Who: Ms S.L. Lee, 38, real estate agent

Makeover room: A bedroom in her four-room flat in Bukit Merah

Wishlist: Ms Lee wanted to turn an otherwise boring and bare bedroom into a welcoming one for her 19-month-old daughter. 'I would like a functional yet pretty room for a toddler with a colour theme of pink, purple or lilac,' she says.

Spent: $2,000

She is not even two years old but the toddler already has her own bedroom. Her mother, real estate agent S.L. Lee, believes that 'children should start being independent from a young age', and so wants her daughter, S, to sleep on her own. She declined to reveal their full names.

After S outgrew her cot 10 months ago, the single mum and her only child shared a bed in the master bedroom. 'I did not move S into her own room as it had not been decorated,' says Ms Lee.

She adds: 'Most of the children's rooms I see in magazines have only a single bed and are too 'babyish'. I want a room that is functional too.'

All that was in the room then were a queen-sized bed and a wooden shelf for toys. Ms Lee says: 'As a single working parent, I don't have time to hunt for furniture. Hopefully, an interior designer can guide me in the right direction and provide me with ideas.'

Working with a $2,000 budget set by Ms Lee, interior designer Thomas Tham of White Space Living turned the room into one that would make even adults envious.

'The room is sweet with a baby touch, as the girl is still very young,' he says.

Mindful of the budget, he suggested that Ms Lee shop at Ikea when they went to look for furniture together. The items they bought included a low table, hanging shelves, a bookcase and a wardrobe - all the things Ms Lee had in mind to buy.

'I recommended white furniture as it has a more timeless look and will suit S even when she is older,' says Mr Tham.

Ms Lee wanted a wardrobe with a mirror attached - a choice Mr Tham agreed with. 'S can use the mirror and, at the same time, it makes her bedroom look bigger,' he says.

The wardrobe, which cost about $700, was the most expensive item. Ms Lee adds: 'From the mirror, I can see what S is up to from the living room. I don't need to go into her room to check.'

Mr Tham, who measured the room, advised her on where to place the furniture so that the room would still be spacious.

The bookcase is now on one side of the room, while the bed, wardrobe and hanging shelf is on the other.

To jazz up the bedroom walls, Ms Lee decided to use decals. With Mr Tham's help, she picked and spent almost $200 on those of a tree, cats and butterflies in pink and purple from eZ-Decor store at Square 2. She says: 'I wanted those with an outdoor theme and S likes cats, too.'

For safety, she fitted a railing on one side of S's bed, which she bought from Robinsons. 'I got her a queen-sized bed as she often rolls around in her sleep. And it is big enough for the two of us, in case I need to take care of her when she is ill.'

Visitors have given the new bedroom the thumbs-up. 'The decals are most talked about as they bring much fun and colour to the room,' says Ms Lee, who managed to keep to her budget.

S may be too young to say how much she likes her new room but it is clear she enjoys being in it. Her toys and rocking horse, and a laptop where she can watch DVDs, keep her occupied for hours.

'She knows that that is her room,' says Ms Lee. 'Her bedroom is now so cosy, it gives me a peace of mind to let her sleep and play in her room by herself without much adult supervision.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.