Spaces for children deserve their own special attention.  Kids’ needs are different – the furniture scale is smaller for their little bodies, colors can be bolder, and they need lots of storage, just to name a few.  Browse this collection of photos for inspiration as well as some dynamite decorating tips.  Today is about nurseries and rooms for small children.  If your kids are a little older, tomorrow will be filled with ideas for teens and for sharing a bedroom.

When possible, it’s always nice to carve out a space in their bedroom for play.  Nice for them because they can let their imaginations soar and nice for you because the mess stays in their room.  Minimize the mess and help teach them to care for their toys by providing appropriate storage space. 

Nursery Decor

A new baby is on the way and you start thinking about creating the perfect space for the new family addition.  Of course there are some major practical considerations like diaper changing and disposal, midnight feedings, etc. but there are also the asesthetic considerations.  You want a restful but joyful place for baby. 

This nursery probably reflects the personal design tastes of the parents (and probably the rest of the house) since the color scheme is quiet and neutral, calm and subdued.  However, it can still be a charming place for baby by using child-like themes (the lambs), if not child-like colors.  

A nursery for a baby boy doesn’t have to be all about pastel, watered down blue.  This vibrant navy is balanced by lots of white to brighten it up and other blues are introduced for variety in this monochromatic scheme.  The other advantage is that it’s a color scheme that can grow with the child. 

Introducing touches of whimsy in a child’s room is much easier than elsewhere in the home.  Here the use of a bird motif on the ceiling (either stenciled or wallpaper) gives baby something intriguing to look at on the ceiling.  The bird color was brought down an used as an accent wall color behind the changing table. 

Green is a perfect gender neutral color for a nursery.  This fresh, bright green and white scheme will last for years yet is perfectly appropriate for a baby.   

Many of us wish we had this much room in the nursery but we don’t.  However, you can still make use of some of Candice’s ideas:  paint something interesting on the ceiling, mix patterns at the windows for interest, and layer a comfy braided rug over the carpet for extra softness. 

Rooms for Young Girls

I would guess most little girls have a pink room at some point in their life.  This one is unusual in that it’s paired with chocolate brown!  Chocolate and pink are a much more sophisticated color palette but look how fun and pretty it can be. 

Candice is at work again creating a lively haven for a little girl.  The use of the sherbet colors is happy and fun, plenty of storage is created with cabinets and drawers as well as the shelf along the rest of the wall that will be a desk someday.  Making room for a little sitting area makes play time more fun with playmates. 

Even if your little girl wants pink, consider thinking outside the box and trying something different.  This stripe wall treatment is pink but with pizzazz and will grow with the girl into her teens. 

This princess bed is delightful but to keep the room from being too serious, the blocks of color on the wall offer some random fun.  As she grows up and wants to add posters or pictures of friends, containing the ‘art’ within these blocks is a natural guideline. 

Totally froofy (is that a real design word?) and girly, this highly patterned room is very traditional.  The dust ruffle and ruffled Roman shade soften the pattern. 

Rooms for Young Boys

I like this little boys’ room because there’s lots of storage and even though it’s a blue and brown scheme, the wall blue is such an unexpected shade.  Don’t feel obligated to use a nightstand when what is really needed is lots of storage – look for a chest or dresser. 

A masculine color scheme, orange and brown is bold but energetic and fun for a busy boy.  Add a touch of blue (the complement of orange) just to shake things up.  Keeping the windows plain, without drapes, keeps the room more boyish but adding just a valance might soften that big expanse and carry some blue to the walls.

Use the Same Principles

Use the same principles that you use when decorating elsewhere in your home.  Decorate for children but it’s usually not necessary to go overboard in theming or color choices to give them a space they’ll love.  If they’re old enough, ask their input and try to incorporate a few things on their ‘want’ list as well as what you need in the room.  How have you decorated your child’s room – or have you?  Have you made specific design decisions or just let it sort of evolve unrestrained?  Maybe now is the time to take control and establish order!

If you need some help, Cindy and I are only an email away.  Leave us a comment telling us about your child’s room or drop us an email to help solve your dilemma.  Either way, we’re happy to hear from you.