Design A Girl's Room

To surround her with the things she loves, select a theme based on her interests. It may be an activity, such as dancing or riding horses, or she may be drawn to images such as butterflies or flowers. Her favorite color, your family heritage or the style of your house can also lend inspiration.Try to make a distinction between the short-lived interests every child develops for a few days or weeks and the things she seems to be drawn to in one way or another over time – the things that make her who she really is.

A good strategy is to choose one major item that establishes the room's theme, then build around it when selecting colors, fabrics and accent pieces such as lamps. Garden-theme bedding may lead you to curtains and pillows in bright, cheerful colors, or decorative painting using a flower or butterfly stencil. Reinforce the theme with collections, accessories and art. Even small details – drawer pulls, a mirror, a playful bedside lamp – can have big impact.

Deciding on a color palette for the room is one of the most fun aspects of designing. Many kids know right away that they want their room in their favorite color, but if your daughter finds the options exciting, look at pictures and fabrics together. If your daughter has her heart set on a color or pattern you feel would overwhelm the room, find ways to incorporate it as an accent.

Deep colors on the walls can make a room feel smaller.

If you want to avoid that, consider tonal variations, such as choosing a lighter shade of purple or green, to keep the space feeling open. Remember, also, that using her favorite rich color on one accent wall – or even just on trim or a few accent pillows – can have a big impact. As you decorate, don't forget about the benefits of white. It provides visual relief from bold patterns, is a perfect backdrop for display, and can create a feeling of openness when used on the walls or ceiling.

As your child grows, her interests and hobbies will evolve. Plan ahead and create a bedroom that will adapt to her changing tastes. Invest in high-quality, classically designed furniture that's built to last, and you'll have a foundation around which you can update bedding, accessories and other accents so that she doesn't outgrow the space.

When you feel like it's time for a change, take a look at every detail: something as simple as changing

out the drawer knobs on her dresser or hanging a collection of shaped mirrors on the wall can make the room feel brand-new and exciting to her. Even rearranging her furniture tends to create an exciting sense of newness, and can open up space in unexpected ways to accommodate her latest toys or other favorite belongings. As she grows, she'll develop more of an interest in shaping the room to her specific tastes, making it a project you can enjoy together.