5 Steps to a Fun and Practical Kids' Bedroom

There’s no need to overcomplicate decorating your little one’s bedroom — here’s a simple guide, courtesy of our friends at Houzz.

Designing kids’ bedrooms can be fun. For designers it’s typically the room in which we get to turn the decorating volume up and go a little crazy. At home it’s important to keep in mind practical elements, including storage and future use, while also making sure your little one’s personality shines through. These five steps will help you create a room that is just as rewarding for you as it is for your child

[caption id="attachment_21471" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Studio Stamp[/caption]

#1 - Start With the Basics

Beds. Which bed to buy is an important first decision and one that will affect not only the look of the room but how it’s used. A single bed is by far the most popular for kids’ bedrooms. These can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, with designs including upholstered headboards, four-poster beds and custom-built options.

Honest Tip: For those with the room, having a twin set of single beds is perfect for hosting sleepovers without having to set up a blow-up mattress or have kids sleep all over the living room. Often, single beds can be zipped or otherwise joined together to make a king-size bed, so in later years when the kids have moved out of the house, this room can be easily converted into a guest room.

Bunk beds. Bunks are a great way to increase the number of sleepers in a room while saving precious floor space. There are many flat-pack wood varieties available, which, with a coat of paint, can easily work with any color scheme.

Color scheme. Perhaps the most important decision you will make when designing a kids’ room is the color scheme. Letting children help choose colors is a great way to involve them in the design process and get them interested in their new room.

A fail-safe way to start is to select a neutral base — white or gray, for instance — then work with one or two accent colors. The easiest way to see if two colors will work together in a room is to look at other rooms. Browse through Houzz photos and you will soon learn what looks good and what doesn’t.

[caption id="attachment_21472" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Cabin & Castle[/caption]

#2 - Add Layers

Rugs. Rugs are a perfect starting point for adding layers to any kids’ room. Simple is best when it comes to designs, as often so much is going on in other areas of the room with toys, posters and art. Be sure to select a rug that is durable and easily cleaned. Synthetic rugs are an easy option, and the range of outdoor rugs available in fun designs is increasing.

Window treatments. As with any other room, the selection of window treatments is important. For kids’ rooms, there are two general thoughts on how to approach them. Where walls are neutral, use a fun pattern or strong color to create contrast. If you use wallpaper or have a feature wall in the room, choose a window treatment that is subtler. But that’s not to say it can’t be fun. A tone-on-tone pattern can be just as playful and interesting as a bright and loud statement.

Bed linens. Bedding adds another layer to a child’s room, and it’s a way to introduce some color, texture and pattern without a huge commitment.

Honest Tip: Have a few different sets of bedding on hand to mix up the look of the room throughout the year.

[caption id="attachment_21473" align="aligncenter" width="600"] J Manning Studio[/caption]

#3 - Create Some Interest

The beauty with kids’ rooms is that you can have fun and step outside your decorating comfort zone with special features.

Painting a whole wall in chalkboard paint may seem like an effort; however, the result is stunning and practical. The wall will be a place where kids can draw and create. In years to come when they’ve outgrown the chalkboard, it can simply be painted over.

#4 - Build In Storage

Storage is paramount when designing a kids’ bedroom. Put simply, you will need lots of it and then some more. Kids outgrow and collect things over the years and need somewhere to store them. Open shelving is a great solution, as you can use boxes to hide toys and clutter, and then display books and treasured possessions in the open. This works especially well for kids, as they are highly visual and will enjoy being able to see all their favorite things.

[caption id="attachment_21474" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Elevate Architecture[/caption]

Displaying books on shelves also is a good way to keep your kids interested in reading. Having shallower shelves such as the lower ones pictured here will let you show off a book collection and keep favorite books within reach.

Honest Tip: Open shelving works on any scale. For smaller rooms or book collections, try using a few shallow floating picture shelves to achieve the same look.

[caption id="attachment_21475" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Hancock Architects[/caption]

When thinking about installing more permanent storage, such as built-in cabinets and shelves, think about the future uses of the room and your child. The room seen here has been designed for a small child; however, when the child is in the teens, the artwork can be easily taken down and replaced with a television.

Another aspect of cabinetry to consider is incorporating a desk. More often than not, kids will need time in their room to study, so having a built-in desk ready to go is a perfect solution.

Honest Tip: When children leave home, built-in desks can make for a smart adult study with a quick change of decor.

[caption id="attachment_21476" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Gloss NY[/caption]

#5 - Add the Finishing Touches

These are the elements that will make the room unique to your child. Having his or her art framed and hung on the wall, favorite toys on display or a wall decal of a favorite theme — pirates, fairies, adventure — turns the room from being tastefully decorated into full-fledged designer digs.

Beanbags, tepees, pillows and throw blankets can complete a look and add an extra layer without breaking the bank. They are also fairly expendable, so when you or your child feels like making an update, they can be easily swapped out for a fresh look.

~Brendan Guy, Houzz

Houzz is a platform for home remodeling and design, bringing homeowners and home professionals together in a uniquely visual community.

For more kid-friendly bedroom fun, feel free to check out these other ideas from Houzz!

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