Kids Bedroom Decorating Ideas & Tips

Decorating a bedroom for your kids can seem like a challenging task. There are so many things to consider like themes, colors, furniture and safety, which you might not have to even think about when decorating other rooms in your home. The best way to get ideas for decorating your kids' bedrooms is to talk to them. Gather as much information from your kids as possible, like their favorite colors, their hobbies or interests, and the types of furniture they like. Even if you think you already know this information, it doesn't hurt to sit down with your kids and have them brainstorm some bedroom decorating ideas with you.

Shared Bedrooms

Determining the type of furniture, color and décor you wish to use will depend upon whether the bedroom you are decorating is shared or not. Often times, a new addition to the family would require a bedroom to be converted to accommodate multiple siblings. A kid's bedroom that needs to be shared should be well thought out and planned. It's not as simple as adding another bed to an already existing bedroom. Kids of different ages may have different interests and require different types of furniture. The space you have to work with might also affect your furniture choices. Bunk beds, for example, are a great way to accommodate multiple kids in one bedroom without taking up extra floor space.

Using multiple color themes and dividing the room by color can help set boundaries for your children, while giving them a sense of individualism in a shared space. For example, you may have one child who likes things that are blue, and another child who likes the color green. Now, imagine sectioning off certain parts of the bedroom in shades of blue for one child, and shades of green for the other. This will give each child his/her own personal space. Then, think about creating a neutral area defined by a completely different color, which the two children can share. Keep in mind, you're not trying to create an actual barrier; the room should still be a unified space. Imagine, teaching your kids the importance of sharing and individualism just by color coding some of the areas of their bedroom.

Themes and Colors

Look through catalogs or pictures online to get an idea of creative ways to make your child's bedroom a themed room. Some furniture manufacturers sell complete bedroom sets that include popular themes from franchises most kids would enjoy. Coming up with a specific room theme is not a necessity, but it is a fun way to decorate your child's room. Think of your child's interests, and do your best to create a bedroom theme he/she would enjoy.

When determining a theme to decorate your child's room, a good idea would be to come up with a base of colors that would be suitable for multiple themes. For example, shades of pink and red would be suitable for both a heart-shape theme, and a fairytale princess themed bedroom.

When selecting the color and décor for your child's room, think of ways to incorporate their favorite things. A child fascinated with the ocean, for example, might appreciate shades of blue and aquatic themed wallpaper, curtains and bedding. Kids who like animals would enjoy a safari themed bedroom, utilizing earth colors like green and brown with jungle themed furnishings.

Furniture and Décor

Imagine a child who loves racecars. Then, imagine his parents buying him a bed in the shape of a racecar. Now, imagine that child outgrowing his racecar bed, or worse, imagine him getting sick of racecars and moving on to monkeys in the span of a few weeks. Now the family is stuck with a completely useless piece of furniture, unless they are fortunate enough to have another child who is fascinated with racecars.

A child's interests can change as fast as day turning into night; one minute, it's all about giraffes, the next minute, they're obsessed with outer space. If you can't afford a frequent change of bedroom furnishings for your child, select furniture that will last throughout their growth and development. If you want to accommodate your child's current interests and hobbies, bedroom décor like beddings, lamp shades and curtains are a good place to start because they can easily be swapped out if need be.

Certain types of kid's furniture might leave you with limited options. Cribs and beds with built-in barriers are required for infants and toddlers. As a child grows into a "big kid" bed, you will have a broader range of options to choose from. A twin size bed would be suitable for kids in grade school and could last them all the way up to college. Toy chests can be easily used as storage bins once a child has outgrown the need to play with toys.

Safety Tips

Safety is something to consider when decorating a kid's bedroom. Choose furniture that is durable and will not break or shatter easily. An example would be plastic lamps as opposed to the glass or ceramic types. Refrain from building shelves high off the ground and tall furniture as they may lead to accidents should your child feel tempted to use his/her bedroom as a jungle gym. Furniture with rounded corners also create a safe environment for your child, and can prevent scrapes, bruises and cuts. If you plan on utilizing bunk beds for shared bedrooms, assign the top bunk to the older child and make sure it isn't too high off the ground.