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Decorating Kids' Rooms on a Budget

© L.C. Dumke

When I was pregnant with my first child, I had to decorate and furnish a nursery for a baby girl who would have needs I couldn't yet imagine. So I picked a cute wallpaper border (Scottish Terriers), went for primary colors like the child psychologists suggest (black, white and red), and proceeded to decorate her room. But the truth is, as a new Mom, I was not really decorating the room for her -- I was decorating it for me.

Her nursery worked for a while. Then when my daughter was about 3, we had a bit of an accident. A wicker bookcase fell over on top of her, as she was reaching for a toy on the top shelf. She was not hurt, but I realized it was time to redecorate according to her needs, not for my desires.

With sound advice from friends and decorators, and the do's and don'ts I've picked up over the years by parenting two kids, I offer these suggestions for decorating kids rooms to be fun and practical, while staying on a budget:

Beds -- Looking for a headboard? How about purchasing two pieces of a picket fence and painting them with a bright color, or try a decorative painting technique like sponging. Attach them to the bed frame and voila! (Be sure to sand carefully to avoid splinters in little fingers.)

If you and your child love country, you could place the head of the bed against a wall and hang a quilt behind it and you won't even need a headboard.

Curtains -- I buy very few curtains that are actual,packaged curtains. I have created many over the years with clearance sale sheets, acrylic paints, rubber stamps and stencils. This is an inexpensive and fun way to create curtain for you child's room, and it's a project you and your child can do together! You can also purchase thermal fleece blankets, fold over the top and stitch it closed (leave openings for the rod), then hang it to create a wonderful, warm atmosphere. Too boring? You can add interest and personality with simple things like funky tie backs in contrasting colors, appliqués and even by sewing on colorful buttons.

Containers -- Umbrella stands or other tall, sturdy containers are great for long, skinny toys and sports equipment, such as baseball bats, swords, golf clubs, those kinds of things. I also like coat racks for kids rooms because they don't take up a lot of space (just vertical space) and they're great for baseball cap collections and dress up clothes. You can even make your our coat rack with a pole and hooks. (I attached hooks to an old wood column and made a really interesting one.)

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