Kids’ Rooms: Small People’s Spaces with Grown-up Appeal

Kids can be tasteful, too (or you can help them to be…). Here’s how to create the perfect child’s room without compromising on style

Lucy Meek 15 May 2014

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It’s often said that having a child will spell the end of a meticulously styled interior. But while it’s true they have more plastic than seems humanly possible, rest assured that your kid’s bedroom needn’t jar with the rest of your décor. This selection of rooms proves that, with great storage, thoughtful colour choices and a long-term view of their inevitable taste changes, you can create a space that will meet all of their needs while still appealing to your own sense of style.

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

Colour me happy
Colours are essential to kids’ spaces, but stick to one or two complementary shades to avoid offending older eyes. The strong red and blue in this white bedroom work perfectly together (even coordinating with the toys).

Browse 9 ways to be brave with colour

Cuppett Kilpatrick Architecture + Interior Design

Pare it down
If loud colours aren’t your cup of tea, opt for softer versions of your kids’ favourites. The mustard yellow and chalky purple tones in this bedroom are both stimulating enough for little eyes and gentle enough for tired grown-ups.

LEIVARS

Play the long game
Choose colours and furniture that will transition with them as they grow older. A map wall covering is fun for small kids and educational for older ones (and very useful for adult crosswords…), while the neutral storage and plain sofa will easily adapt if the room is restyled.

KDL Interiors LLC

Choose a theme
Picking a common theme will give the room character. The details in this safari-themed nursery are both fun and adult-friendly. If your kids are old enough to choose a hobby or interest of their own, even better!

pepperdesignblog.com

Set up a play space
Their bedroom is more than just a space in which to sleep. Be sure to dedicate a corner for playtime, as in this cute nook. The colourful table and chairs are perfect for craft time, and help to keep scissors and glue confined to one area.

Scandinavian Kids My Houzz: Casual Comfort in a London Victorian

Hide it away
Don’t feel you have to fall back on plastic stacking boxes to hide away toys – the wooden chests, scattered baskets and wall hooks in this room are both functional and beautiful.

Explore storage options for a child's bedroom

sarah & bendrix

Make a display area
Let them put their own stamp on the space. A styled playroom can still be home to scribbles and finger paintings, so long as they’re confined to one area. An art wall like this one allows the kids to express themselves, while keeping their doodles from taking over the room.

Julie Manning Interior Design

Chalk it up
Chalkboard walls satisfy that deeply ingrained urge to pick up a crayon and decorate the paintwork – except with chalk you can just wipe it clean at the end of the day. In this room, the adults have made use of the higher area to draw an alphabet border.

Christopher Burns Interiors

Climb high
Raised areas like this one give kids fun new areas to play and hang out in. Even better, the bookshelf and cupboard create off-the-ground storage to hide clutter and free up floor space.

Molly McGinness Interior Design

Go for grey
This calming colour has long been a staple of adult interiors, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work in a kids’ space. The fun wall clock and jazzy, colourful patterns in this bedroom breathe life into the décor without making it babyish.

How do you keep the style of your child's bedroom flexible? Share your tips in the Comments.

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Sagiper North America

Love the last photo, greys are in these days I know, but I like the clean idea of a child's bedroom even though they're usually very messy. They can grow up in these bedrooms even if they got tired of their childhood stuff.

Like 20 July 2016 at 3:49pm