5 ways to create a whimsical kid's bedroom they'll love

Find out how to nail this fun, timeless style with our top tips and a sourcebook of the best brands and designers for inspiration and key buys

Decorating a kid’s bedroom can be tricky. On the one hand it needs to be practical with plenty of storage, on the other it should be a fun, magical space that ignites their imagination. You also need to consider longevity. KIDS GROW UP FAST! In the blink of an eye they’re suddenly 8 years old going on 16. So, whatever you design, it needs to be timeless enough that it can adapt and evolve as your child grows. 

Which is why we ABSOLUTELY love the whimsical bedroom style. It isn’t really about creating a uniformed look, but more about bringing together a mish-mash of different patterns, colours and furniture styles to create an cosy vintage vibe that can be added to over time to build up layers of sentiment and interest.

Two children's bedrooms in the home of interior designer Emily Dobbs; photography by Rachel Ferriman

“Children’s bedrooms are a place where imagination can be unleashed – they are the most joyous spaces to design as they offer a portal to a magical world,” says interior designer Emily Dobbs. “To achieve that whimsical style, start by thinking how you want the space to feel, not what you want it to look like. A lovely wallpaper from the likes of Schumacher can help with storytelling and pull a colour scheme together, while the addition of antiques and trinkets will create that nostalgic nod and sense of heirlooms passed down the generations.”

Read on for our 5 top tips on how to create a folksy interior look in your kid’s bedroom.

GET PLAYFUL WITH TEXTILES

Willa and the Bear has beautiful bedding designs that fit the whimsical look

Whether it’s changing up the bedlinen, adding a new window covering or reupholstering cushions or soft seating, adding a playful mix of patterned textiles with a touch of whimsy can transform a room from something non-descript to a warm, inviting space full of charm and texture. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns – if you’re unsure of where to start, choosing a stripe, and then pairing with plain, geometric or floral design is a good rule of thumb to work with. Look for heritage designs from the likes of William Morris or Liberty for florals, and combine with bold stripes from the likes of Colours of Arley or Tori Murphy. For bed linen, companies such as Camomile London and Willa and the Bear have beautiful designs.

MIX AND MATCH YOUR FURNITURE

Head to Alfred Newall’s website to enquire about these stunning bobbin beds; the walls were painted by decorative artist Tess Newall

We love the recent resurgence of bobbin furniture, which originates from 17^th-century Europe, as well as affordable pieces including Victorian chest of drawers, mid-century rattan designs and traditional ‘gentlemen's wardrobes’, which are on the smaller scale, so sit well in kids’ rooms. These are often easily found on second-hand selling sites such as Vinted and Facebook Marketplace. Blend eras for an effortless look and don’t be afraid to add painted furniture with raw wood finishes. Hand-painted designs add that extra-special touch – look to designers such as Tess Newall (and husband Alfred Newall for modern bobbin furniture), as well as @develeyatelier and Amy Balfour (check her out for the cutest hand-painted dolls’ house pieces alone!)

GET CREATIVE WITH ART

Dunelm has a range of bobbin frames that perfectly fit the whimsical theme

Art is a clever way of recreating that whimsical look – go for a mix of vintage posters, illustrative designs, floral paintings, embroidered pieces (The Fabled Thread is an amazing source of inspo) and photography. To add to the folky feel, be creative with frames and mounts, opting for hand-painted pieces (which you can do yourself – co-editor Charlotte has a quick tutorial on these on Instagram here), or perhaps go for bobbin or wavy designs; for high-street buys Dunelm has an amazing collection of bright bobbin mirrors and frames, all at affordable prices, and for more bespoke pieces we also love Studio Welby, Petri Prints and The Handpainted Frame Company.

BORDER-LINE FUN

Borders like these from Studio Atkinson.can be used to define and add colour and interest to the junction between hallway and bedroom

Borders are back in a big way and they’re a quick, easy and non-committal way to add a decorative feature without having to wallpaper an entire room. We love the pretty scalloped designs from Ottoline, as well as Parker & Jules and Studio Atkinson. You could even paint your own designs straight onto the wall to create a similar look. 

SKIRTS & SCALLOPS

The children's bedroom in Alice Palmer's home; Amuse La Bouche cushions available from Rose & Grey

Scalloped rugs, frilly bed skirts and ruffled cushions and lampshades are all over Instagram and the high street. Some may say the style is overused. But we say, if you like it, go for it. You should add whatever makes you and your child(ren) happy –  that’s what the whimsical look is all about. Plus, frills and scallops have been used for centuries so we think the look can and will last. It’s all about using the patterns in moderation and layering up the look. We love the lampshades and bed linen of Alice Palmer, while Amuse La Bouche has the perfect combo of striped and frilled cushion covers.

What’s your thoughts on this look? Would you add a touch of the whimsy to your home? Let us know what you really think in the comments below and let us know if you want to see more kid’s bedroom ideas. PLUS please, like and share this post with all your friends and family.