- If your child has a favorite TV show or movie or book, you might use that as a starter for a room theme. Or maybe your child is into a certain sport, or likes horses, or has a favorite type of music. You can go as far as making a mural or decorations that match the theme, or just choose an item that goes with the theme, like a picture, and use colors from that focal item as your color scheme. Many paint stores have pre-designed color schemes you can use, or design your own.
- One way to unify a room is to repeat elements that have a similar look. Pick several items made from stainless steel, such as a clock and wall hooks. Or a similar color and texture, such as a fluffy rug that matches or coordinates with throw pillows. Or match the style and color of the bed frame by choosing other furniture that has a similar look, such as bookshelves or a bedside table. Don't forget to give your child a desk for doing homework, and consider a hamper to encourage him to take care of his own laundry.
- If you've purchased new bedding as part of your redecoration, consider getting an extra matching sheet to make into curtains or a valance. If your preference is window shades, look for cordless ones that are easy to raise and lower so your child isn't likely to break them or leave them crooked. A custom valance over top of neutral shades is a nice look, and they now make roller shades in a variety of bright colors and designs. You may be able to have custom roller shades made by having a home center laminate your sheet or other fabric to be made into a roller shade.
- If you still don't have a plan and you've read this far, take your child window shopping. You can even do it on the Internet. Look for an item or a pattern or something that inspires her, and start from there. Once you've settled on one item, use it as a focal point and find other items that coordinate.
- Large families often have siblings sharing rooms. If this is your situation, don't despair. Let each child start with a favorite color or item, and find a color scheme that will coordinate with both. Give each child his own section of the room, and maybe one section that is shared. If their tastes differ, it's okay if one corner has horses and the other has soccer balls. Look for a creative way to unify the room without forcing one child to have the yucky green sheets that his brother picked out. Maybe complimentary colored bedspreads and neutral sheets will work better.
