Whether your kids are spending their days at camp or playing in the yard, summer is the perfect season to carve out some time to decorate their rooms. Not only is it a DIY project you can work on together, but you can take advantage of all of the bold patterns and colorful prints (not to mention sales!) that the season has to offer. If you’re not sure where to begin, take inspiration from these fresh and youthful spaces, ranging from whimsical nurseries to sophisticated big kid bedrooms.
Scroll down and get inspired to decorate your kids’ rooms!
Varying shades of lilac in this little girl’s bedroom feels pretty and youthful but not too juvenile. Instead of a traditional reading nook by the window, elegant lavender drapes kiss the floors and a mod bubble chair steals the show.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2022
Designer: Katelyn Hermant and Sarah Siwik
We’d be happy to work at this custom homework nook any day, which masters the mix of pattern and texture. The sophisticated wallpaper and fluted drawers could easily transition as kids grow.
Photographer: Nicole Frazen
Source: House & Home June 2022
Designer: Monica Fried
A different angle of the same bedroom features a mix of mid-century-style statement pieces, including wood and rattan furniture and a Stilnovo-inspired pendant light. Wall-to-wall carpeting in a light grey pattern grounds the space and brings an elevated touch to this young boy’s bedroom.
Photographer: Nicole Frazen
Source: House & Home June 2022
Designer: Monica Fried
If you’re designing a compact kids’ room, forgo traditional nightstands and table lamps, and use the wall space above to install sconce lighting. Meanwhile, layering the bed with soft linens and pillows in varying shades of the same hue lend impact and cohesion.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Designer: Denise Ashmore
This neutral nursery opts for texture over color. A creamy plush llama and basket of toys flank a light-hued armchair, while a moon-shaped reading light and beaded chandelier complete the organic look.
Photographer: Lauren Miller
Source: House & Home January/February 2022
Designer: Jaime Zimmerman
In a play area of the same European-style home, another all-white room gets its character from custom built-in shelves. An array of books, toys and objets brings color to the space and keep the floor clear for playing.
Photographer: Lauren Miller
Source: House & Home January/February 2022
Designer: Jaime Zimmerman
In Emma Reddington’s former Toronto home, her son Henry’s bedroom has a global feel. A photograph taken by her husband on their Buenos Aires honeymoon sits above the bed, while an oversized flag of Britain and scattered vintage finds are peppered throughout the room.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Emma Reddington
Leave it to designer Colette van den Thillart to go bold in a children’s bedroom, though she had some help from from her client’s 8-year-old who chose the hand-painted rainbow and green color scheme. Meanwhile, a traditional wooden chest and miniature armchair give it major ‘big kid bedroom’ vibes with a kid-friendly scale.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home May 2022
Designer: Colette Van Den Thillart
This pretty bedroom has a relaxed boho feel with an oak dresser, hand plastered wallpaper and a playful fringed mirror.
Photographer: Adam Murphy
Designer: Jill Croka Designs
In this sophisticated boys’ room, an Apparatus pendant light and cool graphic wallpaper sub in for art, while a low-profile bed gives it a mid-century modern feel.
Photographer: Adam Murphy
Designer: Jill Croka Designs
“I like to call my style ‘playful elegance,’” says designer Jennifer Overweel who created just that in her baby’s nursery. A mod acrylic crib fits snugly into the nursery’s closet nook that features bold wallpaper and two blue wall sconces for an imaginative, fairytale-like atmosphere.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home May 2022
Designer: Jennifer Overweel
In her daughter’s bedroom, a Pierre Frey wallpaper with butterflies and bugs grace the walls and vaulted ceiling.“When designing children’s rooms, I like to be playful and have fun with whimsical elements,” she says. “They’re only kids once, and they spend so much time in there!”
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home May 2022
Designer: Jennifer Overweel
This little girl’s room is pure glam, featuring a canopy bed with a tassle-trimmed blanket, a faux fur chair and a sputnik chandelier.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January/February 2021
Designer: Ali Budd; Architecture by Anna Voineskos
Wallpaper and lighting are the winning ingredients in this shared bedroom. Yellow and white stripes on the ceiling lends the space an instant hit of graphic energy and a circus-like tent effect.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January/February 2021
Designer: Ali Budd; Architecture by Anna Voineskos
This Scandi-style nursery pulls out all the cool stops with a curved crib, mid-century-inspired light, and vibrant art made by the homeowner’s father. If you’re considering full wallpaper in your nursery, try out one wall instead. It will create major impact and add dimension to a small space, and is easy to swap out as a child grows.
Photographer: Stephani Buchman
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Emily Cade
The same goes for big kid rooms too. Soft gray and white wallpaper acts as a headboard in this pretty girl’s room. A pretty built-in window seat is the perfect place to read or do a little homework, and it store toys and accessories.
Photographer: Christina Faminoff
Designer: Amanda Evans Interiors
Cool, geometric wallpaper in this teenager’s room feels handsome and sophisticated. “Since the wall is awkward and angled, we had to get creative with layout,” says the designer, who tucked in custom millwork, including the floating side table and shelves.
Photographer: Christina Faminoff
Designer: Amanda Evans Interiors
This nursery gives retro vibes with a vintage mirror, traditional glider and soft pink accents. A white dressing table with leather handles are a cool modern touch.
Photographer: Ariana Tennyson
Source: House & Home June 2021
Designer: Jaclyn Peters
This 13-year-old had the final say in her bedroom design, resulting in a black and white theme with hits of pink and gold. A shaggy rug adds texture and warmth.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home March 2021
Designer: Shirley Meisels
This nursery has a soothing atmosphere, perfect for naps and story-time. Pastel hues and soft floral wallpaper are complemented by brass accents — and the rocking llama is the cherry on top.
Photographer: Alex Lukey (interiors); Angelina Aristodemo Photography & Design (family portrait)
Source: House & Home May 2021
Designer: Hali MacDonald, Architecture by Gren Weis Architect & Associates