32 Kids' Room Ideas That Will Ignite Their Imaginations — From a Ship-Shaped Bed to Whimsical Wallpaper

When it comes to thinking creatively in design, nothing pushes you quite like coming up with kids' room ideas. The sky is the limit. This is their designated space in the home, so it's a great place to have fun, and reflect their energy and personality. And when done right, it can still be cohesive with the rest of your home.

But with so much inspiration and so many amazing kids' room ideas already out there, it can be hard to know where to start. From playful schemes to smart furniture solutions, and all the different soft furnishing choices, it's a delicate dance between creating a room that excites them, but also one that they can easily fall asleep in.

Yet, with a well-considered and cohesive scheme, it's completely possible to design a kids' bedroom that becomes their escape, a place for nurturing, inspiring and educating, and somewhere they will happily grow into young adults in.

HOW TO DECORATE A ROOM FOR A KID?

Getting a kids' room right is not an easy thing to do, especially considering they have a tendency to change their minds at a whim.

'A young person's bedroom should always be adaptable,' says interior designer Kate Gray of Brooklyn-based Hamilton Gray Studio, who recommends furniture that is flexible, amenable and can change according to your child's taste. 'Investing in furniture for the bedroom must bear in mind the long term, thinking ahead for when they grow out of that single bed.'

'Being as thoughtful with kids' room design as you are with the rest of the house has a big pay off,' adds Lane McNab of San Francisco-based Lane McNab Interiors.

If you want to design a kids' room they won't outgrow too quickly, the best starting point is to get them involved. 'Children can help decorate their rooms by choosing the colors, choosing fabrics for curtains and blinds, or creating a piece of artwork that will become a masterpiece in their room,' says Medina King, creative director MK Kids Interiors. 'Choosing cushions and decorative items, such as wall hangings or garlands is a great way to encourage your little one to get involved in designing their bedroom.'

To help get you started, here are 32 of the very best kids' room ideas we've seen.

1. INSTALL A SLIDE

Now, this may be a lavish place to start but it gives you a good idea of just how creative you can get with your kids' room ideas. It would realistically need to be considered during the house build, but if fun is at the forefront of your design plan, you can't go wrong with an indoor slide.

The Carston Holler-inspired metal chute pictured above starts upstairs and twists down the house to this kid's room; it’s safe for the kids and even big enough for young-at-heart parents. Alternatively, you could look into a loft bed with a built-in slide.

2. ADD FANTASTICAL FURNITURE

A cane side table shaped like a horse? Why ever not. When it comes to selecting furniture for your kids' room, the more fantastical the more fun. It's all about igniting their imagination and pieces like this feel like they're bringing their toys to life and blurring the lines between functional and fun.

This particular piece works wonderfully in this whimsical kids' room scheme seen above, where cut-out cubbies, a unique ceiling and built-in bed come together to create a true sense of playfulism.

3. EMBRACE PRIMARY COLORS

Your kids' room is where color can really come into its own, despite the rest of the scheme of your home. Get your children involved by asking them for their favorite paint color ideas, and work it back into a cohesive scheme. Alternatively, you could go bold and

'Children tend to be attracted to the bright primary colors rather than pastels or muted blends,' explains interior designer Kendra Nash of Nash Design Group. 'These saturated colors are simply easier for kids developing eyes to see. And overall, bright colors attract the eye!'

To get your little ones even more involved, why not let them help you create the space? 'Younger children are unusually excited about painting or adding stickers to the walls,' suggests interior designer Medina King. 'It would be ideal if they could use the roller or a paintbrush to paint a few strokes on the wall, or stick on a few wall decals.'

4. INCLUDE FUN STORAGE SOLUTIONS

It's always a good idea to design your child's room with smart yet playful toy storage ideas. Think about how you can build storage into pre-existing furniture, marrying necessity with something fun for your child.

'Flexible storage that grows with the children, imaginative design that will age well as they grow, and a thoughtful balance of encouraging play and rest are the three big challenges with kids' room design,' says interior designer Lane McNab, who designed this loft bed/play area that doubles up as an excellent storage solution.

'I find kids' rooms are so fun to do because you’re often encouraged to be more imaginative and playful with your design,' she adds. 'The trick is balancing the fun with creating a space for calm and quiet and sleeping — important for parents and kids alike! I love to create secret nooks for quiet imaginative play or reading. Little nooks that double as book and toy storage are the best.'

5. PICK A DREAM THEME

No matter how old your child, they are going to remember the bedroom they grew up in, so we think they should be the most magical spaces. Take a theme that your child loves, be it, princesses, pirates, Minions, rainbows, or whatever and run with it.

Andreia Tavares of Circu Magical Furniture, says that 'Every kid dreams. Either it's from the cartoon they watch or their favorite books. Try to bring it to reality. A kid's bedroom is the most special division when designing a home or a project because it's the room where you can use your imagination and try to picture what could make them happy.'

She continues, 'The use of color and fun elements such as wallpaper with patterns and geometrical shapes always add character. Kids' bedrooms are supposed to be fun and feel safe at the same time. Every kid is different but they all just want to have fun, so try to bring their wildest dreams to reality.'

6. TRANSFORM DOORS INTO AN ART DISPLAY

Interior designer Naomi Clarke made these bright yellow cupboards to hide away kids' clutter, but as well as handy storage they double up as display frames for children's artwork.

This clever closet door idea is a chic way to display all the lovely pictures children bring home and create, and definitely beats having them cluttering up the fridge door.

7. MAKE A WALL MURAL

Wall murals are a lovely kids' room idea, adding a touch of whimsy and personality. There are plenty of lovely designs available that you can hang just like wallpaper, but for a really unique look why not commission a design that's full of things your child loves. You could even add in their pets, hobbies and favorite characters.

8. ADD A CHALK WALL

Rather than painting an accent wall, why not opt instead for a chalkboard paint as the backdrop for some added creativity. Using chalk pens means your little one can create their own wall mural over time, and you can simply wipe it down and start again when they inevitably change their mind. It's actually quite easy to make chalk paint yourself.

Plus, it will help you in the long run to give your child somewhere they have the freedom to draw all over the walls, rather than doing it elsewhere in the house where it can quickly become a problem!

9. DON'T FORGET THE CEILING

While there are plenty of options for how to decorate the walls in your kids' bedroom, it's important not to forget the ceiling. Known as the fifth wall in design, it also provides plenty of potential for getting creative.

Whether you choose to paint it a different color, add decals or a ceiling wallpaper idea like designer Chris McGovern of NYC-based McGovern Project did in this kids bedroom, the options are limitless and will likely be the last thing your little one looks at before they drift off to sleep.

11. CREATE A DREAM DEN

Awkward spaces under the eaves can be difficult to decorate as you are often dealing with angles and slopes, but if you embrace the space, it can provide a fun escape for your child —a hidden den where they have their separate space from the rest of the family.

'It is these quirks that make the loft spaces so lovely,' says interior designer Nicky Dobree. 'They are particularly good for creating cozy bedrooms.'

Nicky zoned the long attic space and set the bed at the far end making the most of the awkward corners by designing built-in niches into the joinery. In the middle of the room, she created a bean bag area for relaxing, grounded by a rug to delineate the space.

'At the front of the room, we designed built-in wardrobes and a desk area. We kept all the walls in the same neutral tone and contrasted the joinery in blue with accents of brass on the lighting, and we added paneling behind the bed for added texture,' she adds. 'One of the joys of attic rooms is that light floods into the room from the windows making it a wonderful light-filled space to be in.'

12. WONDERFUL WALLPAPER CHOICES

Pick an interesting wallpaper that your child will love and balance it carefully in the room. In this example, interior designer Frederick Tang was given specific instructions by the son to add rainbows to the scheme.

'Our interpretation was a Flat Vernacular wallpaper called The Heavens Dondi Mural,' Frederick says. An original mural wallpaper, this design features a wide variety of tropical hues, including lime green, hot pink, parrot green, lemon yellow, sky blue, and bright white inks, and makes for a fun wallpaper for a teen.

'The first reaction of the parents was — is this too intense? Our solution to a strong color and pattern is to add a darker, richer color like Benjamin Moore's 'Bold Blue' paint color.' The effect is now a bright and happy space that both parents and child love.

13. SELECT YOUR COLOR SCHEME CAREFULLY

If you are designing a kid's room from scratch, the best place to start is with the color scheme. This can be a tricky choice as you want your kids' room paint ideas to reflect your child's taste but still have longevity. You don't want to be repainting every few months!

'I was naturally drawn to pink, but now I am more open to softer neutral colors, such as duckegg, teal with hints of mustard and greys or tan,' says Medina. 'Recently we have taken on a number of projects which have been gender-neutral rooms where parents have requested that we do not lean towards pinks or blues. A design scheme is more enjoyable when there is no specific colour scheme required and the design team are able to experiment.'

Andreia Tavares of Circu Magical Furniture says pastel shades are always a good option. 'We have done a lot of different projects, for neutral-gender bedrooms, and the shades of beige, light yellows and greens are a go-to choice. Besides creating a neutral space it also won't make anyone "tired" of the color which can happen with more bright shades such as orange or electric blue, for example.'

14. PLAY WITH OVERSIZED DECOR

Kids' rooms are a place where you can play with pattern, colors and proportions and can we just say: how cute is this oversized Miffy lamp? It's all about embracing the things they love and making them life-sized, and this is such a great way to do that.

In this space by Gachot, the oversized lamp brings a super playful touch while still fitting in with the Scandi-style scheme of the boy's bedroom.

15. USE EMPTY WALL SPACE FOR STORAGE

They're often the smallest or most awkwardly-shaped in the house, so trying to squeeze in extra kids' room storage ideas — which you will definitely need — can be tricky.

Be inspired by this small boy's bedroom and make the most of an awkward corner or blank wall by adding in shelving and make it fun with some whimsical wallpaper.

16. PICK A DREAMY BED FRAME

Focus on sleep while also making a statement in your kids' room by picking an out-of-the-box bed frame, like the romantic bed in this room by Jeffreys Interiors of Edinburgh. The family wanted to acknowledge the houses' classical heritage during its restoration, so kept a few original pieces they found, including this four poster bed in their daughter's room.

'The back wall in this room is curved,' explains Jo Aynsley of Jeffreys Interiors. 'Naturally then this dictated a free-standing bed. The height of the four poster balanced the grand proportions of the room, however, the traditional style and dark wood frame was quite imposing. Looking for something more whimsical to inspire sweet dreams, the bed was transformed with a soft, billowy canopy, made from an Andrew Martin trellis embroidery.'

She continues: 'This became the ‘big top’ to the carousel of hand-painted horses which magically dance around the walls. When the lights are low, a large room with very tall ceilings may feel a little daunting to a wee one. Dressing the bed in this way allowed us to create a cozy little cocoon within a vast space, perfect for a restful slumber.'

17. CREATE A MINI MEZZANINE

You may be surprised to learn that you don't need a huge amount of ceiling height to create a mini mezzanine that can be used as either a sleeping spot or play space, plus it doubles your floor space.

This tiny kid's room sits above the living room, on a mezzanine level that overlooks the dining space below through a glass wall. A raised mezzanine area with a built-in bed plays on the multi-level theme.

18. SWAP AN ARMCHAIR FOR A SWING SEAT

Because why have a boring chair when you could have something fun like a swing seat? Not only do they make for a lovely focal point, but they can also be a relaxing place to encourage your little one to do some reading. Plus, you'll regain some valuable floor space.

It's important to note that these sorts of swings should be installed by a professional and that your child is supervised while using it.

19. CUSTOM CABINETS THAT MAKE THE MOST OF THE SPACE

Going bespoke in your kids' room may sound a bit expensive, but if it makes a small room more functional and has the potential to last until they move out, then why not?

We love the Moroccan-inspired look of this kids room, with a daybed that's built into the wall, and custom shelving and drawers that create maximum toy storage.

20. CREATE AN URBAN VIBE WITH GRAFFITI

A lot of kids go through a phase where they love the look of graffiti — particularly when they get a bit older. Perhaps it makes them feel cool and grown-up. The good news is that when it's done right, it can look really stylish.

Hanging some graffiti-inspired artwork is really quick way to make a kids' room feel more grown up without having to totally redecorate.

21. PUT THEIR TOYS ON SHOW

Toys are an integral part of any kids' room, so it's best to stop fighting them to always hide them away, and work out a stylish way to put them on show. They can create cute and colorful displays that look good and make them easily accessible for playtime.

These funky bespoke shelves were designed by interior designer Katharine Pooley, who went for a fun twist on cubby holes by joining them all together. The pop of orange is the perfect contrast to the pale blue backdrop, and the whole design makes the toys look like an art display.

22. LEAN INTO THEIR HOBBIES

Any guesses what the kid from this bedroom above is passionate about? The scheme shows just how taking inspiration from your children's hobbies can be stylish when you think about it creatively.

The feature wall — inspired by a football goal — also looks like a fun and geometric wallpaper pattern. Now to work out how to give Elsa's ice castle a more contemporary twist...

23. CREATE A FEATURE WITH THEIR FAVORITE BOOKS

No matter what the room, they always say that if you've got your books, you've got your decor. They can add so much color, texture and personality to a room, and what more fun and colorful than children's books?

Rather than stash them out of sight, or stacking them with their spines facing outwards — which may make it hard for little fingers to find — use a picture ledge to face them outwards, making the front covers double up as artwork in the room.

24. ADD A PEGBOARD WALL

Pegboard can be used for so many things and is super flexible as you can add on extras like shelves and hooks to build the perfect storage wall. As you can see with this kids' room idea, it can also double up as some pretty cool decor.

25. ADD A DOLLHOUSE

Because why have a boring wardrobe when you can store your clothes in a dollhouse? Isn't that every kids' dream?

This striking dollhouse-shaped wardrobe by Andrew Martin features a stunningly detailed facade, and even hides a rail and drawers inside.

26. DISPLAY THEIR COOL COLLECTION

As your kid reaches the age they no longer want their toys out on display (despite still desperately wanting to play with them), you can switch toys to something more grown-up and still make their room inspired by something they are interested in.

In this bedroom above, a collection of brightly-colored skateboards adorn the walls, adding loads of fun to this otherwise quite neutral space.

27. GET YOUR DIY ON

There are plenty of paint ideas for walls that are a great way to add personality to a kids' room. And they’re surprisingly easy to do if you simplify your ideas down to their most basic graphic outline: think a line of jagged mountain tops or rolling hills, a seascape, cotton-wool clouds, or a star-spangled galaxy.

Select your paint, pencil on your design and fill it in. It doesn’t have to be perfect to achieve the desired effect. One feature wall will help you theme the rest of the space. And remember, there are heaps of brilliant wall stickers and decals available that will help you create the effect without the worry of it going wrong.

28. CREATE A SPACE FOR TWO

Designing a shared kids' room can be a tricky business especially if both children are old enough to express their opinions... loudly. Medina King advises, 'incorporating a little from each child’s taste and preference. Keep the color scheme neutral or engage the favorite colors of each child. Have versatile furniture where possible, such as a window storage bench, a bed with storage, and or a workstation. Ensure that each child has a designated space or area, that they can find comfort and relax.'

29. OPT FOR AN OVERSIZED HEADBOARD

See, princess-themed rooms can be subtle too! It's the huge headboard that's the focal point in this kids' room, and the plush, button-back velvet does have a nod to something royal, but in a way that's still stylish and chic.

Plus, it's super comfy and adds a cocooning feel to the room, as well as having more longevity than a full on princess-style bed.

30. HANG A FABRIC CANOPY

Oh-so simple, yet oh-so-chic, the canopy is the must-have for all dreamy bedrooms. Use it to demarcate a den area, create a cozy reading corner, or simply up-cycle a bog-standard bed into a fairy tale-worthy dream space.

Draped around the bed at night-time, it will help create a cozy sleeping space. An easy way to do it? Buy a lightweight, hanging mosquito net and dye it in the color of your child’s choice.

31. PERSONALIZE WITH PINBOARDS

Whether through filial bonding or simply lack of bedrooms, siblings are often likely to share a space. So how to make it chic as well as practical? Storage is key, but it’s also important to create areas where each child can express their personality.

Pinboards are great, as are shelves. In this room, upholstered, super-tall headboards double up as pinboards. Choosing the same print and furniture unifies the space, while illuminated initial letters add a personal touch.

32. INTRODUCE A DESIGN CLASSIC

The Eames elephant is a classic piece of furniture. This playful children's chair is the perfect example of Charles and Ray Eames' fun side, and it's become one of the couple’s most famous pieces. You don’t need to be under five to enjoy its elegant lines, but unfortunately, they’ve yet to make a jumbo size for us adults…

HOW DO YOU DESIGN A KIDS' ROOM?

'In the same way you would another space, starting with space planning what the space will be used for: a place to sleep (sleepovers?), play, study, read, relax, make music, craft,' says interior designer Ursula Wesselingh.

'I pay particular attention to storage in kids’ rooms, as I think you need lots to keep the room look tidy and restful, which helps sleep. Once you’ve decided what will go where, also think about how long the room will need to last and what your maximum budget is – this will influence the decor (more neutral or not) and furniture choices (convertible or not, investment pieces or easily replaced furniture). With a basic lay-out/zoning in place, look at the placement and type of lighting too – task lighting by beds and desks or in play corner, dimmable general light to soften the atmosphere at night, fun lighting to add style. My approach generally is to keep the room’s flooring & walls/ceiling neutral, which doesn’t mean bland or not having colour, though I’d avoid heavy themes. I love adding a wall or two of wallpaper to give the room more character and pull it together.'

WHAT ARE GOOD THEMES FOR KIDS' ROOMS?

The best themes for a kids' room will come down to what they like and their hobbies, favourite colors, films and TV shows. So talk to them and decide on a theme together. The most popular themes for kid's room that could be a good starting point if they need a nudge are jungle, space, castles, pirate ships, forests, magic, dinosaurs. If they have the attention span have a look through Pinterest with them and see what catches their eye.

As Medina King recommends: 'Children love experimenting and are versatile; and they often have many surprises up their sleeves. I love to get children involved in the design process of their spaces. This increases their engagement in the design project and helps them to enjoy and appreciate their space more. They will have great anticipation and ultimately take much pride in their surroundings.'

HOW DO YOU MAKE A KIDS' ROOM COZY?

The easiest way to make a kid's room cozy is to treat it like a den. Make their sleep space feel extra cocooning with plenty of throws and cushions and consider either investing in a canopy bed or hanging a fabric canopy. Fairy lights hung at a safe height can add an instant magical feel too.

Cherie Lee of Cherie Lee Interiors says, to make a kid's bedroom cozy, 'We like to incorporate a chill-out, seating area. Depending on room size, this can be as simple as a beanbag, lamp and a bookshelf. More elaborate designs can include built-in daybeds with storage and reading pods. Space for friends to stay is also very useful. If possible, we like to incorporate sofa beds or trundles to accommodate sleepovers.'