A Kid’s Room They’ll Love and Stay In!

Your kid’s room often gets overlooked, especially when it comes to what works well for them. Once we get past the cute nursery phase, they are often left to their own devices. The result is generally peeling posters and lego-strewn floors. No one wants to go into that room.

We’ve had a lot of quality time with our children lately. Now that regular summer activities are being cancelled or curtailed, we’re going to have even more of that quality time. So, let’s figure out how to get the kids back into their rooms.

To help us make that happen I called some of Dallas’ leading interior designers for advice, tips, and tricks for getting the kids back into their rooms.

Emily Larkin: Ej Interiors

“Kids do get a vote! We have had clients gift their children with a room design. They are treated just like our adult clients. We interview them and discuss what they love and their interests. We want a child’s room to reflect their personality rather than be overly theme oriented. Functionality is important, so having furniture that serves multiple purposes is key. For instance, using a desk as a nightstand and a vanity is a real space-saver.”

Emily’s Kid’s RoomTips

• Lucite fans and bookcases disappear creating a sense of greater space.
• Opt for the stability of wall sconces and swing-arm light fixtures.
• Hanging beds, chairs, and benches are a favorite for every age.
• Bunk beds with built-ins for storage can create a whole world.
• Bench and window seats make cozy nooks.
• Add a sofa or chaise to create a reading area.
• Baskets are great for storage.
• Floating bookshelves can’t be pulled over and can be placed at any level for easy access.
• Everyone wants wallpaper!

Michelle Lynne: ML Interiors Group

“We’ve designed kid’s rooms for all ages from toddlers to teens. You have to address their specific needs and get them involved. I like to create different living spaces in any size kid’s room. Ideally, you want a play space and a study area, so they are not doing homework on the bed. If it’s computer homework, finding a place in the house that is not in their room is preferable. You can keep them safe and ensure they are doing homework rather than surfing the Internet or playing games!”

Michelle’s Kid’s Room Tips

• Baskets and bins to get toys off the floor and encourage cleaning up!
• Use color to keep a space playful or quiet. Color influences behavior.
• Layer rugs on top of carpet, to create a quieter space.
• Layer window treatments with blackout curtains over sheer so you can adjust light and keep children on a schedule.
• Air purifiers create ambient sound, making sleep easier.
• Textures keep things interesting and fun for kids.
• Multi-purpose furniture and use a desk for a nightstand.
• Bean bag chairs, hanging chairs, and teepees are all fun areas to hang out.

Denise McGaha: Denise McGaha Interiors

“Kid’s rooms these days are having to function as sleep, homework, and fun spaces. Our teenagers have computers and laptops with desks. They are often up late at night working on assignments, so proper lighting is essential to combat screen fatigue.”

Denise’s Kid’s Room Tips

• Create a mini-bar space upstairs for snacks and drinks so they have a space to enjoy downtime.
• Create a teen lounge where they can play games, watch movies, catch a nap, and even work on their laptops for a change of scenery from their desks.
• Our home gym has also gotten lots of use with our teenage son lifting weights and working out.

Allison Seidler: Allison Seidler Interiors

“With kids spending more time than ever inside their homes, organization is vital. We love using the Whitewashed Wood Storage Bins from the Container Store for books, toys, and anything else that needs to be hidden away. We find the light finish and clean lines work well in most any nursery or playroom.”

Allison’s Kid’s Room Tips

• Repurpose under-utilized areas of your home for maximum efficiency. Instead of using built-in shelves for decorative objects, turn them into a well-organized children’s library that will get plenty of use over the summer.
• Turn to a designer for custom touches that can truly make your kid’s room unique. Custom drapery and pillows in to-the-trade fabrics can make a big impact in a small space.
• A designer can also help you resource decorative lighting. Lighting is often the final touch that transforms a room and makes it feel special. A playroom or little boy’s room deserves a fabulous fixture just like your dining room or master bedroom

Enjoy that quality time with your kiddos now! If you have any great tips please add them to our comment section.