Courtney Warren is a Texas-based interior designer whose work has been featured in Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and Today.com. She is a frequent consultant on Fox 4 TV’s Good Day program in Dallas, was ranked in the top 3 percent of interior designers in the US by Houzz.com, and starred in the Dallas episode of TLC’sFour Houses. She delights in helping overwhelmed clients create beautiful spaces—and will never turn down a warm chocolate chip cookie or Diet Dr Pepper.

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3 Kid Room Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

client projects, Design Tips, Trends

June 26, 2019

Did you see my recent spot on Fox 4 Good Day about decorating kids’ rooms? If not, catch it here!

Got problems doing rooms for the pint-sized people in your household? It’s a challenge to decorate kids’ bedrooms because round and round we go: they want the latest cartoon series characters or superhero on every surface, and you don’t want to have to redo the room in 3 months when their current favorite changes. There is hope! For some cool kids’ bedroom theme ideas, let’s look for inspiration to some real-life kid rooms I’ve done for myself and for clients.

Try to steer clear of

Mistake #1-TOO JUVENILE/TOO THEMED OR MATCHY

Judah’s love for all things SPORTS dictated the decor of his early bunk room, but I nixed cartoon bed-in-a-bag solutions. Instead, I used vintage pennants, photos, and jerseys along with coordinated-not-matched pillows and quilts to suggest the theme. Although we moved from this house a couple years later, this vintage sports memorabilia-inspired decor easily transitioned to our new house and his preteen years.

Dallas Interior Designer Kid's Room decor

Vintage Sports Boys Kid’s Room

A savvy little client’s daughter said “I want a room I can grow into.” Listen up, parents–that’s great advice when you’re decorating a child’s room. Go easy on the themes, and bring in just a dose of your child’s favorite things with some whimsy and some color, as I did here (with the daughter’s guidance!)

Rainbow and Flowers Girl’s Room

This pre-teen got her “room to grow into” with a fanciful white headboard that anchors the room and is echoed in the table trim. Because the paint is light, all the colorful rainbow accessories pop–from the bright bedding and pillows to the vivid-toned tassels edging the curtain panels. (For a quirky collection of colorful pieces to support your HINT of theme, take your daughter pillow shopping and tell her nothing can exactly match. She’ll help you unleash your inner decorator!)

Now, about that neutral wall paint…

Mistake #2 –PLAYING IT TOO SAFE WITH COLOR

Bold paint in a child’s bedroom or play area can be a bright, youthful touch. There are times to go for it! Particularly if it’s used as an accent wall, as in sister Lily’s room.

I also love the look of a wallpapered accent wall when it comes to kids room decor ideas. This young girl’s whimsical room will easily transition to older years.

Hygge and West Wall Paper Girl’s Bedroom

Having said that, white or light neutral paint will give you GREAT STAYING POWER and MORE OPTIONS FOR EASY CHANGES down the road. Change out bedding and some accessories, and VOILA! You have a whole new look! Do you lean toward bolder or more subtle schemes? I’ve done both, and I can help you perfect the look you choose, either way! Paint is an easy way to get quick change for a kids room decor on a budget!

Mistake #3-POORLY PLANNED OR NO STORAGE

I’m sure you’ve noticed: kids have STUFF. Giving them places to easily stow it away will help prevent meltdowns (yours AND theirs) when it comes time to clean up. Whether it’s a reconfigured closet, or built-in or wall-hung shelves, make sure there’s a place for all their Important Things.