Whimsical Wall Treatments for Your Kid's Room

Four blank walls: one giant blank canvas! When it comes to decorating a kid's room, the walls play a prominent role. From whimsical murals to unifying borders and accents, wall treatments set the stage. Let your imagination run wild and design a magical kid's room.

Kids' Room Themes

Start by choosing a theme. Is this a little boy's room, a teenage girl's room, or a nursery? If your child is older, involve her in the process; if not, use your own ideas. The theme possibilities are endless: castles, bugs, safari, jungle, cars, baseball, animals, flowers, stars, trains, construction, and beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse or Winnie the Pooh.

Kids' Color Palettes

Next, consider your color palette. Will you be going with soft pastels or primary colors? Prefer a monochromatic palette? Picking a palette and painting the walls just the first step, but it's a crucial one. All of your successive decisions will be affected by your choices now. For example, if you paint the walls a soft lavender, a bright red bedspread is out of the question.

Painting Kids' Rooms

Once you have a theme and color palette, it's time to start decking those walls. Clear out the room and start painting. Even if you'll later add a mural or plan on using borders, a fresh coat of paint does wonders. Use a contrasting color for window and door trim as well as baseboards to further define the space. Use a lighter shade, or stick with white, for the ceiling.

If you don't plan on adding borders, wallpaper, or a mural, consider adding visual interest by using intriguing wall painting techniques such as adding vertical stripes or faux finishes. Be careful not to overdo the effect.

When painting the room, paint a small board the same color, including accent colors on the back. Use this board when shopping for wallpaper and accessories.

Borders and Wallpaper for Kids' Rooms

Wallpaper and borders provide an easy way to decorate a child's room. Keep the theme and color palette in mind when making your selection. Refer to the painted board to make sure your selection matches your color palette.

If you're artistic and prefer a painted border, create a whimsical border on your own. Imagine how cute a little boy's car-themed room would look with painted tire tracks going around the room or a diva-themed room with a pink, bejeweled border and fuzzy pink trim.

Wall Accessories for Kids' Rooms

Accessorizing a child's bedroom is fun, especially when you have an established theme. Don't overlook the walls! Clocks, hooks, wall art, and shelving add to the room's overall effect. Consider the theme and let your imagination soar. For example, mount a real steering wheel on a wall of your boy's car-themed room and he's bound to love it. For your diva-room, a frilly oval mirror is sure to delight.

The walls of a child's room are the starting point for a fabulous decorated room. Use your imagination, create a whimsical theme, and choose a color palette. Deck the walls with these in mind and transform a plain room into a magical place.