by Cherie Hayes

Created on: January 18, 2009

As with any creative venture, finding a source of inspiration helps jump start the imagination. Look at wallpaper samples or wallpaper borders for themes and color schemes that appeal to your child. The theme you choose will influence your paint color choices. A trip to the paint store to look at color samples will be less overwhelming if you have already narrowed down your color choices. Pick up a few different paint chips to compare with accessories you plan to use in the room as part of the theme.

Many people think of just painting the walls and leaving the ceiling white, but try choosing one color for the walls and a lighter shade of the same color for the ceiling. Also, paint the first 12" of the walls from the ceiling the same color as the ceiling, then put a wallpaper border along the line where the two colors meet. This technique ties in the colors of the theme in the wallpaper border. If painting the ceiling and walls seems to be too much of a task, then try using paint as an accent to highlight parts of a theme. For example, paint large pink squares on the walls and place Ladybug Wallies inside the squares. The paint acts as a frame around the Ladybugs. Paint can also be used to imitate architectural features such as a chair rail. Use painters tape to outline a stripe around the room about 36" from the floor and paint inside the tape to create the feeling of a chair rail. If your child is a boy and he likes race cars or racing, try painting a black and white checkered flag pattern on the bottom 36" of the wall and his favorite color on the rest of the wall. Keep in mind that you don't have to paint the all four walls. You can choose one wall to paint based on your theme and color choice. It can be a fun focal point for the room.

You know your child best, so when you are looking for inspiration, you will know when you have found just the right theme for thier room. The child's bedding, favorite toy, or favorite stuffed animal may provide inspiration for the right color. Think about people you know. Is anyone you know an artist? Would they be willing to help paint a mural or large scale image of your child's favorite animal or doll or car? Having someone you know contribute to the project will give the room a more sentimental feeling of love for the child's surroundings. There really is no wrong choice for paint colors for your child's room as long as it reflects their interests and makes them happy.

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