If you’re anything like me, you’ll remember your childhood room as a flood of gender specific, babyish items and decor.
The truth of this matter is, parents want to give their precious child simply the best, and spend silly amounts of money on a beautiful bedroom before the child’s individual taste has developed. This often results in redecorating only a few short years later, and spending just as much money a second time.
My mum was exactly the same. She wanted her firstborn to have the prettiest, pinkest room ever to be seen. And boy, did she go the whole hog! The pastel pink embossed ballet shoe wallpaper, border and bedding would lead anyone to think I was a mad ballet fanatic! It was when I reached 7 that it occurred to me that I had been to ballet twice when I was 3, and hated it even then.
It was then that I wanted change. Forcing mum to rip down the thick, expensive wallpaper, and paint the walls a bright lilac and turquoise, for (in my young mind) a more sophisticated, mature look.
So, how can I decorate my child’s room in a style they won’t outgrow? I hear you ask. Well, I have a few tips which will hopefully help.
1) Stick to paint – It’s much easier to simply slap another colour over the top if you or your child fancies a change, and you won’t have to go through the bother of stripping wallpaper and putting new lining paper up.
2) Stay neutral – Although it may be tempting to go for typical blue for a boy and pink for a girl looks, don’t! Keep the walls a neutral white or cream and put your own stamp on the room with bedcovers and curtains in the colour you desire. These are a lot cheaper to replace if another colour or style is wanted!
3) Accessorise, Accessorise, Accessorise! – Accessories are a really fun way or defining a room. Clocks, cushions, lamps, rugs, ornaments and shelves can really give a child’s room an edge depending on what style you go for, be it colourful and funky, or soft and feminine.
4) High sleepers = bad news – Sure, your child will think it’s really fun to sleep up near the ceiling at first. But soon they won’t look forward to climbing up and down a ladder every time they get in and out of bed. Plus, is it really worth the worry that they’ll fall out of it and injure themselves? Stick to a simple bed that’s timeless and won’t be outgrown.
Here are some photos of, in my opinion, child’s rooms at their best!
BELVISI make beautiful modern furniture for a child’s rooms, as this photo illustrates perfectly. The coloured panels on the bed match the shelving units and desk top, tying the whole room together to create a funky vibe.
Accessories in bright colours such as the cushion and mini drawers shown above work really well in a child’s bedroom, as they do not come across babyish and will last a child well into their teens. I specifically like the hanging wall piece shown above, as it can be used for photos and certificates when a child is young, and for homework reminders and so on as they grow older.
So, what do you think is the best way to decorate a child’s room? Have I inspired you and changed your mind about baby pink and blue?
Come back soon to see how to make florals glam, not gran!
Your earlier description of childs room rings true to me! my parents exactly the same my brothers room was baby blue when he was little and mine and my sisters essence of pink. These tips are worth while reading, my auty is in the process of decorating for her little ones and i keep telling her to keep it contemporary, ill have to show her this page! thanks jess!
i completely hear what you’re saying jess. My sisters room has been pink for as long as i remember, shes now 16 and is desperate for a change but my parents keep telling her its too expensive (getting in a decorator, paint, new accessories etc) so she’s stuck in her child like room. Parents should definitely start painting their childrens room neutral colours and just focus on coloured accessories that are cheaper and easier to replace, it would save them alot of money and nagging from their children when they grow up!
Painted walls are definatley the answer. I haven’t looked back since I changed all mine. A quick lick of paint to freshen or completely change from baby to infant to grown up. It is SO easy when all you need is a pot of paint. Then change a few cushions and picture frames. well done Jess !
Without being sexist about this I feel it is more ” a girl thing” as growing up in a bedroom covered in white emulsion with a dart board on one wall with lots of little holes in the paint (well you have to learn) was my idea of heaven and it suited the family budget. Accessories are the answer as with a change of bed spread and curtains can change the look of any room and doesn’t break the bank. The odd stencil doesn’t go amiss as painting over them is easy, if not decals but these tend to mark the walls.
I totally agree. Paint is the way to go. Faye has had 3 different coloured feature walls now, turquoise in her nursery then pink at age 4 now yellow. Rest of the walls white, easy. Jenna’s room is neutral with accessories that change. Peppa Pig phase compromised with lampshade and duvet cover. I personally don’t believe in childrens orientated furniture either, outgrown too quick and too much expense. Invest in the best quality you can afford which will last.
Yes I too have been gender specific and found out what i was having so i could do a blue or pink room for my kiddies, however did just paint and accessorise. My son has only just had his room changed from clouds to mario, and agian just painted and used stickers. Love the pictures of the rooms
I think Inside Interior DesignChild's room ideas is a solid blog article and you do a complete job of writing with good details. Tommie – http://www.ep2p4u.com