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Home › Articles › Decorating Children's Rooms › Creative Kids' Rooms

Creative Kids' Rooms

Terrific Themes

Part 3

By Jacqueline Rupp

Pages:  1  2  3  

When you're faced with a decorating project that starts and ends with a child's room, there's nothing like a theme to bring the space together. "Marine life is a favorite for both sexes, while boys are more likely to prefer boats, cars, trucks, construction equipment or favorite superheroes," says Jane Par, professional home decorator in Palm City, Fla. "Girls go for princess themes, the latest cartoon hero character, wild colors, flowers or cuddly stuffed animals."

While it might sound a bit kitschy to you, Par says, "Go with it! Even a 3-year-old can tell you what works for them! Anything 'Dora' works for my own 3-year-old granddaughter, so her decor takes off from the character, then the colors and then the 'explorer' aspect of Dora." Here are a few more themes to consider.

 

Fairy Garden
Take a standard floral theme, add a little magic and you've got a whimsical fairy garden. String tiny fairy dolls from the ceiling, add layers of organza curtains with faux blossoms hot-glued onto them and, of course, plenty of non-toxic, flowering houseplants. Place fluffy pastel-colored pillows in a corner with a mushroom mural painting, and you've got a woodland reading nook. Use wicker baskets for storage, hot glue polished creek pebbles to furniture frames and paint the walls in shades of warm honey yellow, moss green and light violet.

 

Medieval Castle
Maybe it's all the classic fairy tales, but a medieval castle just seems to capture a child's imagination. Use cardboard cut in a castle shape to create a noble headboard, which can be covered in fabric or painted. Apply crown molding and velvet fabric in deep jewel tones. For a faire princess, add a gold-framed mirror and maybe even a majestic vanity table with a chair covered in royal purple fabric and tied with a gold tassel.

 

Mod Squad
Give a retro chic look with a '60s-inspired mod room. Go with sleek white furniture and add bursts of rich color on accessories like throw rugs, lamps and art. Colors like lime green, fuchsia and black add a good contrast to the shiny modern look. Don't forget to include plenty of "pop" art on the walls.

 

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