- DESIGN INSPIRATION
A ‘BOLD RAINBOW’ KIDS BEDROOM
I’ve recently been asked by a few moms to help with inspiration for a rainbow room for boys in preschool/early elementary school. Since kids change their minds often, I like to keep my entire design (including all furniture and accessories to under $2000/room. Obviously, if you keep existing pieces and work around them, you can work with a much smaller budget.
COLOR
To make rainbow colors feel ‘strong’ (in other words, less feminine), I focus on jewel-toned colors (emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red, and citrine yellow) and stay clear of pastels.
Since we’re designing a bedroom (and want to keep it serene and cozy and conducive for sleep) you want to be sure to balance your vibrant colors with a few less saturated colors.
RUG
Thicker rugs are significantly more expensive than thinner rugs, but you can achieve the same luxurious feel by placing a ½” thick pad under your rug. THIS IS MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE RUG PAD (yup, have it in our home too!). And it cuts to size with regular fabric scissors!
BED
Emphasis should be on comfort and durability. This likely will be your most expensive purchase, and you’ll probably keep it for a while.
To narrow your search, focus on:
- A comfortable headboard – for both kids and adults (bedtime reading!)
- Underbed clearance – are you going to use the space for extra storage? Do you have a robot vacuum in your home?
- Weight limit – probably not a problem for just a kid, but if you enjoy snuggles in bed, take into account an adult + child (or multiple kids) can add up pretty quickly…
This emerald green bed will work great in a strong rainbow room, and can easily be set in other themes (I’ve recently placed the same bed in a Star Wars-themed room)
BOOKCASE
I’m a huge fan of IKEA for bookcases and storage solutions. Their bookcases are super durable, priced well, and fit a variety of styles.
Designer Tip:
- Swap out hardware and consider adding crown molding (when appropriate) for a built-in / custom look.
DESK
Kids beat up their desks – paint marks, scratches, water marks, the list goes on… Keep it simple, and find an inexpensive piece that will complement the other furniture in your room.
For extra protection (and another pop of color), you might want to add a non-slip desk mat like this.
CHAIR
Must be comfortable, but doesn’t have to be a traditional office chair.
Using a dining room chair as a desk chair is a fantastic way to keep extra seating throughout the house without cluttering your place up (even if it doesn’t fit the rest of the dining room chairs, you can still pull it out when needed)
If your kid has trouble sitting still and staying focused, check out one of my new favorite products – the wobble stool. Our kids have a handful of them in their classroom, and they are so fantastic!
NIGHTSTAND
I like to splurge on nightstands. Even though they have a small footprint in the room, they make a statement and complete your space. Also, specifically in a kid’s space, they tend to get banged up less (unlike adults that use them more frequently).
When shopping for a nightstand:
- You want the top of your nightstand to be flush with the top of your mattress.
- Consider how much storage space you need – open vs. closed.
- Don’t be scared to play with size and color. Get creative!
LIGHTING
This is where you get to have fun. Table lamps (and bedside lighting) are a super easy and fun way to add character to a room.
When planning for lighting, you want to think about –
- Task (work at a desk/reading/overhead)
- Mood (dimmers are a must! Even on table lamps!)
ART
I like making statements with art – go big, as big as you can (either with one piece, or multiple pieces arranged together). Art doesn’t need to be complicated, or expensive, to make a statement.
And framing matters. Play with negative space (a larger frame and white mat framing a smaller piece of art), or play with the art itself – even a scribble of a 3yr old can be framed in an interesting way!
ACCESSORIES
I tend to limit the accessories in kids’ rooms because as it is, they tend to accumulate so much “stuff”, and their toys can be displayed in super fun ways (becoming the decor accessories themselves). But I do like finding one or two items that are a bit unexpected and adding them for character and whimsy. This could be a cool piggy bank, a swing chair, or some fun floor pillows.
Accessories can also be a great way to contain kids’ “stuff” – a pouf stuffed with stuff animals, a lego display, matchbox car shelving, a magnet wall for artwork, or a peg wall for jewelry and accessories.
I hope these handful of suggestions have gotten your creative juices flowing. For more inspiration and specific product suggestions for this bold rainbow theme, follow this Pinterest board I’ve created (I promise to keep adding to it), or check out any of the other hundreds of boards (and many thousands of pins 🙂
Are you currently designing a themed room for your kid? Stumped? Or super proud and want to share your design? I’d love to connect and hear all about it!
’till next time – cheers!
(and remember — #createyourhappy !
