Top 10 Ideas for Childrens Interior Design

When designing, renovating or just sprucing up a house, often there will be a children’s room that needs some attention – so we’ve gathered our top ten ideas for decorating a child’s room to make it a special hideaway to enjoy.

1. Colour with Accessories

When choosing the colour for childrens interior design, avoid going for the trendy or favourite colour of your child at the time. That shade of pink or blue they love? Probably not for long – so to avoid redecorating each year, pick a neutral colour for painting walls, and bring in brighter accents using either accessories and textiles (i.e. bed sheets, curtains) or use a feature wall (though you may still be redecorating!). Use toys to decorate as well as these will almost always be bright and colourful – and personal to your child.

2. Maximise floor area

Children of all ages love to have their own space to play in (or make a mess). Maximising the floor area of the room by cleverly positioning furniture is key to a successful and well used space. Having elevated furniture (single bunk beds with space beneath, raised storage or raised clothing rails rather than large furniture) will increase usable space. Pushing furniture to one or two sides of the room to form an ‘L shape’ will make the most space – as will limiting the size of furniture.

3. Clever storage is key

Using raised or cleverly designed storage to maximise space is perfect for a child’s room. Hide drawers in unexpected places, or put up a set of shelving that can double as a staircase or with a ladder (for older children). Use decorative wall hooks to jazz up a space and provide extra storage.

4. Decorate with texture

If you are keeping colours fairly neutral, add exciting and interesting textures, fabrics and materials to your childrens interior design. Use wicker to bring some interesting texture, and a beachy feel, or try hanging curtains around the bed in a soft colour or sheer netting for a princess feel.

5. Jazz up flooring with Rugs

Rugs add a splash of colour to a childrens interior design – and are easier to replace than carpets when the inevitable juice stain appears. Use bold prints and colours for a fun effect.

Rugs also make it easier to change the theme of a room when neutral colours are used elsewhere.

6. Space to Relax

Don’t just think about putting in the bed, wardrobe and toys. You are designing your child’s personal space and providing somewhere to chill out – other than laying on the bed – can be nice if there is space. A cosy chair or mini sofa with rugs and a book shelf can be a great way to give your child somewhere to read or sit, and can be great when they have friends over.

7. Create fun spaces using the room shape

Kids love to hide away and play in small spaces. If your room shape allows, adding in some ‘secret’ areas can be a fun and exciting place for a child. A small cubby hole, concealed gap or decorated and covered corner can become a secret garden so put some thought into making a more hidden space in the room. Perhaps the bed can be tucked into the wall, or a tree house tucked into the top corner with a ladder.

If the room is small, just using fabrics to make a tent-like area can be great fun for younger children.

8. Use colours to influence mood

The impact of room colour on your mood is massive, but is often forgotten. Bringing in accents and colours to the room using these mood-based principles can help your child to develop skills or change mood. If the room is often used for homework, use yellows for productivity and confidence. If your child needs a calming space, try blues. If you want to make a creative and inspiring space, use greens.

9. Sneak some education in

Find some clever ways to bring education into your childrens interior design – use storage shelves which are shaped like letters, or use a compass or clock faces as decoration for a themed room (think pirate or Alice in Wonderland).

Chalkboard paint is also a great way to provide a drawing and learning space for your child without them ruining the walls. You can even add messages for them to help practice reading and writing.

10. Childrens Interior Design – by your Child!

Children love to try new things and be creative. Whilst some of the ideas they have may be a little out there, incorporating their favourite colours, characters or even drawings can be great for their creativity and enjoyment of the room. Let your child help with painting or some of the easier tasks – but make sure they are supervised as the carpets won’t look great in the same colour as the paint.