Designing a kids’ bedroom and then decorating it aptly is both a time consuming and costly affair. While there are many inspirations around that allow you to create amazing rooms that range from the nursery to the teen bedroom, the idea of redecorating and redoing the room once every 2-4 years is not very appealing to most of us.
And to be very honest, many of us also lack the resources to create those picture-perfect rooms that look so pretty in the catalog! The solution here is to craft a kids’ bedroom that grows along with them and stays relevant till the first day of college arrives!
As your kid transits from your arms to his own room, it’s very important to make the room attractive and comfortable for him. Here are 25 Easy Ways to Design and Decorate a Kids’ Room to entice him/her to stay in, be child-friendly and welcome anyone in.
1. Rethink the Storage Options
If there is one room in the house that needs some extra storage, it is the kids’ bedroom. But instead of just buying those toy boxes, why not use some cool wicker baskets, or even a wall-mounted bookshelf for storage and display? We are pretty sure your child won’t have strong preferences about storage boxes as long as he has his toys, and woven baskets will serve him well beyond the age of 8 or 9. A bookshelf is also a valuable addition that will last a lifetime. An upholstered bedroom bench with storage or even a trundle bed could also get the job done for years to come.
2. Geometric Patterns and Animal Prints
There has been a considerable spurt in the use of geometric patterns, elegant stripes and animal prints in the kids’ bedroom over the last few years. The trend makes perfect sense, as these chic patterns give the room a playful look while ensuring that they serve as vibrant teen and adult rooms down the line. Stripes, chevron patterns and wallpaper with intricate prints are as much a part of the adult world as they are of the children’s universe. It is this flexibility that makes them great for a timeless kids’ room.
In the case of girls, floral prints are a popular choice. But make sure you pick a style and pattern that is not too childish, and over time, add simple changes in the other accessories around it to make sure the bedroom adapts to adult needs. You can still incorporate a wall decal or two that your kid really loves in the corner and do away with it over time without a great deal of effort.
3. Toys, Accessories and Textiles
Whenever designing a room or renovating your house, we always believe it is best to take a layered approach. Instead of looking at the room as a whole, it is best to split it up into different layers and then tackle each one individually. In the case of the kids’ bedroom, the accessories, toys and other fancy additions make up the last part of the jigsaw puzzle. They also present you with the easiest way to refresh the bedroom periodically without breaking the bank. For instance, you can simply add some superhero-inspired bedding to a fairly sophisticated room to give it a whimsical look.
When it comes to the girls’ bedroom, the same approach can be used by adding some Disney princess-themed sheets and pillow covers. You can swap these out without any effort over time and give the room a fresh new look. A similar approach to toys, wallpaper and posters also helps transform the ambiance of the room instantly without much fuss.
4. Fun Switchable Accents
Modern science proves the fact that kids get bored far more easily than adults, as their brains are designed to learn at a faster pace and to take in as much as possible. Even if you invest a ton of time and money into creating a stunning bedroom, soon they will find it mundane. Instead, opt for the neutral backdrop as suggested above and play around with accent hues.
A cool grey backdrop looks lovely in the boys’ bedroom when coupled with exciting reds, relaxing blues and sports-inspired greens. An all-white backdrop in the girls’ bedroom with hot pink accents and fashionable purples presents a rich and glamorous look.
5. A Trendy Compromise on Decor
Do not fill the room with kid-sized decor if you are looking to create a flexible bedroom that will grow along with the little one. Sure, a race car bed or a princess-themed fairy tale-style bed looks great this year. But soon the novelty wears off and even your kid is going to find it boring. Invest in a decent quality bed that can be converted into a larger piece with time. These days, you can even get convertible cribs that can be transformed into teen beds if needed! One of the best pieces of advice we ever heard was “Only the rich can afford to buy cheap”. And it’s spot on!
Quality decor that can multitask is a must for timeless kids’ rooms. You can even buy some amazing iconic decor items that will look great in the kids’ room and will also serve the rest of the house in a stylish fashion. The Capri Bottle Lamp by Jonathan Adler, the Bubble Chair or even the Pumpkin Chair by Pierre Paulin are just a few of the many options on offer. Bring in decor that is a compromise between what you like and what your little one wants.
6. Picking a Classy Color Palette
When you have a little one around the house, time often flies by, and the one thing constant is constant change! How many times do you remember picking a gift for your child, only to find out that his latest interest changed over the weekend thanks to a whole new commercial? Decorating a kids’ bedroom is no different. To create a room that grows with the kid, give it room for evolving with time. Start off by using a sophisticated and elegant color scheme that mainly contains neutral colors. Stick to two or three shades and do not overwhelm the room with brightly colored paint.
While most parents might feel that this makes the room boring, what it really does is provide you with a blank canvas on which you can paint any picture of your choice. A classy color scheme does not mean a lack of color. Blue and red for a boys’ bedroom or pink and white for a girls’ bedroom can seem both exciting and cool at the same time.
What Color Should Your Kid’s Room Walls Be?
Choosing Colors For Girls Rooms
- Use bold colors or color coordinate, i.e. matching rug or a block on the wall or curtains in similar hues
- Using mature colors such as grey, light chocolate or cyan and beige may go for long run
- She might love fuchsia and bright colors – if you think this would look gaudy, paint a wall in darker shade and then paint designs in fuchsia colors using stencil
- Adopt neutral colors with splashes of bold such as white with red – looks elegant yet lively
Choosing Colors For Boys Rooms
- Paint 3 walls in neutral shade and the last one in bright color – gives an energetic punch; try red, blue or yellow
- Try painting the walls in two colors – one row of lighter shade to a certain height and a darker shade from that height to the ceiling
- Try painting in stripes. You can simply paint the usual boyish colors and then paint two thin strips of bright colors
Choosing The Right Wall Decor For Girls Rooms
- Try wainscoting rail of panels for putting posters or drawing
- Experiment with glow in the dark paints. Paint either Cinderella’s ball or any design with stencil – your girls now has something to look forward to after switching off the lights
- Set up a display board for putting timetable or notes. This can be as easy as placing a sheet of galvanised metal that can be used as magnetic board or get velvet covered pin boards
- Look for flowery, polka dotted, cartoon-inspired or vintage designed wallpapers
- Explore textured wallpapers
- Put up artwork depicting females or portraits in beautiful artistic frames
Choosing The Right Wall Decor For Boys Rooms
- Set up easy pin up boards, no frilly or velvety stuff
- Depending on his interests, select wallpaper depicting superheroes, cars, world map or solar system etc.
- Use glow in the dark accessories such as stars and moons on them
- If this cannot be done hire a painter, or simply get stencils to paint geometrical figures. Let your kid tag along this while, it’s his room after all!
- Let him cheer for Manchester United or Sachin Tendulkar through wall portraits
- Watches excite guys, get him big designer wall clocks!
What Type Of Ceiling Should A Kids’ Room Have?
Ceilings For Girls Rooms
- Opt for feminine touch in chandelier and false ceilings
- Try just pink ceiling room
- Neutral colors popped with bright colors
- Hang wind chimes and beautiful wall hangings
Ceilings For Boys Rooms
- Get elegant ceiling lights or false ceilings with depth glow
- Get sporty and vividly colored lights which can be occasionally switched on
- Put neon moons and stars or other characters in the ceiling to make it attractive at night
Choosing the Kids’ Room Furniture
Choosing Furniture For Girls Rooms
- Brightly colored cupboards with designs can be customized for your girl’s room
- Highlight the dressing table – as she grows she is going to spend more and more time here
- Artistic book racks are a must as she is likely to be studious and an avid reader
- Give her space to put up show pieces and art
- Explore elect vintage style furniture, esp. dressing stool, bed, cupboard or completely modern chic design
Choosing Furniture For Boys Rooms
- He needs one desk for computer/study and another for TV/gaming consoles/ video games
- Give him full mirror, he would like to see himself from the tip to the toe
- You can go easy on dressing table as your boy is not likely to fiddle for stuff in drawers
- You may want to get seating furniture in leather finish, button imprint or those sporting his favourite soccer club
- Choose wooden finish or stripes for cupboard
How To Choose The Bed For Children’s Room?
Choosing The Right Bed For Girls Room
- Determine the theme first now this could be her favorite cartoon character, flowers, butterflies or paisley etc.
- Buy cushions, curtains and furniture consistent with this theme
- Go for textured bedding, esp. those with quilted design offer comfort
- Bed covers not only add elegance but make appearance more feminine
- Explore four post bed options with elegant curtains
- If your girl likes, opt for frilly, ribbon or lacy curtains
- Some missies like fluffy beds, others prim and proper; identify what your girl likes!
Choosing The Right Bed For Boys Room
- Consider bed with leather headrest
- Designer beds come in shape of Ferrari and football too. If these are too expensive, simply get him the bedding and cushion with sport prints
Choosing the Rug For The Girls Room
- Throw in the rug as she may like to lie on her belly and read a novel or dance on wii with her girlfriends
- If no such space is available shop smart select beds with drawers these can be withdrawn and can be used as a bed on floor. These are ideal for watching and sometimes mugging stuff!
- Weave the theme across the room. For instance polka dotted cushions, mugs, foot mat, blanket and simple wall hanging or painting
Choosing the Rug For The Boys Room
- Try asymmetrical or different shape rugs
Choosing the Right Accessories For Girls
- Huge flower vases and potted plants
- Nails/hooks within the cupboard or behind the door for easy placing of handbags
- Do install light in the cupboard
- If space is restricted try almirahs with mirror
- Small blackboard – for her to pretend play teacher-student, write thoughts or simply draw
- Fancy jars on desk for storing color pencils/pen
- Add storage options, get stylish boxes and baskets to store things. One for toys, one for clothes, one for school stuff etc.
- Get elegant laundry bags
Choosing the right accessories For Boys
- Get him whiteboard; as guys hate chalky stuff on their hair
- Get pen holders in classic form or car designed etc.
- Get reasonably colored big plastic tubs from stationary for him to name and organize his stuff
Designing The Right Room Layout And Play Area For Girls Room
- Make sure that everything is within the reach – the shoe rack, cupboards etc
- Add a floral bed lamp
- Consider attached bathrooms. bliss for girls rolling out in bathrobe or towel
- How about a room loft halfway through room’s height with ladder? It separates play area within the room and provides space for storing toys too
Designing The Right Room Layout And Play Area For Boys Room
- Select a theme of his choice; be it bugs, Doraemon, jungle safari, space or skateboarding and incorporate theme in furniture and wall
- Guys will be springing around more in the room than girls. You need to provide for a sufficient play space and restrict extra accessories to bare minimum
- Consider buying bunk beds, only if your child is at least 6 years
- Put up shelves next to each of the bunk beds for putting books and other accessories such as headphones or PS3
- Set room loft halfway higher up in the room with ladder.
2 responses to “25 Easy Ways to Design and Decorate a Kids’ Room”
It’s gross how gendered this post is. My daughter can like flowers and pink if she wants, but she’s also welcome to like bugs and video games. I’ll certainly not be assigning her to one or the other.
Don’t take it so personal. It was a good way to organize the information. And genders exist and their differences rock!!