5 Tips for a DIY Kids' Room Makeover
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The Statement Wall
This big-scale design makes an impact, but easily changes over time: We can hang art inside the shapes or add decals on top. (I built the dress-up rack; get the tutorial at familyfunmag.com/printables.)
Do It Yourself Tape off your design (I swear by ScotchBlue painter’s tape), then brush a base coat (the color of the rest of the wall) along the inside edge of the tape and let it dry. It takes a few extra minutes, but any paint that seeps under will now be the same color as your wall—no touch-ups! Then paint on one or two coats of your accent colors. Wait 15 minutes, pull off the tape, and let it dry completely.
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The Storage Plan
I moved a dresser we’d used as a changing table into the closet to make room for toys, toys, toys! Instead of cramming them into a bulky chest, I floated crates on the wall to create the illusion of more space. Inside them, bins corral smaller toys.
Do It Yourself Paint the edges of wooden crates (mine are from Target); let dry. Use a level and ruler to mark the placement, then attach with the right screws and anchors for your wall type.
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A Cozy Corner
We traded out book rails on the wall for a movable rack that holds a ton of books, and tossed all their stuffed animals into a hardy laundry bag. When it’s totally full, it works as a big floor pillow, but it’s easy to dump out when it’s time to play.
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Easy Seating
These stools have felt pads on the bottom, so Oliver and Sommer can drag them around to the toy area, their closets, or the bedside. I had their old blocks lying around as I was making the light fixture, and all of a sudden, they looked like ears! Now I want to make a whole forest of critter stools.
Do It Yourself Start with an unassembled wooden stool and two wooden blocks. Tape off your designs and paint each piece (I used ArtMinds DIY Home Décor Acrylic Paint). Attach the ears to the seat with E6000 Craft Adhesive Glue, let it set, then screw them in from the bottom. Assemble the stools using the manufacturer’s instructions.
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The Lighting
I have such a hard time parting with my kids’ toys! I’m totally sentimental, and I hate to get rid of stuff—plus I see everything as a craft material! I saw these cool Edison bulb pendants with beaded cords, but a bare bulb and small beads weren’t going to cut it— looks- or lighting-wise. Blocks and a big shade? Perfect!
Do It Yourself Drill holes slightly larger than your pendant cord straight down into wooden blocks. Paint with an acrylic, let dry, then thread onto the cord.
