Sure, we’re still knee-deep in summer fun, but the reality is that in a mere few weeks, the kids will be home from camp, the tans will have faded and we’ll be back to our daily routines. And more time at home means more time spent in their bedrooms, so why not consider updating your kids’ space so they feel refreshed heading into the new academic year?
These kids’ bedrooms, some of which have been featured in previous issues of NJ HOME and BERGEN magazines, will serve as just the inspo you need if you’re looking to update your son’s or daughter’s space. The time is now, mom and dad!
THEME
Nice and Nautical
A beach house is a natural fit for a nautical theme, sure, but it can work all year long if done right. This kids’ room in Beach Haven, one room within a home designed by Vanessa Romond and built by Michael Pagnotta Architecture & Construction, features a “bunkroom” for the youngest guests in which each bed is decked out with its own reading light and on-brand anchor bedding. Benjamin Moore’s “Hale Navy” adorns the walls, while built-in storage makes for easy end-of-day clean ups.
Into the Woods
Your little outdoorsman or outdoorswoman in the making will appreciate a woodsy theme like the one Rina Capodieci-Quinn of RCQ Design achieved for this Wyckoff family’s vacation home. The bottom of this custom bunkbed features a full-sized mattress and a hidden trundle bed to make sleepovers a breeze. Go the extra mile with a hand-painted mural on the furniture—an artist did the skis/boots/poles decal here—to personalize the space even more.
Rainbow Bright
Have an indecisive kiddo who can’t settle on a theme or a color? Get a two-for-one deal with a rainbow. You can hire an artist to hand-paint the mural, or buy a decal online. Either way, this rainbow design creates a focal point over the bed and adds a whimsical touch. Other cutesy design elements include linens that match the chair cover, a bright green carpet, a floral chandelier and of course, sky blue walls.
Out of This World
Your space-obsessed child will ogle over a room like this. Go beyond those glow-in-the-dark ceiling stickers with a ceiling that really resembles outer space—this one has pop-out planets, with the sun cleverly aligned with the light fixture. Wainscoting separates the solid blue sky-inspired paint with a trio of vertical stripes. And you can’t forget the themed bedding, wall décor and lamp, each an ode to the solar system that gets the point across without being over-the-top.
For the Star Athlete
Want to score some big parenting points? This kid’s room will do it. The classic black-and-white color combo gets a sporty twist with soccer-inspired artwork, bedding and decor. Your kiddo will appreciate the design details such as the dark gray dresser that resembles a gym locker, and the clever netting around the bed. Lastly, the accent wall photo of his or her favorite player makes this space feel more like an arena, not a bedroom—in a good way, of course.
Making Waves
This bedroom is pretty in pink but not too babyish, perfect for the kiddo who beats to their own drum. The 3D walls and three-tone ceiling are unexpected touches, which add dimension and visual interest. The bookshelf and mirror follow the same curves too. Accessorize with plants (faux or real) and a dramatic cascading light fixture. And PS: You can never go wrong with cute ladybug décor!
COLOR
A Tropical Punch
Your house of daughters might crave a pink room that’s all their own—with a twist. Design duo Mimi & Hill added a burst of personality to this girls’ room in Lavallette with raspberry and pink bedding and coral wallpaper, both by Serena & Lily. You can easily mix varying shades of one color like this if it’s offset by more neutral tones, seen here via the white walls, white ceiling fan and beige wall-to-wall carpet.
Lively in Lavender
Does your child have one item in their room they love? Use it as the design inspo for the rest of the space. That’s what Jennifer Pacca of her eponymous Bergen County design firm did when revamping this little girl’s room in Spring Lake, for which the floral rug was the starting point. The bold pattern offsets the dark flooring and the lavender walls, and the purple storage containers on a pair of bookshelves tie into the color scheme even more.
Pretty in Pink
The older sister in that same Spring Lake home got a room makeover from Jennifer Pacca too, starting with a swipe of fresh paint in Benjamin Moore’s “Ballerina Pink.” Other feminine touches include a crystal chandelier, a grommeted headboard and a vintage-style desk with ample storage for her knickknacks. Tweens always appreciate the personalized touches too, such as embossed pillow shams and an initialed corkboard.
Stripes on Stripes
Preppy-meets-pretty with striped wallpaper, an easy way to add texture to a kid’s bedroom. This gender-neutral design works for babies up to teens, and adds height to the room. Here, baby blue and white walls contrast well with dark wood flooring, and the built-in desk, shelves and closet maximize space in a smaller room that’s otherwise short on storage. An accent wall in a shade slightly darker than the stripes draws the eye in.
Bright, bold blue
If you want to go bold for your kid’s room but aren’t sure where to start, let the décor be your guide. Designer Brooke Hills Sperling of Columbia Brooke Hills Design and her daughter Lucy, 12, mixed a few paint shades from Norton to achieve this bright blue hue for Lucy’s room in Upper Saddle River. The jumping off point was the art, which Sperling hand-selected and eventually hung as a gallery wall. A spritely yellow, as seen on the bedding, custom window treatments and custom bench cushions, offsets the aqua walls. The good news? Paint and decorative accessories (like the shelves on the wall) can always be swapped out if your kid changes their mind (or outgrows it).