A new trend has hit the home DIY scene, and it's a dainty, whimsical alternative to wallpaper. If you want characterful walls guaranteed to be unique to you and your home, this paint technique should be on your radar.

When Danielle Dean wanted to inject more color and personality into her daughter’s nursery, she knew she wanted beautiful botanicals to grace the walls. What makes her space different from other nursery decor, however, is her clever use of stencils and tester paint to mimic patterned wallpaper. The floral motif was arranged in an “imperfect” way, and all the more authentic for it.

A quick glance at social media shows how much popularity this paint idea has garnered in recent months. To find out more, we asked Danielle and experts in paint and interior design to give us the lowdown on why there’s so much buzz around this painting trick, alongside some creative ways to use stenciling in your own space.

Why is stenciling trending?

Danielle Dean's Instagram video detailing her stencil idea had a serious viral moment and Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at paint company Lick, says there's a reason the retro paint technique is trending. According to Tash, stenciled walls find their origins in the furniture upcycling community.

“People would drench their room in one color, and then they would upcycle a piece of furniture — normally a wardrobe that they would buy from somewhere like Facebook Marketplace or a lovely antiques show. They would then paint it, and put a stencil on it to give it that French look, or just a bit more personality," Tash adds. "As people were getting more confident, they were like, ‘Okay, let's then take this onto our wall instead of wallpapering.’ Where I saw it being used more is with people who had walls that were a little bit irregular, where you want to do wallpaper, but your ceilings might be sloped.”

If you fear the wallpaper process, or you just want a little more control over the spacing or colors of the pattern on your walls, this is a great alternative. “There's definitely been a boom in the last three years all about making your home very personal to you," says Tash. "I think we live in a world where Pinterest and Instagram and TikTok were so over bombarded with so many beautiful images of ‘the perfect home’ that people have actually realized that's not achievable."

Elana Mendelson, CEO of Interior Design Firm Elana Designs, says home improvement and DIY more generally blew up during the pandemic. She also noticed a post-covid movement of people becoming more comfortable with making changes to their homes.

“Say you have a room and you're like, ‘I really want to do this funky thing on the wall that I saw on the internet,' and then you actually do it — seeing the finished product is exhilarating," she explains. "I'm also kind of a DIY crafter. I love that stuff. Anytime I get into a project that doesn't involve a screen or my phone, I just get really lost in it and it feels so good.”

What are the advantages of stenciling?

Elana thinks that the low commitment and flexibility of stenciling is what makes it so trendy and attractive to the DIY community. "It's also easy to change. If you make a mistake, you just paint over it as opposed to peeling wallpaper.”

This dainty, whimsical idea works wonderfully as a kids' room idea, just as Danielle has done. Without the pressure to make the design or positioning perfect, Elana thinks this trend will inspire parents trying to find activities to connect with their children and get them interested in creative activities in the digital age.

“DIY is a pleasure to do with your child — especially your child's room," she says. "It's such a good way to encourage kids to get into design and to actually care about detail. It's like their canvas.”

Are there any disadvantages of stenciling?

Although it is cheaper, Danielle says the process of stenciling a whole wall (let alone an entire room) can be a huge undertaking as the stencils need to be cleaned and dried before being used again to avoid color transfer.

She also mentions the common mishaps. "From a distance, you can't tell that there are lots of imperfections, but when you approach you can see them," she says. "I do think that adds to it, though." If you want something less time-consuming and more uniform, it might be best to stick to wallpaper ideas.

Tips for Stenciling walls

For custom motifs (or if you're working within a tight budget), Elana suggests looking up reference imagery on Google or Pinterest for homemade stencils. To keep it sustainable, Tash suggests using spare cardboard to cut out stencils and any half-used paint pots in your garage to make a design that feels cohesive with the rest of your home.

Color-wise, Tash advises using just two colors that compliment the furniture and decor of the room well. “I always say when you look at a room you're never seeing one color in isolation," she says. "You've got to take in your sofa color, your floor, your coffee table, your cushions, everything else, and so your walls don't need to be these really busy, colorful spaces."

And when it's time to lay out your design, start on a small area first and expand once you are happy with the design, Tash suggests.

Not only is stenciling a great way to bring some personality and charm to your walls, but it's a genius use for leftover paint, too. Whether you want to cover an entire wall or simply add a decorative accent to some painted furniture, we're excited to see how this trend evolves.

You Will Need

When wondering how to organize a kid's room, there are a number of factors to consider. If you take the time to plan it properly, it will reap dividends for them and for you. 

Think of the time saved when they can easily access whatever it is they need, whether it's their school uniform or their favourite games. Clever kid's room ideas  or simple toy storage solutions can enhance their independence too, as they're able to find their things themselves instead of asking you every time. 

Not only that, studies show that when a child's environment is calm and organised, it helps them to stay calm and organised too. The old adage tidy desk, tidy mind is as applicable to kids as it is to adults. 

'Organising a kid's room doesn't have to be complicated,' says the interior designer Caroline Milns of Zulufish. 'Depending on the size of the room I would zone it loosely into sleep, storage, study and play areas.' 

How to organize a kid's room

1. Maximise space for storage

'The more storage solutions the more organised a room will be,' says Caroline, who knows just how to design a kid's room. 'Take advantage of any nooks and crannies, and make them into hidden cupboards, drawers or a secret shelving space that the kids can enjoy.'

'Drawers are better for organisation than shelves as you can pull them out and see everything,' says Caroline. 'And shallow drawers rather than deep ones, where you can lay their clothes out enable them to find their own things too,' adds Caroline.

2. Arrange books for easy bedtime reading

A useful method that can be used in playroom ideas too - sort out their books and pass on any they've outgrown to charity or younger siblings, unless they're collectables you'd like to keep. Separate reference or school books from fiction. 

Building shelves near the bed will make their favourite story books easily accessible when they're tucked up and you want to read with them. 

'Book shelves at different heights, starting low so smaller children can stack books away are useful,' says Caroline. 'For younger kids front stacking shelves so the front of the books are on show helps them spot the ones they want to read.'

3. Hang favorite items

Seen here are part of these boy's bedroom ideas, you can always make use of the walls with vertical storage solutions. 'Kids will always have various sports kits, party outfits, dressing up boxes, school uniform and everyday clothes to store regardless of their age,' says Caroline. 'So make sure there is plenty of hanging space, shelves and drawers that are not too deep so items don't get lost.'

4. Use steps for storage

Small or awkward spaces needn't be a barrier to an organised kids room but you will have to think creatively. These girl's bedroom ideas show what can be acheived.

'If you’re lucky enough to have an attic space above the kid’s bedroom, consider utilising this space to create a mezzanine level where you can put a separate den or study area,' says Caroline. 'Storage in treads for stairs is also a good tip when it comes to maximising any spare centimetres.'

5. Create a cool study area

Ideal for use in teenage bedroom ideas is the introduction of a built-in desk. Creating a cool, calm and quiet study area where children can do their homework will encourage them to knuckle down, enhance self-discipline and help them to learn. 

'It's important to separate work and play zones,' says Caroline. 'Adding a dedicated study area once they've started school helps to future-proof the bedroom too, as study becomes more important and more frequent as children get older.'

6. Get kids involved

'We show client's and their kids the initial mood boards so they feel involved and can highlight favourite starting point design ideas,' says Caroline. We also always develop the palette with them so they will like the finished scheme.' As witnessed here in this great example of small boy's bedroom ideas, showcasing your kid's personality can truly help them to have a space they want to maintain.

'We’ve designed magnetic wallpaper walls which are hugely popular. They are fun and patterned walls look good too. We make use of the walls with vertical storage solutions, so kids can add their own memorabilia to the walls to personalise their room and keep it organised,' she adds.

7. Build upwards

Bunk beds are not a new idea but they've come along way in recent years and any space that's not the floor is well worth utilising as a sleep zone, giving you more space for kids toy storage ideas. 

'Bunk beds are hugely popular and space saving, giving you the extra bed for sleepovers or joint sibling rooms,' says Caroline. 'Those with a desk underneath, rather than another bed, high bunk beds with stairs to go up and a slide to come down, a den underneath or themed designs are great options.'

8. Make storage easy and fun

If you'd rather not spend precious time tidying up toys, make it easy and fun for kids to store them, such as these felt buckets in this project by Jo Berryman. You could use any of the best laundry baskets, as they're ideal for lego, plastic bricks and other small items.

'Using baskets and boxes in areas within a room works really well,' says Caroline. 'Label them with what belongs there (a picture label is good for younger children), and make each place accessible to the child so that they can easily get what they want and put it away when they've finished with it.'

9. Keep it simple

Think ahead and keep the joinery design simple and colors neutral. That way it can more easily adapt as they grow up. 

'The soft furnishings and decor can be updated more cost effectively than bespoke wardrobes or cupboards,' says Caroline. 

10. Utilize awkward angles for shelving

Wardrobes and storage are key to keeping a kid's room tidy and organised but it doesn't have to be boring. 

'The design can be funky, fun and colourful whilst providing great storage solutions,' says Caroline. 'Don’t be afraid to go bold with colour, especially with paint and wallpaper, which can be replaced more easily. We love funky finishes inside wardrobes and alcoves.'

Knowing how to design a kid's room and get it right from the start will save you a lot of hard work. They go from toddler to teen in a blink of an eye, growing out of clothes, hobbies, foods and friends - keeping up with them to create a versatile room to support their needs is essential. What you need is a space that can adapt with them without breaking the bank each year with updates and revamps.

The takeaway from our experts is to invest properly in the big stuff, choose quality materials in fabrics and flooring, make keen decisions early on storage and the loose items you can swap your kids' bedroom ideas in and out with a little creative flair. Got a new addition to the family? Or just want to upgrade a child's room and get it right for good? Get inspired by our ideas on how to design kids' bedrooms.

How to design a kid's room

2. Incorporate Heritage Fabrics

Using heritage fabrics in pretty florals alongside a minimal color palette gives a children's room longevity and a sense of timelessness. We think florals and ditsy patterns work well as part of girls bedroom ideas and for boys too - why distinguish who can have what?

Balance the busy florals with natural accessories like plain jute rugs, and colour blocked pastel cushions. Wiltshire Blossom – Lichen is a super versatile fabric. 

"This much-loved Liberty classic - a small scale ditsy printed on beautiful crisp white linen - can be used beautifully not only for upholstery and blinds, but also curtains and drapes, teepees and dens to create cosy corners and hideaways for children’s rooms," says Genevieve Bennett Head Of Design Interiors, Liberty Fabrics . "It also has six beautiful colors in the print – coral pink, ointment, sage green, pale blue, ochre yellow, pale grey…. colors that are gorgeously appealing and liveable as complimentary wall paint colors for longer lasting appeal as the kids grow up”. 

2. Use Toys To Create An Artful Display

Children's room's should be joyous and celebrate their personalities. Instead of hiding away their things, celebrate them and create a bold wall display to show off their favourite items. However make sure the display is practical and not just for show - incorporate hooks so children can easily take the items down from the wall and play - an elevated form of storage that is perfect for playroom ideas. 

"Ultramarine by Bristol Paints is a very vivid and joyous blue, is very similar to Klein or Majorelle Blue," says Louise Chidgey, Founder of Brassica Mercantile. "It’s very vivid but is joyous and warm with other colours. It is probably only good for one wall as it’s quite over powering but makes a huge statement. These wall decorations are by Studio ROOF who combine nature, fantasy and art to create vibrant 3D wall decorations using recycled cardboard and plant-based vegetable inks." 

3. Incorporate Breathable Textiles

Children need fresh air and quality materials to surround them when growing - where possible choose organic fabrics in breathable materials that provide a multitude of benefits to your little darlings' daily well-being. These fabrics wear well, aging with them ready for when you're thinking about teenage bedroom ideas. 

"The durability of linen makes it perfect for curtains or bedding in a child's room," says Bernie de Le Cuona, founder of de Le Cuona. "Linen is very kind to sensitive skin, hypoallergenic and does not support bacteria growth, making it a fabric of choice  When used for bedding, it regulates the body's temperature, absorbs and evaporates water. Linen products are breathable in hot weather, insulating during cold periods, and known for increasing sleep quality." 

4. Choose Storage Solutions that Grow With Your Child

In a child's room all books, toys and small items are guaranteed to tend to end up on the floor and the most important aspect of planning their room is the brain gymnastics that goes into figuring out a storage solution! 

Research and invest in clever bedroom storage ideas where elements can be added over the years to incorporate all the new ways your child uses their room. Wall mounted Scandinavian storage system String allows for configurable combinations within their shelving system like a desk area for craft and homework which can be adjusted for height over time. 

The shelves also come in a multitude of different sizes and depths, working well above bunk beds as storage and behind doors and awkward areas to maximise space.

5. Use grown up bunk beds to start with

While it might be a bit foolhardy to invest in one of the best mattresses while nighttime terrors are a thing, starting them off in a bed that will last is no bad idea.  Incorporating bunk beds aren't normally thought of as a design device with much longevity, but in this enchantingly decorated room at The Royal Oak designed by Nicola Harding which uses full-sized beds to create an adventurous space that can double up as a guest room in the future. 

"The bunk beds were created against a wall, filling in the full width and height with off-the-shelf neat-match panelling," Nicola says.  "We connected the two with a vintage ladder and added bookshelves and wall lights within the bunks.The beds are full-size, so that they can be used by adults or children alike.  The inspiration was railway carriages.  The curtains keep in the warmth and are a chance to add a pop of colour.  Kids love creating a secret den behind them. We have done something similar by over- cladding a simple Ikea bunk bed. "  How's that for an impressive Ikea hack?

6. Make a grown up fairytale

When decorating your child’s room, you should bear in mind the longevity of great design. Certain pieces such as bed frames, bedside tables and a headboard can be adapted to your child’s tastes, starting off as nursery ideas and staying with them until adulthood. So, choosing sophisticated options at an early stage is key.

"However, a children’s bedroom design should still look like it belongs to a child!" says Camilla Clarke, Creative Director of Albion Nord. "To make more of a statement, we designed a half tester in this children's bedroom at Chelsea Barracks. It brings a fairytale charm to the space which is restrained by the sophisticated color palette. There is a difference between a children’s bedroom and a childish bedroom."

7. Create Soft Spaces

Kids love rolling around and playing on the floor so picking floor types that are durable but also immensely appealing for children and parents to spend time on is key. For eco-lovers wool is a naturally sustainable material breathable and biodegradable. In design terms wool has the bounce-back factor, holds colour brilliantly and is beautifully tactile.

"Wool carpets give a wonderful sense of cosiness," says Lorna Haigh, creative director Alternative Flooring. "We tend to choose tactile fine or chunky wools in plain or semi-plain design in a calm palette in bedrooms. It is also a natural insulator and as a sound-proofer it brings much welcomed peace and quiet to interiors and especially children's rooms!"

7. Use Chic Headboards For Multiple Children

If multiple children share a room it can be difficult to make a space feel cohesive. Headboards are an inexpensive way of transforming a bedroom and linking the style of the beds - and big ones a key part of bedroom trends for 2022. Using illustrated fabrics also negates the need for artwork in children's rooms which can sometimes feel dated once the child grows. If you are thinking long-term then using sophisticated headboards can ensure the space has the potential to double up as a guest room.

"Headboards are essentially alternative forms of artwork and is a way of introducing personality to a space," says Martin Waller, founder of global design brand Andrew Martin. "Don’t be afraid to choose a more outlandish style as this only adds more character like these headboards covered inTheatre Fabric in Midnight a stunning polar bear repeat"

8. Style the space harmoniously

If you need to make a quick decision about palettes and styling, we think the Danes have got it spot on, interpreting Scandinavian design principles for kids. Children's brand Cam Cam Copenhagen was founded by architects in a bid to create children's rooms that harmonised with the rest of their modern home.

Stick to their mix of sophisticated pastels on walls and furniture with a focus on natural materials as a basis and build on it as your child grows. Go for soft greys, whites and beiges in furniture and floor-coverings creating a cocooning canvas. Use blue greys on walls and darker hued blues on curtains and fabrics to create a harmonising palette and when picking toys and accents gravitate towards the wooden or handmade in natural materials and you won't go wrong!

How Can I Decorate my kids room cheaply?

You can completely transform a child's room by changing a few things around involving no budget. Re-arrange furniture to change the whole look and feel of the space, up-cycle and paint items in new colors to suit your child's changing tastes or install a gallery wall of all of your child's artworks - perhaps choose artworks on one color theme creating a striking feature wall.

What should be in a Child's Room?

If you are starting from scratch the essentials in a child's room you should include are a bed, a mattress, sheets, pillowcases, blankets for added warmth, a cupboard or dresser for clothes, a storage trunk or shelves for toys and a bedside lamp and a rug. You could also look into one of the best mattress protectors too.