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Retro Rewind: Cute and Quirky Vintage Ideas for Kids' Bedrooms
Step back in time and add vintage touches to your kids bedroom, from much-loved toys and wrought-iron beds to colourful prints
There is a lot to be said for old-school style. Adding vintage touches to any space can instantly give a room a dose of personality, make it more inviting and homely, and provide points of interest – and kids’ spaces are no exception.
Popping a few retro finds into your kids’ bedrooms can be as rewarding for you to look at as it is for them to play in. It’s also a lovely way to provide a link through the generations, not to mention a fantastic way to recycle once-loved toys and bits and bobs that are long forgotten or hidden in storage.
These rooms are all as aesthetically pleasing as they are practical…
Popping a few retro finds into your kids’ bedrooms can be as rewarding for you to look at as it is for them to play in. It’s also a lovely way to provide a link through the generations, not to mention a fantastic way to recycle once-loved toys and bits and bobs that are long forgotten or hidden in storage.
These rooms are all as aesthetically pleasing as they are practical…
More is more
This room is a gorgeous example of how vintage and eclectic styles are a match made in heaven. The assortment of colours, textures and vintage finds in this room make it feel both playful and relaxed. From the antique carved bed frames to the wicker pram and colourful picador wall hanging. Have more of a stickybeak at Melbourne artist Paula Mills’s home, which is filled with more amazing secondhand treasures.
This room is a gorgeous example of how vintage and eclectic styles are a match made in heaven. The assortment of colours, textures and vintage finds in this room make it feel both playful and relaxed. From the antique carved bed frames to the wicker pram and colourful picador wall hanging. Have more of a stickybeak at Melbourne artist Paula Mills’s home, which is filled with more amazing secondhand treasures.
Map it out
A large older-style map is perfect for adding interest to a bare wall space – and it’s an interactive source of educational geography. A world map can also be useful for covering up accidental marks or holes in a wall made by the little you-know-who. An old school desk, toy sailboat, stacked suitcases and vintage cupboards give this space an adventurous, yet studious feel.
More: Global Roaming: Give Your Kids the Travel Bug With Maps
A large older-style map is perfect for adding interest to a bare wall space – and it’s an interactive source of educational geography. A world map can also be useful for covering up accidental marks or holes in a wall made by the little you-know-who. An old school desk, toy sailboat, stacked suitcases and vintage cupboards give this space an adventurous, yet studious feel.
More: Global Roaming: Give Your Kids the Travel Bug With Maps
Wooden toys
Nothing says yesteryear like wooden toys. Combine old treasures with new additions for a vintage modern mashup. Pinocchio, seen here, meets a toy semi-trailer, sailboats and a vintage cyclist for an eye-catching shelf display.
Nothing says yesteryear like wooden toys. Combine old treasures with new additions for a vintage modern mashup. Pinocchio, seen here, meets a toy semi-trailer, sailboats and a vintage cyclist for an eye-catching shelf display.
DIY on the walls
Create DIY wall art with some old alphabet flashcards and storybook pictures. Fasten string or strong fishing line to the wall with a couple of nails or drawing pins and secure your choice of items with wooden craft pegs. A wall display would look great with retro postcards, vintage photos or even swap cards. The green wall background in this room gives the display a definite ‘pop’, but it would work well on a neutral finish, too.
Create DIY wall art with some old alphabet flashcards and storybook pictures. Fasten string or strong fishing line to the wall with a couple of nails or drawing pins and secure your choice of items with wooden craft pegs. A wall display would look great with retro postcards, vintage photos or even swap cards. The green wall background in this room gives the display a definite ‘pop’, but it would work well on a neutral finish, too.
Vintage Alphabet Print
GET THE LOOK: If you don’t have the time or energy to DIY, you can always buy a vintage flashcard-inspired print, like this gorgeous example from Sweet William.
Fusing modern and nostalgic
Display retro-style toys on modern shelving for an yesteryear look with contemporary ergonomics. Nostalgia-conjuring toys, such as wooden blocks, toy soldiers and tea sets, are being revamped for today’s market demand in a non-toxic, environmentally friendly way for kiddies to enjoy.
Display retro-style toys on modern shelving for an yesteryear look with contemporary ergonomics. Nostalgia-conjuring toys, such as wooden blocks, toy soldiers and tea sets, are being revamped for today’s market demand in a non-toxic, environmentally friendly way for kiddies to enjoy.
Bringing antique finds into the 21st century
This original 1880s wrought-iron French antique bed is a beautiful addition to this little girl’s room. The signature 1880s bed length is perfect for a child. Lavender tones and Porter’s Original Paints ‘Dragonfly’ wallpaper gives this room a distinctive period theme in a pretty modern-day setting.
This original 1880s wrought-iron French antique bed is a beautiful addition to this little girl’s room. The signature 1880s bed length is perfect for a child. Lavender tones and Porter’s Original Paints ‘Dragonfly’ wallpaper gives this room a distinctive period theme in a pretty modern-day setting.
Reinvent and repurpose
An antique typographer’s tray mounted to a wall is a great way to showcase and store your child’s weird and wonderful treasures – and keep them from underfoot! This is a perfect place for seashells, figurines, gemstones and other precious trinkets.
An antique typographer’s tray mounted to a wall is a great way to showcase and store your child’s weird and wonderful treasures – and keep them from underfoot! This is a perfect place for seashells, figurines, gemstones and other precious trinkets.
Something old, something new
Combine store-bought items with secondhand and vintage finds. The old suitcase pictured here under the bed is a great way to stow away toys, books or extra blankets. And how cute is the ice-cream lamp? That would have most definitely been on my Christmas list to Santa when I was little.
Combine store-bought items with secondhand and vintage finds. The old suitcase pictured here under the bed is a great way to stow away toys, books or extra blankets. And how cute is the ice-cream lamp? That would have most definitely been on my Christmas list to Santa when I was little.
Homemade toys
Before the days of large shopping centres and Toys “R” Us, it was commonplace to make toys for the little ones. Knitted toys and rag dolls add a creative and home-crafted touch to any room. Make homemade bunting from old scraps of fabric or wrapping paper with a vintage print design.
Before the days of large shopping centres and Toys “R” Us, it was commonplace to make toys for the little ones. Knitted toys and rag dolls add a creative and home-crafted touch to any room. Make homemade bunting from old scraps of fabric or wrapping paper with a vintage print design.
Floral Flag Bunting By Merry Go Round HANDMADE
GET THE LOOK: If you’re not the DIY type you can purchase some pretty vintage-inspired bunting.
Fabric wall art
Transform vintage fabric into wall art by stretching and stapling your choice of fabric over a canvas frame. Mix and match colours and patterns with an assortment of different sized frames for a gallery effect.
Search wall decor products on Houzz
Transform vintage fabric into wall art by stretching and stapling your choice of fabric over a canvas frame. Mix and match colours and patterns with an assortment of different sized frames for a gallery effect.
Search wall decor products on Houzz
Lolli Living Poppy Seed Cot Comforter
GET THE LOOK: A vintage print and colour scheme can add a retro edge to any kid’s room, particularly with soft furnishings and sundries such as quilt covers, cushions and comforters.
Turn storybooks into decoration
Kid’s storybooks have such colourful and enticing cover art – it’s a shame to tuck them away on a bookshelf. Display books on simple floating shelves for instant interest. Give a vintage twist by showcasing a collection of Little Golden Books, or raid your local secondhand book store for some preloved Enid Blyton or May Gibbs titles (if you don’t have your own copies already, that is!)
Kid’s storybooks have such colourful and enticing cover art – it’s a shame to tuck them away on a bookshelf. Display books on simple floating shelves for instant interest. Give a vintage twist by showcasing a collection of Little Golden Books, or raid your local secondhand book store for some preloved Enid Blyton or May Gibbs titles (if you don’t have your own copies already, that is!)
Go back to the future
A retro-style bedframe and additional quilt can instantly transform a contemporary room into one with a classic theme that conjures up memories of days gone by.
A retro-style bedframe and additional quilt can instantly transform a contemporary room into one with a classic theme that conjures up memories of days gone by.
Sunday Scarlet Red Bed Frame
GET THE LOOK: If you can’t seem to find a vintage frame, you can always try for a vintage-style one, as pictured here, that has the benefit of a bright-coloured powder-coated finish.
Vintage framed
This bedroom is definitely fit for a little princess. A soft pink and white colour scheme paired with roses, motifs and ornate bedside lamps gives this room an strong old-world feel. The framed vintage Barbie prints pictured above the bed are something special and illustrate what you can do with secondhand finds. The same idea can be applied to vintage comic book covers or old comic strips from the paper. Keep your eyes peeled at op shops and flea markets for unexpected treasures.
This bedroom is definitely fit for a little princess. A soft pink and white colour scheme paired with roses, motifs and ornate bedside lamps gives this room an strong old-world feel. The framed vintage Barbie prints pictured above the bed are something special and illustrate what you can do with secondhand finds. The same idea can be applied to vintage comic book covers or old comic strips from the paper. Keep your eyes peeled at op shops and flea markets for unexpected treasures.
1970s stylings
I think it is safe to say that the ‘70s will never go out of style – and nothing says ‘70s like a lava lamp and peace sign symbol. Add some funky bright colours, retro-styled furniture and a framed disco picture and you have yourself a groovy kid’s room.
SHARE YOUR STYLE
Have you given your children’s rooms a vintage touch? Show us your photos in the comments section.
MORE
Child’s Play:18 Cool Ideas for Kids’ Spaces That Will Keep Them Busy
Clever Kids’ Rooms: 15 Ideas to Give Boys’ Bedrooms a Boost
Clever Kids’ Rooms: 15 Ideas for Girls’ Bedrooms That Shine
I think it is safe to say that the ‘70s will never go out of style – and nothing says ‘70s like a lava lamp and peace sign symbol. Add some funky bright colours, retro-styled furniture and a framed disco picture and you have yourself a groovy kid’s room.
SHARE YOUR STYLE
Have you given your children’s rooms a vintage touch? Show us your photos in the comments section.
MORE
Child’s Play:18 Cool Ideas for Kids’ Spaces That Will Keep Them Busy
Clever Kids’ Rooms: 15 Ideas to Give Boys’ Bedrooms a Boost
Clever Kids’ Rooms: 15 Ideas for Girls’ Bedrooms That Shine
Transform a set of boring drawers into a feature using two-toned paint and glass drawer knobs for a sweet yet ‘bling’ effect. The soft blue tones of the drawers and chair paired with the white bedspread and assorted cushions create an easy ‘vintage’ feel that doesn’t dominate, but works in harmony with the overall room. How cute is the Swedish poster and play kitchen as well?!