With interior decor, you can bring a sense of security to your family.

If we want to give our children a sense of security in uncertain times, familiarity in the house is crucial. It starts with their bedroom. Here, simple consistency in their surroundings can make all the difference.

Jack Thomasson is a professional home planner and one of the leading designers in the field. Here are some decorating tips for your child’s room. HGTV Dream Home2013 on Kiawah Island S.C.

* Linens make the bed — and can be more important than the bed itself. Your child knows you better than you know yourself. A comforter or duvet should be simple in design and color, but not too child-like. You can also add a solid-color blanket or coverlet. You’ll have enough linen for many years with two sets of high quality, white sheets and four (yes! four!) pillowcases. The pillow is not to be overlooked. Familiarity can be influenced by consistency in the firmness and softness of your pillow.

* Comfort colors. Choose a wall color that matches the linens, but keep it comfortable. It shouldn’t be too bold. It is a rent-friendly color which can be used in rental situations where other wall colors are not permitted. It’s also more appealing for resale.

* Line of sight. Getting into bed at night might be the only time your child sits still all day, and what you hang on the wall directly in front of their bed can leave a lasting impression with positive benefits. You can hang an artwork on this wall that has a peaceful and calm image but is not too childlike. It may be possible to invest in original artwork or make something for yourself. This will give comfort and security for your home as you grow older.

“Other accessories can change as your child grows,”Thomasson. “By keeping the basics comfortable, calm and consistent, you’ll create an environment that helps them feel content.”

Thomasson offers this advice for families that may be moving into a new place: Prepare the child’s bedroom first. “This will send a message that they are your priority,”Thomasson said. You can paint the walls with a familiar colour, set up your bed the same way as before, and hang their artwork. The environment will feel familiar from the first night, even if it has not been packed.

Through mid-February, you can still enter the HGTV 2013 Dream Home Giveaway. For more information about the HGTV Dream Home 2013, please visit www.hgtv.com/dreamhome.