50 Awesome Real Kids’ Room Ideas to Steal
If there’s any room in the house where we should all feel free to let loose and have a little fun, it’s the kids’ room. Color, pattern, texture, smart storage, fun design details — it’s all possible! But it’s helpful to see examples of cute real kids’ rooms to get the ideas flowing. Sometimes you don’t know what’s possible until you see what someone else has done. Here are 50 of Apartment Therapy and Cubby’s cutest kids’ rooms.
Table of Contents
Design + Decor Ideas
1. Put a sofa (like, a real one!) in their room.
Sure, kid-sized chairs are fine, but if you have the space, a full-sized sofa — in their room — would be the ultimate lounge spot. Bonus if it’s a teal velvet Chesterfield, like in the above photo!
See more of this room: A Vintage Dealer’s Art-Inpired Mid-Mod Home
2. Go for simple design classics.
The father is a technical architect. The mother is an interior designer. So it should be of no surprise that the kids’ room is full of simple, modern pieces: shelves from Hay, a powder-blue Anglepoise task lamp, OYOY floor poufs. The room feels ageless, in a great way.
See more of this room: A Designing Couple’s Home is Drop-Dead Gorgeous
3. Try twin cannonball beds.
Cannonball beds and spindle beds have been around forever, and that’s because they’ll never go out of style. They’re especially well-suited to a kids’ room, particularly if you buy a pair and set them up side by side with a dresser or nightstand in the middle.
See more of this room: This Family Is Creating a Fairytale Home
4. Stick to a tight color palette.
If you don’t know where to start when decorating a nursery or toddler room, start with a three-color palette. This room feels very pulled-together, thanks to its navy, emerald, and white color scheme.
See more of this room: This Colorful Home Isn’t Minimalist or Maximalist — It’s Mediumlist
5. Or forget that and do lots of color and pattern!
If sticking to two or three colors isn’t bringing you (or your child) joy, you can also pull in as much color, pattern, and texture as you want. It’s a kids’ room! Have fun.
See more of this room: This Cozy Home Embraces a ‘Poetic vs. Perfect’ Design Philosophy
6. Buy the MINNEN bed from IKEA.
Coming in at $170, this vintage-style kids’ bed from IKEA looks way more expensive than it is. Once you start looking for it in kids’ room photos, you’ll see it everywhere. It’s currently available in pink or white, but you can always spray-paint it.
See more of this room: Madewell’s Head of Design Lives in this Earthy, Textured Brooklyn Apartment
7. Use a colorful locker as a nightstand.
This Shorty locker from Mustard Made makes a fantastic nightstand in a kids’ room. The powder blue color is currently unavailable, but you can find it in Poppy, Mustard, Navy, White, and Black.
See more of this room: This Colorful Home Isn’t Minimalist or Maximalist — It’s “Mediumlist”
8. Cover a wall with chalkboard wallpaper.
Forget chalkboard paint; chalkboard contact paper is where it’s at! Cover a wall for instant art play potential.
See more of this room: A Rental Home’s Made Personal with Color and Culture
9. Mix stripes and checks.
Pattern play is a big trend for 2023, and this is a great example. Striped sheets, a checked duvet cover, all against floral wallpaper. Yes, please!
See more of this room: This Home’s Soft Pastels, Patterns, and Textures Are the Epitome of Coastal Style
10. Bring the home’s vibe into the kids’ room.
Want your child’s room to have personality but not look like it belongs in a different house? Have it both ways! “We wanted her room to retain the character and personality that we’d tried to create throughout the house,” says one mother of the industrial-meets-Scandinavian design of her daughter’s room, which matches the tone of the rest of the family’s London home.
See more of this room: This Renovated London Home Is Your Inspiration for Industrial Meets Scandi-Inspired Style
11. Go for a colorful vintage rug.
If you’re not quite ready to go all-in on color and pattern on the walls, try bringing some of that pattern into the room by way of a vintage or antique rug. It’ll ground the space and last through any trend.
See more of this room: A Portuguese Rental Home is Effortlessly Elegant
12. Banish white.
Neutrals are out, and color is majorly in. Case in point? This joyous kids’ room in Australia.
See more of this room: A “Tired Old Shack’s” Incredibly Colorful, Head-to-Toe Renovation
13. Go retro.
A few retro items, either authentic or inspired, can create a whole theme for a kids’ room. The retro wallpaper was the jumping-off point in this room.
See more of this room: This Australian Retro Beachside Home Is Cute and Colorful
14. Go big with stuffies.
Now, here’s a fun one: Go BIG with stuffed animals, like Donna Wilson’s lambswool Mini Giant or XL Giant Creatures! Given their size, it’s probably best if they have a whole bed to themselves, ha.
See more of this room: Designer Donna Wilson’s Cheery East London Home
15. Build in a swing and playground!
If your kids’ room is lucky enough to have high ceilings, hang a swing or put in a mini playground, because why not?
See more of this room: A Historic Amsterdam Home Has the Best Wooden Beams in Every Room
Storage Ideas
16. Use a colorful locker for regular storage.
Mustard Made makes full-size lockers, too! The Skinny locker is only available in Poppy right now, but if you love that pale pink, check out the Twinny size in Blush.
See more of this room: A Sunny Melbourne House Is Full of Light, Art, and Charm
17. Get creative with shelving shapes.
Sure, you can’t go wrong with standard rectangular shelves or a cube version like the Cubby-favorite KALLAX shelf. But breaking out of the ordinary and going for a triangle bookshelf (or a starship! Or a tree! Or an elephant!) is a whole lot more fun.
See more of this room: This Australian Ceramicist’s Style Is ‘Maximalist Wanting to Be a Minimalist’
18. Opt for cubbies.
Then again, cubby shelves are always a good idea for kids’ rooms. They’re practical, low to the ground, not too big and not too small, and just right for small collections of books, toys, and treasures.
See more of this room: A Fun Swedish Home Has a Pink Kitchen and an Indoor Skate Ramp
19. Do a statement bookshelf (and wallpaper!).
Here’s an example of going all-in on wallpaper, but the brilliant red bookshelf is the star of this room.
See more of this room: A TV Personality’s Home Mastered Mixing Wallpaper and Woodwork
20. Build a shelf right above the headboard.
A narrow floating shelf is the perfect landing spot for a row of treasured stuffies. It almost looks like it’s part of the headboard!
See more of this room: An Artist’s Australian Home Has an Envy-Inducing Sunroom and Art Studio
21. Set up neat, pull-out basket storage under the bed.
“I don’t need any more storage solutions in my kid’s room,” said no parent ever. We like the look of this particular under-the-bed basket setup. Because the baskets all match, the result looks much neater and more intentional.
See more of this room: A Sunny Melbourne House Full of Light, Art, and Charm
22. Make space for collections.
Kids accumulate stuff, so you might as well let it be its own design detail.
See more of this room: A Bold Boston Rental Uses Colors to Beat the Winter Blues
23. Set up a low play table.
Little kids don’t need a lot of space, but they should be able to access their things. This setup accomplishes so much in a little amount of space: There’s a long table with plenty of space for playing and coloring, a small stool, an easy-reach basket full of books, and a dollhouse at eye-level.
See more of this room: A Scandinavian-Inspired Paris Home Is the Perfect Mix of Modern, French, and a Hint of Pink
24. Keep toys and play things out in the open at easy reach.
Two of my favorite kids’ storage pieces are IKEA’s KALLAX shelf and Oeuf’s Toy Store shelf, and they’re showing off quite brilliantly together in this Brooklyn kids’ room. I love Oeuf’s open, angled boxes; it makes it so much easier for kids to see their toys and clean up after playing. And of course, KALLAX is a cubby (and Cubby!) classic.
See more of this room: Madewell’s Head of Design Lives in this Earthy, Textured Brooklyn Apartment
25. Install long shelves on the wall.
Long floating shelves keep floors tidy and create visual interest, in addition to being a great way to store lots of books, toys, and trinkets. Take the shelves all the way to the ceiling if you really want to make the most of your space! (Use the higher, unreachable shelves for cute decor.)
See more of this room: This Colorful Shared Kids’ Room Has Private Spaces and Storage For Days
26. Go custom with an incredible DIY bunk bed.
If you’ve got some DIY skills, you can try your hand at a built-in bunk bed and then paint it an incredible color.
See more of this room: This Colorful Kids’ Bedroom Has the *Most Incredible* DIY Bunk Bed
27. Hack the classic IKEA toddler loft bed.
The reversible KURA toddler bed from IKEA is a worth the hype for its sleep plus play space capabilities, but this ball pit setup is next level.
See more of this room: The Lofted Ball Pit in This Living Room (Using an IKEA Toddler Bed!) Doesn’t Sacrifice on Style
Paint + Wallpaper Ideas
28. Paint stripes inside a closet.
The inside of a closet is a fantastic way to add a little color or pattern, even on a budget. (It’s much cheaper to wallpaper a small closet than it is a whole room, for example.) It also turns a humdrum space into something special, a little treat every time you pull out a dress.
See more of this room: Before and After: A Wavy, Striped Closet Nook Adds Fun Storage to This 97-Square-Foot Nursery
29. Paint the outside of a closet, too.
Forget boring bi-fold closet doors. Get some colorful paint and try your hand at something a bit more creative, like a mural closet or one outlined in a playful scallop pattern.
See more of this room: Before and After: Two Boring Bi-Fold Closet Doors Get Custom, Colorful Redos For $50
30. Throw everything at the wall.
Sometimes more really is more. In this amazing kids’ room, every idea or vision was pulled into the mural design. The result is a completely unique, completely personal kid’s room.
See more of this room: This Mom Said ‘Yes’ to Every Idea Her Kids Had for Their Bedroom Walls — and The Result Is Incredible
31. Paint the trim and woodwork a bold color.
This gorgeous teal kid’s room (painted in Jotun’s “Industrial Blue”) gives this room a timeless quality that’ll easily grow with the kid. You may even spot four built-in IKEA BILLY bookcases that were also painted to blend in and look like a custom part of the room.
See more of this room: Before & After: A Once-Bland Kid’s Room Is Transformed by Striking Blue Paint
32. Embrace pink as a neutral wall color.
The loveliest, lightest pink color — like Farrow & Ball’s Pink Ground, shown above — is a wonderful backdrop in a kids’ room. It’s warmer and more inviting than a stark white.
See more of this room: Find Loads of Color and Pattern Inspiration in This U.K. Home
33. Match window trim to a color in wallpaper.
Painted window trim is especially charming in a kids’ room, and even more so when the window pulls out a color from the room’s wallpaper!
See more of this room: A Minimal Madrid Home Is Sweet, Simple, and Perfect for This Small Family
34. Do a statement wallpaper wall.
I tend to be a fan of going all-in on wallpaper, but there are many ways to use wallpaper in a kids’ room, including wallpapering just the ceiling, the inside of a closet, the back of a bookshelf, or, in this case, one wall!
See more of this room: Color, Pattern, and Patina in a Design Blogger’s London Home
35. Do a half painted wall.
I love a half painted wall in a kids’ room. It offers the option for color without feeling like you have to fully commit, and it brings the eye down so you notice everything that’s against or below the color — which, in the case of a child’s room, means seeing the world as they do!
See more of this room: Find Loads of Color and Pattern Inspiration in this U.K. Home
36. Don’t underestimate the power of a bright yellow door.
If your kid’s room is missing … something, add in a big dose of bright, sunny yellow. There’s a 90% chance it’ll fix the problem.
See more of this room: A Maximalist on a Minimalist Budget Fills Her Home with Murals
37. Choose gray walls for a fabulous backdrop to bright accents.
A gray color scheme can quickly turn dull, but its cool undertone works well when paired with bright colors.
See more of this room: A Fashion Buyer Turned Blogger’s Charming London Home
38. Give a room some personality with polka dots.
White walls, but make it fun with polka-dot decals! You don’t have to stick to black dots, either. I’m partial to these rainbow confetti dots!
See more of this room: A Couple Bought This Detroit House … Without Ever Walking Inside!
39. Make the wallpaper the star of the show.
The rug is a classic stripe; the crib is simple and white — all the better to highlight the gorgeous Flat Vernacular wallpaper!
See more of this room: A Jaw-Dropping Beautiful Modern Brooklyn Renovation
40. Get moody with forest wallpaper.
If you want your child’s room to be a calm oasis that encourages sleep, try Cole & Son’s Woods + Stars wallpaper. It’s a splurge, but your kid will feel like they’re sleeping in a forest.
See more of this room: This Eclectic U.K. Home Features Some Seriously Enviable Secondhand Finds
Small-Space Ideas
41. Find a niche to “park” things.
Wagons, baby doll strollers, toy cars, and push toys are wonderful toys for little ones working on balance and stability. But they need to be “parked” somewhere, too! Designate a storage spot for them, like this tucked-away corner under a bookshelf.
See more of this room: Find Loads of Color and Pattern Inspiration in this U.K. Home
42. Keep toddler clothes out in the open, and hang them low.
This simple wooden toddler clothes rack is both practical and a sweet design detail, and it takes up way less space than a dresser or a wardrobe.
See more of this room: A Beautiful Brooklyn Home Designed on a Tight Budget
43. Create a hideaway nook.
It doesn’t need to be big — pick a corner, some space under a lofted bed, the inside of a closet. Add some pillows, a blanket, a few books, and a stuffed animal or two. Finish it off with sparkle lights, because sparkle lights make everything feel magical.
See more of this room: A Bold Home in the ‘Burbs Has the Perfect Plaid Entry
44. Try this smart way to store stuffed animals.
Stuffed animals can take over a room if you’re not careful, which is why stuffing them into a shoe rack and hanging them over a door is a very smart, small-space solution.
See more of this room: A Classic Glam Apartment in Italy Designed on a Budget
45. Fit 3 kids into one small bedroom with ingenious design ideas.
Who says a family of five can’t live in a one-bedroom apartment? These parents gave up their bedroom for their three kids, who are living large in the room, thanks to tightly edited toy storage and play solutions.
See more of this room: This NYC Apartment Has Only One Bedroom — See the Inspiring Storage and Play Solutions That Transformed It for 3 Kids
46. Take it to the wall.
If you have an expanse of wall space in your child’s room, and you’re running low on floor space, take that storage to the wall! Long floating shelves like you see in this kids’ room are a nice way to display books and to insert some design details.
See more of this room: This 1950s Bungalow Is an Interior Stylist’s Creative Playground
47. Create a bookcase out of a faux mantel.
Another book storage idea — this one ideal if you live in an old house. Paint a faux mantel a bright color, add in two shelves, and you’ve got a built-in bookcase!
See more of this room: This Faux Mantel-Turned-Bookcase Is the Storage Star of This Cute Kids’ Room
48. Paint floating shelves in fun colors.
Pottery Barn’s Pop Color Photo Ledges are very cute, but also very expensive — especially if you’re looking to buy multiples. So one mom made her own rainbow shelves to hold her son’s dinosaur collection, and we absolutely love it.
See more of this room: This Family’s Beach Bungalow Is a Real-Life Rainbow Dream with Tons of DIY Solutions
49. Embrace the stuff.
Collections, trinkets, treasures. You can edit it out or you can give in. If you do the latter, you’d be amazed by how many things you can fit on a few bookshelves and still have it look cute!
See more of this room: One Family, 1,000 Toys, Two Bedrooms, and Space to Work & Play
50. Cocoon a small space by taking it up to the ceiling.
You know what they say about small spaces: Embrace it. In this narrow kids’ room, the bookshelves go up the wall to make use of the height, and the result is that you feel like you’re in a cozy little bubble.
See more of this room: This Family of Four’s 500-Square-Foot Apartment Feels Much Larger
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