by Janice Suchoski

Created on: August 19, 2009   Last Updated: August 22, 2009

A good place to start when designing a Disney princess themed bedroom is to determine which princess is the child's favorite. Most small girls do not realize why they prefer one princess over another but it is generally formed on looks. Story plots and personalities do not really sink into consciousness until long after a child forms a preference. The Disney princesses each have their own distinctive color palette in costuming and accessories and children, like adults are drawn to preferred colors.

Using such a color palette for a themed room allows the ease of inserting all the princess dolls, accessories and bedding appropriate to a child's wishes and still having it look good, even when cluttered with favorite toys. Most of the Disney princess colors are very bold and vivid. Decorating walls or floors in these vibrant colors is generally a mistake and the result looks more like an overturned gypsy caravan than the room of a young queen in training. Use muted tones of the preferred color palette on large surfaces for a softer feel. Use bolder tones and figured prints for throw rugs, pillows and other changeable accent pieces.

Eventually little girls grow out of the cutesy part of a princess room, preferring a more grown-up feel. By keeping the background toned down, accessories may be easily changed out for a whole new look, keeping favored colors intact and redecorating costs down. Good wall frames can be a gallery for artwork that changes over the years. Begin with homemade artwork done by the child, coloring book pages and poster pictures of favorite princesses and castles. Change these out periodically with prints which reflect current interests; using mats in the existing color palette as a constant.

Restraint is always the hallmark of a good design. Focus on a few key elements which bring the princess theme forward and relegate all the bric-a-brac to closed storage. Resist all pleading to paint the bed hot pink. Instead, paint the furniture white or cream and use deathly pink on bedspreads, throws and pillows. Have grandpa build a wooden castle. Adorn it with pale paints and brighter doors and rooftops. A few sparkling jewels attached securely with an epoxy type glue add glamour without choking hazards. A small scale chandelier with sparkling crystals touches every feminine romantic heart and will grow with the room.

A music system in which princess movie theme music can be played adds a final touch to instill the magic. There are players available for the very young which may be replaced over time with something more teen oriented. For a very young girl, add some low wall hooks for costumes and a full - length mirror for dressing up. Role playing is fun and both additions will be useful over time to a growing girl. Don't forget the friends. Every self-respecting princess has friends. Add a trundle or hideaway bed for sleep-overs and a chair if there is room.

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