Having personal space that reflects your interest and personality is always nice and helps you feel more comfortable in your home. Of course, children are often hard to plan for because their interest are always changing while they develop into the adult they are meant to be. With children’s rooms it is often hard not to fall into buying the trendy things they ask for because you just want to make them happy. With these ten tips you can actually design the perfect room for your child without having to constantly change it to suit their phases. This is not only great on money, but will help you keep your child happy and comfortable in his or her own element.

1. Linens
When it comes to buying your child bedding you can lose quite a bit of money if you aren’t careful. Most department stores will cater to the most popular children’s cartoons and movies in order to make more money. Although your child might love certain characters it will only be a matter of time before something bigger and better comes along. The best thing you can do in this situation is try to find solid colors your child loves. Often, you can find a comforter that has two different colors, so your child can switch between the colors when one color gets boring. Sheets are quite a bit cheaper than the whole comforter set, so you can purchase a few different colors your child likes to make the room change every once in awhile. If you really have to buy something that involves character then try to opt for the pillow cases. This usually only cost a few dollars and allows the child to switch more freely. If you really want to go the whole route with a theme then by a pattern set from a hobby store and sew it yourself. This will save you a lot of money and will satisfy your child’s phase.

2. Floor Tiles
Hardwood floors or dulled carpet can be pretty boring or uncomfortable for children. If you want a cheap way to spice up your child’s floor then look into getting carpet tiles. Sometimes, you can even get a lower price for some of the tiles as they are considered samples in many stores. Floor tiles allow you to have many different colors of the floor rather than one large solid color or print that your child can grow tired of. There are even many different places that will offer your brightly colored tiles for children. Some toy stores will even offer puzzle piece mats that are not only great for kids to sit on but also allows them to put the rug together on their own. Of course, comfort isn’t the only positive when it comes to carpet tiles. Children tend to spill drinks more frequently than others, but when you have carpet tiling you can just replace the tiles that were effected by the stain, rather than loosing a whole rug.

3. Recycled Items
You will be amazed as to how much you can do with some of your recycled items. For instance, old tins are perfect canisters for children’s supplies, such as crayons, markers, beads, jewelery and marbles. You can also use various different jars. You have to make sure the items are safety proofed first though. This can be as simple as placing tape or cloth other edges that might be dangerous. If you don’t want the items on a table you can always fasten them to the wall for an amazing work space your child will love to spend time at. Keeping your items in the canisters will help reduce clutter in your child’s room, which is perfect for anyone who lives in a smaller home.

4. Simple Desk
Every child needs a nice desk area to work on, but desk can be pricey. The great thing is desks are really easy to make. All you need is a plank of wood, or old door, and something to prop the wood up. You can get pretty creative with this task. For instance, if your child loves cars then you might want to find some old tires to secure down and prop the wood up. Shelves are another great idea when it comes to your child’s desk. This will provide excess space, without having to take up more space. If you are feeling really creative you might paint the top of the desk with chalkboard paint. This is fairly inexpensive and will give your child a great place to show of their creativity.

5. Artwork
Your child’s walls can be one of the easiest and cheapest ways to show off their interest. Posters are on of the easiest ways to keep up with your child’s phases without spending a lot of money. If you don’t like the way posters look on the wall then wait until you can find a sale on frames at a local store. Most hobby stores will rotate sales on these items and you can usually pick up a few poster frames at a low cost. This will also allow you to make your child’s room look nice even when they have passing interest. Simply rotate posters in and out of the frames and you have a unique personable look your child will love. You can also add their own artwork to a frame. Kids will love seeing their work on the wall and will feel encourages to pursue their arts. If you want to give the child something they are in more control of then fasten a sting to wall and give them some clothes pins. This will allow them to pin up their favorite art and pictures for a personal look they will love.

6. Toy Box
Every child needs a toy box, but this doesn’t mean you have to get too fancy. Try to find a cardboard box that is large enough for your child’s toys. Then, let the child decorate the box with markers so he or she can enjoy the toy box as a piece of art. A cardboard toy box can also double as a toy that will keep your younger children entertained for hours. Cardboard boxes are easy to replace when the time comes too. Of course, there are other more durable options, such as a plastic bin or wooden box that you make yourself. You and your child can easily make cutouts with poster board and construction paper to attach them box for a little customization that isn’t permanent.

7. Toys as Decor
Instead of buying a lot of different decorations for your child’s room try using their toys to keep the room looking unique. You can keep stuffed animals on the bed or on a shelf. This not only helps your child keep the room cleaner, but adds a nice touch that will make the room suit the child’s interest more. Action figures are another get thing to add a shelf or bureau. Your child can set the action figures up in battle scenes for a look that is not only playful but cool. Models are perfect to use as decorations. Any space models can easily be attached to the ceiling with fishing line, so your child can show of his or her craft while giving the model the illusion of flight. Cars and other grounded models work great on a shelf, desk or chest of drawers.

8. Customization
Children, especially younger ones, love seeing their name on things. So, if you really want to make a room special for your child then a little customization can go a long way. For starters, try embroidering your child’s name on pillows and blankets. This will not only make the child feel loved, but will add a special touch the room. Embossing items in the room can also be inexpensive and impressive. One of the most common ways to add a child’s name to the room is to add wooden lettering. This allow you to paint the letters and hang it up in a way that can create a focal point for the room. If your child is a bit older then a name sign for the door might be great. You can easily create a wooden or chalkboard sign that has your child’s name or other custom lettering on it for outside of the door.

9. Utilize Accents
If you really want to paint your child’s room then accents will be your key to saving money. You don’t have to paint the entire room to make it look nice. In fact, a nice accent wall is one of the best ways to customize a room without the paint being overwhelming for the child, especially if you choose a bright color. You can also choose specific areas to paint which can draw the eye for a nice focal point your child can be proud of. Shelves are one of the best things to paint when it comes to accent painting, as with the inside of the shelf painted it will look like your child has far more room to store items. Furniture is also great to accent. A nice wooden piece can easily be painted or spray painted for a quick and efficient way to change the way a room looks.

10. Night light
If your child still sleeps with a night light then there are many options you can explore to help reduce the price of your electric bill. One of the most common ways it to place glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. These stars will not only act as a slight light they will help ween the child away from needing a light to sleep with. They also work perfectly with space inspired rooms or kids who love the outdoors. Solar lights are also a great option for night time comforting. Now, these lights come in so many designs that you can place them all over the room. These lights can even be layed out as a design on the wall, which will make your child feel great when bedtime comes along. Of course, there are always glow in the dark and light up toys. This toys will look amazing as a display during the day and will keep your child feeling secure throughout the night.

Your child’s room doesn’t have to cost you a fortune just to redesign it. With these simple tips you will find that your child’s room is not only a secure place for them to spend their time, but will also bring the two of you together as you talk through ways to make the room better. From the artwork to the linens this little project will have the two of you working with one another and discovering new things that can save you money while making the room look like it was made just for your child’s personality.

Author: John Terris