Designing meaningful, fun-filled spaces for your children should be an enjoyable experience. However, that’s not to say it doesn’t come with some challenges. Curating a space that your child loves both now and in the future can be tough. That’s why our team is here to help.
Whether you’re a new parent or a mother of many, we’ve rounded up the best 3-year-old bedroom ideas on the web. Stay tuned to discover how to strike the perfect balance between practical and precious.
1. Prioritize Storage
From their favorite books to their stuffed animal collection, children come with lots of baggage (both literal and hypothetical). Therefore, your toddler’s bedroom should have ample places to store all their favorite things. Invest in plenty of wall-hugging book rails, under-the-bed storage crates, and furniture with built-in storage compartments.
Note that installing a second rail in your child’s closet is a super simple way to double your storage potential. We also recommend utilizing wall space by installing storage cubes and/or peg boards.
2. Create a Space Where They Can Escape
Everyone needs a quiet space to retreat from the events of the day–even kids! Therefore, we recommend incorporating a reading nook or cozy corner into your child’s bedroom. Not only does this create an opportunity for them to get some alone time, but it encourages your little one to cozy up with one of their favorite books.
3. Keep It Simple
As moms, we often want to give our children the world. But sometimes, less is more! By keeping the decor simple and the furnishings to a minimum, we free up space for our child’s imagination. Not only that, but simple decor offers a neutral canvas that grows alongside your child.
Instead of overcrowding the space with furniture, encourage playtime by providing plenty of open floor space. And installing open shelving will grant them easy access to their favorite toys and playthings.
(Note that simplicity is especially important in a shared bedroom, as double the kids mean double the stuff.)
4. Play Around with Color
There’s no denying that kids love color. However, choosing the right palate can be tricky. Your child might love hot pink one year and lime green the next, and it’s a hassle to repaint year after year. Rather than painting the walls, stock up on brightly colored accessories instead (and revamp them every few years).
5. Invest in a Kid-Friendly Bed Frame
Investing in a kid-friendly bed frame eases the transition from a nursery crib to a toddler bed. Personally? We adore the whimsical, house-frame-style beds. And because many of them are low-profile, toddlers are free to roam with ease.
6. Emphasize Play
Want to make your child’s dream room a reality? Focus on the thing they love most–play! Think outside the box and fill your child’s bedroom with a ball pit, indoor swing, chalkboard wall, bunk bed slides, train set, or bean bags. Not only do these encourage imagination and creativity, but they’ll help your little one use up all that pre-bedtime energy.
7. Combine Texture and Pattern
It’s very normal for a child’s room to feel busy. However, carefully combining textures and patterns is key to making that busyness feel intentional and playful. For an eclectic design, mix and match several similar patterns within the space. Opt for prints that all incorporate either small, intricate patterns or large, abstract designs.
8. Opt for a High Sleeper
Investing in a high sleeper is a great way to make the most of a small space. As parents, you probably already know that floor space is precious in your little girl’s or boy’s room. And lifting their bed off the ground is an ideal way to create more of it. Not only does your child get to catch sweet dreams closer to the stars, but the sacred space beneath their bed becomes the building zone for Lego trains and fairy kingdoms. (Plus, it easily transforms into a functional desk area as they get older.)
9. Paint Floorboards a Similar Color to the Walls
Want to avoid a small room from feeling cluttered and claustrophobic? Consider painting the floorboards a similar color to the walls. Not only does this cultivate a whimsical, fun-filled environment, but it creates the illusion of expanse and openness.
10. Invest in Multi-Functional Furniture
Investing in multi-functional furniture is a fantastic way to make the most of your toddler bedroom. A perfect example would be installing a small desk that doubles as a bedtime table. Or, select a nursing chair that will eventually become your child’s go-to reading spot.
11. Let the Great Outdoors Inspire You
If your child is the adventurous type, try incorporating natural elements into the room decor. Whether that be safari-themed wallpaper, a swing, or a small rock-climbing wall, cultivating spaces inspired by the great outdoors is a great way to encourage play.
12. Try a Statement Ceiling
Want to experiment with wallpaper? But aren’t ready to fully commit? Try a statement ceiling. Not only does this create a dramatic, playful touch, but it gives your children something to gaze at while falling asleep. For a cohesive design, opt for a pattern that matches (or at least complements) their bedspread.
13. Use an Area Rug
A bright area rug anchors the space and adds a soft texture for tiny toes. Additionally, rugs soften both the acoustics and the aesthetics of the room. Of course, select one that’s forgiving of felt-tip pen marks and other inevitable stains.
14. Experiment with Blackboard Paint
Giving a room a fresh coat of paint is an easy way to redecorate without breaking the bank. And using blackboard paint makes your 3-year-old’s bedroom both fun and practical. Not only does it get your child’s creative juices flowing, but it will be a convenient way to write chores or homework assignments as they get older.
15. Frame Artwork and Pictures with Tape
Instead of spending a fortune on frames, why not outline your child’s artwork and baby photos with washi tape? Because there are a multitude of designs to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find something suitable for every child. Additionally, it creates a pretty, practical border that doesn’t harm your paint job.
16. Brighten the Room with Hanging Lights
Ambient lighting is one of the best ways to curate a cozy space. And twinkling or fairy lights are the perfect way to do that. Not only do they add a pop of color (without having to repaint or wallpaper), but they double as night lights for kids who are afraid of the dark.
17. Try a Simple Mural
As we mentioned, paint is one of the most affordable ways to transform a room. So if you’re feeling creative, try a simple mural. Remember that it doesn’t have to be fancy or complex, as even simple flower or whale designs transform plain walls into eye-catching focal points.
18. Make Use of Every Corner
If your 3-year-old’s bedroom is unconventionally shaped, you’ll likely have to use every nook and cranny. Invest in pull-out wardrobes, floating shelves that travel vertically up the walls, and an elevated sleeper. Doing so ensures your little one has plenty of space to play.
19. Don’t Be Afraid to Use ‘Grown-Up’ Colors
While it’s true that children love bright, bold colors, there is beauty in simplicity. And not only does a neutral color palate age alongside your child, but it’s an ideal backsplash for colorful and eye-catching accessories (that will inevitably accompany your child’s many life phases).
20. Or, Opt for a Pastel Palette
If your child really wants some color on their walls, we recommend taking the pastel route. Unlike vibrant textures and hues, pastel colors create a soft background that’s easy to grow into. Plus, they’re known for adding a calm and inviting feel to any room, as they don’t have any bold pigments in them.
21. Add Plenty of Whimsical Touches
It’s important to remember that playful and chic can coexist. All you have to do is stash your children’s playthings between pieces of fine art or stow their coloring pencils in some vintage glassware. Personally? We’re fans of tucking vintage books next to your child’s favorite bedtime stories.
22. Create a Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are timeless and won’t ever go out of style – even as your toddler grows up. Start with a large piece of artwork, then arrange family photos and their favorite drawings around it. Stick to a cohesive color palette, mix horizontals and verticals, and try your best to create a miniature grid.
(Pro-tip: lay everything out on the floor before you start hammering into the wall.)
23. Showcase a Statement Piece of Furniture
Designing a toddler room is all about having fun. Therefore, adding a statement piece of furniture — like a hammock chair or bed canopy — is an easy way to showcase your child’s personality and set the tone for the room. Plus, it gets toddlers excited to hang out in their spaces.
24. Use Floor-to-Ceiling Wallpaper
If your toddler’s room has unusual angles, hanging floor-to-ceiling wallpaper will make them feel less pronounced. We recommend involving your child in the pattern-picking process. And of course, select a removable design that can easily change with their tastes.
25. Make Sure It’s a Bedroom to Grow Into
Last but not least, make sure that your child’s bedroom is one to grow into. While it might be hard to imagine your 3-year-old heading off to school, they will eventually. And that’s why it’s important to account for a future desk, possibly an extra bed for sleepovers, and an ever-changing list of fun activities.
3-Year-Old Bedroom Ideas
Designing the perfect toddler room can be tricky. However, we hope that these 3-year-old bedroom ideas offer a bit of inspiration.
No matter how you style your child’s bedroom, try to incorporate at least one thing that they’ve chosen – whether that be a color or their bed. Doing so gets them excited about their new space, which helps make the transition from nursery to bedroom a breeze.
