These Stylish Kids’ Rooms Will Make You Want Another Go at Childhood (2024)

“Kids’ spaces are meant to spark curiosity and make them feel special,” says Alexandra Azat, founder and principal of California-based boutique interior design studio Plaster and Patina. That said, you don’t want to go all in on interests tied to this one moment in time. “Make sure the space honors your kid‘s uniqueness, but don’t go too hard on a theme, like trucks or unicorns,” says Paige Loperfido of Michigan-based Decor and More Designs, who suggests investing in timeless pieces—bed frames, dressers—and bringing in touches of whimsy with accessories or artwork. It’s also a great opportunity to install a gallery wall with items that can rotate in and out as needed.

Whatever you do, be sure to enlist the opinions of the room’s future inhabitant. While you may, ahem, have a vision, your child will be less likely to resist if they feel included in the ideation. “Whether it be a motif, a color, or key pieces, it’s important that they're able to express themselves,” says Jessica Lynn Williams of New York-based design firm Hendley and Co. To ensure you’re all happy with the results—and to facilitate the process—do some curating on the front end. “We’ve seen things really go off track toward stagnation when kids get too much control,” says Jenny Madden of New Jersey-based Jenny Madden Design. South Carolina designer Louise Hane echoes this approach: “We just did my son’s room and I gave him three blue options for paint, and he picked out a rug. Since he helped, he feels more comfortable in his new space.”

Besides, if they feel invested, maybe—just maybe—they’ll tidy up every now and then.

Homeowner Mandy Reeves held onto this four-poster twin bed for years before she even had her son, but she always saw its potential inside a little boy’s room. The gray-green shade she painted the frame contrasts nicely with the white walls and whimsical framed dog art.

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The lofted bunk room of this colorful and collected Michigan lake house belonging to tastemaker and store owner Abby Hoppen is just big enough to fit twin beds bookended with camp stools found at a flea market. An old trunk and suitcase stand in for a nightstand. (Tip: Make sure your stack is at least 24 inches high for easy arm’s reach.)

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In this happy-as-can-be girl’s bedroom, designer Alison Kandler used garage paint for the green and turquoise floors. (In addition to being durable, garage paint dries faster than regular paint, which makes the DIY project less tedious. Peachy walls, a sunny yellow bed, a scalloped cobalt lantern, and a coral armchair round out the eternally sunny assortment.

Get the Look:
Bed: “Quincy” by Ethan Allen
Chandelier: “Girly” Lantern by Stray Dog Imports

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Paired with quirky animal figurines, playful equestrian wallpaper inspires a healthy dose of horsing around in this Oregon bunk room. Thanks to the space’s 11-foot ceilings, designer Caitlin Wilson’s kid-at-heart father came up with the novel three-bunk structure. “I resisted, but he insisted,” says Caitlin, who had the guardrails reinforced just to be safe.

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In Lauren Crouch’s charming Georgia farmhouse, a salvaged railroad crossing sign above an antique iron bed honors her hometown’s history as a railroad town. An antique barn door and rustic cedar fence boards on the ceiling (thoughtfully salvaged from the family’s previous home) will also help the space transition from little boy room to tween hangout.

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When your dad is Mike Wolfe of American Pickers fame, you better believe your room’s gonna have shelves for found trinkets and treasures. (Note the collection of pint-size cowboy boots!)

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To help their son’s itty-bitty bunk room feel more sprawling, Christine and Gabriel Bridger of Company and Cottage ordered up a clever custom mural based on a postcard of Michigan’s Lake Macatawa, where Gabriel spent summers as a child.

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In New York’s West Village, a large-scale floral wallpaper adds graphic punch alongside floral bedding and a plaid blanket from The Great English Outdoors in Wales. Inspired by designer friend Rita Konig, the homeowner uses antique dumbwaiters for two-tiered book storage.

Get the Look:
Wallpaper: “Hydrangea” by Lobo Loup

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It was only fitting that at least one room in this Maine house get the full lobstah special. In this case, it’s a wicked-good wallpaper designed by Maine resident Sara Fitz. The red motif is a playful counterpoint to the more serious antique bed from homeowner Tiffany Mizzell’s childhood bedroom. Pale blue sheets and an awning-striped comforter reinforce the bold primary palette.

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Whether vintage or freshly snipped, a child’s silhouette lends a youthful spirit to a space. Warm wood twin beds pop against a rich sophisticated mossy green, while antique arrow sconces and dog tchotchkes bring collected quirk.

Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Oakmoss by Sherwin-Williams

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Featuring heirloom furniture, rose-covered wallpaper, and a portrait of their seventh great-grandmother, this brother-sister bedroom feels youthful yet right at home in a historic house. Cheerful red-and-white check curtains (made from outdoor tablecloths!) and a tissue paper banner tone down the more refined features.

Get the Look:
Wallpaper: “Antique Rose Bloom” by Cath Kidston

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Complete with cafe lights (because why not?!), this little girl’s dreamy bedroom features a feminine blue floral wallcovering alongside a modern table and stools that help comprise a little crafting corner.

Get the Look:
Wallpaper: “Lou’s Garden” by Loboloup

Designed for three brothers, this Arizona kids’ bedroom by Coley Arnold will transition well into the teens thanks to three timeless antique beds. Coordinating sheets and comforters gives the disparate pieces a more cohesive look, and a set of green industrial light fixtures serves up vintage industrial edge.

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Designed by Andrew Howard, this highly covetable space may just be the kids’ room of all kids’ rooms courtesy of a playground-worthy slide. The blue ceiling and striking wood tile floor offer plenty to write home about, too.

Get the Look:
Ceiling Paint Color: Azure Water by Benjamin Moore
Wall and Bunk Bed Paint Color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore

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Calling all cousins! In this Texas getaway, a breezy bunk room is fully equipped for memory-making. Bonus: The steps up to the bunks serve up stealth drawer storage.

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In this bedroom in Birmingham, Alabama, a vintage produce sign playfully pairs with a vibrant red-and-pink wallcovering. The warm pine spindle bed will age well into adulthood; a woven trunk offers extra storage.

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In this rustic boys’ bedroom, two brothers enjoy a barn-inspired bunk bed featuring a cool canvas tent. A large area rug provides a soft spot to tinker with toys.

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