for you!  We are probably going to do to the same) and it will make them feel like the room is more "theirs" if she helps decorate it.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I would do something that is bright and energetic but, that can be used for a boy or girl. You want to show how creative you can be and you putting time and effort into your soon to be childs room can show that.

Answer 4

I would make it white, clean, and plain... maybe with a banner that says Welcome Home... then explain to the case worker that when she comes home, you would like her to be able to choose her decorations so she feels that this is really HER room. It will also allow you to bond. Good luck!

Answer 5

i would paint the room pink or purple or something fun and depending on the age of the child let them pick out the decor to match like what ever theme they want. you could just paint over it if they don't like it. and you can add the wall paper that just goes over the edge of the top of the wall with their theme. it will be a lot of fun! good luck.

Answer 6

the case workers are looking for safety and cleanliness.they know you do not have a child picked out so they wouldn't expect the room to be prepared that way. as long as the room looks inviting,with a comfortable bed, and the necessary items for holding clothes,thats all they would expect. they will be looking to see if the windows are safe,plug points covered,etc. it would help to give little touches,such as a vase of flowers, a nice rug,etc to make it look cosy.but,really the homestudy is to show them you are safe and hygenic!

Answer 7

I would go for something simple and once the child moves in to make them feel more at home let them chose the decoration, bedding etc

Answer 8

They're checking to see if the room is clean, has adequate ventilation and emergency exit (usually the window) and is clearly set aside for the child (not a corner of the living room, for example).  Primary furniture should also be in evidence.  But the decor is not a factor - plain (freshly painted) white walls are OK.

Answer 9

i don't think they really care how it is decorated of if it is at all. they are checking to make sure it is safe and comfortable. just buy all white or maybe green or red something not gender specific and then they can add there personal touches when they get there. good luck.

Answer 10

Our future nursery was still an office at the time of our home study.  We just had to show that we had a room for our future child.  It didn't have to be ready.  Heck it wasn't even a bedroom at the time of our HS!

Ask your social worker what he or she expects.  They won't mind you asking and then you will know what is expected of you.

Answer 11

When we did our homestudy, we did not have to have the baby room ready.  We just had to show that we had a room in the house that would be the child's bedroom and it had to have a smoke detector.  We did not have it ready at all, no furniture, no decorating.

Answer 12

Get it ready now. Go with bright popular colors on an accent wall and accessories. If the child doesn't like it, spend the afternoon with her painting and decorating it. Matter of fact, save some of the details for her to decide such as the comforter. Meanwhile, use an inexpensive throw, duvet or blanket on the bed until she arrives.

Answer 13

Unisex colours or just leave it as it is

Answer 14

Hi!  I have approved over 300 Adoption Homestudies.....you do not need to have the room completed.  Share your thoughts and ideas (briefly) with the Social Worker.  She will look at the room for safety issues -- no baby bed against the window, no unsecured door leading to outside, clean and free of debris.

And if you do too much, it may suggest that there is not room for the child's personality and tastes!  So taper it down, and just do the minimum and plan the rest for later.

Good luck!

Answer 15

Our homestudy just made sure that there was a room available for a child and that it was "safe" - meaning that there was nothing dangerous about the room itself.  We knew we were adopting an infant, but we did not have a crib, etc., yet when we had our homestudy done.  Our agency was fine with that.  

Good luck to you.

Answer 16

TThey are only looking for a safe place for the child to be in. I would just have a few pieces in place like a bed and maybe a place for clothing. You don't have to have it decorated.

Answer 17

As those before me have mentioned, make sure it is clean and ready for a child.  It should have a bed, curtains, dresser, maybe some hangers.  Decorations are not a big issue.  One thing to keep in mind though, depending on the adoption you are doing, you might get a child with very little notice.  If that is a possibility, try to make sure the room is done up so that it is at least inviting to a child, perhaps some nice sheets and a cozy blanket, something neutral.  Then you can let them know you'll help them decorate the room however they like, as soon as they are ready.

Answer 18

leave it and when u get her take her out and get it together she will get what she whans it will be a treat

Answer 19

Hi ~it depends on the age of the child because they will not realize it if they are an infant.  I am going to China for one of my daughters, her name will be Jade  Lin, so I will do her room in soft Green and my daughter I am adopting from the USA is 5 1/2 her name is Adrianna and she is all about pink and purple.-  yellow is a warm happy sunny feeling so both girls will also have a touch of yellow in their rooms!

Answer 20

Don't decorate, save money.

When the girl comes with you home, tell her, this is your room... She's probally look scared, and be like just playing... tell her that you'll take her shopping and buy what she wants.. Put a budget so like that you'll know what she likes....

Then little by little buy her more stuff...

Good Luckk =)

Answer 21

Ours are all pretty plain. We haven't painted anything because our condo complex was recently converted from apartments, and they painted and redid carpets and flooring shortly before we moved in. they're fine with it. when we get kids, they can help decorate the bedrooms.

Answer 22

leave it white, and plain so that the child is able to decide what they wish to do with it... then let them do whatever they please.. that way they have somewhere they feel safe and welcome regardless of what is going on in the world.