Colorful Kids' Rooms
With a growing toddler and a baby boy on the way, organization is key for this young family. Learn how they updated big sister's space and transformed their guestroom into a nursery.
Webisode directed by Sarah Pirozek | Photography by Howard Lee Puckett
Her Space: Pretty and Pink
This spunky three-year-old loves to play dress up, read with her mom, and host tea parties with her dolls, which means she needs a lot of storage space! The room was designed to neatly conceal all of her toys, books, and everything else that a growing girl needs. Her favorite colors-pink, yellow, and green-complete the palette.
Sleep and Store
A custom-built bed and a unique headboard with nightstands fit the room's sloped wall. Woven baskets inside the bed's cubbies offer even more space to store small items or extra blankets. Click here [open bed instructions in new window] to find step-by-step instructions for building this storage bed and headboard.
Art Gallery
A low wall gains a new use when primed with magnetic paint to create a child-sized corner that's just right for displaying masterpieces.
Storybook Nook
Drawing inspiration from Victorian-style dollhouses, the family built a wall of cabinets with sloped sides and a beaded-board awning. The window seat in the center is perfect for reading.
Flower Power
A bright painted flower mural spells out the child's name and complements the color scheme. To create, trace a circle onto the wall using a paint lid as a template. This will serve as the flower's center. Use a pencil to lightly freehand petals, a stem, leaves, and the desired letter. Use a small paintbrush and interior semi-gloss paint in your favorite colors to fill in the forms. Tip: Add whimsy to your mural by varying the height of the flowers, the colors, and the sketched details.
Hang It Up
Backpacks, raincoats, and jackets are stored on white coat hooks. Placing them near the door keeps items ready to go for last-minute play dates or hectic school mornings.
Tea Lights
Who can resist a tea party? Not only does this five-light chandelier reflect every little girl's favorite pastime, it also coordinates perfectly with the room's color scheme.
His Space: Born for Blue
A desire for a calm, serene palette inspired the homeowners to create a nursery with browns and blues. A custom-built changing station made from in-stock cabinets, as well as the wainscot on the walls, impart character and architectural interest in the space. As the child grows, the changing station easily can transition into an entertainment center.
Changing Station
Painted cabinets, lumber, and moulding come together to create a changing station where storage abounds. A small curtain rod added to the top cabinets keeps a few pieces of clothing within reach for quick changes. Small under-cabinet lights provide extra task lighting and illuminate the canvas artwork that was created to welcome the new baby. (For step-by-step instructions to make your own canvas tapestry using a drop cloth, go to LowesCreativeIdeas.com/UnwindAndDesign in September.)
Write On It
Chalkboard paint was applied to the interiors of the long cabinet doors to give Mom a place to jot down important phone numbers or needed supplies. The rollout hamper is great for quick cleanup.
Tucked Away
Wooden drawer organizers neatly store small items and clothing.
Rest Assured
Sleep is one of the most important activities for any baby. The crib was prominently placed between the room's two windows so that light would flow into the room but not directly onto the crib.
Lullaby Corner
A small side table, shelving, and an heirloom rocking chair come together to create a quiet corner where Mom and baby can rock peacefully. The side table was assembled from pre-made legs and a round panel from the lumber department.
Custom Curtains
Two styles of in-stock linen drapery panels were cut, and then sewn together to create this block-pattern look.
Safety Comes First
White cordless blinds were a natural choice to keep child safety at the forefront of the room's design.
Colorful Catchall
A friend of the family painted a galvanized tub using the colors in the room. It's perfect for holding blankets and stuffed animals. To make your own, first apply metal spray primer to the tub. Then adhere painter's tape to create stripes, or trace small paint cans or other round items for a polka-dot look. Use interior semi-gloss paint in your favorite colors to complete the design.
Lights On
A wall sconce with an artful glass shade adds accent lighting to the room.
Lowe's Installation Available.
Lowe's can provide guaranteed professional installation of lighting and blinds.