More Rooms
9 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Kid’s Room
Fire your imagination with these ideas for adding character and creativity to a child’s space
If you’re moving into a new-build property, the standard neutral palette and clean lines can feel like a daunting challenge. A new-build is also, however, a truly blank slate – an opportunity to craft a unique space – and this particularly applies to children’s rooms, where magic and imagination are your guides.
Read on for ideas on where to start, from creative bed frames to fun wall decorations and tips for crafting the perfect retreat.
More in this series: 8 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Kitchen l 7 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Bedroom l 8 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Garden | 9 Ways To Add Character to a New-build Living Room
Read on for ideas on where to start, from creative bed frames to fun wall decorations and tips for crafting the perfect retreat.
More in this series: 8 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Kitchen l 7 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Bedroom l 8 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Garden | 9 Ways To Add Character to a New-build Living Room
2. Choose a whimsical light fitting
Light fixtures are another great way to introduce an element of fun. The hot-air balloon pendant is a delightful touch in this room by Studio Appleby, picking up on the rainbow and balloon themes of the artwork.
The wicker adds texture and warmth to the plain room, too.
Need help making it magical? Find interior designers on Houzz.
Light fixtures are another great way to introduce an element of fun. The hot-air balloon pendant is a delightful touch in this room by Studio Appleby, picking up on the rainbow and balloon themes of the artwork.
The wicker adds texture and warmth to the plain room, too.
Need help making it magical? Find interior designers on Houzz.
3. Make the walls more interesting
The curated chaos of a kid’s room makes for plenty of opportunity for interesting walls. Here, Born & Bred Studio has drenched the walls and ceiling in a pale pink, then added a contrasting powder-blue scalloped band to highlight artwork.
On the wall to the right are a set of empty frames, ready to display artwork drawn by the child. Finally, floating shelves filled with picture books complete the look and add bolder colour.
While this room is in a period property, these techniques would work just as well in a new-build room.
There are plenty of other wall decor options to mix and match, including wallpaper, garlands, fairy lights, clothes hooks with curated displays of small clothes, or even fairy doors.
More: 6 Ways to Colour Drench Your Living Room
The curated chaos of a kid’s room makes for plenty of opportunity for interesting walls. Here, Born & Bred Studio has drenched the walls and ceiling in a pale pink, then added a contrasting powder-blue scalloped band to highlight artwork.
On the wall to the right are a set of empty frames, ready to display artwork drawn by the child. Finally, floating shelves filled with picture books complete the look and add bolder colour.
While this room is in a period property, these techniques would work just as well in a new-build room.
There are plenty of other wall decor options to mix and match, including wallpaper, garlands, fairy lights, clothes hooks with curated displays of small clothes, or even fairy doors.
More: 6 Ways to Colour Drench Your Living Room
4. Pick fun window treatments
Blackout curtains or blinds are essential for good sleep, but window treatments make the room cosier and more characterful, too.
Go for a bold and colourful print – animals are always a great choice – to add interest to a more restrained room, or pick a plain neutral if there’s already a lot going on in the space – it will still bring in texture and warmth.
The curtain and Roman blind combo in this room by Lynn Holender Designs does a bit of both: the geometric leaf print on the blind and the pompoms on the curtains are fun touches that still keep to the room’s overall palette.
Blackout curtains or blinds are essential for good sleep, but window treatments make the room cosier and more characterful, too.
Go for a bold and colourful print – animals are always a great choice – to add interest to a more restrained room, or pick a plain neutral if there’s already a lot going on in the space – it will still bring in texture and warmth.
The curtain and Roman blind combo in this room by Lynn Holender Designs does a bit of both: the geometric leaf print on the blind and the pompoms on the curtains are fun touches that still keep to the room’s overall palette.
5. Use bespoke joinery to get the space you need and want
Between sleep, play, creativity and eventually homework, kids’ rooms need to fit in a lot of functionality, so bespoke joinery is a great option. It’s also a nice way to add a personal touch.
The characterful bed and desk in this room by Mia Karlsson Interior Design make it possible to fit a roomy bed, a dedicated workspace and plenty of storage into the space.
The steps leading up to the bed could be used for seating if friends came round, while the combination of wood and dark green add a sophisticated touch that will keep the design relevant as the room’s inhabitant grows.
Between sleep, play, creativity and eventually homework, kids’ rooms need to fit in a lot of functionality, so bespoke joinery is a great option. It’s also a nice way to add a personal touch.
The characterful bed and desk in this room by Mia Karlsson Interior Design make it possible to fit a roomy bed, a dedicated workspace and plenty of storage into the space.
The steps leading up to the bed could be used for seating if friends came round, while the combination of wood and dark green add a sophisticated touch that will keep the design relevant as the room’s inhabitant grows.
6. Carve out room for play and creativity
If your child’s room is large enough, set aside an area for play. This room by Kinder Design incorporates many of the key elements of a play area, some of which could be incorporated into a bedroom. The table, toys for imaginative play, and comfy seating for reading alone or together, along with lots of soft cushions, create an area that’s both fun and brings in warmth and colour.
For an older child, swap the low table for a desk and incorporate enough comfy seating for friends.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
If your child’s room is large enough, set aside an area for play. This room by Kinder Design incorporates many of the key elements of a play area, some of which could be incorporated into a bedroom. The table, toys for imaginative play, and comfy seating for reading alone or together, along with lots of soft cushions, create an area that’s both fun and brings in warmth and colour.
For an older child, swap the low table for a desk and incorporate enough comfy seating for friends.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
7. Create a retreat
Kids are developmentally primed to love secret, child-sized spaces where they can hide away. So if possible, try building one into their room, as this will also add a different dimension to the space.
A simple curtain in this child’s room by Black & Milk Interior Design turns the lower bunk into a secret reading space, with a roll-up window for keeping tabs on the world. Bookshelves next to it offer plenty of reading material to keep boredom at bay.
Tents, canopies or a reading nook tucked into a storage unit are other options that would do the job.
Kids are developmentally primed to love secret, child-sized spaces where they can hide away. So if possible, try building one into their room, as this will also add a different dimension to the space.
A simple curtain in this child’s room by Black & Milk Interior Design turns the lower bunk into a secret reading space, with a roll-up window for keeping tabs on the world. Bookshelves next to it offer plenty of reading material to keep boredom at bay.
Tents, canopies or a reading nook tucked into a storage unit are other options that would do the job.
8. Build in room for friends
Between playdates, sleepovers and visiting cousins, it’s a great idea to incorporate an extra sleeping space into the room. Bunk beds are one space-efficient option and, if you can stretch to a bespoke design, a good way to add character.
This version by Balance Interior Design is a stylish take on the standard, and incorporates a real staircase in place of a ladder, plenty of storage in the form of shelves and drawers, and oak safety bars that wouldn’t be out of place in a Parisian flat.
When the bottom bunk is not being used by visitors, dress it up as a daybed or reading nook with cushions and a blanket.
Between playdates, sleepovers and visiting cousins, it’s a great idea to incorporate an extra sleeping space into the room. Bunk beds are one space-efficient option and, if you can stretch to a bespoke design, a good way to add character.
This version by Balance Interior Design is a stylish take on the standard, and incorporates a real staircase in place of a ladder, plenty of storage in the form of shelves and drawers, and oak safety bars that wouldn’t be out of place in a Parisian flat.
When the bottom bunk is not being used by visitors, dress it up as a daybed or reading nook with cushions and a blanket.
9. Employ natural materials to add warmth
If bright designs and busy decor isn’t for you, consider bringing in character through texture. This nursery by Indie & Co, for example, is a plain room in an ex-council house, but it feels far from stark thanks to the gorgeous natural textures. Toddlers will enjoy touching woven surfaces and soft textiles, too.
The rattan chest of drawers, which offers both storage and a changing surface, has been painted white for an airy look, but the texture still adds warmth. The basketweave parquet brings colour variation as well as pattern, while the various fabrics, from the rug to the soft toys, add depth and inviting textures to explore.
Tell us…
How have you added character to a plain room for a child? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
If bright designs and busy decor isn’t for you, consider bringing in character through texture. This nursery by Indie & Co, for example, is a plain room in an ex-council house, but it feels far from stark thanks to the gorgeous natural textures. Toddlers will enjoy touching woven surfaces and soft textiles, too.
The rattan chest of drawers, which offers both storage and a changing surface, has been painted white for an airy look, but the texture still adds warmth. The basketweave parquet brings colour variation as well as pattern, while the various fabrics, from the rug to the soft toys, add depth and inviting textures to explore.
Tell us…
How have you added character to a plain room for a child? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
Sponsored
Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore
If you struggle to get your child to sleep, try making their bed something to look forward to with a design that transports them on an adventure. The bed frame in this room by Fable Interiors is shaped like a house, complete with chimney and foam clouds floating lazily up the wall.
This example shows that an adventurous bed frame can also make for gorgeous design that adults can appreciate. Or give yourself permission to be a little kitschy, if it delights your child. A racing car bed may be a cliché, but your toddler doesn’t know that.
Injecting a dose of magic through furniture is particularly helpful in new-build properties, which may lack the nooks and crannies, wonky floorboards and cast-iron fireplaces that might build in a sense of adventure and exploration in a period home.