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Step 1
Talk with the girl and get her thoughts on how to decorate her room. Find out what colors and themes she likes and which toys and stuffed animals she wants to keep and use in the decor. Have her make a list.
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Step 2
Use her favorite color to liven up the room, whether on one wall or all of them. Remember that dark colors make a room appear smaller, so use lighter, softer colors if you're painting all four walls the same shade or a darker color on only one wall. If you choose not to paint, you can still incorporate her favorite color into the room by adding accent items, such as a comforter, curtains, throw rug, chair pad or beanbag chair. You can also paint a bookcase or dresser in that color.
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Step 3
Incorporate her favorite stuffed animals, dolls or toys into the decor, adding wall shelves to display them. For instance, if she has a collection of Disney characters, select curtains and bedding that feature them.
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Step 4
Choose lighting that accentuates the decor. Consider using a floor lamp. Choose shades and fixtures that match or coordinate with the color and style of the room.
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Step 5
Design the room so that it is easy to keep neat. Buy closet organizers, decorative wall shelves, a bookcase and dresser. Place her jewelry, perfume bottles and other little trinkets on a round mirror on her dresser to keep them together. Arrange the room into distinct sections, and use a desk with drawers and desk organizers for pens, pencils and paper to keep school items organized.
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Step 6
Finally, if your budget is tight and you cannot afford to buy new items, reinvigorate old ones with a few inexpensive ideas. Replace a lampshade, put new knobs on a dresser, frame her artwork and hang it on a wall, and add a pad to a desk chair and a valance to a window. Place a throw rug on the floor and a couple small pillows on the bed. Make sure all the items are in her chosen color and style.
