7 easy ways to update kids' rooms

Switching up your kids bedroom to match their evolving personal style can become expensive but some paint, fabric and a little creativity can really go a long way. Clearing out the clutter and organising the room first can make the space workable, functional and fun for all!

Here’s 7 simple tips and tricks to make the process affordable, fun and easy. 

1. Get them involved

Most of the time, the kids’ room transformation is upon their request and inevitably they’ll be the ones intent on updating it in a certain way (especially as they get older), so they’ll want to have a voice and get involved in the decorating process. 

Talk to your son or daughter about what they’d like their room to look like and set a budget together. Suss out what they’d like to do in their room and if there is a particular area they struggle to keep organised. This will direct you as to what is needed to make the space more functional; maybe a desk, creative area or more storage.

2. Plan it out

Before you jump right in and start moving furniture about, sketch it out first, to have a rough plan of the new layout. Decide on colours, furniture needed, and areas to improve or organise. 

If there’s a particular theme your child is into, encourage them to keep it subtle and sophisticated. It’s easy to over do a theme but less really is more if you want their room to grow with them. 

During planning, don’t forget to stick to your budget. Think of creative ways to reuse items on hand or make simple changes. Painting a piece of furniture, a light fixture, or a storage container might be enough, rather than going out and buying new.

3. Repurpose & recycle

To change up a kid’s bedroom, many of the items you need are probably already in the house! Look at what’s on hand in other rooms, or where some sanding and paint could refresh an item.

Jars, baskets and boxes can be great for repurposing in kids’ rooms. Give new life to old magazines or coat racks, throw pillows from the sofa, an entertainment centre could become a book and computer shelf, or a bench could even transform into a window seat.

4. Clear the clutter

To really make a space usable, clear the clutter. Often, taking out all the unused toys, books, games and “stuff” will make a HUGE difference. In fact, sometimes that’s all that’s needed to update. Professional organisers usually suggest sorting items into four piles; keep, sell, donate and bin.

As you simplify, really consider what items are still “near and dear” to your child, then let go of the rest. Why not create a memory box for the most treasured items?

5. Add lots of storage options

Storage is such an important part of a kid’s bedroom makeover – you can have the most amazing-looking decor in the world, but if there are things strewn chaotically about the place, it will never look its best. A neat peg rail will make all the difference and offers an appealing look to keep coats, bathrobes and gym bags off the floor.

Kids are often little collectors (in case you haven’t noticed!) so we’re often faced with games and toys with tons of tiny pieces and parts (action figures, Legos, LOL dolls… rocks). Once you’ve edited down to the things they really use and want to keep, find storage that fits what they have. Find or re-purpose some baskets, cover storage boxes with paper, or use affordable containers to rein in all of the bric-a-brac. 

Encourage them to adopt a “one-goes-in, one-goes-out” mentality when they add to their collections in the future.

6. Stick with neutrals and accent with colour

A fresh coat of paint can be inexpensive and a great way to update a room and give everything a clean, new feel. If a child’s favourite colour is bright or dark, consider using it as an accent colour whilst keeping walls more neutral and interchangeable.

If they have their heart set on a bright wall, try an accent wall or even paint the back of their door for a funky twist, to cut costs and save on paint. 

Using soft blues, sage green, tans and greys on the walls can make things feel calm and restful in a bedroom. Then add pops of colour and personality with accent pillows, rugs, wall art, light fixtures, storage containers, and accessories.

7. Use removable wall decals rather than wallpaper

Wall decals are a really inexpensive way to create a feature in a child’s bedroom and can be easily removed if required, so they provide a great alternative to investing in wallpaper.

8. Add personality with wall art

One thing about all kids is they certainly aren’t short on personality! Their room can be a great place to let that shine. 

Lift tired walls with a display of fabulous wall art or even a gorgeous gallery wall. We’ve got a whole range of bright and bold designs that will bring some fun to your child’s space.

7. Create zones

Kids’ rooms can be a little chaotic with toys, games, and collections so it can be helpful to create “zones” within a bedroom. Even small rooms can benefit from zoning.

A desk and bookshelf in the corner becomes the learning zone. A bed and nightstand becomes the sleeping zone. A rug near storage bins might be the perfect area to build and play, or an easel and art supplies on a shelf lend a creative space. By creating these areas within the room, it gives each part a purpose and everything has a place.

When it’s time to clean up, accessories go back to the desk, backpacks are hung nearby on a hook, and books go back to their home on the shelf.