Irina

Playful kids’ bedroom ideas filled with character and charm

Posted on 26th August 2025

Looking to add a dash of fun to your little one’s bedroom ahead of the new school year? Get inspired by these lively designs…

Summer’s on its last stretch, and a new school year is about to begin. If you are pondering refreshing your little one’s bedroom – be it through a lick of paint, a splash of pattern, or new furnishings – I’ve rounded up some charming ideas bound to get your creativity going…

Kids bedroom with a blue single bed, blue open shelves and green locker style nightstand. — Blue and green is a colour match made in heaven, oozing playfulness, which makes it ideal for a little one’s sleep space. The Ledge in Ocean and Navy, £69 for a large each, Mustard Made.

Pop of personality

Personality should be at the heart of your little one’s sleep space. What are they into at this age? Is it fairytale characters; do they love a particular colour or pattern? Decorate using their favourite shades, motifs and animations for a space that reflects their interests, whether it’s through soft furnishings such as quirky curtains, cushions and bedding, fun but functional furniture, or charming wallpaper designs.

Kids bedroom with Mickey Mouse blinds, cushions, red wall paint, and striped furnishings. — Get inspired by your kids’ favourite cartoon when decorating. Sanderson x Disney Home Mickey Stripe Natural roman blind, from £22.45, Blinds 2go.

Kids' bedroom with a single bed dressed in striped linen, with wall lights, and a quirky side table. — This charming kids’ bedroom by Hutley & Humm layers colours, patterns, and materials. Photography: Boz Gagovski.

Kids' bedroom with blue wall paint, pops of red on the window, radiator and wardrobe, and a compact desk area. — Pops of red add visual interest to this bedroom by Hutley & Humm.

Sleep space with circus-themed wall coverings, a red teepee, and neutral decor. — Bring the feeling of family circus festivals home with chic red-and-white tent motifs, hot-air balloon decorations, and colourful kids’ teepees. May Day in Tent Stripe Brights made-to-measure curtains, from £24.85, 247 Blinds.

Under the sea

Extend the holiday feeling into the autumn and winter season by creating a sea-inspired theme in your kids’ bedroom. Picture murals adorned with colourful corals, ocean creatures and coastal shells, scalloped or shiplap panelling, and nautical stripe wallpaper. Opt for furniture crafted from wood, whether it’s grainy oak bunkbeds or vintage walnut desks and wardrobes, and bring in more splashes of colour through bedspreads, lighting solutions, and playful décor.

Sea-inspired playroom with watercolour style mural and simple white and wood furniture. — The Marine wallpaper with watercolour-style sea life, £42.72 per sq m, Hovia, is complemented here by simple furniture and comfortable flooring.

Sea-inspired sleep space with bunkbeds made from wood, blue scalloped panelling, coral and shell wallpaper and blue furnishings. — The Electric blackout Roman blind and curtains in Coral Pacific by Hillarys complete this sea-inspired kids’ bedroom design.

Nautical bedroom with striped wallpaper, shiplap panelling, wood flooring, and blue furnishings. — Mix and match striped wallpaper and shiplap panelling for a nautical feeling. Story Time Big Wide World Sea collection by Iliv. Cushions on the floor, from top to bottom: Big Wide World fabric in Multi, Marine fabric in Multi, Ticking Stripe fabric in Denim, and South America fabric in Multi. Under the Sea bedspread fabric in Multi, and Marine reverse bedspread fabric in Multi. From £26 per sq m each.

Jurassic safari

Is your little one going through a dinosaur phase? Take a trip way back in time and deck their sleep space out in wall coverings embellished with prehistoric reptiles, rocky volcanoes, and exotic palm trees. You can even create a cosy play nook with a striking mural as the backdrop and plush seating for them to enjoy reading or drawing. As for the colour palette, blues, greens, oranges, and maroons are ideal for soft furnishings, from bed linen to cushions and curtains. For the perfect finishing touch, decorate open shelves with house plants, which will also help purify the air, collectable toys, and children’s books.

Jurassic-inspired kids' bedroom with patterned wallpaper, wood furniture, a single bed, and dinosaur decor. — The Toile de Jurassic wallpaper in Carmine Lake, £230 per roll, Lime Lace is perfect for an eye-catching accent wall.

Jurassic-inspired mural in a kids' bedroom. — Add the wow factor to your little one’s bedroom with the help of striking wall coverings. Project by K’Arte Design.

A cosy reading nook with yellow paint, blue upholstery and cream storage. — This bedroom by K’Arte Design includes a window seat with built-in storage and shelving.

Pared-back bedrooms

If you want your kids’ bedroom design to grow with them, a calm colour scheme will act as the blank canvas to their current interests. Stick to earthy neutrals and light pastels, but introduce interest through patterned bedding, storage solutions, and wall art, which you can easily change when their passions evolve. Choose natural materials and finishes, such as wood, rattan, and jute, to bring a touch of the outdoors in and achieve a serene sleep space.