Decorating your child’s room

School’s out for summer and the kids have some free time on their hands. (That is, unless they are totally scheduled with vacation Bible school, camp, swim lessons, horseback riding, Little League, and who knows what else.)
Regardless, summer is a good time to ask your children if they want to redecorate their rooms. A little home improvement can allow a child to express her/him self, and it is an activity you can share. Chances are that if your child has input and involvement in the makeover, he or she will take pride in the space and take really good care of it.
You can find a lot of ideas in the decorating magazines at the bookstore and home improvement center. The web is also a source for inspiration. To help start the ball rolling, here are some ideas (big and little) we like:

• Paint children’s rooms in pale colors and use white storage pieces. Designer Wendy Alterman tells BHG.com, “That way, you can update a room easily in a few years by letting the kids choose new furniture and new accessories.”
• Instead of painting a whole room, use wall stickers to add a spot of color. The stickers are easy to apply (and remove). Stickers are easy enough for even young children to apply.
• Let your child personalize a small chair or footstool you find at a garage sale or flea market. This idea is really two-for-one. First, plan a day of shopping. Then, with your new purchase, paint the find in your child’s favorite color.
• Speaking of painting, use a stencil and fabric paint to make a design on a duvet cover.
• Create a reading space with a comfy chair, light, shelves or a bookcase. A little stand just for a dictionary can encourage your child to look up unfamiliar words.
• Hang a bulletin board for displaying artwork, vacation postcards and school awards.
• Turn the bed into a secret playroom with the use of a curtain or material you find in a discount bin. Hem the fabric and create a pocket. Slide in an embroidery hoop, then hang the canopy from a ceiling hook. Spread the curtain so it surrounds the bed.
• Add a fun area rug. Surya has a line just for children (photos, below).

Read “Kids’ Bedroom Decorating Ideas,” from TLC.
The HGTV site has photos and videos of kids’ bedrooms, including those with eco-friendly ideas.
BHG.com has photos, videos and articles.
See “7 Easy Décor Updates For Kids Rooms” at Woman’s Day

Want some more ideas? Try these online resources:

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