A little over a month ago I started transitioning Sebastian’s room from his former obsession, planes, to his current one, space. And in doing so I learned a few very valuable lessons when it comes to decorating for children.
1. Don’t design a child’s room based on their current fixation. Decorate it with the current fixation. What’s the difference? Anything permanent or a little more than semi permanent is design in my book and anything easily removable, decor. I learned this hard way. We had planes on the walls, planes on the ceiling, and almost installed a plane light fixture. But the planes phase landed before I even officially finished the room and Sebastian was on to his next obsession, space.
With the re-do, the planes came off the walls and up went stripes, easy stripes courtesy of Walls Need Love. I used the 12” stripes and I have to admit, of all the peel and stick wallpaper I’ve done, (which is a fair amount) this was by far the easiest. Once the stripes went up, it was easy to create the ultimate universe for my astronaut in the making. Everything “cosmic” can be achieved with the decor, and in this case it’s all around and can easily be removed when he returns to Earth.
So the take away here, make sure the elements you chose for design will outlast the trends.
2. Keep their favorite stuff accessible, and organized — easy in easy out. Coordinating baskets and bins keep the room organized and can add to the overall decor easily. And with so many affordable options and great DIY storage projects, you won’t break the bank.
3. Involve your kids in the process of decorating their room and invite them to help with any art projects you can display on the walls. Just remember this is for them, not you, and try to let go of the rules they want to break. The green and white stripes, Sebastian’s pick, as was the theme itself (as if I had a choice)!
Sebastian was also very particular when it came to where his favorite space items were going to be placed or hung. For instance, he wanted a specific space shuttle drawing at eye level for him, no problem; his helmet needed to be next to his rocket, done deal– and his favorite space shuttle lego set needed to up high so the aliens (a.k.a. his brothers) couldn’t reach it. It’s amazing what your kids will tell tell if you ask
4. If you lack sq footage, go up, use the walls. Bins, boxes, crates, shelves, they come in just about every price range, every shade and every whim! So if it’s more floor space you’re looking for – go up!
I used wire baskets for added and easy toy storage and hung them on the wall with a simple hook to keep it off the floor. We also love these hidden book shelves, it’s like a magic trick on the wall and the kids get a kick out of it.
5. Make it happy and personalize it. Give them a room to foster their creativity and lift their spirits, surround them with bright and bold or calm and serenity. Add personal items and give them a fresh new look, spray paint old toys a solid color and use fork decor, frame their old blanket, take photos of their old shoes or favorite stuffed animal and turn it into canvas, take something store bought and embellish it to make it unique.
Minted.com is an excellent resource for personalizing art prints to match any theme and they have no shortage of positive affirmations to set the tone.
In Sebastian’s room we framed an old t-shirt that no longer fits, incorporated his toys on the walls and made sure there was a place to display his art that allowed for easy rotation. Additionally we used photos from his favorite picture books and framed them for instant affordable art and created the canvas prints ourself with the DIY Canvas art tutorial found here.
And for a list of all the decor I used and where it’s from, check out my Pinterest Board for Sebastian’s room by clicking here. Happy decorating!
Comments (0)