Decorating your child’s room or preparing a nursery for your little one can be a fun and exciting time, but it can also be expensive. Kids grow and change so fast, and you definitely don’t want to be redecorating in a year to two just because ballerinas are no longer cool.
Let’s face it, we also don’t want to walk into our child’s bedroom and feel like we are suddenly in the middle of a toy store either. So, how do you decorate a bedroom that feels sophisticated enough to blend in with the rest of your home, all while creating a special and unique retreat for your child?
Easy….all it takes is a little planning.
Choosing the Right Color
Choose a color palette for the room with a neutral base that fits within the color scheme of your home. Then, add a couple of accent colors using accessories and decorative elements like pillows or artwork. (Don’t worry, these colors can easily be switched up down the road if navy is suddenly boring, but evergreen is amazing!)
Keep It Simple
When decorating for a kids room, it can be tempting to go a little overboard with color. But an overload of bold colors can be overwhelming to us and our kids, and generally doesn’t age well either. Instead stick to a couple of accent colors in varying shades to create depth and interest.
Be Playful With Artwork
Artwork is a great way to add a sense of playfulness to your child’s room. Have your child help to choose artwork that they feel a connection to and use it to add color and whimsy to the space.
“Anytime your child is helping to decorate their room, pick a couple of options that you like first, then engage your child in the process by having them choose their favorite to make it feel more personal and special.”
Add Storage
I don’t know about you, but I am constantly in need of more storage for clothes, toys, diapers, you name it. My husband likes to joke that we have more furniture used to hide stuffed animals than anything else. So, I can’t stress this enough, think about the type of storage you will need and incorporate that into your room design. Get creative and use poufs, ottomans, traditional furniture like dressers, under the bed storage, baskets, cubbies and of course, shelving.
Keep the Accessories to a Minimum
With the number of hot wheels or stuffed animals floating around it’s easy to end up with toys all over the place, but the key to decorating a more sophisticated child’s bedroom is adding purposeful but minimal accessories. Have your child help to choose a few of their favorite toys and then incorporate them into the décor to give the room a more personal feel for your child, while still looking tidy and organized.
Choose Furniture That Will Grow With Your Child
Although buying adult furniture like dressers and beds can be a little more of an investment on the front end, it is definitely worth it in the long run. Instead of buying that Minnie Mouse toddler bed, invest in a neutral twin bed (or larger) and make it feel special for your child by choosing sheets with their favorite character, a special pillow or stuffed toy to decorate.
With a little planning and forethought, you and your child can decorate a room that feels both playful and sophisticated and will grow with them.