“Every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist when we grow up” - Pablo Picasso

Introduction:

The quickest way to create a significant impact at little cost is to paint the walls. To make things more interesting and add personality, experiment with different finishes. Gloss paint on a wall, for instance, gives a fantastic sheen. You can also use masking tape to block off areas of the wall and paint different colours in the shapes you create, allowing you to craft your own mural at a minimal cost.

Look through your old paint tins; you might find an off-white or cream. Mix in a tester pot of your desired colour and give it a good stir. Voilà! You have a beautiful muted shade that can be used for most of the painting. Save the 'feature colour' for areas you want to highlight, which means you'll only need to purchase a small tin.

Creating a small child's bedroom is exciting, you would love to create a space they can feel safe and happy in and of course be able to play and let their imaginations run wild! But lets create this without breaking the bank, raising the stress levels and overthinking it too much!

1. It is all about the walls! - PAINT

The quickest way to create a significant impact at little cost is to paint the walls. To make things more interesting and add personality, experiment with different finishes. Gloss paint on a wall, for instance, gives a fantastic sheen. You can also use masking tape to block off areas of the wall and paint different colours in the shapes you create, allowing you to craft your own mural at minimal cost.

Look through your old paint tins; you might find an off-white or cream. Mix in a tester pot of your desired color and give it a good stir. Voilà! You have a beautiful muted shade that can be used for most of the painting. Save the 'feature colour' for areas you want to highlight, which means you'll only need to purchase a small tin.

2. It's all about the walls! - STICKERS!

I'm not talking about just any stickers; I mean professional stickers designed for walls...also known as decals. These are peelable, so they won't damage your walls.

These stickers are perfect for those in spaces that aren't their own, such as rented accommodations or extended stays at someone else's home. They offer a fantastic way to personalize your space while keeping costs low. There are hundreds of options available, but here are a few I've used and know are great value for money!

These dinosaur decals are stunning and come in different sized packs - so can suit different budgets:

The beauty of decals is that they can also be moved from wall to wall. This is something I have done, when one of my children decided they wanted to move their bed to another wall! Thankfully the decal stayed in one piece and moved without any drama!

Schmooks is available on Etsy and they have a beautiful range of small and large decals.

Another great thing about decal stickers is their versatility. You can choose a single large image or cover an entire wall with a sticker, depending on your preference and budget.

3. Do not forget the storage!

Nowadays, there are so many cool and funky ways to store things that there's really no excuse for clutter. From vintage trunks to clever shelving, wall-mounted cabinetry to screen curtains, fun and stylish storage options are more likely to be used.

Room canopies can hide a multitude of soft toys and cushions while also serving as cozy hideaways. Teepees and fabric screens work similarly.

Although a bit on the expensive side, this elephant storage shelf from The White Company is brilliant. What child could resist filling it with toys and books? Its neutral colour fits any decor, and the soft rattan construction ensures it won't cause injuries.

For older kids, these fantastic world map storage cubes can encourage a child's fascination with geography. They also serve as great stools and can hide a multitude of items.

4. Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!

I'm not talking about trinkets and vases! I am talking about items that can be switched around cheaply and easily to suit a child's ever changing needs, wants, and interests. It's amazing how much a few thoughtfully chosen cushions, rugs, and hanging decorations can transform a room, quickly making it feel like new.

Instead of buying ready-made cushions, personalize the room by purchasing fabric and making them yourself, or having them made. There are fantastic options available that are relatively inexpensive when purchased by the meter.

When choosing fabric, keep the size of the pattern in mind. The fabric will indicate the pattern repeat, so ensure it fits within the size of your chosen cushion. For example, for a 45cm cushion, the largest pattern repeat should be up to 25cm, allowing space on either side for stitching and to centre the design nicely.

A good way to check if the design will work is to grab an existing cushion of the desired size and place a tape measure across the front to match the size of the pattern repeat.

These children's cotton fabrics are a fantastic price and would make great novelty cushions.

Another great tip, is to customise what you already have. For example adding buttons, iron transfers or just some ribbon to things, makes for really different and personal items which are unique to the child.

Which neatly leads me on to the next step........

5. Upcycle Where You Can

I am a big fan of upcycling, especially when it comes to designing my daughters' bedrooms or any child's bedroom. The main reason is that kids grow up and their tastes change. Their needs evolve, and inevitably, their love for certain themes might fade. So, it seems practical to avoid spending a fortune on new furniture when you can repaint, adjust, or restore old furniture at half the cost.

Upcycling allows for creativity and personalization without breaking the bank. You're not limited to standard pine or painted white furniture to avoid it looking dated. Instead, you can create unique, personal pieces.

I get asked so many questions about upcycling, I have dedicated a whole module to this topic in our ''How to refresh your home on a budget'' online mini course. Its great! You get tools, paints, an tons of inspiration for your upcycling projects.

For now though, here a few things you could think about upcycling:

• Replacing handles of existing pieces of furniture - interesting, unique and out right wacky are always great! Etsy is a great place to find such things!

• Re-painting existing pieces of furniture always brings tired and dated furniture back to life

• Give cushions, pillows and throws a new lease of life by adding things to them....as discussed before.

• Start a scavenger hunt—you'll be amazed at the unwanted, damaged, or broken items you can find. Think outside the box: check the garage and ask friends and family for their unwanted things.

Finally!!!

So these would be my x5 go to tips when refreshing or creating a children's room. The room can still be fun and inviting, without having to endure a full transformation. It can also be ready to grow with the child without needing a huge budget. Above all try to see the room through their eyes, is that beautiful floor to ceiling motif straight opposite their bed going to look quite menacing at night. Or is the practical rectangle space you have created, a little boring, functional and mundane?

 Keep things (where possible) at their height, this might mean putting a second lower hanging rail in their wardrobe for easier access.

Keep their beds low, so they can independently get in and out and bookcases low for easy access. Even keep bedside lamps (safely) close by so they can always get some light if they need it. You can always keep the light bulb very low, so it’s not going to project enough light to play by, but will give that reassurance during the night and keep nightmares at bay.

Let your imagination run wild! It’s a child’s bedroom, so make it fun and creative.

Still feeling a bit stuck and craving some more expert guidance? How about knowing exactly which paint colours to choose to create a Scandi Bedroom? Or which sofa to select that screams that high-energy Retro Modern vibe? Maybe you crave a quiet luxury open-plan living area but have no idea where to start.

Find Out More

Then our online course could be exactly what you need. You can dive right in and explore each style at your own pace—whether you require a quick refresher or are ready to tackle the entire course from start to finish. By the end, you'll be strutting away with confidence knowing exactly which interior design trend your going to ace when you tackle your next project!

Who knows? You might even discover your signature style along the way! A little bit of knowledge mixed with your own unique flair.....That's how new design styles are created....so get creating,