Creating our homes as a sanctuary is the hallmark of our design philosophy. But for kids, their bedrooms are the real sanctuary - a space of their very own where they can let their personality and interests shine. For families, the process of designing your child’s bedroom is a special bonding experience that blends fun, creativity, responsibility and learning.

Getting Them Involved

So much about interior design is getting to know our clients, and that includes their kids too! It gives us the opportunity to ask them questions they may have never been asked, while learning about their interests and styles, likes and dislikes. And same as we do with adults, we don’t just ask how they want their spaces to look, but how they want to feel in them. Kids really appreciate when their opinions are valued and taken into consideration.

Color

Kids tend to gravitate towards bold and bright colors. You’ll want to deter from painting walls in intense shades, which makes it harder to relax and wind down for bed. Because of this, we highly recommend softer paint colors. If they love purple, for example, go with a less saturated purple with a touch of gray, like Whispering Wind by Benjamin Moore. Where you can go bolder is with small accents, like a throw pillow or a fun table lamp. We also know that kids tend to change interests quickly, so their favorite color today may not be the same down the road. Bear this in mind when making decisions around color and try to aim for things that are easier to change out over time.

Furniture

When it comes to furnishing kids bedrooms, one of our biggest pieces of advice is to keep the big items neutral. Beds, nightstands, dressers, desks –  you’ll want your kids to be able to grow into these things as they get older. Aim for quality pieces that will be able to take wear a tear.

Bedding

Kids absolutely LOVE to pick their bedding. Pottery Barn,Crate & Barrel and West Elm are all great places to shop for quality kids and teens bedding that’s on trend and parents love too. From sports to animals to kids’ favorite characters, they have something for everyone!

Storage

Because kids’ bedrooms are multipurpose spaces where they not only sleep but study, play, and engage in hobbies, they require a more thoughtful approach to storage. Kids tend to have a lot of “stuff” that needs a place to live – we like to call it “corralling the clutter”. Because of this, you’ll definitely want to plan for things like shelving and bookcases. For younger ones, keep toys organized in baskets that allow for easy access and clean up.

Decor

This is really the fun part for kids and where you can give them the most freedom since it’s easy to swap out accessories and decor as interests and styles change. We love including pin boards for kids in our projects. Pin boards give kids a special place to express themselves through a changeable display of mementos, art, photos, and what’s going on in their lives. This is a great introduction to vision boarding and as a bonus for parents, it saves your walls from wear and tear! Another way to get kids involved is to make their very own creations part of the room decor. Frame their art projects, writings or special achievements.

Teachable Moments

Designing kids’ rooms is not only fun, but there’s a ton of teachable moments throughout the process. Of course, the opportunity for creative expression, but there’s also an aspect of responsibility to it. Being involved in the decision-making process creates a sense of pride that makes children more likely to want to take care of their space and the things in it. It’s also a great lesson on appreciation and gratitude.