Long gone is the humble, single tin of baby blue or pink emulsion. Today, the best kids’ bedrooms and nurseries are creative, gender-neutral, and impeccably stylish. If you are looking for inspiration for a child’s bedroom or nursery, here are 10 of my favourite kids’ decor designs, ideas and schemes. At the bottom of the post, I’ve also included links for some of the best children’s furniture and homeware that is currently available to buy online or in-store.

wallpaper

Wallpaper a child’s bedroom for an instant transformation. The UK-based artist Sian Zeng designs the most wonderful children’s wallpapers, so it is no surprise that she won the 2019 Etsy Global Design Awards for her Magnetic Dino Wallpaper (which attracts magnets like any fridge or metal cabinet.)

This is a beautiful gender-neutral nursery from Lust Living. The shell wallpaper is by Ferm Living which you can buy via Dot Maison. — *This is a beautiful gender-neutral nursery from* *Lust Living.* *The shell wallpaper is by Ferm Living which you can buy via* *Dot Maison.*

I’m also a huge fan of the Scandinavian wallpaper brand Sandberg for children’s wallpapers. Young and playful - yet effortfully cool and stylish - you can purchase them via Wallpaper Direct.

Combine two wallpaper designs separated by a strip of moulding, such as this seashell and stripe design from Sandberg Wallpaper. — *Combine two wallpaper designs separated by a strip of moulding, such as this* *seashell* *and* *stripe* *design from Sandberg Wallpaper.*

A wallpaper in just one colourway can feel softer and more relaxed than a design with multiple colourways. Della Ocean Blue wallpaper by Sandberg. — *A wallpaper in just one colourway can feel softer and more relaxed than a design with multiple colourways.* *Della Ocean Blue* *wallpaper by Sandberg.*

panelling

If you fear wallpaper might get peeled, picked or drawn on - but you still want to add detail and interest to the walls - panelling might just be for you! A carpenter can install cheap MDF wall panels, or, if you want to give it a go yourself, it can be easily DIYed (follow my latest guide here on how to inexpensively panel a room). Paint your panelling in hardwearing, washable eggshell paint using a paint brand suitable for children with low or no harmful VOCs. For a guide to chemical-free paint, see my post here.

By placing panelling below wallpaper and painting it in a hardwearing, washable eggshell paint, you can entertain a wallpaper design in a child’s room without worrying about damage. Image credit: Rachel Anne — *By placing panelling below wallpaper and painting it in a hardwearing, washable eggshell paint, you can entertain a wallpaper design in a child’s room without worrying about damage. Image credit:* *Rachel Anne*

Playground Adventure

If you have a bit of a budget, why not make a child’s room work hard as a play area, as well as a room for them to sleep in? Features such as playground slides shooting down from bunk beds and built-in ball pits are fantastic fun if you have the floor space!

This incredible bedroom, designed by Em Gurner, incorporates a slide. Photo by Anna Yanovski. — *This incredible bedroom, designed by* *Em Gurner,* *incorporates a slide. Photo by* *Anna Yanovski*.

Ball pit bedroom designed by Amelia Carter Interiors. — *Ball pit bedroom designed by* *Amelia Carter Interiors.*

colour trim

You can have real fun with colour in kids’ rooms as the space is expected to be spirited and joyful. One way to bring in vibrant shades without them feeling overly dominating is to paint the woodwork: doors, skirting and coving all painted in a contrasting colour to the walls is a really effective way to bring colour into a child’s bedroom. Make the space cohesive by matching your soft furnishings or accessories (such as the rug or the curtains) to the shade of the painted trim.

Using a vibrant colour only on the woodwork only makes this an enjoyable, fun room, without the colour being overbearing. Bedroom design by Fiona Duke Interiors. — *Using a vibrant colour only on the woodwork only makes this an enjoyable, fun room, without the colour being overbearing. Bedroom design by* *Fiona Duke Interiors.*

Fiona Duke Interiors again paints the woodwork, but also the ceiling in the same soft blue hue, pairing it with a Sian Zeng Dinosaur wallpaper. Photo by Anna Stathaki. — *Fiona Duke Interiors* *again paints the woodwork, but also the ceiling in the same soft blue hue, pairing it with a* *Sian Zeng* *Dinosaur wallpaper. Photo by* *Anna Stathaki.*

gender neutral

Gender-neutral rooms are more sophisticated and grow with the child. Look to colours such as grey-based blues, greens, yellows, light neutrals or darker tones for your design scheme. Pair this up with a premium set of bedding to enhance the elegance and comfort of the space.

The soft grey/blue hue on the wall isn’t blue enough to be considered ‘boyish’, while not grey enough to be an ‘adult’ colour. The pops of yellow brighten up the scheme. Design by A New Day. — *The soft grey/blue hue on the wall isn’t blue enough to be considered ‘boyish’, while not grey enough to be an ‘adult’ colour. The pops of yellow brighten up the scheme. Design by* *A New Day.*

Green is agreat colour for a gender neutral bedroom. This wall colour is Spanish Olive by Dulux. Image credit: norsu interiors. — *Green is a great colour for a gender-neutral bedroom. This wall colour is Spanish Olive by Dulux. Image credit:* *norsu interiors.*

*GoodHome Interiors paint and homeware, available at B&Q.*

stripes

A fun way to define an awkward corner or create a feature wall or ceiling is to add stripes. All you need is some painter’s tape and a tin of paint (plus some patience!), making it a relatively inexpensive way to create a big impact. For a tutorial on how to create paint stripes, follow my guide to using painter’s tape.

This circus top painted ceiling was created by Anna Starling in the home of the artist Paloma Faith. Image credit: AD. — *This circus top painted ceiling was created by Anna Starling in the home of the artist Paloma Faith. Image credit:* *AD.*

built-up beds

If you need to make the most of a small space invest in a bespoke, built-up bed design. By raising your child’s bed off the floor you can add storage, a pull-out desk - even space for another bed! Cabin beds are a great example of a style that will create a fun sleeping environment for your child while providing additional space underneath.

*This incredible design incorporates storage and an extra bed by adding another level to the room. Design by Benni Amadi Interiors.*

This is brilliant bedroom design that will last well into the teenage years. A fold-out desk can be found in one of the cabinets. Design & photography And Then They Went Wild — *This is brilliant bedroom design that will last well into the teenage years. A fold-out desk can be found in one of the cabinets. Design & photography* *And Then They Went Wild*

Image credit: Play & Go — *Image credit:* *Play & Go*

cityscape

Landscape and city skyline designs are modern and will take your child into the teen years. Create the look with paint and tape (if you are creative!), or use vinyl decals or paste-the-wall murals.

Image credit: Tikkurila — *Image credit:* *Tikkurila*

Image credit: Location House Of Beau. Buy this doodle city skyline design via Etsy. — *Image credit:* *Location House Of Beau.* *Buy this doodle city skyline design via* *Etsy.*

Paint Ideas

Got a shed full of leftover paint tins and tester pots? Use them up by being creative. From painted-on pinboards to DIY headboards, this is a sustainable and budget-friendly decor idea.

*The mural and rainbow ‘pinboard’ that I created in my son’s bedroom at home.*

Why not create a DIY headboard with leftover paint like The House That Lars Built — *Why not create a DIY headboard with leftover paint like* *The House That Lars Built*

Stickers

Removable vinyl stickers and decals are now widely available and they are a quick and easy way to update a plain room. They can be removed quickly with no harm caused to the walls - perfect for children who like to change their room regularly based on their interests.

Get The Look!

Below, I’ve listed some of my favourite furniture and accessories available to buy now for bedrooms and nurseries.

1. Bed Canopy - £47 / 2. Pear Storage Basket - £75 / 3. John Lewis Cot - £70 / 4. Tiger Cushion - £20 / 5. Desk Lamp - £ 20 / 6. Tiger Rug - £95 / 7. Storage baskets - £22 / 8. Cabin bed and base - £350 / 9. Garland in Rose - £24.99 / 10. OYOY rattan chair - £105 / 11. Wigiwama Teepee - £151 / 12. Vintage Ride On - £139 / 13. Bunny chair - £49 each

H&M Home has such a wonderful, budget-friendly range of kids’ bedroom accessories that I had to do a complete edit! Find my top H&M kids’ room picks below: