A child’s bedroom tends to get redecorated more often than almost any other room in the house, simply because tastes change so quickly at that age. A few current trends are worth knowing about if a refresh is on the cards this year.
1. Bring More Personality into the Room
Letting a child’s own preferences shape their bedroom, rather than sticking purely to what looks good on a mood board, tends to produce a space they genuinely enjoy spending time in. A recent architecture and design webinar reported by the RIBA Journal looked at exactly this, highlighting a nursery project where colour and small details were deliberately shaped around how children themselves experience a space, rather than purely adult taste. In practice, that might mean building a scheme around a favourite soft green or warm yellow and then letting your child choose the smaller pieces, from artwork to cushions, that go on top.
2. Choose a Style That Can Grow With Them
A room designed entirely around a five-year-old’s current obsession rarely feels right by the time they’re eight or nine. Starting with simpler furniture and a more versatile colour palette gives a room room to evolve rather than needing a full redecoration every couple of years. Interior designers increasingly favour this kind of restraint themselves, opting for durable, well-made pieces chosen for their lasting quality over anything strictly on-trend, according to advice from Knight Frank Interiors. Smaller, cheaper updates, new bedding or a fresh set of prints can then do the work of keeping the room feeling current.
3. Use Soft Furnishings to Change the Feel
Soft furnishings are one of the easiest ways to shift the character of a bedroom without committing to anything permanent. For instance, curtains can bring in a fresh colour or pattern while adding warmth to the room, and because they’re simple to swap, they’re a low-effort way to keep pace with a child’s changing tastes. Cushions and rugs work the same way, letting the room evolve gradually instead of all at once.
4. Make Room for Play and Relaxation
A bedroom that only accommodates sleep is missing a trick. Setting aside even a small corner for reading, drawing or toys gives the room more than one purpose and makes better use of the space day to day. Keeping the overall layout open and uncluttered also makes it far easier to rearrange the room as your child’s interests, and the amount of space they need, change over time.
None of these trends require a full renovation to put into practice. A considered colour palette, adaptable furniture and a few well-chosen soft furnishings can carry a child’s bedroom through several years and several changes of taste, without the room ever feeling like it’s fallen behind.