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20 Cheerful DIY Additions for Kids' Bedrooms
Add some colour and fun into your child's bedroom with these do-it-yourself ideas
Looking for an alternative to cartoon character decor? There are tons of ways to put a personal stamp on a kid’s space, and they don’t need to be costly. From a bunk-bed fort to wall art, these projects and ideas are sure to get your creative juices flowing.
4. Fort bunk
This bunk comes kitted out with a built-in fort feature, but you could whip up your own version using a top bunk and a sheet. Keep it simple or (if you have a sewing machine) add a few extra features like a window, a door and pockets for bedtime reads.
This bunk comes kitted out with a built-in fort feature, but you could whip up your own version using a top bunk and a sheet. Keep it simple or (if you have a sewing machine) add a few extra features like a window, a door and pockets for bedtime reads.
5. Open-concept play kitchen
Rig up a play kitchen with a modern twist by installing a few open shelves at child height and stocking them with mini grocery store basics. Attach handles and pulls to the edge of a play table and paint the surface to approximate the look of a stove, and hang wee oven mitts.
6. Washi tape wall art
Get creative with that craft store favourite, washi tape, and stick a one-of-a-kind scene right onto your child’s wall. It should peel off easily, but test a small piece in an inconspicuous spot before getting started, just to be sure.
Rig up a play kitchen with a modern twist by installing a few open shelves at child height and stocking them with mini grocery store basics. Attach handles and pulls to the edge of a play table and paint the surface to approximate the look of a stove, and hang wee oven mitts.
6. Washi tape wall art
Get creative with that craft store favourite, washi tape, and stick a one-of-a-kind scene right onto your child’s wall. It should peel off easily, but test a small piece in an inconspicuous spot before getting started, just to be sure.
7. Suitcase storage
Vintage suitcases make sturdy, portable storage containers for everything from dress-up clothes to storybooks. Slide one or two under the bed, or stack them to make a side table.
8. Sweet-coloured decor
With white walls acting as a blank slate, feel free to pile on bright ice cream and lolly-shop hues, like hot pink, lemon yellow and vibrant turquoise. Cheerful prints and whimsical details like buntings and dream catchers will appeal to pint-size tastes.
Vintage suitcases make sturdy, portable storage containers for everything from dress-up clothes to storybooks. Slide one or two under the bed, or stack them to make a side table.
8. Sweet-coloured decor
With white walls acting as a blank slate, feel free to pile on bright ice cream and lolly-shop hues, like hot pink, lemon yellow and vibrant turquoise. Cheerful prints and whimsical details like buntings and dream catchers will appeal to pint-size tastes.
9. Rolling cart storage
Have art supplies, will travel! Tote crafting necessities like markers, paper, crayons and more in a wheeled storage cart for easy access, no matter where your little one wants to set up shop.
Have art supplies, will travel! Tote crafting necessities like markers, paper, crayons and more in a wheeled storage cart for easy access, no matter where your little one wants to set up shop.
10. Retro couch
A love seat or small-scale sofa makes a comfy spot for reading books with a young child – and older kids will love having a ‘grown-up’ hangout spot for chatting with friends. Go with an unfussy fabric in a dark print, so you can relax about those sticky fingers.
11. Framed textiles
Looking for a quick and affordable way to fill a wall with art? Textiles make an unexpected addition – and they’re the perfect way to use up just a square of a beloved but damaged pillow cover, blanket or rug.
A love seat or small-scale sofa makes a comfy spot for reading books with a young child – and older kids will love having a ‘grown-up’ hangout spot for chatting with friends. Go with an unfussy fabric in a dark print, so you can relax about those sticky fingers.
11. Framed textiles
Looking for a quick and affordable way to fill a wall with art? Textiles make an unexpected addition – and they’re the perfect way to use up just a square of a beloved but damaged pillow cover, blanket or rug.
12. Pegboard wall
You’ve likely seen pegboards used in the kitchen to hold pots and pans (thanks to Julia Child’s famous example), but why not use one in the little one’s room, too? You can hang (and rearrange) artwork, shelves, baskets, cups of art supplies and more on this hardware store workhorse, and you’ll never need to make another nail hole.
You’ve likely seen pegboards used in the kitchen to hold pots and pans (thanks to Julia Child’s famous example), but why not use one in the little one’s room, too? You can hang (and rearrange) artwork, shelves, baskets, cups of art supplies and more on this hardware store workhorse, and you’ll never need to make another nail hole.
13. Clipboard art display
A few rows of basic boards outfitted with bulldog clips transform a blank wall into a creative display space for a rotating collection of your child’s art. Put up just a few or install rows all the way up the wall, depending on how much gallery space your budding artist needs.
A few rows of basic boards outfitted with bulldog clips transform a blank wall into a creative display space for a rotating collection of your child’s art. Put up just a few or install rows all the way up the wall, depending on how much gallery space your budding artist needs.
14. A home for books
A bookcase with house-like doors hides clutter and can even stand in as a mod dollhouse. Craft your own take on this by painting (trace first) simple window, door and roof shapes on the outside of a plain cabinet.
A bookcase with house-like doors hides clutter and can even stand in as a mod dollhouse. Craft your own take on this by painting (trace first) simple window, door and roof shapes on the outside of a plain cabinet.
15. Wire name sign
Pick up a spool of flexible wire at a craft store, and bend and twist it into the shape of your child’s name. No wire? You could use an old wire hanger from the dry cleaner, or even twisted-together pipe cleaners. Make the sign as big or as small as you like, and pin it to the wall for a personal touch that’s easy on the budget.
Pick up a spool of flexible wire at a craft store, and bend and twist it into the shape of your child’s name. No wire? You could use an old wire hanger from the dry cleaner, or even twisted-together pipe cleaners. Make the sign as big or as small as you like, and pin it to the wall for a personal touch that’s easy on the budget.
16. Graphic black and white room
Oversize black stars on a white wall (use wallpaper or stencils), a black and white striped rug, a chalkboard wall and graphic bedding add up to a cool decorating scheme that works for a girl or boy. Without colour the focus is on shape and pattern – so use a variety of both, like the stripes, stars, scallops and cursive writing shown here.
Oversize black stars on a white wall (use wallpaper or stencils), a black and white striped rug, a chalkboard wall and graphic bedding add up to a cool decorating scheme that works for a girl or boy. Without colour the focus is on shape and pattern – so use a variety of both, like the stripes, stars, scallops and cursive writing shown here.
17. Geometric art wall
Have leftover paint from a bunch of projects lying around? This painting project is a great way to use up remnants of multiple colours in a fun, creative way. Just be aware that you’ll need plenty of patience and an eye for detail to tape off and paint all of those triangles – but the results will be worth the effort.
Have leftover paint from a bunch of projects lying around? This painting project is a great way to use up remnants of multiple colours in a fun, creative way. Just be aware that you’ll need plenty of patience and an eye for detail to tape off and paint all of those triangles – but the results will be worth the effort.
18. Subtle stars
Do you like the black stars in No. 16 but want something a bit less bold? Try stencilling on star shapes in a subtle, tone-on-tone hue. Beige on white (as seen here) works well, but you could also do blue on blue, pink on pink or grey on grey.
Do you like the black stars in No. 16 but want something a bit less bold? Try stencilling on star shapes in a subtle, tone-on-tone hue. Beige on white (as seen here) works well, but you could also do blue on blue, pink on pink or grey on grey.
19. Pretty patchwork bedhead
Give a simple toddler- or twin-size bedhead a more personal look and a bit more comfort by draping a well-loved vintage quilt over it. To make it permanent, sew seams along the edges to make a slipcover that can be removed for laundering.
Give a simple toddler- or twin-size bedhead a more personal look and a bit more comfort by draping a well-loved vintage quilt over it. To make it permanent, sew seams along the edges to make a slipcover that can be removed for laundering.
20. Loft with slide
Looking for a bigger change? You can’t get much bigger than this awesome double-level loft with a ladder and slide! What little one could resist that?
TELL US
What’s your favourite way to personalise a kids’ space?
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Looking for a bigger change? You can’t get much bigger than this awesome double-level loft with a ladder and slide! What little one could resist that?
TELL US
What’s your favourite way to personalise a kids’ space?
MORE
Clever Kids’ Rooms: 15 Ideas to Give Boys’ Bedrooms a Boost
10 Kids’ Room Updates That Last the Distance
Global Roaming: Give Your Kids the Travel Bug With Maps
Kids can use it as a pretend house for dramatic play or get cosy inside and read books – either way, it’s sure to become the focal point of the room.
2. Blackboard door
Requiring less commitment than a full blackboard wall (but just as much fun), a blackboard door gives kids permission to draw on the walls … always a hit!
3. DIY zigzag wall colour
Use a straight edge to draw a zigzag border about halfway up the wall, then tape it off. Fill in the lower portion with the wall colour of your (or your child’s) choice for a creative, yet easy, DIY upgrade.