Make your child’s room pop!

A child’s bedroom can be a canvas for exploring many different stylistic trends and themes. Of course, the child’s approval is important, but you want to make sure the room can also grow with the child. Choosing the right elements is key when creating a timeless yet youthful space for your child. Here are some things you can add to make it awesome.

Theme

Don't base the room’s theme on your child's hobby or interest; instead, use it to accessorize.

“Remember though that children’s interests will change as frequently as their shoe size,” Sherri Blum, designer of Jack and Jill Interiors, said on HGTV. “Try to create an overall room that isn’t theme-specific and can grow with the child with respect to the furniture, murals, etc., and then bring in the theme of the day through smaller, less expensive accessories.”

Decor

You might have more free range in decision-making for infants and small children, but as they get older, include them in the process to ensure their room will be their comfort space. An easy fix for any room is the decor. If the room has a more neutral color scheme, you can add a pop of personality with the decorations in the room, such as a rug, curtains, shelving, wall art, pillows, mirrors, blankets, toy bins, and knickknacks.

When it comes to your child’s toys, look at which toys are played with more than others.

“Some toys are admired more than they’re played with — assembled Lego sets, for example, or giant stuffed animals — which makes them great decorative accessories,” said Susana Simonpietri, creative director of Change & Co., in a New York Times article.

This awesome addition is not only budget-friendly but also kid-friendly, as the child can also choose which toy of theirs gets displayed.

Another way to showcase a child's belongings is to display their school-related activities, such as awards, writings and drawings. You can do so by putting them in picture frames of different colors and sizes, allowing the space to be a decorative showroom of all their work.

You can take it one step further by hanging more lavish pieces. Interior designer Keita Turner states in the Vogue article “7 Secrets to Chic, Kid-Friendly Decor” that “brightly colored abstract artworks or figurative art not only bring sophistication to your home, but they can also enliven a space, making it cheerful and delightful to young children.”

Walls and ceilings can be used as a canvas of your child's interests, and there are ways to do so that won't break your wallet. There are tons of peel-and-stick wallpaper and art options online that allow you to get creative. Aside from wall art, bedding is the next easiest step in decorating the room, as it can be an easy change as the child grows.

Find bedding that suits your child’s current state of liking — for example, a princess-themed comforter with a canopy hanging over the bed. The decor brings life to any room you step in, but a room can’t be livable without the furniture.

Furniture

Like the decor, furniture can be a way to bring out personality in the room. The type of bed you choose for your child is important, as you want them to enjoy where they sleep but also suit their growing bodies.

To elevate from a standard bed, consider these options instead: platform beds, storage beds, bunk beds, loft beds, cabin beds, trundle beds or convertible cribs. These offer more variety and can allow more multifunctional use in the space.

“When designing kids’ bedrooms, prioritize bedroom storage ideas that will grow with them. This includes closets with adjustable shelving and hanging spaces, drawer space beneath the bed and plenty of shelving …” said Emma Sims-Hilditch in Homes & Gardens. Besides the bed and dresser, include furniture that explores your child’s creativity and offers comfort. A few examples are a reading nook with a comfy chair and bookshelf or a desk for them to work on their creations.

Lighting

Lighting has become a huge trend in recent years, as different lighting can draw different moods from your child.

Adding various levels of lighting throughout the room can help divide areas of sleep, play and learning, such as warm lights by the bed and bright white lights on a desk or in the play area.

Young children often enjoy projector lighting that shows colors, animals or objects throughout the room. Not only is it entertaining, but it can also give comfort for troubled sleepers.

LED light strips allow the child to do the decision-making. They can choose from colors and settings with a click of a button. Consider string lights, as they work as a source of dim lighting and decoration.