Unpopular opinion: I am 100% ok designing themed kids rooms.
Here’s why…
I design for lifestyle and joy. Simple as that. Do you know who possesses the most JOY in your home? Most likely your child.
Many kids have opinions about everyyyything if given the chance to be heard. They will take an idea and run with it, expand upon it, present out of the box ideas for it. They want to be part of the process so badly. And I want to honor that enthusiasm and joy. So I will design themed kids rooms.
Now, I completely understand if you are not on board. I do believe that interior design affects your mood and some people are very sensitive to the atmosphere in their home (me included). I also understand many are neuro-divergent and have different spatial needs. If that is you, that is ok:-) You’re not a bad parent for not indulging in your child’s design ideas if you cannot handle living with them.
But for the rest of us, I hear many reasons why parents avoid themed kids’ rooms. The #1 reason is that the child’s tastes will change. Here is my view: yes, their decor preferences might change over time, but…yours do too. I personally collect art prints and pillow covers so I can constantly update my decor and shop my own home.
How I begin designing themed kids' rooms
First mood board for a ‘Star Wars and Mandalorian themed’ room I completed. I’m trying to gauge color preferences.
I love having FaceTime meetings with my clients’ kids—something I request because I truly want to get to know my tiny clients (if they are at the age when they understand what’s happening). I want the kids to be involved in design decisions affecting them and their space. Every project is better with collaboration…even if your collaborator is 6 years old!
I leave open lines of communication because I want to hear all the child’s ideas. I also receive texts and emails written from parents transcribing their child’s ideas and requests. I welcome it all! Your child’s room design is an extension of their creativity. So why not let them be part of the fun? (Again, in whatever capacity that you’re able.)
Second mood board for a ‘Star Wars and Mandalorian themed’ room I completed
One tiny client wanted Star Wars and Mandalorian elements, so I started with a palette that felt spacey in color and architecture (lots of furnishings to support a “spacey” vibe) and then we added various prints around the space of his favorite characters from Star Wars and The Mandalorian. Everyone is happy because it’s balanced. Best of all–the space (pun intended muahaha) will grow with him as he can just swap out the art prints to affordably take him from childhood to his teenage years!
The ‘space themed’ room
The latest request of a different tiny client was to have his room look like it was literally in space. My solution: I found a table projector that projects various nebulas and constellations onto the ceiling and walls. We then painted the ceiling blue and accented with items that don’t scream “space”, but can certainly support the feel of a space ship.
The projector ensures that a space theme is immersive but also temporary, a blue ceiling is no sweat to paint over because it’s just 1 surface, and art prints are easy and affordable to replace (so long as they are small). See what I mean? The design feels spacey, my tiny client is in love, and parents are happy. Win win WIN.
It is possible to design themed kids’ rooms that can affordably grow with them.
‘Star Wars and Mandalorian themed’ room completed corner
My job as a designer to clients of all ages is to translate their vision into a livable design. But it has to be a balance of livable design with personal touches. A blend of color and pattern to support the theme, with just a handful of fully themed items (like art prints) will do the trick!
Being OK with themed kids' rooms
The goal in designing themed kids’ rooms is for the child to feel seen, supported, and special. Isn’t that what we all want? We want to open up creativity and encourage free exchange of ideas between parent and child–a nice skill that will serve well throughout a lifetime.
You can start small! Listening to them and responding in ways you can that support their passions and ideas can only result in good things.
-Kristen