A child’s bedroom is a constantly updating world of heroes, hobbies, loves and interests that change like the weather. The last thing you want is to be playing an expensive and time-consuming game of catch-up with the décor. 

The new design concepts emerging for children’s bedrooms have an answer to these fleeting phases. We’re talking about rooms that can adapt to the growth of your child by incorporating adult sensibilities into a playful scheme.

In our example, we’ve put together a selection of top tips to achieve a stylish, long-lasting boy’s bedroom without breaking the bank.

1. Colour Palette

Select the right block colour for the walls and you’ll have a much-needed versatility to begin. We’ve chosen a rich teal because it’s on trend and also has a depth that can work throughout the stages of childhood. For added impact, be creative and bold with accessories and decorative items — pick those that can be reused and repainted.

2. Accessories

Personalise picture frames, 3D initials and bins to give otherwise plain objects a stylish, one-off edge. Use colours like Rust-Oleum Mode in Sunflower and Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch in Real Orange to contrast with your block colour walls. When spray-painting toys, use colours from our child-friendly Painter’s Touch Craft Enamel range, which are certified toy safe.

3. Picture Perfect

Set their favourite movie posters in colour-coordinated frames for a cool and inexpensive way of introducing characters into a scheme without it being over bearing. Pops of bright yellow and orange will lift the prints from the darker the tones of the walls. And what’s more, when the next craze lands, simply swap the prints out or repaint the frame to suit.

4. Bedroom Furniture

Updating an old piece of furniture is a great way to have some fun while creating some unique focal points for your child’s personal space. Your bespoke furniture won’t age or fall out of favour and you’ll be able to coordinate separate pieces into a cohesive design. Use gender-neutral shades like Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint in Winter Grey and Rust-Oleum Satin Finish Furniture Paint in Slate.

Protect your finish by adding a coat of Rust-Oleum Furniture Lacquer over any Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint. This will give your bespoke pieces longevity by making them toy safe and hardwearing.

5. Mix It Up

Add an extra dimension to a piece of furniture with a quirky geometric design. Place some masking tape at different angles and paint over in a complementary colour, such as Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint in Duck Egg. As with your other painted items, bespoke pieces are always personal, look great and far less likely to fall out of favour.

6. Storage

Storage and organisation can be easily personalised with a splash of colour. Coordinate coat hooks by spraying them in bright primary colours such as Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Blossom Pink, Buttercup Yellow, Cherry Red and Tranquil Blue to help keep bags, coats and hats in order.

In need of some additional floor storage…why not introduce the popular trend of using crates into your child’s bedroom for storing books, toys and art supplies. Not just a storage solution, they also make a great feature out of items that would otherwise be hidden away in ugly plastic boxes.

7. Reading Corner

Give some of your child’s favourite books pride of place by showing their bright covers off on the shelf. Picture shelves are timeless and perfect for displaying the items children hold most dear; like cool magazines, action figures or pictures of bands. Simply move and repaint if you ever do have a refresh.

Create the ultimate bedroom micro-environment with a reader’s corner and add a rocking chair beside the picture shelves. Coordinate the chair by painting it in Rust-Oleum Satin Finish Furniture Paint, Slate — a cool shade of grey to complement the bolder yellows and oranges in the room.

It may seem subtle but in reality changing accent colours can completely transform the feel of a room. For an older boy, turquoise and dark blues are effective. Just make sure you choose bedding and cushions to match. In our example, we’ve kept things cosy with a soft throw for bedtime tuck-ins and cushions for lounging around.

Now, you’ve read our top tips, it’s time for you to embrace the décor blur between childhood and adulthood by creating a room that’s both stylish and adaptable for the brilliantly unpredictable rollercoaster of youth.

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