Kids' Rooms

I love houses that flow from one room to the next. I love rooms that maximize the space and are designed with long-term use in mind. So it's not surprising that I like kids' rooms that don't have an overly juvenile theme. However, I believe that the rooms can still be kids' rooms by the accessories that are used - the foundation just needs to be classic enough to grow with the child while also pleasing to the parents and the house.

I have two very active boys under the age of 8. Putting together their rooms has been a process over the years. We are bombarded with Pottery Barn Kids, Nickelodean and Disney everywhere we turn. I resisted these juvenile themes, but it wasn't easy since there aren't a lot of classic options in the market. Just try to find an area rug that doesn't have butterflies or footballs and isn't pink, green, navy or red.

I ended up having two custom (meaning twin sheets sewn together with piping) duvets made for their beds. I did matching medium blue duvets (but with one side striped and one side tonal paisley) so I could reverse them and their rooms wouldn't be exactly the same. My long-term strategy was to develop rooms that they could grow into while having pieces we could use as our needs change (when we finally buy that beach house) and complemented the rest of the house. There's nothing worse than having to redecorate a room every couple years as their tastes change and then donating all the pieces that you spent tireless amounts of energy and money on. Now, I just have to change out their pictures and bookshelves as their interests change. Right now, I'm in football and basketball land in one of my son's room and dog's in the other.

Here are some great kids' rooms that will stand the test of time. Enjoy.

Suzanne Kasler from March Traditional Home. The use of space in this room is amazing. I love that each bunk has it's own sconce for reading. This is the perfect room for a large family or a kids' wing in a second home. What really makes it work is the color palette and use of matching bedding so you're eye doesn't focus on one element.

Another great tonal room for a small boy. You would only need to change out the stuffed animals and accessories in this room as the child grows. The white bedding is also something you don't usually see in a kids room. It is genius. People shy away from white, but it's the easiest to clean since you can bleach it.

Photo from Cottage Living. Love the tonal blue and white stripes in this room with the neutral bedding and furniture. This could be used as a guest room if needed.

Photo from Cottage Living. Love the use of color in this girls' room. It's fun and young but still sophisticated. Again, all the main elements of the room are neutral (seagrass rug, white walls, white bookcases, lucite end table). Another room that could double as a guest room.


Photo from Domino. (sorry for the bad scan - I have a thing about tearing out of magazines). This is one of my favorite boys' rooms. The palette is soothing but not juvenile. The bedding and furniture is classic and timeless. Just the accessories and fabric on the chair let you know that a young person lives in this room. Beautiful.

Photo from Traditional Home. Another great multi-use room. This daybed doubles as a couch which could be used in a foyer, living room, or media room down the road. Again, love the neutral color palette with the pop of fun green and cream striped pillows and window treatments.


Photo courtesy of Traditional Home. Another great boys' room. Love the palette - can you tell that I love blue? This room is in a Southern California beach house so it blends with the rest of the house. The built in captain's bed and armoire is a great use of space. One of my favorite elements - grass cloth wallpaper - is used in the room to give it some texture.

Photo courtesy of Traditional Home. Another great use of space in a beach house. The nautical theme works with the rest of the house. It's sophisticated and fun, without using the typical lighthouse and shell trappings of a typical beach theme. I love that you can pull the curtains if you're attempting to sleep in. If it only worked that way when you're sleeping with bunk mates.

I hope you enjoyed my perspective on kids' rooms. Have a great day!