One of my favorite spaces to design is my kids bedrooms. I know that most designers and influencer’s online will tell you not to decorate your child’s room with a theme but I say why not! I love all the beautiful tone on tone, perfectly styled bedrooms that look like a kid does not live there, however that is not reality. So in this blog I am going to go over the reasons why I think its okay use a theme when decorating your kids room, share what my kids spaces look like and a few tips on what to Do and Do Not To Do when decorating kids rooms.
(Our Son’s “Star Wars” Themed Room)
When I was a kid my mom decorated my room with lots and lots of purple and even pink and purple heart wallpaper on two walls. For a late 80s /90s bedroom it was very pretty but the only problem is I hated purple. To this day I stay away from it, well that was until my daughter decided she likes purple like her Nanny. When I became a teenager I wanted to incorporate my favorite color, Orange! Let’s just say that did not happen. Looking back I was not really mad at my mom for not letting me do what I wanted but I did feel like it was more her style than mine.
Fast forward and now a mom of four, I have had plenty opportunities to decorate my kids bedrooms. And maybe you are wondering “Did you theme any of your kids rooms?” and the answer is yes I have themed all of them. I will admit some were not my favorite work but I wouldn’t change it.
I think decorating your child’s room a theme can be a fun and creative way to make their space unique and special, tailored to just them. I also love seeing how excited they get when I let them help with ideas and the design process. A saying all parents have heard is “Time goes by so fast, they will be grown before you know it” and that is the main reason why I let my kids rooms look like kids rooms. One day I will have a home with empty bedrooms that will be perfectly decorated how I want but for now we will have fun!
(Our Son’s “Marvel” Themed Room. We made an Captain America shield out of foam board)
“Themed does not need to equal Tacky!”
Choose a Theme:
I don’t know about you but when I hear the word “themed” I think of a few phrases like “over the top”, “tacky”, “childish” or birthday parties. Yes that can be true but there are many ways you can have fun with your kids room and still look beautiful, put together and subtle. My kids rooms my not fall into the subtle category but I do not feel they are over the top.
Start with choosing a theme. Consider your child’s interests, hobbies, and favorite colors. Whether they love space, animals, princesses, or superheroes, there are endless possibilities to choose from. To ensure the theme doesn’t look tacky, it’s important to strike a balance between incorporating the theme elements and maintaining a cohesive overall look.
Do’s and Dont’s When Decorating Your Kids Bedrooms with a Theme:
DO focus on ONE main theme and incorporate it subtly throughout the room. I’m sorry the theme can not be “space princess that is friends with a mermaid who has a pet dragon”. You can incorporate more than theme as long as ONE stands out the most and they blend with each other by style or color.
(Our Daughter calls her room “Flower and Princesses”. Flowers are the main theme and Princesses are the accent)
Flower Duvet//Swing//Light fixture//Curtains
DON’T over do it! For example, if your child loves dinosaurs, do not choose dinosaur bedding, wall art, rug and accessories. Pick and choose.
DON’T buy inexpensive bedding that looks cheep. Buy neutral bedding and have fun with sheets, accent blankets or pillows. Depending on your theme sometimes you can find bedding that can work, like we did with our daughters and the flowers.
DO mix and match different textures, patterns, and colors. This will add depth and visual interest to the room. Layer those beds, add a rug or install trim details on the wall
(Our Son’s “Pixar” Themed Room. We used his toys and art work on his shelves)
DO incorporate toys into the decor. Our youngest son has a “Pixar Room” His Lighting McQueen car sits on a shelf and the Toy Story gang sit on top of his toy box.
DO opt for furniture pieces and storage that can grow with your child. This way it will be easily updated as their interests change.
DON’T forget to involve your child in the decorating process. This will ensure their room reflects their personality. There are items in my kids rooms that I would prefer are not there but they loved that item so in the space it went.
(Our Son’s “Star Wars” Themed room. We used peel and stick wallpaper)
DO use removable wall decals, murals, or wallpaper to create a focal point without committing to a permanent design.
DON’T let them do whatever they want. Guide them! They will be excited and want everything but the space still needs to be cohesive and not overwhelming. Yes it is their room but you have finally say.
DO remember color is such a great design tool. Below are color palettes I designed for kids spaces. If all you did was use colors you can still achieve a themed room. But if you are not fortunate like me and do not own a painting company lol, keep the walls, trim, cabinets and furniture more neutral. This way in the next phase of their life it will be easy to update.
DON’T forget that they will change their minds over the years. So when you are designing the room understand it will be for a short time. Let them great rid of those pink and purple hearts when they get older lol.
DO incorporating personal touches. Such as framed artwork, photos, and DIY crafts can also make the room feel more personalized
DON’T forget to have fun!
I hope after reading these decorating tips you are will be able to create a themed kids’ room that is stylish, fun, and not tacky. No matter how you decide to decorate your kids bedrooms, just remember they are only young for a short time. So just have fun!
For more ideas and inspiration from M4 Designs, check out these recent posts:
- Revamp Your Living Space Affordably
- 5 Rules when Staging Decor
- Find Your Homes Style
- Color Palettes for Your Home