How to Design a Kids Theme Room

HOW TO DESIGN A KIDS THEME ROOM

If you are wondering how to design a kids theme room, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you are looking to design an adorable nautical bedroom for your little one, a woodland wonderland or another option – here are a few tips to get you started.

Step 1: Determine what type of theme room your child would be most drawn to. Do they love the ocean? Are they fond of woodland animals? Perhaps they love butterflies and beautiful blooms. If your child is old enough, try looking at bedding options online to see what they respond to. Keep them involved as much as possible during the design process.

Step 2: Once the theme is chosen, it’s time to choose a color palette. There are many approaches to accomplishing this. One way is to find a stunning piece of artwork, such as a painting, print or poster. You can use the colors in the artwork as a guide for choosing everything from bedding to wall paint, area rugs, furniture, and decor. The other option is to choose the bedding first and pull the colors from the fabric. Mix two to three patterns in the room that work together to create a cohesive design.

Step 3: If you are starting the design from scratch, it’s a good idea to take measurements of the space to determine the size of furniture that will fit, as well as what will work on the walls. Be sure to invest in timeless furniture that will be suitable when your child is a bit older. The basics of every child’s room is a bed, bedside table, and dresser. When purchasing additional furniture, consider what the goals are for the function of the bedroom besides sleeping. Will your child be doing arts and crafts in the bedroom? Will they require an area to study or read?

Step 4: Smart storage solutions are essential to a well-designed kid’s room. Choose multifunctional furniture that serves double-duty as a place for additional storage. A mixture of open and closed storage works best. Open storage such as shelves and cubbies provide space to store colorful belongings that fit into the room’s decor. Closed storage serves the purpose of tucking away items with less visual appeal. Look for efficient storage solutions that grow with your child as they get older.

Step 5: Add personality and character with accessories such as wall art, decor that fits in with the theme, as well as coordinating window treatments and area rugs. Be sure to layer bedding with a blanket or quilt, pillow shams, and accent pillows to keep the room fun and cozy.

Here are a few classic kid’s theme room ideas to help you on your journey in creating a bedroom your child will love. The information will include:

  • How to Design a Nautical Kid’s Theme Room
  • How to Design a Woodland Kid’s Theme Room
  • How to Design a Garden Kid’s Theme Room

How to Design a Nautical Kids Theme Room

A nautical kids theme room is perfect for children who are drawn to anything to do with the ocean, from the beach to sailboats, seashores, and sailing.

It’s a good idea to start by selecting the bedding that will be used in the nautical bedroom. When choosing the bedding, you can either go with a classic solid, striped or patchwork and layer on nautical theme throw pillows or choose a nautical printed quilt, comforter or duvet cover.

Nautical Kids Theme Room
Decorating a Kid's Nautical Bedroom | How to Design a Kids Theme Room
Children's Nautical Bedroom Ideas

All three of the bedding designs shown would work well in a nautical kids theme room. The first two would be the easiest to transition from a young child’s bedroom into one more suited for older children. The third has a fun and playful print that many children would be drawn to. It’s also not an expensive duvet cover and could easily be replaced down the road.

Note the color of the walls in each image and how the color is reflected in the bedding. The palette created is a great starting point when you are considering not only the color of wall paint but also the area rug, wall art and any nautical décor that will be added to the room. This can be achieved with any kids bedroom theme you plan to create.

Once the bedding is chosen, the next step is to create a color palette from the bedding. In the images above, I used Adobe Photoshop to pull out the color.

All three of the bedding designs shown would work well in a nautical kids theme room. The first two would be the easiest to transition from a young child’s bedroom into one more suited for older children. The third has a fun and playful print that many children would be drawn to. It’s also not an expensive duvet cover and could easily be replaced down the road.

Note the color of the walls in each image and how the color is reflected in the bedding. The palette created is a great starting point when you are considering not only the color of wall paint but also the area rug, wall art and any nautical décor that will be added to the room. This can be achieved with any kid’s theme room you plan to create.

Kid's Nautical Bedroom Ideas | How to Design a Kid's Nautical Theme Bedroom | Kid's Theme Room

How to Design a Kids Theme Room: Children’s Nautical Bedroom Ideas

Here are a few ideas to get you started on your kid’s nautical bedroom.

Consider use paintings or prints of lighthouses, sailboats and other typical nautical objects or scenes. Old photos of lighthouses and boats work well. Images can be taken from magazines or books, cut-out and framed to hang on the wall, or arranged in small groups on dressers. Framed sailing maps, such as antique maps that trace the routes of early explorers provide an interesting touch.

Purchase a mural, trace a large circle onto the surface and cut the circle shape out. Apply the mural to the wall, and paint a frame around it to give the impression of a porthole. Large round mirrors can also provide this effect, especially if they have white, blue, silver or red trim.

Pillows, blankets and throw rugs that have red, white and blue help add to the nautical feel in the space. Add seashell collections, driftwood, sand-dollars, and driftwood.

Nautical accessories can include models of lighthouses and sailboats, sailor flags, anchors and oars, real boat lifesavers, nautical lighting, lighthouse lamps, lighthouse rugs, captain’s wheels, nautical clocks, fish netting, wooden trunks, treasure chests, pirate or sailor figurines, seashells, maps, compasses, and telescopes.

Weathered wood furniture, such as a trundle bed, dressers, nightstands, and bookshelves go well with a nautical theme. You can even purchase a boat-shaped bed. Another option is furniture in a solid white or whitewashed finish.

Handpainted nautical knobs of anchors, compasses, sailboats, seagulls, porthole views, lobsters, lighthouses, ships wheels and life preservers add character.

Another completely different concept for a nautical room, that doesn’t involve a red, white and blue color scheme, is to create a room using grays, sea blue, and tan colors. This design approach is great for an older child. Walls can be painted with a sea and sky scene, in subtle blues and grays, or a mural can be applied.

Driftwood & rope can be attached all around the bed frame. Place a seagull figurine on top of a bedpost. Use fish nets throughout the room. Neutral carpet colors can depict sand. Fish can be hung by a thin rope from the ceiling and throughout the netting.

Dressers and other bedroom furniture can be sanded, with a driftwood finish applied. Cranes also work in this driftwood and nautical theme, that resembles a castaway’s lair.

Kid's Nautical Theme BedroomKid's Nautical Pirate BedroomChildren's Room Ideas | Nautical Bedroom
Sailboat Bedding & Nautical DecorNautical-Pirate Bedroom with Sailboat BedNautical Bedroom in Blue/White/Yellow

How to Design a Woodland Kids Theme Room

A woodland kids theme room is suited for children who love the forest and wildlife.

It’s easy to conjure the feel of a woodland retreat by incorporating plaids, faux campfire, log furniture, playhouse teepees, stone and animal accessories. Cozy plaid bedding brings in the feeling of wearing a cozy flannel shirt on a cold winter’s day.

Children's Woodland Bed Room| How to Design a Kids Theme Room | Kids Theme Room Ideas
Woodland Nursery | Kids Theme Room Ideas | How to Design a Kids Theme Room
Kid's Nautical Bedroom Ideas | How to Design a Kid's Theme Room

Children’s Woodland Bedroom Ideas

If your child is growing up with an inherent love for the outdoors, a kids woodland bedroom theme is the perfect way to show off his or her personality.

A rustic wood bed shows off natural wood grain, reminds children of trees and keeps the room right on its nature theme.

Include room pictures of teepees and forest to further enhance the woodland theme.

A few geometric shapes added to the mix provide a modern feel. Bold pops of orange (such as from a faux fire, artwork or lampshade), add vibrant color that works well with browns and greens. Foxes are another adorable choice if you are looking at bringing in a few bright shades.

The kid’s woodland theme is sure to inspire a child that loves camping, fishing, hiking or hunting. Be sure to add artwork that reflects this interest, such as images of bears, deer, fox, owls and other wildlife.

There is a broad range of bedding styles that would all work well in a woodland bedroom, from plaid, camo and buffalo check to quilts and duvet covers with woodland animals.

Woodland Accessories can include faux campfires, forest animal plush toys, teepees, canvas tents, plants, murals of the forest, faux trees and rocks, organic textures, sliced wood shelves, animal track posters, faux fur, birch tree wallpaper, and suede or leather decor.

Kid's Woodland Theme Bedroom

How to Design a Garden Kids Theme Room

What little girl wouldn’t adore a pretty room filled with magical butterflies and beautiful blooms? A garden kids theme room is simple to create and the possibilities are endless. It’s a perfect theme for a room to dream, play and grow in, inspiring little imaginations through the use of color, shape, and organic form. This design of room very much appeals to me, as I believe that it is a soothing and relaxing environment, filled with meadows, soft colors, grass, butterflies, flowers, and whimsical objects.

Children's Garden Theme Room
Garden Theme Nursery
Kid's Garden Theme Bedroom
Kid's Garden Bedroom Ideas | How to Design a Kid's Garden Theme Bedroom | Kids Theme Room Ideas

Children’s Garden Theme Bedroom Ideas

Here are a few ideas to get you started on your kid’s garden theme bedroom.

A picket fence really compliments a kid’s garden theme room and provides a magical element to the space. There are several options available on how to create a picket fence. You can use real fence posts painted white, hand paint a picket fence onto the wall, or apply a pasted vinyl cut-out of a fence. Silk vines and flowers can be incorporated. A trellis with soft arches can be used to run the length of a wall.

One of the most compelling garden theme bedrooms that I have viewed had walls that were painted a sunny yellow color, where the yellow graduated in shade. A darker yellow paint was applied at the base of the wall and became lighter in shade as it reached the ceiling. Real fence posts were painted white and attached section by section to the wall. A soft rose color wall paint was then applied behind the fence section only. Large paper flowers were wound around the posts. Faux-painted grass, butterflies, and ladybugs were painted randomly throughout the scene. It created a very whimsical and soft look to the room.

There is a wide range of butterfly and garden theme artwork and prints available. It is also very simple to create your own. You can cut out images from magazines or books, place them in frames and hang them on the wall or arrange in small groups on dressers and bookcases.

There are also many photo stock images that can be purchased for a minimal price online. Artists create vector images of all kinds of butterflies and garden scenes. They can be printed and framed. If you are familiar with Adobe Photoshop or a similar program, you can add your child’s name to the image, adjust colors, or simply combine several images. Dragonflies, butterflies, flowers, bumblebees, and ladybugs are a great addition to a kid’s garden theme room.

Nylon hanging butterflies can be attached to the ceiling or wall. You can purchase butterfly switch plates, lamps, and stools. Little butterflies can be glued to an existing lampshade. Hang a clothesline and use clothespins to secure tiny doll dresses in pretty fabrics against a wall.

Classic white furniture looks wonderful with this theme. Be sure to choose dainty pieces that don’t compete with the delicate butterflies and blossoms.

Canopy beds or white metal beds are a wonderful feature that suits this theme. A sheer canopy can have butterflies randomly glued in place. Replace handles and knobs of furniture with butterfly or floral theme hardware such as dainty porcelain with hand-painted butterflies and flowers. You can decoupage flowers onto a dresser or border around a mirror. Try hand painting a dresser, with the first drawer having a soft yellow background with roses applied, the second drawer background painted a soft pink with purple polka dots, and the third bottom drawer having a purple background with yellow butterflies painted on. Let fabrics, artwork, and bedding inspire you.

A carpet in a soft grass green color or rosy pink that compliments the walls and bedding is a nice touch. A neutral color also blends in well and won’t detract from wall art and the other decor in the room.

You can purchase butterfly or floral curtains and tie-backs. I think that sheer white curtains fluttering in the breeze teamed with a gingham valence provides a stunning effect. You can purchase organza ribbon and glue small nylon butterflies where it ties, or randomly glue butterflies throughout the curtain. Floral patterns can also be incorporated.

Kid's Garden Theme Room Ideas | How to Design a Kids Theme Room
Kid's Garden Theme Bedding | How to Design a Kids Theme Room

I hope you have found these tips helpful. Have fun creating your kid’s theme room!

Written by the Editor & Interior Designer for Buyer Select: Tracy Svendsen

 

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How to Design a Kid's Theme Room
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If you are wondering how to create a kid’s theme room, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you are looking to design an adorable nautical bedroom for your little one, a woodland wonderland or another option – here are a few tips to get you started.
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