How to Decorate Kid's Rooms to Transition From Baby to Teen

Pick an "Un-Baby" Wall Color

• Babies are so tiny, pink and fragile, it’s tempting to select color palettes as delicate as they are. Skip those pale yellows or baby blues in favor of vibrant shades that have a better chance of appealing to kids as they mature. Newborns best see primary hues of blue, red and yellow as their eyesight develops, and these wall colors lend themselves well to many decor themes, whether it’s a child’s toy train or a teen’s pop star poster. Darker shades such as midnight blue or forest green can also work in a baby’s bedroom that features white or light-colored wooden furnishings. These more mature hues have a better chance of appealing to older kids than walls painted with pastel colors.

Opt for an All-Ages Theme

• There are so many adorable room decor sets available for babies that feature bunnies, ducks and baby dolls, it’s difficult not to indulge. However, for parents who hope to stick with the same decor theme from the baby years to teen, it’s important to pick one that has a chance of holding your child's interest. Rather than toy or cartoon character decors, opt for designs with broader appeal such as musical instruments or athletics. While you probably can’t predict what your baby’s interests will be, you have a better shot at being right by sticking with subject matters based on your family’s interests. Parents who are dance fanatics, artists or world travelers are likely to share their life’s passions with their children, increasing the chance that a room designed around those interests will continue to appeal to their kids as they grow.

Choose Convertible Furniture

• Between cribs, rocking chairs, changing tables, toddler beds and toy chests, buying furniture specifically designed to meet the needs of a narrow age range is one of the most expensive parts of redecorating a child’s room. Rather than purchasing furniture your children will eventually outgrow, select pieces that can last for years. For example, instead of a rocking chair, select an armchair that might appeal to a teen, but one that would still be comfortable for breastfeeding. Rather than a toy chest, select shelves with storage baskets that allow for organizing playthings while also hiding them away. For teenagers, those baskets can be used or removed to accommodate storage items such as books, clothes and other personal articles. In larger rooms, consider including a daybed to serve as seating until the child outgrows her crib and can utilize the piece for sleeping.

Go with Graphic and Vintage

• Of all the items in your children’s rooms, the ones they’ll most likely want to replace are any childish decor accessories. Rather than buying lamps and paintings deemed age appropriate, stick with graphic or vintage pieces that they won’t outgrow. For example, rather than pictures of animals playing football, frame vintage pennants in a sport-themed room. The same concept holds true when selecting the design style of larger furniture items. Instead of selecting cute, country pieces that your kid might someday deem childish, opt for modern pieces or stick with neutral, contemporary designs styles that could go with any number of decor themes.