​DIY Decor: Fun and Easy Crafts to Personalise Kids’ Bedrooms

Creating a personalised space for your child doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, provided you have a few simple materials and a sprinkling of creativity, together you can transform their bedroom into their own special retreat that is inspired by their personality and interests.

So, whether it’s the school holidays or just a rainy weekend, we’ve rounded up some top homemade design ideas for kids. Scroll on to explore fun and easy DIY décor ideas that you and your little ones can have fun creating together.

1. Personalised wall art

Letting your child create their own work of art to hang on their bedroom door is a great way to both pass the time and add a splash of colour to their space. So, here are a couple of our top home-made wall art ideas:

Handprint canvases

Make colourful memories you can cherish forever with arty handprint canvases.

What you’ll need:

• Canvases of various sizes (alternatively, use sheets of paper you can pop into disused photo frames)
• Paint. If using canvasses, acrylic paint works best. But on paper, you can use poster paint or even any leftover emulsion paint you have lurking in the cellar, shed, or garage!
• Paintbrushes. A staple of crafting, paintbrushes are available in a variety of sizes and can be bought relatively cheaply at local supermarkets or online if you don’t have any already.

How to create your handprint wall art:

1. Start by choosing your paint colours. Then pour them out onto a palette (or use an old plastic plate if you don’t have a palette!).
2. Next, you can either allow your child to dip their hand straight into the paint, or they can paint their hand using a paint brush. Once it’s fully covered,they’ll need to press it onto the canvas or paper.
3. Repeat the process using the different coloursyou and your child have chosen together. You’llprobably have to help them wash their hands in between colour choices too. Start layering handprintsin various directions to create a jazzy and colourful design.
4. Pop the completed art work somewhere to dry and then hang them on their bedroom wall.

DIY wall decals

Wall decals are also known as wall stickers, wall graphics, wall appliques, and sometimes wall clings. They are usually made from very thin sheets of vinyl featuring one printed side and one side with adhesive. Decals stick flat to walls and other surfaces without any need for nails or glue. So why not create your own fun and personality-packed bedroom using wall decals?

What you’ll need:

• Removable vinyl stickers or decals. These can usually be found quite affordably online or in DIY stores.
• Scissors (if you’re planning on cutting your child’s decals into custom shapes)

What to do:

1. Start by choosing a theme together. Whether it’s animals, stars, or geometric shapes, remember to choose a theme your little one loves.
2. Arrange the decals on the wall to create a scene or pattern.
3. Letting your child help to place the decals on their bedroom wall is a good idea. This will give them a sense of ownership of their room.

2. Customised storage solutions

Storage is a key part of any child’s bedroom. And just because it’s a kids’ room staple, it doesn’t have to boring! Here’s some ideas on how to upcycle some of their existing bedroom storage:

Personalised toy boxes

Transform those plain old boring storage bins and boxes into personality-infused, functional pieces of décor. 

What you’ll need:

• Plastic or fabric storage boxes or bins
• Some fabric paints or permanent markers
• Stencils (optional). For younger little ones not too fond of mark making, using stencils is a great way to get them into the creative mindset.

What to do:

1. Start by prepping the surface of the storage bins or boxes. You’ll need to clean and dry them to ensure that the paint adheres properly.
2. Next, you can use stencils or simply freehand your child’s name, favourite shapes, or patterns onto their tox storage boxes. If free-handing, using a pencil to map out your design before applying the paint is a wise idea – especially if you’re not a regular arts and crafter!
3. Then, simply pop the storage tubs to one side to allow the paint time to dry. Once they’re dry, use the personalised boxes to organise and store toys, books, or clothes.

Decorative shelves

Add a splash of colour to your child’s bedroom by designing and creating their very own custom shelves.

What you’ll need:

• Floating shelves. These are often the cheapest type of indoor shelving available. You can shop online, in your local discount or DIY store, or even trawl your local charity shops to find some bargain floating shelves to upcycle.
• Paint or contact paper (aka adhesive vinyl)
• Some masking tape

How to create your personalised shelves:

1. Paint the shelves in your child’s favourite colour or cover them with a patterned contact paper that ties in with your child’s interests.
2. Use masking (or painter’s) tape to create geometric designs or stripes for that wow-factor.
3. Finally, install the shelves. It’s best to position them at your child’s height so they can use them to easily store and access all of their favourite things.

3. Creative lighting ideas

Now that you’ve personalised your child’s bedroom walls and toy storage solutions, it’s time to think about lighting. Here are some great crafty ways you can illuminate their sleep space.

Fairy light jars

One of the easiest ways to a touch of magic to your child’s bedroom is with a whimsical light jar. Scroll on to find out how to make your own.

What you’ll need:

• Mason jars. Or even some old jam, pickle or condiment jars will do the trick provided they’re big enough to hold the fairy lights (and have been thoroughly washed out!).
• Battery-operated fairy lights. These are usually available at local discount stores as well as online marketplaces for a minimal cost. Obviously, more expensive versions are available too. But the beauty of this is that it’s a personalised bedroom accessory you can align with your budget – however restricted or frivolous it may be.
• Decorative crafty supplies. You may want to further embellish your lighting design with ribbons, stickers, or glitter.

How to do it:

1. Place the string of battery-operated fairy lights inside each of the jars you’ve collected.
2. Decorate the jars with your child. You can use ribbons, stickers, glitteror paint to tie in with the chosen theme for their bedroom.
3. When you’re done, wait until it starts to go dark. Then, turn on the fairy lights and position the jars on their bedroom shelves, their bedside table, or their window sill.

Paper lanterns

Designing your own custom paper lanterns can help to give your child’s bedroom a soft, ambient glow. Here’s how.

What you’ll need:

• Plain paper lanterns – or some plain paper to make your own. Never made your own paper lanterns before? No problem, there are loads of tutorials you can watch on YouTube and other streaming sites!
• Markers, paint, or brightly coloured tissue paper
• Glue to hold your design together. We’d recommend PVA over a glue stick if you’re creating something you want to last.

What to do:

1. Start by prepping the paper lanterns as instructed in your preferred video tutorial (if you’re going for the full DIY effort and impact).
2. Then, let your child decorate the paper lanterns using the markers and paint, or by gluing and sticking using various coloured tissue paper shapes.
3. Once the decorations are dry, it’s time to assemble the lanterns.
4. Then hang them from the ceiling or any wall hanging shelves in their bedroom.
5. Finally, insert a battery-operated LED light to give your child’s bedroom a cosy glow with a safety-first focus.

4. Personalised bedding accessories

Now that their bedroom has been personalised, it’s time to turn your attention to your child’s bed. Here are some great ways to give the place they rest their head a unique feel inspired by their personality and interests:

Pillowcase art

Grab some old, plain pillowcases and transform them into personalised masterpieces your little one will love.

What you’ll need:

• Plain cotton pillowcases
• Fabric markers or paint
• Cardboard (to place inside pillowcase while decorating)

What to do:

1. Pop the cardboard inside the pillowcase to prevent the paint or marker from bleeding through the fabric.
2. Let your child draw or paint their designs onto the pillowcase.
3. Allow the pillowcases to dry completely before using them on the bed.

DIY bed canopy

Fancy going the extra mile? Well, you can create a dreamy bed canopy for your child with just a few supplies too.

What you’ll need:

• Either an embroidery hoop or a hula hoop – depending on how bit you want it to be and what you have at your disposal to use.
• Some sheer fabric or tulle. If you have some old sheer curtains, you can upcycle these instead!
• Some ribbon or string
• A ceiling hook

How to do it:

1. Start by attaching the fabric to the hoop you’re using by tying or gluing it into place.
2. Hang the hoop from the ceiling using the ribbon or string, ensuring it’sproperly centred over the bed.
3. Drape the fabric around the bed to create a cosy, comfy, and inviting canopy effect.

Homemade bedroom décor: our conclusion

Personalising your child's bedroom with DIY décor is enables you to spend quality time together while working to create a space that they’ll love. The fun and easy crafts we’ve listed here can add a personal touch to their bedroom.But they’realso a great way to encourage your child's creativity and give them sense of ownership in their bedroom.

So,round up your household art supplies, set your imagination free, and craft your way to a unique bedroom design!