Decorating a kids bedroom is a special kind of balancing act. On one hand, you want it to be a place they’ll enjoy spending time in, a place that both inspires creativity for play and feels restful for sleep. And on the other hand, it’d be nice if you actually liked the room too—and if it felt like a cohesive (if more fun!) part of your home.
To help you create a space you’ll both love spending time in, we’ve compiled some of our favorite ideas—a formula, if you will—for nailing the decor in a kids bedroom. Keep scrolling to see how it’s done!
Go bold on the walls.
What’s more fun than a bold, splashy wall moment in a kids bedroom? You have a ton of options here that will fit any style and budget: Create an accent wall with colorful wallpaper or a coat of paint (or go for it on all the walls—or ceiling!), try a DIY wall mural… creativity is key here, and we’ll bet your little one will have a few ideas on what they might like in their space.
Choose key pieces that will last.
You don’t need to make a major investment in every single piece of furniture for a kids bedroom, but it’s smart to choose a few key styles that can remain in their room as they grow. This can be a crib that converts into a bigger bed, a sturdy dresser that will feel at home amongst decor styles for any age, or even an armchair or side table you can move around to other areas of your home.
Roll out a rug.
Of course, every kids bedroom should have a rug! And you’ve got lots of great choices based on the style and function you’re going for. We love placing shag rugs in kids’ spaces. Thanks to their plush pile, they make a wonderfully soft landing spot for little feet and playtime on the floor.
If you’re expecting to clean up lots of spills or dirt, a rug from our washable collection will be your best bet. Any time a mess is made, simply roll up the rug, wash it in your washing machine, hang it to dry, and it’s good as new! Read more about washable rugs here, and shop all the styles (there’s more than 100!) here.
Store in style.
Between toys, books, clothes, and art supplies, kids’ bedrooms can get messy! Make cleaning it all up easy on them (and yourself!) by placing stylish storage all around the room. Try out woven baskets, bins made of a fun fabric, or shelves with drawers or boxes for concealing all the clutter.
Warm it up with lighting.
One of the easiest ways to add sophistication to a kids bedroom is with chic lighting. Place a lamp on the side table, hang a fun pendant from the ceiling, light up the corner with a stylish standing lamp, or try installing a pair of sconces on either side of the bed. We promise, it will instantly warm up the space and make it feel more in sync with the rest of your home!
Choose a color scheme together.
We’re guessing your little one will want a say in what their space looks like—if they’re old enough! Landing on a color scheme is the perfect way to bring them into the decorating process. Show them a few different photos, or take them to your local home decor store to see what palettes and styles they naturally gravitate toward. And don’t be afraid to experiment with non-traditional kids room color schemes, as seen in the very chic earth-toned room above!
Use art to add personality.
When it comes to decorating a kids bedroom, we like to think of art as the cherry on top! Use a mix of fun, colorful artwork to bring that extra special flourish to the space. Bonus points if you pick the artwork out together, or if it’s artwork actually created by your child!
Bring in fun extras.
Even if you’re using “adult” furniture in your kids bedroom, you still have the opportunity to make the space feel more youthful. We love the idea of incorporating fun, removable accessories that can be taken down when they grow out of them. Try tacking a colorful pennant garland up on the wall or hanging a little tent or canopy above their bed for a little something extra. You already know they’re going to love it!
