Timeless Kids' Rooms
When I turned 7 and had my own room, my mother and grandmother decided to personalize my new found space. They found a lovely cotton floral print of lavender colored flowers with greenery lightly infused on a white backdrop. My grandmother, who was very talented at sewing, created the duvet covers, pillow cases, matching drapery and tie-backs as well as a lovely slipcover over an IKEA computer chair - an ingenious IKEA hack in the 90’s before that was even a thing. Needless to say, the room looked personalized, pretty and timeless in a motif and color palette that lasted well in my high school days.
Parents are often keen to decorate their baby’s or child’s bedroom, often splurging on the best only to realize that they really do grow up quickly and they might outgrow their bedrooms in no time. So how do you create a kids’ bedroom that will look great for those Insta photos and bring your child happiness for many years to come? With a few simple rules..
1) Think Colors & Patterns vs. Kids’ Motifs
Create a concentrated color palette following the same 60-30-10 rule as in other spaces: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary color and 10% accent color. Using a fun accent wall using wallpaper or mural can change the entire vibe of a room. On a budget or commitment-phobic? Decals and removable wallpaper are affordable, easy to install and remove and comes in all kinds of fun prints so let your imagination run wild!
A fun tweed wallpaper in this kids’ bedroom add the illusion of texture, creates a lovely backdrop for family photos and fits into the color palette of blues, metallics and white. Baskets near the bed keep plush toys neatly stowed away.
Design: CC Interiors
2) Purchase Quality Furniture that is Multi-Functional
Your teen will likely not be too happy to have a changer/dresser in their room. Instead, purchase furniture that can grow with them: cribs that transition to toddler beds and then twin beds and dressers that are not in childish colors, for example. Torn between a rocking chair or stylish glider? Picking one that you can envision your child using in a reading corner can help make your choice clear. Did you decide to skip a glider? Beanbags with washable covers make for wonderful seating further down the road.
3) Shelves, Shelves, Shelves
Kids might be small but they come with a lot of goods: books, toys, teddies and much more. Make sure to plan for lots of storage: shelving units can display toys like trophies (and keep them off the floor) while a bookcase will add serious mileage to their reading corner. Extra points for adding wallpaper to the back of a bookcase!
Tight on space? Floating shelves are modern and space saving. Dresser tops can also be used to display toys; don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get creative.
4) Add Baskets
Baskets can add texture and interest to a room without being age-specific. We also love them because they can carry everything from toys, throw blankets to dress-up clothes while keeping them in easy access for even the smallest of munchkins.
5) Feed into Their Current Tastes Sparingly
Does your little one love unicorns, dinosaurs or rainbows? Incorporate them as pillows or bedsheets for example, which will be easy to switch out when their tastes change in a few years. Displaying those toys in their room will also add to the theme and add fun pops of color in easy ways.
6) Art on Display
Kids are inherently creative and displaying their art is an instant confidence boost for them. Add their art to a reading corner, above their desk or create a gallery wall on that accent wall.
7) Add a Study Space
Kids will need a quiet place to study so having a study area in their room is a good idea in the long room. Desks come in all sizes and shapes so don’t be daunted by space constraints. A desk in a neutral color or one that fits into your color palette will fit right at home. Think your child is too young for a desk? Desks are also great places to draw and play for all ages.
A built-in desk with shelving above makes maximum use of the attic alcove while creating a much-needed space to draw, play and study. The built-in window seat has deep drawers underneath to store a multitude of reading books for reading time and catch-up sessions with friends.
Design: CC Interiors
Photographer: Kiely Ramos Photography
When it comes to kids’ rooms, think about creating activity pockets: sleep, study, read/chillax, play, display in ways that will stand the test of time.
Want help creating a unique kids’ room full of personality? Get in touch with CC Interiors here.