Cool Kids Furniture

Design Ideas for Basketball Theme
Mock up of a themed kids room - Basketball Artist's rendering of a room with the Basketball theme.

Basketball is a sport played by people who love action and exercise, have great team spirit and are very disciplined, that is the obvious part right? Well a little research has shown that basketball is also a game that involves many other disciplines like art, mathematics and physics! Everyone is familiar with the size, shape and color of a basketball and are also aware that the whole idea of the game is to put this ball into your opponent's net, but at the same time doing your level best to ensure that the opposing team does not put the ball into your net. As is the case in most games, the team with the most points wins. The two teams each have 5 players and the rules are more or less the same the world over. The official rules for the USA are those laid down by National Basketball Association and Women's National Basketball Association.

Passing the ball is a science in itself and that is where the maths and physics comes in.

The three different types of shots used are called

  • a three-pointer which is a shot made from behind the three point line, which is 23 ft 0 inches away from the center of the hoop
  • a regular 2-point shot which is a shot made from inside the line
  • and a foul shot which is caused when a player is deliberately tripped, punched, elbowed or pushed. If this occurs while he is shooting he goes to the free throw line and the can then try to make two uncontested penalty shots from this line or one shot, if the ball went into the net despite the fact that he was fouled. These shots count for one point each.

Stimulation:

If your child is a basketball fan or a basketball player it is taken for granted that they are very active, so it is really your decision as to whether or not they need a calm environment where bright colors, exciting images and general clutter are kept to a minimum. If excitement is what is needed, use 2 or three bright colors at most, tempered with white or cream and consider a fun mural with lots of action.

Color Scheme:

Toddlers: Rust, cream, honey with small black and blue accents.

Children and Teens: Yellow and honey, blue, rust red, and black

Opportunities for Learning:

Showing an interest in a child's environment and allowing them to make personal choices according to their favorite activities or pursuits is of fundamental importance to their psychological development. It says more than words can, that he or she is important to you and that you care. In taking their personas into consideration when decorating their room tastefully and sensitively you also provide the underpinning for building self confidence and in turn consideration for others.

A personal practice discipline, (almost irrespective of what you are practicing), build skills such as focus, concentration, delayed gratification and self confidence, (as well as balance, agility and physical fitness)

Feng Shui:

The obvious elements in this theme are air and wood which need to be balanced by stone and metal (fire). To do this you might consider using a beautiful plant in a ceramic pot; perhaps a metal bed and light fitting and of course a small metal wall mounted hoop.

Budget vs Time and Talent:

A very graphic mural, drawn to scale, depicting a basketball court would be very striking, or you might frame a few photographs or a poster of favorite players. To add a little action paint a bouncing basketball on its journey from one wall to the floor and then rebounding back up. (see left wall in mock up). You can do this by using a stencil of a basket ball but keep them big (perhaps larger than a real ball) Alternatively there is a great mural on the site called Basketball Cats by Artist Bill Bell which will provide lots of action, color and entertainment.