Cool Ideas for Kids’ Rooms

Maybe my memory fails me, but I swear my two little sisters (ages 10 and 12) have way cooler bedrooms than I ever had. I won’t deny it; I had some pretty awesome rooms—including one with an amazing Hawaiian-print ceiling, painted by yours truly. But not one of my past bedrooms seems to measure up to my sister’s brilliant fuchsia and orange suite with a huge bay window. It could be jealousy, but I think today’s kids have some pretty stellar abodes. What makes them so sweet? Here are a few ideas:

Eye-Catching Wall Color and Decorations
No color is off limits. Today’s kids’ rooms come in a wide range of hues—anything from neon green to basic black. (Yes, black. Check out this sophisticated ebony room.) And they often have no theme. (As a general rule, the older a child is the less appropriate it is to decorate in a theme. Trust me, no 14-year-old wants his or her room painted in hot air balloons.) If you get stuck in a color rut, let your child’s imagination run free. It’s likely he or she will come up with an original color scheme, or you can go here for a few painting basics.

Even if you’re afraid of color or limited by your renter’s lease, it’s still easy to enliven a kid’s room. Use anything from these wall appliqués—where you can design a quote for the wall—to these removable WallPOPS that come in a wide range of colors. I especially love these adhesive wall decorations from E-Glue. With these, you can transform a room into a barnyard, zoo, or even a pirate ship. If I was still a kid, I’d beg for these right now—heck, I’ve already started saving up for them.

Mature Furniture for Any Age
You don’t have to buy that typical white bedroom set anymore. Children’s furniture is available in all design styles. Check out moderntots.com for hip, contemporary furniture or go to coolkidsfurniture.com to find original pieces that fit any scheme. The maple cabinet fits perfectly in a traditional space.

Today, it’s also easy to find mini-furniture, perfect for fitting your tyke’s tush. You can buy anything from a beanbag chair—try HABA’s whimsical cushions—to rocking chairs. I like Modern Seed’s plastic rocker.

Attention to Details
Pillows, lamps, and other details are all made to fit your child’s aesthetic, making it simple to create a kid-friendly retreat. The KoKo Company makes brightly colored pillows and plush toys to bring a splash of color to the room, and even Ikea offers a huge assortment of children’s accessories.

To illuminate the space, consider using fancier light fixtures. Try Unica Home’s midsummer light or Mimmo Baby’s shadow light.

Well-Planned Design
Kids’ rooms are now designed for the future. Starting with the nursery, parents are choosing furniture, paint colors, and accessories based on whether they’ll last. Pick furniture pieces that’ll look just as good in the baby’s room when he or she is a tween. This dresser from Piccolini works as a changing table when your child is an infant but converts to a sleek dresser when he or she has outgrown diapers. Steer clear of the usual nursery pastels. Instead, opt for bold hues that your child will love well into teen years, and don’t buy accessories just because they’re cute. Consider how they’ll function in five or six years.

So what am I forgetting? There’s got to be something else to make me jealous.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Comments

[house decor]

cool ideas and looks fun too