Time for the Big Boy Room

Okay, what would you do? DS is getting big for his crib--I'm concerned about him falling out soon. So I want to start transitioning him to a bed.

At the same time, we have this nursery border in his room that is pretty babyish and I'd like to remove it. The paint could use refreshing as well. I'm thinking maybe move him to the bed first, then paint the room when he's made that adjustment?

I'm thinking doing both at once will be too much change for him. Plus if we wait, we can do this in the spring and air out paint fumes more.

Re: Time for the Big Boy Room

Just go for the bed. Very true to wait til you can get the fumes out with the warmer weather. In all honesty, I thought it took a few days to get the fumes out, so he may be displaced. But I could be wrong on that fact.

We were more distraught over changing DS to his bed than he was. he made the transition smoothly.

Re: Time for the Big Boy Room

Definitely start with the bed. We just converted DD to a toddler bed. We took down her border, but the paint was fine. The border is actually really easy. I was dreading it, but it took less than an hour to get down and didn't damage the paint!

Re: Time for the Big Boy Room

I think we definitely need to paint. The previous owners had painted his room a nice green, so we left it, but now it has some cracks in it here and there so time to refresh. You may be right about displacement--I'm almost wondering if one of us should take him on a short trip and the other should stay home and paint. He actually does just fine in hotels, but try to get him to sleep anywhere in the house but his room and he goes crazy!

I may try and remove a little of the border soon and see how it goes. So sorry we put that up, but we do need to paint anyway, so oh well!

I'm hoping it's a smooth transition. I don't like the idea of him being able to get up when he wants though!

Message edited 12/29/2009 3:02:50 PM.

Re: Time for the Big Boy Room

I used DIF. I bought it in Home Depot. I also bought the thing to score the paper before spraying and the scraper. It's all made my the same manufacturer and right near the DIF. It has NO smell and it's not messy. We just scored the border first, sprayed, left it on for 20 minutes and the paper peeled off. Well the picture peeled off and then you are left with the yellow sticky paper. Sprayed again, waited 20 minutes and it scraped right off with the scraper. Wiped the walls clean with a big car wash sponge. No damage to the walls.

You can do that while he's home and save the painting for another time. I wouldn't do it the same day you plan to paint.

ETA as for getting up. How old is he? My DD just turned 3 and we told her that if she gets up we are giving her back her crib. We told her to call us just like she did when she had a crib. She has not gotten out of the bed yet!! Knock on wood!!!!!!!!!!!

Message edited 12/29/2009 3:37:23 PM.

Re: Time for the Big Boy Room

Re: Time for the Big Boy Room

Definitely use low or no VOC paint to do his room. "Regular" paint off-gasses poisonous chemicals for up to a year (most of it is gone in a few days, but a year later, it is still emitting stuff).
They are in an enclosed room all night, so any fumes will be concentrated.

I went to the extreme and got 100% no VOC paint from http://mythicpaint.com/index.aspx
HD has FreshAire paint which is also 100% no VOC, but limited colors.

BM has very low VOC paint (Natura), which they claim is no VOC, but the government allows them to make that claim, even though there are VOCs in the paint and/or colorant.

With the no, or even very low VOC paint, you can stick your head directly in the can, and you won't smell anything.