Eyerolls.

You got them when back-to-school shopping with your daughter.

“Really, Mom/Dad?? NOBODY is wearing that!”  

Now’s your chance to redeem yourself.   If you’re thinking of redecorating your daughter’s bedroom, steal my ideas for a room that is sure to bring smiles–and avoid eyerolls–when your little darlin’ tells you she’s outgrown her Disney Princess comforter with matching curtains.

You can see why my client’s young daughter needed a change. All the dark matchy furniture and bedding was too old-feeling for this lively little lady.

Instead of a room that was already grown up, this savvy young girl wanted “a room made just for me that I can grow into”.  Parents, take note!  What she described is the perfect recipe for a child’s room that she will not outgrow in a year or two: nix on the cartoons, easy on the themes, and all with a dose of her favorite things, some whimsy and some color. So, did we hit the mark?

She loved it!

The dark furniture had to go, and instead this fanciful white headboard anchors the room. We repainted the room with a light neutral paint.  Now all the colorful accessories pop, from the bright bedding and pillows to the vivid-toned tassels edging the curtain panels.

We softened both the look and feel of the tile flooring with a large furry rug in a pattern that brings to mind clouds in a blue sky–perfect for our hint of rainbow theme. (Notice that this is not your bed-in-a-bag rainbow bed, but a quirky collection of colorful pieces. Take your daughter pillow shopping and tell her nothing can exactly match. She’ll help you unleash your inner decorator!)

A white wall-mounted shelf is just right for photos and collections. Try to think outside the box when it comes to bedside tables: the arabesque scrollwork on this tin and wood table mimics the lines of the headboard. It’s a fun piece, but not “little girly”. Really, can’t you see her enjoying this table in her bedroom and later using it for a foyer table in her first apartment? Great furniture finds are those you can move around, re-purpose and love for decades!

Now, I’ve shown you the design work in her sister’s room before, but maybe not with the before photo.

Can you see how we applied some of the same principles in this room as well?

1.Fanciful

2. Fun use of color

3. Favorites reflected (in this case, birds)

but not too heavy-handed with the theme? And again, it’s a room with a joyful personality that this delightful little girl can grow into.

Thinking of redecorating the daughter domains at your house?  Let’s talk!