Kid brother and sister room decorating ideas?

Question

My son will be one this November and my daughter will be two this September. My son's crib is still in our room. in the next few months we plan on having them share rooms. I need some decorating ideas for their room. Should I do half the room in a girly theme and the other half in a boyish theme... Or should I make the whole room a neutral theme? Depending on your answer what kind of them should I have for the room? I need some good ideas!

By the way we will be living in a two bedroom apartment so the room isn't that big and I don't have a huge budget for the room. I need some cheap practicle ideas! Thanks

Answer 1

You could try a theme that can go girly and boyish. It sounds terrible to gender cast at this early age, but in my experience, its just true, girls will be girls and boys will be boys so its smart to plan that.

If you want a theme, I recomend a castle theme, you can have the whole room in a castle theme (stone, shields, knights, etc.) and the girly stuff the pink and purple princess stuff which allows unicorns etc.  Or an easier and probably cheaper route is to choose an (admittedly commercial choice) such as "Disney" and he can have mickey sheets, she has minney. Or sesame street which is less obviously gender specific.

I personally resolved for the time being this question by doing a sort of non-childrens decor.  I did off-white walls with one beige wall, all the furniture matching cream wood, throw rug is an "adult" throw rug in browns with red orange, purple, green alphabet letters (kiddy but yet adult) and friendly monster stuffed animals in all colors as the only toys and then all their books as the only toys as the bedroom is just for sleeping or if at bedtime they aren't sleepy they can read the books. But I fear when they get older the kiddy stuff is going to creep in as they have desires of their own. I think in the end,  following the practical issues of the below answer are probably more important than the decor. I also agree if the room is small don't split it, find a theme that has a girly and boyish side.

Answer 2

If the room is small, then half and half is not the way to go--it will look smaller. Neutral is great! Use the children's personal toys etc as the 'colour' part, which will keep the room changing as their things change. The theme should be warm, inviting, friendly, comforting and safe. As they grow, so can your ideas and decor. Use suspended mesh bags to hold some of their toys, clothes, shoes, etc which will give you more space and storage. Open shelving on the walls [high up] is another storage idea. These will keep things out of the little ones' way--less mess for you. There are cribs/cots that turn into a single bed, so save space. Keep as much floor space as you can. The kids need room to move otherwise they become very cranky! A large toy box with a padded lid [use as a seat for you or Dad to story read] is another storage method with dual use. Make a foldable chalk board/pin board that attaches to a wall, cupboard, behind the door, where ever is convenient, so the kids know what they CAN draw on. Saves dramas later on! Keep toys in use to a manageable number [store excess for rotation as kids get bored very easily with too many toys at once]. If you still have some room a rocking chair for you to cuddle and feed your babies in would be a nice addition.  Don't forget some soothing night lights for each child's area. They are a comfort to little ones so are worth the effort. A small music centre would also be great for the kids. Definitely NO TV! Being small and cosy, room heating should not be a problem, and if it is BE CAREFUL with the babies safety. An extra blanket is usually much safer.  Good luck.

Answer 3

do neutral colours. maybe top and bottom diff greens. then buy or paint animals pictures. for a jungle or zoo theme. you could even try and draw them . at age 2 the girl isnt really ready to care for girly only themes.