How to Create a Great Kids Room

If you are looking for good kids room ideas, then think closely about marching to the same tune as everyone else. Theme rooms are fun, but they can get to be too much if overdone (think Extreme Makeover). Instead, incorporate a few things that your child likes, add some personal touches, and a great kids room will come together. For great kids rooms, a blend of ideas and items is best.

Instructions

1. 

   *Employ some Unique Ideas within Standard Theme Rooms

   There are a few themes that can be "tweaked" to make them a bit more unusual or unique than the original:

   Jungle: (you can be subtle--a leopard or zebra print pillow with green "grass" quilt, comforter and fuzzy green throw pillows); a leaf canopy of silk leaves or artificial vine

   Ocean: aquarium; net hanging from ceilings with rubber, plastic or blow-up fish; solid blue quilt or comforter for water or one with fish motif

   Cowboy or Cowgirl: Red bandana print lampshade, glue rope around decorative mirror, silver star accents

   Pirates: red and white striped comforter or curtains, treasure chest as toy chest

   Celestial (sun and moon): One side sun, one side moon

   Garden: small decorative picket fence painted white and hung on wall as chair rail,
   shabby chic chandelier with artificial flowers twisted through; patio lights strung in room (check electrical requirements to be safe)

   Candy: Large wooden circles painted to look like lollipops--paint long board "sticks"; gumball machine

   Lego: Bright primary colors with lego models on shelves and a large table for building complete with several bins for storage (See link to article below for ways to store Legos)

   Princess: Round mirror spray painted gold with a crown attached at top; a group of different hand mirrors mounted on wall

   Farm: put mini hay bales put on shelves with miniature toy tractors

   Art: free form "Calder-style" mobiles, squares taped off to look like Mondrian paintings

   Other ideas:

   zoo
   trucks and cars
   baseball
   Americana
   the fifty states
   boats/nautical
   football
   basketball
   the world/geography
   Paris
   New York
   dogs and cats
   construction
   fairy tales
   Mother Goose
   monkeys or sock monkeys
   children's books
   favorite characters (Be careful of these, though--many items mass produced are of poor quality and look cheap.)

2. 

   *Use some fun Items in Kids Rooms

   Choose one or more items from the following list to create some fun in your kid's room:

   decorative switch plate
   decorative throw
   decorative pillows
   colorful or personalized step stool
   decorative valance or curtains
   rocking chair, comfy reading chair for adults
   rocking chair, bean bag chair, comfy reading chair for kids
   quilts for wall hangings
   personalized piggy banks
   wooden letters spelling a child's name
   metal art
   play table
   toy bins
   book bins
   book shelf with bins
   fun hardware on dressers or cabinets (novelty knobs and handles)
   fun night light
   lamp
   small shelves with knickknacks
   toy nets for stuffed animals
   fun hampers
   a fun coat tree or coat rack (these look cute with kids' hooded towels hanging on them, too)
   fun wastebasket
   decorative wall clock or small clock

3. 

   *Use some Unique Kids Room Storage Ideas

   Most items for kids rooms are pretty straightforward. However, you can get creative when it comes to book and toy storage.

   Because children's books can be a mess--they don't stand upright and all fall off the shelf when one is pulled out, find some colorful bins to put on an existing book shelf. You'll be glad that you don't have to pick up books constantly.

   If toys are in a closet, use different colored laundry baskets. They're cheap and you can sort by basket color.

   If space is an issue, cute decorative clothes hampers make good storage. They're usually small and narrow, which means they'll fit in a corner easily.

   Consider a kitchen cart for a night stand. Buy colorful fabric and line baskets; use for toys or books.

   Over-the-door shoe bags are good for small toys such as Legos--if you like, you can keep them in the closet this way.

   Underbed storage boxes for clothing can be used for toys or books instead if space is an issue.

4. 

   *Shop for some new Ideas for Kids Rooms

   There are some great stores out there for kids room ideas and items. Here are a few:

   Pottery Barn Kids
   The Land of Nod
   Olive Kids
   Target
   L.L. Bean Kids
   Lands' End Kids

Resources

• How to Organize Your Legos