Last Updated on July 22, 2025 by Nala Thorpe
Summer is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and transform your child’s bedroom into a fun, functional, and imaginative space. Whether you’re looking to create a calming retreat, encourage creativity, or simply reorganize and refresh the décor, there are countless DIY ideas to suit every budget and style. In this guide, we’ll explore some clever, family-friendly ways to upgrade your child’s room with minimal cost and maximum impact.
1. Create a Reading Nook
A cozy reading corner can spark a lifelong love for books. Choose a quiet corner of the room and add soft cushions, a bean bag, or even a hammock chair. Add floating shelves or wall-mounted bookcases to keep books within easy reach. Personalize the space with fairy lights, a canopy, or a DIY tent made from fabric and curtain rods.
DIY tip: Repurpose an old bookshelf with a fresh coat of paint in your child’s favorite color.
2. Design an Interactive Wall
Interactive walls are not only fun but also educational. Use chalkboard paint or whiteboard stickers to turn one wall into a giant canvas for creativity. You can also install pegboards for hanging art supplies, baskets, or small toys.
Creative variation: Use washi tape or painter’s tape to create geometric wall art or growth charts.
3. Build a Themed Bunk Bed Corner
Bunk beds can save space and add an element of adventure to your child’s room. If you’re considering a furniture upgrade this summer, explore space-saving options like a double-over-double bunk bed to accommodate growing kids or sleepovers with friends. This layout offers both function and style, especially in shared bedrooms.
You can find stylish and practical bunk bed ideas from this collection of double over double bunk beds for inspiration. Look for designs that include stairs with storage, built-in shelving, or neutral tones that match any room theme.
4. Personalize with Wall Decals and Murals
Wall decals are a budget-friendly way to instantly transform the room. Choose themes your child loves like dinosaurs, outer space, jungle animals, or fairies. You can also try your hand at a mural if you’re feeling artistic. Stencils and painter’s tape can help you create neat shapes and patterns.
DIY hack: Involve your child in choosing the theme or painting smaller elements of the mural to make it more meaningful.
5. Add Functional Storage Solutions
Kids’ rooms tend to get cluttered quickly. Implement practical storage solutions like under-bed drawers, cube storage units, and hanging organizers. Label each bin or basket to make clean-up easier for your child.
When selecting furniture, opt for multi-functional pieces with built-in storage to maximize space without sacrificing style. For more ideas tailored to both functionality and design, check out curated children’s room collections on this site for kids’ furniture.
6. Incorporate a Study or Art Station
Encourage productivity by adding a dedicated zone for learning and creating. A small desk, ergonomic chair, and organizers for pencils, paper, and craft supplies are all you need to set up a neat and functional workstation.
Inspiration tip: Paint a section of the wall with corkboard paint so kids can pin up their work or reminders without damaging the walls.
7. Use Light to Set the Mood
Proper lighting can change the mood of a room dramatically. Add soft lighting using fairy lights, cloud or star-shaped lamps, or dimmable bulbs. Try a nightlight projector for a touch of magic at bedtime.
Pro parent tip: Let your child help choose the lighting so it reflects their personality and helps them feel more in control of their space.
8. Create a Rotating Toy Display
Instead of having all toys out at once, rotate them every few weeks to keep interest high and clutter low. Use floating shelves, wall baskets, or wooden crates to display the current favorites.
This also gives you a chance to quietly remove toys they’ve outgrown and encourages independent play.
9. Bring Nature Inside
Adding plants or natural elements can make the room feel fresher and more calming. Choose kid-safe indoor plants like spider plants, ferns, or succulents. You can even paint plant pots together as a fun weekend DIY.
Alternative: If live plants aren’t ideal, try removable wallpaper with botanical prints or framed nature artwork.
10. Let Your Child Make Design Decisions
Giving your child ownership of their space can boost their confidence and creativity. Let them choose color schemes, themes, or artwork for the room. Even small decisions like selecting their bedspread or organizing books can make them feel more invested in their environment.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading your child’s room doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With a few thoughtful DIY upgrades, you can create a space that nurtures creativity, supports growth, and feels uniquely theirs. From building reading nooks to exploring bunk bed solutions and clever storage ideas, the possibilities are endless this summer.
