A Children's Bedroom Gets Organized Real Simple brings order to these sisters' lives

The Play Area

Adornment for Walls and Windows

The girls produce artwork at a dizzying pace. Now they can change the displays themselves with these front-loading PhotoBox frames. Pop out the front and switch the artwork inside (no rehanging!). The ill-fitting window drapes were replaced with home-sewn, washable-linen ones.

A Home for Toys

Before, the girls’ extensive stuffed-animal collection made the room look as if it had been hit by a tornado. Now their furry friends live in this roomy canvas bin.

Central Command for Crafts

The Activity Table has a pair of roll-out bins underneath for easy supply storage, plus a built-in paper roll on the side. Starting new projects is a cinch, and the paper doubles as a protective surface. Bonus: The table comes with three sets of legs (15, 23, and 30 inches tall), so it can be made taller as the girls grow.

Cabinets Devoted to Dress-up

Existing cabinets (part of a larger unit) were separated and transformed into a dress-up center. Tutus and magic capes that were formerly shoved in with the girls’ everyday clothing now have a designated place. Accessories hang on outer hooks. Afifah gets the lower cabinet, Zahra the top.

Little Things That Count

Thoughtful touches abound in the new room. Cute, inexpensive crab-shaped cushions make kid-size foam stools even softer for little bottoms seated around the activity table. A colorful hand vacuum with wheels, tucked in the corner and light enough for Afifah to use, makes cleaning up glitter and paper scraps a cinch. The result? Daily maintenance, so messes never get out of hand.

A Children's Bedroom Gets Organized Real Simple brings order to these sisters' lives

The Bedroom

A Paint Color for Sweet Dreams

For a less dreary feel, the organizers painted the walls lavender, “which has a soothing quality that’s excellent for sleep,” says Leatrice Eiseman, director of the Pantone Color Institute. A soft wool rug replaced a rough carpet, so the girls can comfortably play on the floor.

Standout Accessories

The Rockin’ Alarm Clock is an iPod dock and a speaker in one. It can wake up the girls or inspire a dance party. Clip-on task lamps offer bedtime reading light that won’t disturb a sleeping sister.

Storage within Arm’s Reach

An iconic nightstand with two compartments gives the room a modern touch and makes sharing a breeze. The orange Candella Tooli night-light glows softly while children sleep and can be used as a flashlight for a nighttime bathroom run.

A Bright Spot Overhead

A nonworking ceiling fan was removed to clear the way for the Chalet Chandelier in sunny yellow, designed to look grown-up but scaled for kids’ rooms. It offers functional overhead lighting and makes the room feel more dressed up. Rounded bulbs add some interesting flair.

Beds that Grow with Them

Old bunk beds were replaced with a set that can be converted to stand-alone beds for Afifah (bottom) and Zahra (top). Coordinated bedding blends together but gives each girl her own look.

Decorating Kids Rooms - Planning Makes Perfect!

Decorating kids rooms can be a rewarding and fun project. You'll feel good about what you've accomplished and your child will have a cool personal space to spend time in and to have their friends visit.

When you start to look at decorating kids rooms you have to keep a budget in mind. Paint can range from fifteen dollars to fifty dollars a can.

Wallpaper can be even more expensive. Perhaps you are going to consider panelling on the walls. Floor coverings also have to be considered...do you keep the rug they have, change it, put in hardwood?

These are all questions you will have to ask when you plan on decorating kids rooms. What about the details? You may want to go so far as to consider mouldings, window casings and door trim.

Not to mention lighting fixtures, curtains, vents, light and outlet covers.

I mean, hey, if you are decorating kids rooms and Junior chooses a Star Wars décor with a Luke Skywalker emphasis then, darn it Mom, you'd better have light sabres on the light covers and vent covers in the shape of star ships.

Now lets think about the work involved. Who is going to do the work? Do you know how to do it? What special tools will you need, and do you have to buy them?

How long will it take...be realistic then add another two weeks (trust me, it always takes an extra two weeks).

Where will your child sleep while the redecorating is going on? Certainly you can't expect Junior to sleep in his room while there are paint odours fuming around in there.

When you plan on decorating kids rooms you should think about the work load and time because this contributes to an important by-product of an renovation project...STRESS.

Let's talk about color. For some of us a sense of color comes naturally, but for others we are like a fish out of water. My child loves pink, so should my accent be purple or should I chose a contrasting tone?

Maybe I should use a neutral. When decorating kids rooms the color scheme is important so spend some time with your child to work it out.

Here are some of the basics: red, green and blue are the primary colors and those are mixed to make up the colors of the rainbow. Then you have white, black, grey and creams that make their own category of neutrals.

Try to choose the colors in your scheme with the same general intensity. A bright orange will not go with a dark, dull green, but a medium orange goes great with a medium green.

When in doubt look at what the pros do. You'll find brochures in any paint and decorating store that will show you what colors go together. Heck, just look at company logos: MacDonalds red and yellow; Sprite's lime green and lemon yellow.

So when you are decorating kids rooms take the time to plan out the colors you will use.

When decorating kids rooms ask yourself the question "when will this décor go out of style". If your child loves Power Rangers today and you put up that wall paper, in one to two years he may hate it and you'll find yourself decorating kids rooms twice in a span of three years.

This is not only a hassle but pricey as well.

One final side note. Remember that if wallpaper isn't your thing, you can always paint the wall your child's favorite color and then accessorize it with artwork or posters. This will also pull the theme together.

I hope these ideas for decorating kids rooms have been helpful.

Small Space Bedroom Design Ideas - How to Decorate Your Small Spaces

• Use window treatments to bring the windows up and give the illusion of height. Hang curtain rods at least 12-16" above the window and use light and flowy fabric for a soft romantic look. Heavy and dark draperies will bring the walls in and contribute to a smaller appearance.
• Choose paint colors that will reflect light and work well within your space. In this small townhouse bedroom. It works great with blues/reds/greens, and provides a great backdrop for a variety of styles without darkening the room.
• Place furniture in alcoves or at an angle for added interest in a small boxy room. Find a bed frame with ample room underneath for added storage. Add side tables with storage, and lamps for great ambient lighting.
• Find a floor mirror and place it on an empty wall for the illusion of space. Place a floor lamp next to it for added light reflection. This is a great way to make a room look bigger without adding additional bulky furniture.
• If you have hardwood floors, find a great patterned rug to add interest to the floor. Place at an angle to the furniture.
• Add wall shelves for storage. Situate books/accessories nicely on the shelves so they are points of interest rather than just a bookshelf. Keep clutter to a minimum by maximizing your closet space with baskets/shelves.

Five (5) Tips to Create a Perfectly Casual, Cozy Living Room

Creating a comfortable, stylish living room provides a gathering place for you and your family to relax and spend quality time together. It’s important to create the look and feel that evokes your lifestyle and invites friends and family to enjoy their time being together.

If you’re interested in a room that welcomes everyone who enters in comfort and style, the right furnishings will help. No matter what size room you have, you can make it as cozy as you want with a few tips:

Tip #1: Evaluate Your Space and Colors

Even a large space can feel inviting and cozy. The addition of large furnishings can fill a big space and add a feeling of intimacy to your room. A small room can also accommodate large pieces of furniture in an inviting arrangement. Think about the existing colors of your walls and decide whether you want to work with what you have or start with a new coat of paint. Decide on the color that suits your taste and go from there coordinating your furnishings and accessories. Remember that warm colors convey a stronger sense of coziness and comfort.

Tip #2: Add Big, Comfortable Furniture

To heighten the cozy, lived-in atmosphere, add overstuffed chairs, ottomans, and perhaps two sofas facing each other, or a well-designed sectional to provide numerous comfortable places to sit and relax, read a book, watch TV or visit with guests and family members in an atmosphere of comfort and style. Adding a snuggly throw over the back of the sofa is a great touch for added comfort. The addition of a tall cabinet or armoire will also enhance the ambiance of the room.

Tip #3: Create Various Sections in a Large Room

You can add areas for entertaining, informal eating, and activities such as arts and crafts or game playing if you have a large area to fill. In addition to your primary sitting space, place a group of upholstered or comfy chairs around a round table, add a long farm table and bench near a window, or place a side table with two comfortable chairs on each side in a great little spot. A variety of places to sit, work, or relax adds depth and dimension to any room.

Tip #4: Consider Your Lighting

The softer your lighting, the warmer and more inviting your room will feel. Use table lamps or pole lamps for extra lighting that won’t cast harsh shadows. Bring your center light down to a lower level with a nice shade that coordinates with your upholstery. The key is to avoid harsh lighting of any kind. Adding dimmer switches to easily adjust your lighting as the time of day changes is also a great idea to create a soft welcoming light in your room.

Tip #5: Add Rugs Regardless of Your Flooring

Regardless of your flooring materials, whether carpet, hardwood, or tile, adding area rugs in key places brings a feeling of welcoming warmth. Choose patterns, colors and textures that complement your furnishings and bring the added touch of comfort to your room. Use various styles in each area you create – they don’t have to be identical. Just coordinate the colors and styles.

Creating the ambiance you desire in any room in your home is easy with the right furniture, lighting and accessories. Take into consideration your space, your color scheme, and the placement of your furniture to create just the right sense of coziness that makes you feel comfortable. Once that happens, all that’s left is to enjoy your space with your friends and family.