by Melanie Aves

Created on: May 11, 2009   Last Updated: May 16, 2009

Paint is the simplest and least expensive way to create an original and personal space for your child to enjoy. Kid's rooms are happy rooms, so they are a joy to create http://tiny.cc/nRsSO. Like any area in the house, a child's room needs to be functional, as well as decorative and expressive of his or her interests and personality.

Begin by taking stock of any furnishing already in the room, and consider whether there are pieces that can be used or updated to serve in the revamped space. Painted furniture is especially charming, as well as functional, in a child's room. Painted furniture also gives you flexibility to re-style the space in a few years. Take measurements of the space and the pieces of furniture that you already have. Shop for used or "naked" furniture pieces to fill in.

Next interview the "client." It is a wonderful opportunity to work together with a child to plan a space that is pleasing to both of you. Consider his or her special interests, favorite colors, favorite possessions, and also consider how the room will be used. Will there be a place to study? Will there need to be a place to play? What will need to be stored in the space? Toys? Books and games? Clothing?

Develop a theme for the room with your child. Here are a few classic themes for a child's room: Circus, Space Travel, A Favorite Book, A Favorite Sport, A Fairy Tale, Cowboys, A Farm, A Jungle, Sea Creatures, the Zoo, Beautiful Birds, Ballet Dancers, Boats, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Here are some imaginative ideas for a design theme: Children's art (enlarge a drawing or painting from your child to create a mural,) A photo montage (blow up huge photos of your child and montage [paste] them on the wall with clear acrylic base,) paint a fantasy mural on the wall, copy a favorite passage from a book onto the wall, enlarge your child's handwriting on the wall, collage a small wall from floor to ceiling with family pictures, paint a beautiful sky on the ceiling.

Decide on a color scheme. Consider your child's favorite colors, but understand that his or her room should blend with surrounding spaces. If your home is generally neutral, than you might consider painting three of the walls in the room a neutral tone, and then use a stronger accent color on one wall http://tiny.cc/11Soe

Or you might use a bolder color to paint an accent stripe around all four neutrally colored walls. Do consider light sources in the room when planning the color. You can use a lighter tone of paint

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