Kids Room Decorating Before and After
Being at home more than usual right now, we’ve become intensely aware of those projects we’ve never gotten around to. Kids rooms, for instance.
Kid rooms a low priority?
My client, whose previous home I’d helped with, had sold that house and built a new one. She confessed, “In the other house, I just never got around to doing much with the kids’ rooms…” Now in their forever home, she wanted them to have spaces designed just for them. I’m all about that!
She and I talked it over on my YouTube show, Real Life Design with Courtney Warren. Catch that episode here (and see my show every Friday at noon!). Now, let’s look at what we did in her kids’ new rooms, and I’ll advise you about some design traps to avoid!
#1: Avoid the too juvenile/too themed trap.
Will loves the firetruck bed, a gift from his grandparents. Rather than a room full of firetrucks, though, I incorporated a map mural, bright graphics and furniture that will easily transition to a pre-teen or teen room when he outgrows the bunks. Like the stunner navy ceiling? I LOVE a colored ceiling–do you?
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#2: Choose multi-functional furniture, then add in doses of favorite things.
Adding a second white twin bed in Emilie’s room made sense for a couple of reasons. White will accommodate any future changes in accent wall or bedding. And, logistically, when sister Ellie’s queen bed is being used by guests, Ellie can bunk with her sis. Great for friend sleepovers, too!
A parent’s dilemma: how to handle children’s input for their room decor? I always advise that you add favorite characters and objects sparingly. Emilie’s love of butterflies is reflected in wallpaper and mobiles, both of which can be changed as tastes evolve–WITHOUT a major redo.
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#3: Keep big ticket furniture neutral so it will transition to the next phase. But don’t forget the whimsy factor!
Ellie will enjoy her the upholstered headboard and chic nightstand right through the teen years. And for now, she has the purple she loves in a fabulous, removable floral accent wall. (Family guests will also feel pampered when they stay over in this dreamy room.) Oh, and the whimsy? Step right up–onto this petite stage the young aspiring actress asked for. See, we can find ways to bring their dreams to life!
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Email me to book a call time!
(And if you’d like to submit your kid room redesign project for consideration on my YouTube design and decor show, just email hello@courtneywarren.com with the subject “YouTube Makeover”.)
More for you: On a Fox 4 Good Day appearance, I shared some of my favorite tips for updating kids’ rooms. See it here.