Design guru, Nicky Rose, has five tips to help you create a happy and harmonious bedroom for your growing child.

BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

MARCH 28, 2025

It’s exciting to kit out a new baby’s nursery, but if your little one isn’t so little, then you can have a lot of fun with their bedroom as well.   

Decorating this space provides a chance to celebrate your child, while creating good vibes for play and rest. 

And we’re happy to report that you don’t need to be a property owner or professional decorator to make your kid’s room stylish and special.   

It does help to have a little expert advice though, and Nicky Rose is here to impart her wisdom! 

Nicky is an interior decorator, pattern designer, watercolour artist and mum-of-three, and she has these five tips when you’re planning a redo of your little one’s room. 

1. Think about your child’s hobbies and passions.  

If your kiddo has a favourite activity or interest, then Nicky explains that you can use this as a loose theme to guide your decorating choices. 

For example, “If your child loves the outdoors and camping, then you can bring in tons of earthy greens, blues and rusts to create a sense of nature in their room.” 

You can add these hues through the bedding, wall colours and artwork you choose, and can also get creative with some special features. 

For instance, Nicky says, “A reading teepee tucked into a corner might inspire your child’s sense of adventure, while a string of fairy lights draped across the ceiling can immediately transport their imagination outdoors.” 

2. Incorporate your child’s favourite colours.  

This might sound scary if your preschooler loves bold hues like red and yellow, but Nicky explains that, “Colour is a great way to bring joy into a space, and you don’t need to colour-drench the room and paint every wall fire truck red and canary yellow.” 

Instead, she recommends that you use softer colours on the walls to make the bedroom feel calm and safe, and if your child loves bright primary colours, you can use these as accessories and accents. 

Nicky explains that, “Bedding, artwork, cushions and rugs are all wonderful ways to bring in your child’s favourite colours, while creating a cohesive colour palette and space.” 

She also recommends wallpaper as a great way to make things colourful and fun, and you don’t need to settle on one design for the next 20 years!  

There are some gorgeous Peel and Stick options now available, including this pink daisy print wallpaper designed by Nicky. 

And if you would prefer something more permanent, she suggests that you, “Stick with a simple and timeless pattern, like stripes, herringbone or geometrics.”  

3. Choose the lighting carefully.  

Good lighting creates a great ambience, and because your child’s bedroom is a place for downtime and deep sleep, it’s important to choose lighting that will produce a soothing atmosphere.  

It may help to install warm globes, rather than cool ones, and Nicky says you can get creative with your child’s bedside lamp to follow their passions, lift the room, and make reading time fun.  

For example, she suggests that, “A vintage shell lamp could be a great option if your child loves the surf, while a sweet red and white mushroom lamp will be magical if your child is a fan of fairies.”  

Nicky says, “Nightlights can also be fun and on theme, and they help to create a safe and tranquil retreat for your little one.” 

4. Include plenty of storage that your child can access.  

Little people have lots of stuff, so when you’re styling your kid’s room, it’s essential that there are places to keep their toys, books, clothes, craft materials, rock collections and everything else, when they're not being used. 

Built-in shelves and cupboards make things easier, but there are lots of standalone storage options you can explore, such as IKEA’s trusty TROFAST designs.  

Remember too, that good storage isn’t just about keeping your kid’s room looking clean and stylish. 

Nicky explains that, “Teaching your child to care for their belonging and put things away is an essential life skill, and the younger you start, the better they’ll be at taking responsibility for this as they grow.” 

5. Choose soft textures at floor level.  

Young children learn through touch, and soft textures make a space feel safe and comfortable, so Nicky suggests that you choose a rug for the floor that your child can sink their toes into, and play on for ages.  

There are lots of different sizes, shapes and designs to choose from, and Nicky recommends that you, “Check how a rug feels before purchasing. You want it to be soft, but durable, so it won’t scratch your child’s knees when they’re crawling about, and it should be easy to wash.”  

If your child spends a lot of time reading and playing at ground level, then you can also throw in some floor cushions and beanbags (following the safety precautions with the inner beans) to provide soft seating for your busy bambino.  

These tips will help you create a special space for your child, and whether you’re channelling whimsical wonder, retro radiance or cool Australiana, it is important to involve your kiddo in their room styling.   

You want them to feel at home in their play space and sleep sanctuary, and although your taste and budget might not exactly match theirs, you will be able to incorporate their hopes, dreams, passions and colour palette in some way.  

Nicky’s Instagram, Pinterest and Spoonflower shop are full of gorgeous inspo, and if you have some ideas, but aren’t sure how to put them together, then she offers moodboard creation for clients anywhere in Australia, with links to items you can purchase and place in your space.  

Whatever your approach, we hope you have lots of fun transforming your child’s old nursery or basic bedroom into something brilliant!  

Photo credit: Nicky Rose