From baby nursery to teen retreat, there is now a bevy of decorating options when it comes to painting
your child’s room. Here are five tips to create a bedroom to delight your little (or not so little) ray of
sunshine.

1. Something New, Not Just Pink and Blue:
   
   It’s no longer simply blue for boys and pink for girls when it comes to children’s rooms. Think outside the square and embrace some new not-so-predictable shades. A playful orange tone is a hit with both genders, while a fresh citrus colour will see a child through the tweens into late teenagehood. If you’re not sure about making such a bold statement, remember a feature wall is a great way to inject some colour into a room while still playing it safe.
   
   
2. Beyond the Four Walls:
   
   Remember it’s not just walls that look all the more stunning with a fresh coat of paint. Raw pine furniture, such as bookcases, slat beds and bedside tables are an inexpensive alternative to pre-coated furniture, plus they allow you to coordinate your furniture with your walls and the rest of your decor. You can even make a statement piece out of an otherwise ordinary object. Check out the bookcase with toy chest that packs a punch when painted in Dulux Pastel Pea. Simply prepare the furniture with an undercoat and finish off with water-based enamel that will cope with bumps and scuffs.
   
   
3. The Artist Within:
   
   A child’s room is a great place to demonstrate the full scope of your creativity (or your child’s, if you’re feeling brave). You don’t need to be a trained artist to paint a mural with a fun kids’ theme. Look around at books, magazines and the internet for inspiration and then practise your design on paper until you get it just right. You can then map out your artwork on the wall using a soft lead pencil (with an eraser at the ready), before getting out the paint. Speak to the paint experts at your local Inspirations store about which paints will work best for the mural and what you can use to seal your work of art when it’s finished, to protect it against any rough treatment.
   
   
4. Sticky Business:
   
   For wall art that is simple and quick, you can’t go past removable stickers or decals for children’s rooms. Because they’re removable you can easily peel them off and reapply them if you put them in the wrong spot; or change them altogether if your child has outgrown his farmyard theme and wants to move onto spaceships! Afterwards, your walls will be left unmarked, with no clean up required.
   
   
5. Written With Love:
   
   All kids seem to make at least one attempt at drawing on the walls, to the horror of their parents. These days, parents can relax when they’ve used a paint with high washability and scuff resistance, like Dulux Wash & Wear. Simply wipe the wall with a damp cloth to remove the offending sketch; or beat your budding Picasso at his or her own game by painting a chalkboard section to their wall. If you prefer something more temporary, there are also a range of blackboard stickers available for order from your local Inspirations store.

Using these simple tips, anyone can create a unique haven for their kids, where their imagination and dreams will be limitless.