Hello and happy fall to all of you Kuotes cuties! This week, it’s your resident KKH Baby & Kids expert Mia here (before I joined Kathy Kuo Home, my background for many years was in family and baby editorial, with an emphasis on style, products, and gear), and this week I am so excited to share my fave kids’ room design tips for every age. It can be a daunting project to approach because children grow so quickly and, thus, their tastes shift quickly as well. No parent wants to invest in a large volume of furniture and decor that they aren’t sure their little ones will fit into–or even like–in a year or two, but it’s understandable that you still want your kids’ rooms to look cohesive.
Thankfully, it’s actually super-easy to design for any age or stage–it’s all about strategic neutrals, key investment pieces, and choosing decor pieces that are able to grow and fit in with any decor scheme. Read on for my cutest kids’ room design tips for every age–from toddler to teen! I’ll break it down in terms of where to invest in versatile anchor pieces and where to go bold. –Mia Weber
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If You Have a Toddler or Preschooler — Invest in a Long-Lasting Dresser, Bookcase & Rug
When your child is transitioning out of the nursery and into their first big kid bedroom, it’s the perfect time to make smart choices in terms of wall color (or wallpaper), and essential basics that will last them through their teen years. You’ll want to keep it simple, to an extent, because you want the room to grow with your child as they grow–remember, basic pieces like nightstands, dressers, bookshelves, and rugs can last years if you commit to purchasing high-end and high-quality ones. Also, if you went with a convertible crib for the nursery, now’s the time to transform it into a toddler bed; and you can bring your glider from the nursery into a toddler room as well and have it serve as a reading chair!
It also usually makes sense to use a neutral paint color that can adapt to any of the trends your child gets into as they grow up–a simple white or light grey can compliment warm or cool, bright or pastel, sports or animals, and so on.
Long-Lasting Toddler Furniture Checklist:
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If You Have a Toddler or Preschooler — Go Bold with Wallpaper, Bedding & Pillows
Even if you want to have your little one’s room stand the test of time, it doesn’t mean you need to shy away from bold wallpaper! Though wallpaper usually makes a statement, there’s no reason that statement can’t be versatile. You just need to get in the mindset of patterns acting as a neutrals in their own way. For example, when a bold pattern is in a versatile color–like blush pink or sage green–it essentially can pair with just about any furnishings you’d pair with those colors on their own.
One final area of a toddler or preschooler’s room where it makes sense to be guided a little more by your child’s youthful whims is the bedding: Bedding is easy to swap in and out over time without breaking the bank, so go ahead and let your 4-year-old pick out some wacky decorative pillows and patterned sheets they love.
Bold Toddler Decor Checklist:
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If You Have A Child Ages 7-10–Invest in a Long-Lasting Bed & Desk
As your child grows into an older elementary school-age “big kid,” some of their needs are going to change and you may need to take the plunge into some larger pieces when it comes to the bed and the desk.
Given all the changes in kids’ schooling from this past year, due to the pandemic, a good desk for an elementary school-age child is essential! I recommend swapping out their kiddie play table for a proper desk for schoolwork (again, it ultimately makes sense to choose one that has a versatile look and designed to stand the test of time through the years to come).
If you were using a convertible toddler bed, you’re likely to want to upgrade to a twin bed by the time your child is in second or third grade. The good news here is that a twin should last them through their high school years. That said: It’s worth it to get a really high-quality bed now to ensure your child really can use it for the next 8-10 years and you don’t need to go through the hassle of replacing it later.
Long-Lasting Kids’ Furniture Checklist:
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If You Have A Child Ages 7-10–Go Bold on Wall Art & Decor
To make the room feel a little more appropriate for a big kid, I would advise chatting with your little one about wall art they might like in the way of framed photos, their own artwork, and calendars or artfully-chosen posters to reflect their evolving sense of self. Since wall art is easy to swap in and out over time, there’s no reason not to let them go bold here. I personally love this wall-mounted paper roller from George and Willy–it’s great for kids to write reminders, make art on, and just have with as a decor element!
Same goes for arranging their books and toys. If you have the shelf space, encourage your kiddos to set their stuffed animals up in fun ways or organize their books in different sized stacks or by color. Bonus points: You also get them excited about staying organized!
Bold Kids’ Room Checklist:
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If You Have a Tween or Teen–Invest in a Select Few Special Anchor Pieces
When it comes to the best kids’ room tips for every age, no age is more of a challenge than the tween and teen years! Of course, any parent to a teen knows that the stage has its share of emotional ups and downs and parent-child spats–but when it comes to teen bedroom decor, it need not be a headache! I can say, just within our own KKH Teen Collection, there is so much in the way of teen furniture and decor that is equal parts fashion and function.
If your tween or teen expresses the desire for a bedroom makeover to keep up with the trends of the day, look at it as a chance to teach them about compromise and about making smart purchasing decisions. If your teen’s room is already outfitted with a perfectly functional desk, dresser, bookcase, and bed, strike a deal with them that they can upgrade one or two pieces if they do the research on items they love but that are also well-priced and well-made.
Versatile Teen Furniture Checklist:
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If You Have a Tween or Teen—Go Bold on High-Impact Decor Pieces
Invite your teenager to express themselves in the room with easy to swap decor pieces–it’s amazing what a difference new wall decor, a statement lamp, fresh bedding, or an eye-catching throw rug can make.
Just remember: The teen years are pivotal in your child’s development of their passions and sense of self, so try your best to let them take the reins (or at least share the reins) in making choices for how their rooms looks as long as it remains age-appropriate and the furniture stays purposeful (you fully have veto power over any king-size water beds, arcade games, and computerized closets a-la Cher from “Clueless”).
Bold Teen Decor Checklist:
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