I just painted me boys' room, age 6 and 3. I wanted something fun and bright, but was hestitant to go with a theme because they will outgrow it before I have time to paint again. I did a really rich blue wall (medium to dark color - I just found a blue shirt I really liked, then used it to pick a paint color.) The blue really pops with the trim I painted white, their white dresser and warm pine colored beds. Then, I painted 3 stripes about 1 foot from the ceiling - thin white (about 1 inch thick), then a thin band of the wall color, then red (about 10 inches thick), then a band of the wall color, then thin white again. It goes all the way around the room, and adds some serious pizzaz and helps to make the space appear larger. I did the same stripe in my last house at chair rail height, and stenciled some Dr Seuss words on it for a more juvenile effect. You could stencil any shapes you wanted, or use those wall stickups if you wanted a theme. Then I added red/blue plaid quilts, and some fun artwork, some red/blue striped curtains with white curtain rod, etc. It is super cute and they won't outgrow it anytime soon, I hope! To the person looking for surfboards, I saw one seller who makes them on ebay if you search, and they are super cute. I looked at her surfboards and ended up just making my own with plywood and a jigsaw. Not that hard of a project, and I was able to personalize them for my girls.

Lots of good ideas here. Thanks! Joann - thanks for the picture. That is what I was envisioning, but I like having an example. I never considered green as the main wall color, but I like the idea. I'll have to find a subtle green though. I don't want the color to be too loud. I love the image of the stripes provided by dawnp. That is very do-able for me. I will involve my son in the selection, after I've narrowed down the choices. He picked the bedding, but has told me that he wants rainbow walls (not gonna happen!). I think he'll like the stripes in the example from dawnp. Maybe I can find some nice tans and greens for the colors. Les - we originally had the furniture as you suggested, but when you entered the room the edge of the chest made it feel blocked. But I do like the idea of creating a space in the corner for activities. Once we paint I'll play with the furniture arrangement again. Maybe it would be better if I placed the chest against the wall to the left of the table, rather than on an angle. What do you think? I'm on the hunt for a small book shelf. I'll also look at removable decals that would be fun for the next few years, but can be removed as he gets older. I'll look at shagreen once I find my samples. Thanks bestyears. This is why I love this forum! I've been looking at his room for a year now without any direction. Now I have it! Thank you everyone. I'll keep checking back in case anyone else has further ideas or opinions.

Twin bed with a desk and/or bookshelves and bulletin board Or several bulletin boards) and full-length mirror on back of door. Good lighting AND (if possible) a small chair. BASIC REASONS FOR EACH SUGGESTION: Twin bed to allow for more room (perhaps a blow-up Aero bed for guest?) Desk and/or bookshelves to develop a love of crafts, art projects, books and reading on real paper! (not just the computer!) Bulletin boards allow fast and easy changes of personal photos and "stuff" A full-length mirror on back of door for checking the full "look" (and to free up time in the family bathroom LOL!) Good lighting by the bed and around the whole room. A small cozy chair is wonderful to have a space that is so private (like a hug from your home!) Always loved having my own desk with my own books in my own room! (wish I had one now! sigh) Used the desk for MY art projects! LOVED having MY own books ..... Jan

My inclination would be to paint the walls bright white and let the rest of the accents be the color players. White is the backdrop I've often seen, or been drawn to, when I look up bohemian pictures. I'd also put a really large area rug in the room that only left a few inches of bare floor around the perimeter of the room. This way, no matter which way the room is arranged, the rug is always the right size. If your daughter is anything like I was, the room will be rearranged many times during her teen years! : ) You could still layer her little rug over the large rug for her reading nook. You might like to plug the room into homestyler.com for working on the layout. Your kitties might be disappointed, but muscles with thank you. : ) If you save a snapshot of the homestyler layout to your computer, you can upload it onto here using the photo link. That would allow us to see the plan overview, and will make it easier for us to help with the arrangement.