How to affordably update your kid’s bedroom

For many children, a bedroom update is an exciting step. Some families even treat going from a “baby room” to a “big kid room” as a bit of a milestone or “rite of passage”. It’s also a great way to celebrate newfound teenagedom. But, if you’re a parent, you already know children grow up way too fast. It can feel like your child is constantly outgrowing their space, and doing a big overhaul every year or two simply isn’t feasible. However, that doesn’t mean your child has to stick with an outdated room.

As Perth property experts, we’ve seen our fair share of youthful spaces. Today, our real estate knowledge comes to you in the form of simple tips and tricks you can use to give your child’s room a makeover. Ideally, you want to create an age-appropriate space that’s inviting, practical, and safe — and one they’ll enjoy for a few years.

1. Know your stores.

First thing first — know where to shop. Affordable suppliers will be your best friend. We all live a short drive from the local Kmart and Target — both of which are chock full of insanely affordable homewares, furniture, soft furnishings, and décor children will love. You can also make the trip to IKEA or check out budget-friendly online stores like Mocka. If budget isn’t really an issue, the Adairs Kid’s collection and Incy Interiors are made for you.

2. Spruce up the walls.

Don’t settle for a plain feature wall. Get creative with shapes, stick on wallpaper, or peel and stick wall decals. For paintwork, a simple coloured arch goes a long way (as seen below) and it’s a great alternative to a full coloured wall. We’re also seeing a trend with painted ceilings and doors.

Taking your child to Bunnings so they can choose their own colour (with your guidance, of course) helps them feel included in the update and gives them a sense of ownership of how things turn out. And, it’s fun! Tip: rather than offer a smorgasbord of swatches, choose two or three you like, and have your child pick from those options. This way, they won’t feel overwhelmed.

3. Add life with décor & accessories.

This is undoubtedly the easiest and most affordable way to quickly update your child’s special space. You’d be amazed at how much of a difference swapping out the quilt cover and some artwork will make! Décor is also the easiest way to let your child’s personality shine through. For example, if they’re crazy for dinosaurs, they’ll love some dino wall decals or a themed cushion. Obsessed with Lego? A shelf reserved just for their creations will become a place of pride.

Whatever colour palette or theme you go for, you can add some chunky string bulb lights around the bed, update the lamp, replace the cushions, and throw down a nice plush rug. From plants and art to shelves and everything else we just listed, Kmart and Target are likely to have everything you need. You can even buy drawer and door hardware to instantly refresh your child’s dresser.

4. Don’t cling to trends.

Trends come and go — fast. If you don’t have the capacity to continuously update your child’s room (which basically no one does), it might be wise to steer clear of fleeting trends. That’s not to say you can’t invest in a few key pieces, just be mindful that as bedroom styles change, you might start to dislike what you’ve just created.

For example, neutral and rattan furnishings have been trending for a few years now, but we’re starting to see a much more colourful movement emerge. Bold colour palettes and dynamic patterns are pushing their way into bedrooms like never before (and it’s a movement we can get behind). In saying that, if adhering to “what’s in” isn’t important to you, you can completely disregard this point!

The “right time” to update.

The way we see it, they are a few optimal times to update your child’s bedroom.

The first and most obvious one is when your child is moving into a new phase of childhood. That is, from a toddler to a preschooler, from a preschooler to a pre-teen, and from pre-teen to full-blown teen. During these transition periods, they’re likely to have outgrown their existing room. For example, preschoolers need lots of floor space to play, but a pre-teen will likely need a bigger bed and a small study area.

The second “right time” is when you’re selling your home. Of course, you won’t be taking your child’s bedroom with you when you sell. But, creating an inviting space will help potential buyers see what’s possible — particularly if you’re selling a family home. If you’re thinking about selling, we can get you started with a free property appraisal.

The third time is if you’ve just bought a house. This presents a fresh start and a blank canvas. It’s the time you can get really creative and try new things that perhaps weren’t possible in the old house — especially if you’ve moved from renting to homeownership. If you’re in the midst of looking for a new home, take a look at our listings (which include exclusive off-market properties).

Looking to buy or sell with the best agency?

As a boutique Perth agency with local expertise, we’re ready to support you. Starlight Property offers a full suite of real estate services, alongside exemplary customer service and personalised attention. Get in touch today so we can help you achieve your home goals — and yes, we can even advise on how to update your child’s bedroom!