Creating a Kid’s Room That Will Stand the Test of Time

Putting together a fun and cute room for a young child is a project that many parents look forward to. However, after the third or fourth major redo it starts to lose its charm! As their child’s interests changes, their enthusiasm for redecorating fades—so parents will look to you for a design that can easily grow alongside their child. Here are a few tips for helping parents design a room that can be easily updated as kids grow and tastes change.

Removable Decals

Rather than stenciling on cute cartoon characters that will eventually be painted over, why not save your clients the hassle and try out decals or posters? These can be easily switched up when the child goes from loving Winnie the Pooh to being obsessed with Hot Wheels. Wall decals come in all sorts of themes and styles, so even when the Hot Wheels obsession fades and the child becomes a preteen, fun and inspirational quotes or a map of the world can easily replace previous passions. Clients will appreciate being able to encourage their child’s interests without going to the trouble of repainting walls or removing more permanent changes at a much bigger cost. Looking for inspiration? We love Wayfair’s huge collection of wall decals made specially for kids. They cover everything from educational maps to those highly coveted Disney princesses!

Neutral colors with fun accents

While a four year old may be in love with a candy pink room, a fourteen year old may not be so thrilled. Instead of choosing bright colors for the wall that a child may soon tire of, try going with something more neutral or subdued. This can also benefit the room’s atmosphere as bright colors can be overwhelming, which could leave a child feeling restless. Toned down or neutral colors create a more relaxing environment. To incorporate the child’s (current) favorite color, use accessories like blankets, pillows, curtains, or rugs to add fun pops of color throughout the room. A new duvet cover with an intricate pink pattern might be the perfect accent the room needs, and can be easily switched out compared to covering fuchsia walls with countless coats of paint.

Encourage Creativity

Is there any other artwork better than what our loved ones create? Features like chalkboard walls or large mirrors with erasable markers allow children to flex their creative muscles with pictures and messages that double as fun art. The benefit for parents is that it puts the kids in control and can be switched up with the swipe of a brush. You could also consider adding galvanized metal or a cork board so kids can display drawings, post cards, or great test scores. These creative décor alternatives are easily adaptable as your clients’ children grow into preteens and teenagers, when parents can leave reminders and chore lists and friends can come over to help create fun designs—talk about a unique accent wall!

Choose Furniture that Lasts

Switching out accessories and wall art is one thing, but who wants to buy a new dresser or bed every couple of years? Race car beds are cute, but the novelty is likely to wear off soon! Invest in good quality furniture that will last and isn’t likely to go out of style any time soon. Items that do double duty are a great idea. Try looking for a dresser that can double as a desk when kids get older, or a bed frame with drawers built in. This can open up a lot of floor space, and while little kids may not have a lot of use for a vanity they’ll appreciate it when they get older! If you want to add some flair to an existing piece, you can put removable stickers, decals, or patterned contact paper directly on a wardrobe or bed frame and then pull them off when the child gets sick of it.

Get Thrifty!

If your client’s child is just dying for bunk beds but you’re concerned about investing in a large item that may not hold its appeal, try other sourcing options. Check out thrift stores, yard sales, or online sites like Kijiji or Craigslist to find cool, off-beat items that will add personality to a room but won’t break the bank either. Similarly, you can find some adorable pieces like pillow cases or quilts from online shops like Etsy that are inexpensive, but your client and their child will love. Bonus: these pieces might be truly unique, and you’ll be supporting small businesses in the process! Try checking out Pinterest and cool online sites for ideas on how to re-purpose existing items, or make some fun accessories yourself. Older kids can also get in on the fun and it can become a great family project! A child’s room should ultimately reflect their personality and passions, and act as space of their own where they can express their individuality and creativity. With these tips, clients will be able to accomplish just that without the trouble of major redecorating each time their kids’ interests change.

Looking for more handy design tips to bring to your clients’ home? Check out our post on tips for making the most of a tiny bathroom!