8 Great Kids' Rooms

A Room to Grow Into

With its simple lilac-and-orange color scheme, this nursery is designed to age with the girl who grows up in it. In fact, the California poppy painted on one wall is for tracking her height through her early years.

Layers of cloth leaves are a creative touch above the window and filter the light emitting from the fixtures they conceal. The window seat lifts up for handy storage of toys and other belongings.

For Young Scholars

A small, awkward space on the second floor was treated as an old-fashioned study for the children, whose rooms are on either side.

Painted a medium blue that shifts with the light, the space was furnished with plush chairs also upholstered in shades of blue -- in durable, stain-resistant Ultrasuede. Maps and a globe set a lightheartedly learned tone.

21st-Century Playroom

Furnished with a bright red sectional, distressed media cabinet (with television and video game console), and upholstered ottomans in a mix of colors, a spare bedroom adjacent to the children's rooms becomes an irresistible hangout.

Tickled Pink

Head-to-toe pink walls, ceiling, and trim create a sweet space. A piece of grosgrain ribbon, with pink, lavender, and green stripes, inspired the designer's vision for the room. White furniture, curtains, and bed linens balance the bold color.

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Kids' Camp

This bunk room takes young guests in stride. Brightly colored sleeping bunks are not just fun -- they're color-coded. Each bed has a coordinating cubby for kids to stash their beach gear. A niche at the head of each bed is a private place to stash more stuff, and large baskets under the bunks stow toys and other miscellany.

Sweet and Streamlined

Instead of a pink canopy bed, this girl's room features sleek modern elements that can easily transition to teenage taste.

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A Preponderance of Pink

This girls' room was decorated the way little girls like to dress -- in a riot of colors and patterns, primarily pink. There is button-tufting (on the upholstered headboards), beading (on the box valance), and plenty of ruffles, including two-tiered dust ruffles on the twin beds.

Tea Time

The bright yellow table, paired with ladylike chairs, is fit for homework or tea parties. The floor is even painted a glossy pink. Designer David Mitchell uses outdoor fabrics in kids' rooms because they stand up to abuse.

Adapted from Design Idea Book, Oxmoor House, 2007

Learn more decorating secrets from designer showhouses, purchase Design Idea Book .

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