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I always wanted my boys (now 10 and 12 years old) to have really fun rooms that reflected their favorite interests. I think it is important for a child to feel a connection to his or her room. It can be a challenge when decorating because you want it to be special. You may be tempted to go all out but in your child’s room but most of us need to be smart with our spending.  You don’t want to invest a fortune, especially in things that create a “theme” because as we all know, their interests can change as quickly as the season, or the next Disney movie.

When you make your room plan, it is wise to invest more on the items that you can keep long-term. One of the best decisions I made was to buy good furniture pieces. I know my boy’s furniture will last them for years.  I also purchased larger Queen and Full-sized beds, according to what was appropriate for their room size.  The beds are solid, chunky wood pieces which they will probably have until they start their own families. Also, a good area rug is key, whether you have hardwood floors or as an accent statement. As far as I am concerned, the rest can be played with. Paint color can be changed, but you don’t want to re-paint too often. I used their favorite colors, letting them feel a part of the decision.  I just picked the best shade of their favorite color, so one has a soft denim blue and the other a crisp spring green and we were all happy.

Accessorizing is really the key to decorating smart. Art work, pillows and accent pieces can be played with and changed over the years. I recommend using display shelving because it is  functional, inexpensive and can be used as a creative focal point. When your child is young, use it to show-off cute teddy-bears or dolls and when they get older, their artwork, trophies or other accomplishments can be prominently displayed. For example, we had a Lego theme going for a while where their monstrous Lego creations were the focal point of the room. Displayed across painted wood shelving, the Lego creations became the inspiration for the room design. Complimented with splashes of  Lego-inspired glossy colors on picture frames and accents and Lego-shaped pillows for the bed, the room was a smash hit!

The fabric you choose for bedding and sheets and window coverings can also make a big impact. Not many of us are in the position to have custom-made drapery and bedding, as this can often run into the thousands (I know because I was a custom drapery decorator for years).  Sometimes you can get lucky and find a “Bed in a Bag” type set with a theme in line with your child’s interests.  For example, I found a great set of  baseball sheets from Pottery Barn years ago and am still using them today! If you choose a solid color or pattern that is easy to work with it is a smarter way to go because you’ll be able to keep it longer. Then you can make your statement with fun pillows or spend a little more on unique shams or creative valances which are less costly to change with your child’s interests.

When I invented Deco Wrap no-sew cornices, one of the really exciting features was the changeability factor. I knew it would be a great choice for Moms who wanted a custom look but  didn’t want to spend a fortune on “custom drapery” for the kid’s rooms.  I have often used bed sheets to make the cornices and then changed the look by re-wrapping it with new material when their interests changed. Sometimes I would use a more decorative fabric on the cornice valance and tuck an extra set of matching sheets as panels to frame the window. It becomes economical in two ways because it is a versatile, changeable “custom look” and you save money on material costs because bed sheets are much less expensive than decorator fabric! You can create a your own unique ensemble and best of all it feels great to do-it-yourself.

Which ever way you choose to go, keep these key ideas in mind and have fun with the process. Your child will be thrilled with the results, especially knowing you poured your love and creativity into it!