Bedrooms are a place where kids can feel safe and have space to learn, get creative, play and, as they get older, convey their personality.
Kids room design changes dramatically with age and based on the child. So as you can probably imagine, a nursery for a newborn compared to a bedroom for an elementary school student is going to look and feel a lot different.
In this post, I’m going to go over a few of the key age groups and how kids room design changes at each age. I’ll, of course, be giving you my opinion on interior paint colors for these rooms as well as general tips and tricks to create a bedroom a child will love.
Let’s get started!
Creating a room or a nursery for a baby is going to involve a lot of soothing and calming features. Subtle and soft blues, pastels like yellow, lilac and pink, neutrals like beige and off-white and natural colors like greens and delicate teals are great choices for the interior design color palette.
Using these soft colors with a good mixture of cool and warm can help young children and babies feel relaxed and even help stimulate proper sleeping patterns.
Whether you are painting or adding wall coverings, consider using washable wallpaper. Washable wallpaper comes in a variety of designs and colors… and it also helps when any number of baby-related messes hit the wall.
In terms of design for a room for babies, you want to keep things simple and uncluttered. Having a newborn or a young baby is hectic. You’re going to want everything within reach and easily accessible. You’ll have time for more fun and involved room designs as the baby gets a little older.
Dedicate a specific area to have a changing table, sanitation products, cleaning supplies and a large supply of diapers. I also recommend a comfortable chair, perhaps one that rocks, so you’ll have a place to rest and rock your baby or feed them during one of the many long nights you’re going to experience with a young child.
Keep decor simple but engaging. For example, art with various shapes and colors can help stimulate a baby’s mind and help with their development.
I also recommend using curtains to keep light out or soften rays of direct sunlight during nap time. Curtains can also add fun and childlike splashes of color to the room with fun designs, patterns, accent colors and more.
As your child grows a little bit older into the toddler age group, you’re going to have to make some changes. Of course, some new furniture will be needed as they grow out of a crib and into a bed and grow out of the need for a changing table in the room.
Once those big changes are made, you can start to think about your child’s personality. Toddlers love to be included in decisions, so ask them what colors they like, what decorations they prefer and involve them in the creative process of designing their space.
Because this age group can get overwhelmed by choice, try giving them a choice between a few different options instead of asking an open-ended question.
In terms of colors, brighter and warmer colors can be great for toddlers who are just starting to learn and explore their world.
Not only that, but warm and bright colors are great to match your toddler’s energy levels that are sure to skyrocket at this age! However, make sure to combine these with cooler and soothing colors to help naptime and bedtime go smoothly.
Shelves and cubbies are a great option for this age since it will give them easy and safe access to their items. This allows them to learn and interact with their room while keeping the items organized and safe.
I also suggest adding family photos or their own artwork on the walls of the room to help your child connect with their space. Seeing their loving family surrounding them is a great feeling and reinforces the love that is just outside their bedroom door!
Colors can be similar to that in nurseries. Like washable wallpaper, consider paints that can be easily cleaned or washed since toddlers have a habit of creating scuff marks, drawing on the walls, having accidents… you get the idea!
This is where things start to get really fun! Elementary-aged kids are really starting to flesh out their interests, develop their personalities and use their room as a way to represent these things.
I recommend a redesign once kids get to elementary and older seeing as nursery & toddler age colors and designs are much different and can come across as “too young” for older kids.
A color trick I have used several times in children’s bedrooms is to paint the ceiling above their bed their favorite color! What could be better than opening your eyes first thing in the morning and seeing the color you love most!
Now that the kids are a bit older, decoration and color choices are going to be fun decisions made by them. Adding touches of their interests through art and decor is another fun process that’s perfect for elementary-age children and beyond.
As you know, your room is a sanctuary. It’s where you rest, recharge and feel completely at home and comforted by the space around you. It should feel the same way for your kids as well, which is why understanding kids room design is so important!
If you’d like more ideas and tips, check out the rest of my blog. You’ll find my color expert approved tips and ideas to create the perfect home for you and your family.
You can also contact me with any questions!
