Reboot Your Child’s Room for Back-to-School Time

Whether your child is just entering preschool or starting senior year, a new school year is a transition worth marking. Giving his or her room a reboot is one way to honor the growth your child has made and set an inspiring tone for the year ahead. Some years it may be enough to shed a few old toys and clothes and stock up on school supplies. But for other occasions — moving from a “baby” room to a big-kid room, starting a new school or living a last year at home, for example — call for a bigger effort. When you want to really give your kid a boost, consider going for a whole-room makeover. Here’s some inspiration for making over the room of your preschooler, school-age kid, tween or teen.

Fresh and fun big-kid room. Forest wallpaper is cool enough for a kid and beloved by modern parents, too. A simple, clean-lined bunk bed and graphic rug in neutral gray are classics that will stand the test of time. And a tire swing hung from the ceiling? No kid could resist that! (Just be sure to get some pro help hanging it safely.)

Budget-friendly ideas:
Spray paint a plain white wire light fixture neon green.Pick out a graphic-print gray and white rug from a budget-friendly source like Target or HomeGoods.
Put up forest wall decals instead of wallpaper — they’re removable, so they’re also a great option if you rent.
Wallpaper: Woods


Project: Colorful chalkboard wall. These days many paint companies will mix up chalkboard paint in any color you want. Try painting one big wall in your child’s room with chalkboard paint in a color of his or her choice for a high-impact, budget-friendly room makeover.

How to Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint


Superpower bedroom for two. Graphic wallpaper brings this bedroom to life, and the red white, and blue color scheme sets a superhero tone. A beanbag chair and knitted pouf provide comfy places for kids and their friends to plop down.


A great big shelving unit from Ikea provides ample storage for toys and books, and a framed series of superhero prints is sure to bring smiles.

Budget-friendly ideas:
Cut out pages or covers of old comic books and slip them into frames.
Use a stencil to paint a graphic pattern on the wall instead of papering. (Bonus: You can simply paint over the pattern whenever you want a change.)
Buy an inexpensive beanbag chair and re-cover it in a nice indoor-outdoor fabric.


Preschool adventure. Orange animal-print wallpaper sets an adventurous tone in this safari-inspired space that Regan Baker designed for the 2014 San Francisco Decorator Showcase. A well-secured canopy over a daybed or the floor makes a fun play area (avoid hanging anything over the bed in a young child’s room for safety). Leather ottomans surround a chunky wooden table, a creative departure from the expected kids’ table and chairs set. A hide rug layered over a patterned natural-fiber rug brings textural interest.

Budget-friendly ideas:
Paint your own pattern on a plain natural-fiber rug.
Use an old coffee table as a play table, surrounded by poufs bought on sale.
Use animal decals instead of wallpaper.Boost the safari feel by using a stack of vintage suitcases as a nightstand. (Bonus: They’ll double as hidden storage.)


Project: Name wall decor. A painted rectangle on the wall creates a backdrop for oversize zinc letters in this child’s room. Choose your child’s favorite color for the painted background and pick up letters that fit your budget — they can be found everywhere from vintage shops to craft stores and come in many different materials and sizes. Measure the area needed by laying out the letters on the floor before beginning. Use painter’s tape to mark out the area, paint it and let it dry before hanging the letters.


Room to grow. When it’s time to move from a crib, consider going bigger if you have the space. A twin or double bed will serve your child far longer than a toddler bed. Try to choose more versatile colors and materials for furniture items you expect to be used for many years to come (like the bed, dresser and nightstands), but let your child have fun picking out the paint color and choosing new accessories that can be easily swapped out when he or she tires of them.

In the space shown here, cheerful pink walls and hot-pink pillows and artwork are girly and fun. The bright blue pendant lights, brown bed frame and modern nightstands can easily be reused in another color scheme or even in a different room.

More about big beds in kids’ spaces


Modern cool. This is a sharp, grown-up look for a kid who is ready to move beyond cutesy. Crisp white bunks, walls and a drum pendant light are warmed up by a tactile modern chair and hide rug. Fresh blue and white bedding and an oversize movie poster on the wall bring personality and color. And as refined as this space looks, the materials are actually tough — the wood floors and hide rug can take a beating and still look great.

Budget-friendly ideas:
A poster from an old movie is actually a great budget-friendly way to decorate a wall — frame it yourself with a simple white frame from Ikea.
Hunt in thrift stores for cool vintage modern room accents, like a side table, desk lamp and chair — you can always have a vintage chair re-covered if it needs refreshing.
Skip the hide rug and choose a charcoal-gray or indigo natural-fiber rug instead.


Tween fun. Soft gray walls and a gray and white print rug are classic, but an aqua ceiling and cherry zigzag shades bring megawatt personality to this tween’s bedroom. A few smart buys from Ikea (the bold pendant light, desk and chair) are modern, stylish and budget friendly.


A wood-framed bulletin board covered in pretty fabric provides a spot to keep inspiration and notices, and a storage bench provides an extra seat when friends come to visit.

Budget-friendly ideas:
Covering inexpensive white roller shades with pretty fabric costs far less than custom shades. To do this, simply lay shades flat on floor, centered on fabric trimmed to fit with a small overhang, fold the edges of the fabric over the shades and secure them with fabric glue.
Upgrade an old entryway bench by painting the interiors of the cubbies with leftover paint and topping it with a new cushion.
Make a name sign out of cardboard craft store letters wrapped in bright-colored yarn.


Surf inspired. Talk about big impact! A wall-size mural of a surfer in the curl of a wave has completely transformed this room. An organic-shaped light, a grass-green rug and striped bedding add to the beach-inspired, outdoorsy feel.

Budget-friendly idea:
An extra-large poster or canvas will still be impressive but will cost less than a full-size mural. If you want to fill more wall space, choose a series of three photos that go together and hang them side by side.



Grown-up details. For an older teen, consider buying things that can make the transition away from home — like the folding screen, bamboo chair, Oriental rug and headboard with nailhead trim shown here. The chair, screen and rug are versatile enough to be used in many different rooms and settings, from a dorm room to the living room of a first apartment.

Budget-friendly idea:
Go “shopping” for free by digging through your own (or a relative’s) attic and basement for good pieces that aren’t being used. And as long as something is not a family heirloom, be open to suggestions from your teen for updating it with paint or new fabric.



Chic hideaway. What could be more appealing to a teen than a private hideaway? Oh, maybe just one this luxurious! Tucked into an alcove and upholstered on all sides for a cocoon-like feel, this cozy corner would make a great place in which to read, nap or listen to music. A fiddle leaf fig tree in a woven basket, a ceramic elephant stool and a sheepskin throw are glamorous finishing touches.

Budget-friendly ideas:
Make a cozy lounge corner by covering a daybed with layers of patterns and lush textures.Keep an eye out for sales on ceramic garden stools and scoop one up when you see it.Hang a simple pendant light from the ceiling over the daybed area — the installation will cost a bit more, but the boost in ambience will be worth it.



Vintage romantic. Perfect for romantic spirits and creative souls. A bucket of white paint, ruffly linens, fresh flowers and a few vintage pieces are what you need to create this simple, charming look. Look for schoolhouse chairs, milk glass lamps and old wooden tables. Rinse out old jelly jars and use them to hold pens on the desk or flowers on the windowsill.

Tell us: Are you helping your son or daughter plan a room makeover? What design ideas are you considering?

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