Hello, friends!
Every first Wednesday of the month, I love teaming up with Pam from Simple Details, Jennifer from Dimples & Tangles, and Kris from Driven by Decor to chat about different home decor topics. This time, we’re thrilled to welcome the talented Julie Blanner! Julie’s blog is an absolute treasure trove of inspiration, filled with effortless yet elegant decorating ideas, delicious recipes, and creative solutions. On top of all that, she’s a fun mom who proves that stylish interiors can still be playful and inviting.
Did you see her incredible last-minute Halloween decor ideas? If not, be sure to check them out—her take on seasonal decorating is so clever and charming!
Today, the five of us are diving into a subject that’s close to my heart: decorating kids’ rooms! I’ve had the joy of designing nearly twenty children’s spaces over the years, and every single one has been a chance to get creative and have fun with decor.
Now that my own kids are teenagers, I’ve reflected on how their rooms evolved over time. I always wanted their bedrooms to be personal sanctuaries—places that reflected their interests, hobbies, and favorite treasures. These spaces needed to be more than just aesthetically pleasing; they had to be functional for studying, reading, relaxing, listening to music, and spending time with friends. Of course, my grand decorating visions sometimes clashed with what my kids had in mind, but I always tried to find a balance. My advice? Pick your battles and embrace the process—it’s all part of making a room truly special for your child!
Right now, I’m in the midst of reimagining a bedroom for my youngest. He still has preschool photos on his walls—yes, I might be in denial that he’s now 15 and no longer 5! With that in mind, I wanted to share some simple yet impactful decorating projects that have worked wonders for us over the years. Affiliate links are included in this post for your convenience.
1. Chalkboard Walls: Still a Winner!
Even though the blogging world may have moved on from chalkboards, my kids sure haven’t! When I designed Peter’s masculine and moody bedroom, I dedicated an entire wall to chalkboard paint. Throughout high school, he used it to keep track of sports scores, sketch plays, and jot down reminders. It turned into the ultimate homage to Friday Night Lights! Beyond being functional, the hazy texture of chalk on a black wall adds a dynamic and slightly edgy aesthetic to any space.
See the tutorial on how to use your own picture to make large scale block art.
I also added a chalkboard wall to Hannah’s room when she was 10, and even now—seven years later—she and her friends still love using it. If you’re considering adding one, here’s a simple way to give a chalkboard wall a polished, finished look:
- Apply the chalkboard paint: Roll it directly onto the wall. No need to be overly precise—just eyeball a rectangle that fits the space. Let it dry completely.
- Add a border: Use a level to mark four corners and apply painter’s tape in two parallel strips to create a border area. Once you’ve painted the border, remove the tape while the paint is still wet to prevent peeling.
- For multiple colors: If you’re incorporating more than one color, let each layer dry for 24 hours before taping for the next shade.
- Install a ledge: A small shelf at the bottom will neatly hold chalk, an eraser, and—trust me—help catch some of the inevitable chalk dust. (Thankfully, it vacuums up easily!)
2. Photo Displays: Creative Bulletin Boards
A large bulletin board can serve as a focal point in a kid’s room, making it both personal and practical. If you’re looking for an affordable way to create one, check out the building supply aisle at your local hardware store. A 4’x8’ soundproofing board (which costs under $15) makes an excellent oversized bulletin board!
For Hannah’s room, I framed a board with simple wood trim and positioned it behind her bed. Once she filled it with her favorite photos, it became a dynamic piece of large-scale wall art. Bonus tip: we mounted pretty Ikea wall sconces directly onto the board, making it extra functional!
Don’t miss the lacy Ikea hack sconces that are mounted on the board!
Another option is using lightweight polystyrene for a floor-to-ceiling bulletin board. While not as sturdy as soundproofing sheets, it’s super easy to cut around outlets and switch plates. Cover it with fabric to create a soft, textural display space!
3. Wall-to-Wall Shelving
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to add storage and display space, consider mounting shelves along an entire wall. In Peter’s room, I installed affordable Ikea metal shelving units, and the entire project cost under $60! These rustic-industrial shelves serve multiple purposes—perfect for storing books, showcasing trophies, and displaying signed sports memorabilia.
If you want to customize shelves even further, you can transform simple Ikea units with wood planks and metal brackets to create a stylish, built-in look. You can read how to make utilitarian Ikea shelves into this rustic-industrial shelving unit here.
4. Display Ledges for Small Collections
When my daughter was 14, she had an impressive nail polish collection, so I turned it into a vibrant wall display! Using inexpensive PVC brick molding, I created shallow ledges that perfectly fit the bottles. Even though she’s a senior now and doesn’t experiment with nail art as much, the display still adds a fun pop of color to her room.
These little ledges are incredibly versatile! They’re ideal for showcasing Matchbox cars, Lego minifigures, small collectibles, or even books. They’re easy to cut, install, and adapt to your child’s ever-changing interests.
If you want to see more details about Hannah’s teen room—including how I turned two twin mattresses into a king-sized bed for guests—be sure to check out my previous posts!
5. Hanging Sports Equipment & Instruments
One of my favorite decorating tricks for kids’ spaces is incorporating their hobbies into the design. Whether it’s sports equipment or musical instruments, these items can double as decor!
A super affordable way to mount baseball bats, lacrosse sticks, or guitars is by using vinyl-coated tool hooks. Simply drill a slightly smaller hole into a wall stud (or use a wall anchor if needed), then twist the hook into place.
We’ve used these hooks all over the house for:
- Ripsticks and razor scooters
- Ice skates and ski poles
- Hockey sticks and tennis rackets
- Musical instruments like guitars and ukuleles
Some of these items might be better suited for a garage, but things like baseball bats, old hockey sticks, and guitars look fantastic as part of a kid’s bedroom decor!
Read about how to hang a snowboard here!
And there you have it—five simple yet creative ideas to make your child’s room stylish, functional, and fun! Whether you’re working with a toddler, a teen, or someone in between, these projects can be easily adapted to fit their personality and interests.
Be sure to check out more amazing kids’ room ideas from my talented friends:
Pam from Simple Details
Jennifer from Dimples & Tangles
Kris from Driven by Decor
Special guest: Julie Blanner!
For more inspiration, visit the My Five Favorites series and explore all the creative ideas we’ve shared over time!
