Guest Post - Kid's Got Style: Key to a Cool Toddler Room

Today I am lucky enough to have a guest post for those who are able to strive for more than just the oh-my-God-I-cleaned-the-room look.

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Whether you are cruising Pinterest for trendy ideas or walking through the stores to see what's hip in the way of toddler bedrooms, there are plenty of design ideas to help make your kid's bedroom "cool".
Do you have a son who loves the outdoors and wants a treehouse bedroom? Or a little girl who can't get enough gummy bears? Make their quirky interests into a modern bedroom theme. These simple tips will help you create a beautiful room your child will be proud to call their own.

Color Palette

Keep the colors of the room consistent with the theme. For instance, a dinosaur room might have a green, blue and white color palette. So, paint the top half of the room white, the bottom half blue and add a thick green stripe just below the ceiling. Incorporate blue and green wall accessories and maybe throw an orange chair with footstool. Get creative and let your child assist in the design of the room.

Window Treatments

While you don't want to compromise on style, choose window covers that promote healthy sleep habits. Roman shades offer a stylish look with many different color options, while still providing the darkness that makes it easier for your child to get a good night's rest. Blinds or thick curtains are also a helpful elements for a successful nap and will work well with any room design.

Photographs

Incorporate unique pictures into your theme. For example, if you are designing a "construction" room for a young boy, take some pictures of him dressed up in a work zone vest and safety goggles with a toy hammer in hand. If you are creating a princess palace for a girl, take fun photos of her casting magical spells with a glittery wand in a tiara and a tutu. These type of pictures add a personal touch to the room design without taking away from the theme, and are a design element that both you and your toddler will love for many years to come.

Homemade Art

According to Real Simple, the best way to display art is to hang a single wire from wall to wall. This way you can easily add, subtract and substitute artwork as the years go on. Have your son or daughter draw or color something that works with the theme, but give them the freedom to be creative as well. If a marine bedroom, ask them to draw their favorite sea creature. You may end up with a mermaid or daddy swimming in the ocean and that's OK. Encourage originality. This allows your child to have a stake in their own room, and feel proud of their work.

Organize

The more organized your child's room is, the more organized they will be in the rest of life. A clean, uncluttered bedroom allows a child to truly utilize the space they are given, and gives them a stress-free place of their own. Keep toys in a toy box and books on a bookshelf. You can incorporate storage into your theme as well. If your kid's room is a garden, create a bookshelf tree that stores books but looks like a tree. Allow your toddler to leave one or two favorite stuffed animals on the bed. The more clean and organized your kid's room is, the happier they will be and the more you will enjoy the environment you have designed.
When your toddler assists you in redesigning their room, you will create lasting memories of working together that will be cherished for a lifetime. These tips will ensure you end up with a room that you enjoy walking into each day, and that your child enjoys growing up in. Help them be the cool kid on the block. Which, in turn, makes you the cool mom (or dad) in the neighborhood. Success.

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Justin Greig A self-proclaimed "21st century hippie," Justin studied Journalism at Berkeley and freelances for many environmental publications. He has a special interest in conservation, and he and his wife recently added solar panels to their home.