Guest Blogger: Designing a Themed Kid’s Room on a Budget

Guest Blogger #576, Entry #1315, June18, 2012

Part of the fun of childhood is being able to have a cool theme as part of a room’s decor without anyone thinking it is odd. Most children have some idea of what style is their favorite. They may like princesses, teddy bears, military, character, trucks or something entirely different and creative. Just about anything a child likes can be incorporated into a bedroom theme. Of course, this can get expensive.

How about choosing a location for a theme?

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Fortunately, there are some helpful ways to give children the rooms they want without spending a lot of money:

Use Paint to Make the Point 

Decorating walls for a themed bedroom can include posters, decals and border paper. This, on top of paint for the walls to match the decor, can run up a budget fast. Instead of investing in all of these things, simply make the statement with paint and stencils.  Buy one base color and then a few tubes or a kit of the accent colors needed. For example, a princess room could have a light pink base. Some white, yellow, cream, black, blue, gold and dark pink can cover princesses and castles for the walls. Talent is not necessary and  stencils are inexpensive.

Do Not Buy What Can Be Made 

Instead of purchasing curtains and pictures, buy themed fabric and print photos. With just a few yards of fabric and a bit of thread, themed curtains can accent every window in the room. Those who cannot sew can always enlist a friend for the job. This can save tens of dollars, which adds up.  Buy some inexpensive frames at a local thrift store and fill them with prints found online. The difference between a store-bought picture of a cartoon character and a picture frame filled with a free downloaded photo is significant.

Brighten their face with a themed room!

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Use What is There 

Chances are that a child that loves a certain theme has lots of toys, merchandise and clothing featuring that theme. Sometimes, it is stuff the child no longer uses. Find old shirts with characters or pictures that fit the theme, glue those onto frame mats, and put them in frames for the wall.  Take old toys that no longer work or that the child no longer uses and spruce them up for use in the theme. For example, a toy truck with tires that no longerroll can be converted into a themed crayon holder, if it is big enough.

Check Max Furniture reviews for good deals on children’s furniture. A good theme starts with sturdy furniture. A good budget requires the least expensive choice. Find something that suits both.

For more kids’ room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.