Kids’ bedroom design

Top interior designers share fashionable ideas to upgrade your child’s bedroom.

Feature furniture

“An unusual bed frame, such as a teepee, is perfect for creating a feature in the room and can also serve as an expression of creativity and imagination for the child. Alternatively paint your existing bed frame a feature colour or drape a canopy above the head of the bed. Dress the bed with scatter cushions and a throw, which introduces pattern and colour, and finish the space off with a textured rug.” – Tasha Dane, interior designer and owner of TD Interior Design

Defined spaces

“Encourage reading and make it more fun by creating a reading nook with simple book shelving and an oversized bean bag. This provides a defined space that is comfortable and cosy, where the child can explore the imaginative world of books. One could also paint the wall a feature or contrasting colour to further define the space.” – Tasha Dane, interior designer and owner of TD Interior Design

Incorporate accessories

“Updating kids’ bedrooms is all about accessories – in other words, add smaller décor items that could be more easily replaced as kids grow up. A new rug with a specific pattern and colour scheme, along with artwork, and other accessories could be updated often. Consider new themes and colour schemes.” – Carin van Heerden, head of design and MD of Carné Interior Design

Soft furnishings

“Enhance the room with beautiful soft furnishings. Go for a layered look with multiple scatters. Styling in odd numbers will create a relaxed look. Choose colours that fit in with the rest of the room. Be playful with different shapes and sizes; a variety will be visually interesting. Different textures also keep things fun and interesting. Complement your cushion styling with throws and home décor accessories. Add in grown-up elements that can be swapped out as tastes change.” – Leanne Van Niekerk, designer and owner of LVN Interiors

Consider colour

“Colours are crucial in a kid’s room. A mature colour palette is a great way to future-proof you child’s room. When they are younger those colours can be dressed up with softer furnishings to make it look age-appropriate.” – Leanne Van Niekerk, designer and owner of LVN Interiors

Bunk bed bonding

“When it comes to kids’ rooms, space saving is just one of the many reasons that bunk beds are a great idea. Bunks also come with a bunch of social, relational and psychological benefits. For siblings, having their own bunk allows your kids to each have their own individualised private space, even though they have to share the rest of the room.” – Cheryl Du Preez, visual merchandising coordinator at Cielo

Funky bean bags

“Bean bags make a great multifunctional seat that can be used by kids. They are not only practical, but they also look great in your home! Funky and cool, they are a great addition to any modern interior design. There are lots of colours and unique designs available, so you can easily pick one to match your décor and freshen up your living room, bedroom or baby playroom.” – Cheryl Du Preez, visual merchandising coordinator at Cielo

Paint choices

“When we think of kid spaces, we often think of fun with colour. Add colour to your space through bedding, curtains, rugs, scatter cushions, statement ceramic pieces and toys – where the toys become the art. If you are pairing several colours together, make sure you have one or two colours that account for the main walls, then use the other bolder colours sparingly, where you only need a one litre to create the desired look.” – Palesa Ramaisa, Dulux colour expert

Colour affects mood

“One would want their kids’ play areas to be bold and fun to stimulate growth, but you wouldn’t want those colours to be in a sleeping area, because these could overstimulate kids when they should be settling down for the evening. There isn’t a right or wrong answer, but I would definitely say understand the purpose of the space and how you would want to feel while being in that space. Colour affects our moods more than we realise.” – Palesa Ramaisa, Dulux colour expert