17 Kids' Room Decorating Ideas to Create a Happy, Organized Space

By Real Simple
Updated July 23, 2018
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Credit: Tessa Neustadt
A kid's room is a space to have some fun and get creative, yet setting up a system of organization and order is crucial if you don't want it to devolve into a pile of toys and clothes. To design a kid's room that's both whimsical and tidy, we rounded up 17 of our best kids' room decorating ideas we've featured over the years. From choosing a calming paint color to investing in an adorable treehouse-inspired bed, these decor ideas create a room your little ones will look back on with fond memories. 
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Color-Coordinate the Closet

Credit: Tessa Neustadt

In her kids' closet, designer Emily Henderson stuck with a teal and white color scheme for the organizers, bins, and baskets. When everything starts out looking nice, it will add incentive for you and your little ones to keep it that way.

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Invest in a Standout Bed 

Credit: Alyssa Rosenheck

In the home of blogger Elsie Larson, the adorable treehouse-inspired bed is the star of the room. This bed is still available on Wayfair ($920), and the retailer also offers similar styles for less. 

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Paint a Chalkboard Wall

Credit: Francesco Lagnese

Chalkboard paint ($10, homedepot.com) is nothing new, but when it's brushed onto an entire wall of your kids' bedroom, it will provide them with hours of entertainment. Whenever they feel inspired to "redecorate," they can use the wall to create some fresh wallpaper. 

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Make Your Own Artwork 

Credit: Alexandra Rowley

For a striking piece of art, enlarge a favorite photo at an office supply store (make sure it’s to a standard frame height), then cut into even sections and frame.

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Pick a Paint That Matches the Mood

Credit: James Baigrie

Choose a soothing wall color, like lavender, that gives a room an ease-into-sleep feel. A soft blue is another calming hue.

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Create a Kid Office

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If possible, give children their own “office” space, too. It should be a discrete area where they can do homework, away from the tv and other distractions.

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Build a Cozy Reading Nook

Credit: Hallie Burton

Create a warm place for your shared reading time: a bookcase stocked with favorites, good lighting, and cuddle-worthy seating.

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Have Some Fun with Storage

Credit: Aimee Herring

Who says storage bins have to be boring or store-bought? Repurposed school lockers are used here to stash gear of all sorts (and would pair well with these locker-style bins, $25, crateandbarrel.com). Other ideas: Paint old metal cans for holding crayons, and use wooden crates to corral toys. 

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Make the Room Do Double Duty

Credit: Jeff McNamara

Unify a dual-function room with a simple, relaxing color scheme. A dresser can work as both a changing table and storage for office supplies.

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Give New Meaning to the Term "Gallery Wall" 

Credit: Hallie Burton

String wire from wall to wall for a smart, inexpensive way to showcase your child’s masterpieces.

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Show Off Their Best Work

Credit: Mark Lund

Another brilliant kids' room decorating idea: Display a gallery of your child’s artwork in clear acrylic frames that can be updated as often as you wish when new pieces are created.

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Sneak in Extra Storage Space 

Credit: James Baigrie

Multi-pocket organizers on a closet door display hair ties, sunglasses, trinkets―and reminder notes from Mom.

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Set Up a Play Station

Credit: James Baigrie

Carve out a play area with plenty of materials to spark imagination, like clothing items for dress-up.

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Don't Forget the Arts-and-Crafts Area

Credit: Brooke Slezak

Stock cubbies with all the supplies your children would need for arts-and-crafts or school projects: poster board, construction paper, markers, crayons, glue, etc.

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Tuck Storage in Everywhere

Credit: Mark Lund

Exploit all opportunities for storage, like a bed with built-in cubbies and pull-out bins. Even the step stool has a secret stash!

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Repurpose a Bookshelf for Toy Storage

Credit: Mark Lund

Requisition part of a bookcase to neatly stow toys. Clear containers eliminate guessing, while curtains serve to hide everything away.

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Rethink the Coat Rack 

Credit: Annie Schlechter

Think off-the-grid when it comes to a wall-mounted coatrack (similar: $38, amazon.com) which works well as a hanger for art supplies, play gear, and, yes, coats.

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