Playful styling ideas for decorating children’s rooms

Whether you want to go traditional or contemporary, when it comes to styling a child’s bedroom you can really have some fun

Creating bedrooms for the youngest members of the family, whether it’s for a new baby or an upgrade to suit the changing needs and tastes of an older child, can be one of the most enjoyable of all interiors projects. But it can also present some challenges, as children’s rooms are often small, yet need to be versatile to accommodate a wide range of uses, from sleep to playtime and, as they get older, they become a place to socialise and study too.

In a room that may have to be updated several times over the course of their childhood, it makes sense to incorporate reclaimed and upcycled pieces that can be repainted or repurposed as they get older. But if you’re kitting out a nursery for a newborn or toddler, do check the safety of any preloved finds – vintage toys and antique cots, for example, may not meet today’s safety standards so may only be suitable for display rather than use. Most experts recommend that you don’t use a cot that’s more than 10 years old, and mattresses should always be brand new.

For obvious reasons, eco-friendly, child-safe paints that are less toxic are the best choice for decorating. And durable, easy-clean products and materials for walls and flooring make good sense for guarding against the inevitable bumps, scrapes and spillages – or for removing attempts at creating their own wall murals!

Simple Scandi

There’s a good reason IKEA has been so influential on modern interior design – because it’s just so practical. But you don’t have to go flat-pack mad to be inspired by the Scandi look in your child’s bedroom.

The minimalist Nordic vibe starts with a blank canvas of stripped wooden floors, or painted white, with clean white or pale grey walls – and the beauty of sticking to neutrals is that accessories can be regularly updated as children grow and develop their own interests, without having to do a full redecoration. It’s a look that’s perfect for a gender-neutral nursery, as you can introduce pops of brights such as yellow, or soothing neutrals like pale peppermint or peach, through bed linen and accessories.

Introducing a splash of black or charcoal gives the look a more contemporary, monochrome edge – consider a feature such as a darker cot or bed, shelving or chest of drawers – while bare wood for flooring, rustic reclaimed wooden shelves or plywood cupboards add a light, natural feel to the space.

Industrial-style metal pendants or standing lamps suit the utilitarian look, but no Scandi-style scheme would be complete without the hygge factor too, and chunky knitted cushions or throws, fluffy rugs or sheepskins complete the handcrafted, cosy look. Add a simple mid-century rocking chair as a finishing touch, perfect for nursing, soothing and bedtime stories.

Traditional nursery

There’s something so charming about the traditional nursery, and it’s a unisex look that will probably suit children from birth until nearly the end of their primary school years. Although antique cots aren’t recommended, older children can happily sleep in a decorative vintage wrought-iron bed – especially revived with a lick of paint – but to maintain the traditional look choose a vintage floral or patchwork quilt rather than a duvet. Victorian Brass Bed Company has a selection of original Victorian and early 20th-century single metal bedsteads, while for a modern repro option, Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co. produces everything from dormitory-style to more ornate frames in a range of powder-coated colours.

In a room with an original period fireplace, the mantelpiece is a perfect focal point for displaying little treasures, while adding fairy lights or bunting creates a little colour and sparkle. A statement overmantel mirror could be full-on ornate for a princess room, or for a more understated look go for something plainer and more utilitarian in style.

Evoke the Mallory Towers experience with vintage trunks which make versatile toy storage, or suitcases can be stashed under the bed to store linen or out-of-season clothes. Accessories can be a mix of traditional and modern, including pieces such as an antique rocking horse, an old-fashioned school desk, a vintage teddy bear collection, classic toys or modern wall-hung felt animal heads – or even your children’s own framed artworks.

Bold and bright

It’s tempting to think a child’s room should be white or pastel, but going dark (black or charcoal for the brave) ensures fun, vibrant accessories will really pop – and looks cool and contemporary too.

Painting walls a rich, deep shade (or as a compromise, just one or two walls) creates the perfect backdrop for vintage artwork – from framed comic-book art to retro music posters – and brightly coloured enamel or metal bedside and pendant lighting will really stand out too. A tired chair can be reupholstered in a bold print to create the perfect spot for reading bedtime stories, while keep an eye out for quirky pieces that could be used as a bedside table. A darker wall colour looks great with simple white furniture too. Or consider utilitarian industrial pieces, such as vintage school chairs and desks that can be left as they are or painted.

A simple iron bed frame is easy to transform with metallic paint – get creative with shades ranging from acid yellow to black or on-trend teal – and ramp up the colours even more with fun bedding, vintage quilts or crochet blankets in zigzag or granny-square designs.

The mural wall is a big trend right now, and it’s a great way to introduce colour. Opt for a wallpaper-based mural custom-sized for your wall, with themes from jungle foliage to farm animals, dinosaurs or even just a retro graphic print (try Photowall or Wallsauce).

Tales of yesteryear

This classic look could easily belong to a character from an Enid Blyton book. It’s a timeless style that’s easy to achieve on a budget too, as mismatched furniture can be picked up cheaply and either left natural or painted, plus it’s robust enough to withstand the knocks of childhood play. Choose furniture that is solid and built to last: an antique pine dresser, chunky reclaimed wood shelves or a sturdy chest of drawers – all perfect for clothing or toy storage.

Look for dinky little milking stools for bedside tables (you’ll find a gorgeous selection of vintage stools and ones made from reclaimed wood at Home Barn), while an original or reproduction Victorian or Edwardian glass and brass wall light is an authentic-looking alternative to a bedside lamp.

For the bed, a cast-iron frame is a classic choice, or a soft pine sleigh bed. Dress with crisp white linen and a homely bedspread, and tucking a few traditional soft toys under the covers is a must. Look for vintage or repro fabrics (see the original selection of children’s fabrics at Handmade & Vintage) to make cushions, curtains and other soft furnishings in charming nursery prints.

For walls, hang traditional pieces such as vintage embroidery samplers, patchwork baby quilts, illustrations from children’s books or wildlife drawings. And don’t forget the toys – the room won’t be complete without classics such as dominoes, a yo-yo, skipping rope, marbles and card games.

Loft living

Children often end up with the smallest bedrooms in the house, or may even be tucked up into the eaves of a loft conversion. When space is limited, embrace the cosiness of the room by creating a den-like feel. Most children will love a canopy to create a quiet space for reading or playing. When it’s a room for two, coordinating the bed linen and sticking to a simple but striking palette will help keep the look streamlined and uncluttered.

Adding panelling to walls with reclaimed wood creates a cosy cabin feel, while bespoke built-in shelving is a space-saving way to provide essential storage in awkward spaces. If there’s no space for seating, try something squishy, such as beanbags or floor cushions for reading and socialising.

A room designed for intrepid explorers suits vintage travel-inspired accessories, from wall maps to ‘treasure chests’ and globes. Genuine antique globes will be too precious and pricey for children’s bedrooms, but you can get reproduction versions that look authentic but have up-to-date cartography (check out Stanfords or Just Globes). And loft rooms with Velux windows are perfect for setting up a star-gazing sanctuary, with telescopes for aspiring scientists and explorers of the universe.

WORDS: LINDSEY HARRAD