Style Guide: Kids' Rooms and Nurseries

December 02, 2010
Your children are full of fun and imagination, and their bedrooms should be too. Check out these fun kid-friendly spaces for inspiration.
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Built-In Bunks

Bunk beds aren’t the only option for sleeping multiple kids on one room. Built-in beds in a row can take advantage of an otherwise awkward space in the eaves. Encourage your children to personalize their bed nooks.

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Painted Pattern

Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto / Styling: Matthew Gleason

All you need is painter’s tape, a level, and some patience for a clean geometric pattern. Wait for each color to dry before starting the next.

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Molding Pattern

Photography Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett

Instead of taping off stripes, hang inexpensive furring strips around the room. Paint before hanging to be sure that you get a clean edge. You may even want to make your own variation with some stripes in cork so your budding artist has a place to hang his or her handiwork.

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Clever Canopy

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Accent a comfy reading chair with a hanging canopy that creates a cozy hideaway.

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Classic Color

Photography Van Chaplin / Styling Cari South / Assistant Stylist: Katherine Eckert

For a room that will easily transition through the years, paint the walls a more muted, classic color and accent with bright accessories that can be changed out as tastes mature.

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Sleep-In Nursery

Photo Robbie Caponetto / Styling Scott Martin

If you have room in your nursery, include a twin-size bed. It’s perfect for a parent, and someday your little one can transition into it.

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Trundle Bed

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

No need to break out a sleeping bag. You will always be prepared for sleepover guests with a trundle bed.

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Small-Scale Furniture

Photo: William Waldron

Small-scale elements like child-sized chairs make a playful statement.

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Whimsical Details

Photo: William Waldron

Make a space unique with accents like a ribbon chandelier or whimsical canopy.

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Wall Murals

Murals offer big impact and endless possibilities. Limit color and pattern on other areas to keep the focus on the mural.

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Bold Patterns

Bold patterns are great for baby’s developing eyes. Choosing black and white for the main feature allows freedom to incorporate lots of color in bedding and decorative details.

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Historically Inspired

You can create a historically inspired room without committing to an over-the-top theme by using shapes and fixtures that are commonly associated with a particular time period.

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Masculine Neutrals

For a room that will grow with your son, forgo baby-blues in favor of simple neutrals accented with classic patterns and pops of more masculine colors.

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Built-In Everything

Photos by Jean Allsopp

If you have a tight space, built-ins can help you take advantage of every inch for sleeping, seating and storage.

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Include a Play Area

Be sure to leave plenty of open floorspace for playtime.

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Creative Corner

Encourage your child’s creativity with a corner just for art projects. If you have carpet, consider putting a throw rug or other protective surface over this area.

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Desk

School-age children need a desk for homework. Make this area inviting with fun colors and accessories.

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Curtained Bed

Create a cozy, kid-sized space in a larger room with a curtained bed.

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Vintage Furniture Finds

Add whimsy to vintage furniture with a coat of paint in a kid-friendly color.

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Hardworking Furniture

Make a room masculine with rugged pieces. This cool, boy-friendly desk is made out of a budget-friendly industrial shelving unit.

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Curtained Cubbies

Draw a curtain across built-in cubby bunks for privacy in a room shared by siblings.

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Organized Toys

Cleanup is hardly a chore when all you have to do is separate toys into labeled bins.

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Chalkboard

Make it okay to write on the walls with a large framed chalkboard. Step it up a notch by covering a whole wall with chalkboard paint instead.

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Rolling Ladder

Use a rolling library ladder to access the upper bunk of built-in bunk beds.

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