Quick answers
When choosing paint colors for a child’s bedroom, here are some quick tips:
– Opt for light, bright, and vibrant colors that will keep the room feeling energetic and fun. Colors like light blue, soft yellow, and pale green are great choices.
– Let your child have input on the color selection. Allowing them to choose helps them feel ownership over their special space.
– Consider the age and gender of your child. Young kids tend to prefer primary colors while tweens and teens like bolder shades. Boys often like blue and green while girls are drawn to pink and purple.
– Neutral walls (white, beige) provide a blank canvas and allow you to add pops of color through bedding, toys, decor. This makes it easy to update as your child’s tastes change.
– Soft pastels work well for nurseries since they have a calming effect. Try mint, peach, lavender or buttery yellow.
– Avoid dark or overly bright colors. These can feel overwhelming in a small space designed for playing, relaxing and sleeping.
– If your child wants a bold color like neon green, consider painting just one accent wall instead of the entire room.
– Consider the amount of natural light the room receives. North facing rooms may require lighter colors to brighten the space.
Factors to consider
When selecting a paint color for your child’s bedroom, there are a few important factors to keep in mind:
**Age of child** – Babies and toddlers respond best to soft, light colors that have a calming effect. Cool tones like light blue, seafoam green and grey are recommended. Older children can help choose their preferred color and tend to like brighter, bolder shades. Primary colors appeal to young kids while tweens and teens may want neon or jewel tones.
**Gender** – Traditionally, pink and purple are associated with girls and blue and green colors are commonly used in boys’ rooms. However, gender preferences are very individual so don’t feel limited by stereotypes. Select colors your child is naturally drawn to.
**Amount of natural light** – The location of the room and orientation to the sun will impact color choice. North facing rooms have less natural light. Choose lighter shades to keep the space feeling bright and airy. South facing rooms receive more sunlight so you have flexibility with darker, bolder colors if desired.
**Size of room** – For small rooms, stick with light cool colors which give the illusion of more space. Dark colors can make a room feel closed in and small. Bright cool tones like soft blue, green and gray will open up the space.
**Child’s preferences** – Most importantly, select colors your child is excited about. Let them have input in the decision and paint sample selection process. This gives them ownership over the special space. Even if you want them to learn to compromise, allow them to choose at least the color for one accent wall.
**Future changes** – Tastes change, so selecting less permanent décor items like bedding allows more flexibility. Paint the walls a neutral white or beige and add splashes of color through accent walls, bedding, toys and décor for an easily changeable look.
**Theme** – If creating a themed room like under the sea or dinosaur land, select paint colors to coordinate with the theme. This helps pull the entire room together.
**Mood** – Colors can impact mood and energy level. Soft blues and greens have a calming effect while bright reds, oranges and yellows feel energetic. Seek balance in mood when selecting your palette.
Best paint finishes
The paint finish you choose for a kid’s room is also an important decision. Here are some things to consider:
– **Flat or matte** – This non-shiny, velvety finish is ideal for walls in a children’s room. It stands up to cleaning and hides imperfections well.
– **Eggshell** – Slightly more shine than flat. Durability is good while still providing some texture. Washable.
– **Satin** – Has a smooth, pearl-like sheen. It’s durable and stands up to repeated washing. Good for trim and doors.
– **Semi-gloss** – Has a medium-high luster. Very durable and most stain/moisture resistant. Good for bathrooms or playrooms.
– **High gloss** – Very shiny and reflective. Use sparingly as accent walls or trims as it shows imperfections. Durability is excellent.
– **Chalkboard paint** – Turn a wall into a chalkboard for drawing, messages and creativity. Use on one accent wall.
– **Metallic/glitter paint** – Add sparkle and interest to an accent wall. Limited use is best. As a full room paint, it can feel overwhelming.
For children’s rooms, flat and eggshell paints are recommended for walls and satin for trims. These provide good durability and allow walls to be easily cleaned and touched up as needed. Accent walls can utilize glossier, bolder sheens. Limit higher sheens like semi-gloss to playrooms, craft spaces or bathrooms where moisture resistance is key.
Best paint colors by age
Here are popular paint color choices that appeal to children at different ages:
**Newborn & Baby**
– Buttery yellow – cheering, soothing
– Baby blue – calming, sweet
– Pale green – peaceful, relaxing
– Lavender – comforting, gentle
– Peach – warm, nurturing
– Grey – tranquil, subtle
**Toddler & Preschooler**
– Light blue – reliable, friendly
– Pale purple – whimsical, calming
– Mint green – refreshing, bright
– Pink – sweet, affectionate
– Red – energetic, upbeat
– Yellow – cheerful, optimistic
**Elementary School Age**
– Bright blue – stable, intellectual
– Lime green – lively, stimulating
– Orange – Social, Creative
– Turquoise – Balancing, Soothing
– Pink – Caring, Hopeful
– Yellow – Confident, Friendly
**Tween & Teen**
– Aqua – Calming, Responsible
– Violet – Individualistic, Imaginative
– Green – Growth, Balance
– Red – Passionate, Strong
– Bright pink – Playful, Bold
– Navy – Focused, mature
Select colors in the tone and brightness level that suits your child’s age, personality and preferences. While these popular shades are a good starting point, the most important factor is choosing a color your individual child will love and connect with in their space.
Most popular kids room colors
Here is a summary of the most popular paint colors used in children’s bedrooms:
**For Girls**
– Pink
– Purple
– Pale blue
– Mint green
– Lavender
– Peach
**For Boys**
– Blue
– Green
– Orange
– Red
– Yellow
– Grey
**Neutral**
– White
– Beige
– Light grey
– Ivory
Pink and purple are commonly used in little girls’ rooms, while blue and green are typical boy room colors. Vibrant primary colors like red, yellow and orange appear in rooms for both genders. Neutral shades provide a blank background for added color through décor and theming.
Pastel versions of classic colors work well in nurseries and rooms for younger children due to their calming effect. School aged kids often prefer brighter, bolder versions of traditional color favorites. Tweens and teens may select more sophisticated neutrals or neon/jewel toned shades.
While kids have historically been drawn to gender stereotyped colors, today’s design trends allow children of either gender to select the colors they are naturally attracted to without limitations. Provide a few popular color options, but let your child decide on their ultimate favorites for their unique space.
Paint samples
Here are 5 popular paint colors commonly used in children’s rooms with their color codes:
| Color Name | Color Code |
| Sweet Pink | Balet Slipper SW 623 |
| Sky Blue | Skimming Stone SW 9170 |
| Lucky Green | Rejuvenation SW 9152 |
| Sunny Day | Curious Yellow SW 6925 |
| Cozy White | White SW 7005 |
Most major paint brands like Sherwin Williams, Behr and Benjamin Moore have their own versions of these popular kids’ room shades. Share paint chips with your child and have them help select favorites to sample on the walls. Paint samples allow you to see the true color in the space before committing to the full room.
Themes and color schemes
If creating a themed bedroom, carry the theme throughout the color palette for cohesion. Here are some examples:
**Under the Sea**
– Walls: Misty light blue
– Accent wall: Ocean turquoise
– Trim/ceiling: White
– Bedding/decor: Fish, bubbles, mermaids
**Dinosaur Land**
– Walls: T-rex green
– Accent wall: Fossil grey
– Trim: White
– Bedding/decor: Dinosaurs, trees, vulcanic rock
**Space Adventure**
– Walls: Nebula blue/purple
– Accent: Mars red
– Trim: Shiny silver
– Bedding/decor: Rockets, planets, astronauts
**Princess Palace**
– Walls: Ballerina pink
– Accent wall: Majestic purple
– Trim/ceiling: White
– Bedding: Crowns, unicorns, castles
**Sporty Room**
– Walls: Victory blue
– Accent wall: Medal gold
– Trim: White
– Décor: Balls, trophies, scoreboards
Use colors and imagery that tie into the theme. An accent wall in a coordinating contrasting shade adds interest. Display themed artwork and décor against neutral walls and trims to highlight. Themed rooms build imagination and let your child create their own world.
Creative accent walls
Paint is not the only way to add color to walls in a kid’s room. Here are some creative ideas for accent walls:
– **Removable wallpaper** – Provides color and imagery that can be easily changed. Choose papers with fun prints, patterns or characters.
– **Chalkboard paint** – Turn a wall into a creative space for drawing, leaving messages, playing games. Use chalk marker for more permanent décor.
– **Murals** – Hand paint a scene like a jungle, race track or castle. Use painter’s tape to create stripes or geometric patterns.
– **Fabric** – Stretch and staple bold patterned cotton fabric or canvas across wall. Great for textural interest.
– **Corkboard** – Paint corkboard tiles in a fun color then tack up photos, art and more.
– **3D Wall Panels** – Peel and stick plastic or foam panels create depth and dimension with color and shape.
– **Wall Decals/Stickers** – Removable, repositionable vinyl graphics in any theme add color quickly.
Accent walls provide design flexibility and the ability to easily change the look over time. Use paint, wallpaper, fabric, murals and more to create a focal point that expresses their changing interests.
Relating colors to moods
Paint colors can impact a child’s mood and emotions. Here is how some common kids’ room color families relate to different feelings:
**Blues** – Calming, soothing, focused, stable
Light blue – peaceful, gentle
Navy blue – confident, loyal
**Greens** – Balanced, relaxed, healthy, cheerful
Light green – natural, tranquil
Lime green – fresh, revitalizing
**Purples** – Imaginative, creative, mystical, wise
Lavender – comforting, nostalgic
Violet – innovative, individual
** Reds** – Passionate, energetic, brave, strong
Pink – sweet, affectionate
Burgundy – sophisticated, elegant
**Oranges** – Cheerful, social, creative, adventurous
Peach – friendly, warm
Burnt Orange – outdoorsy, welcoming
**Yellows** – Uplifting, optimistic, intellectual, confident
Pale yellow – sunny, bright
Gold – shimmery, enthusiastic
Use cooler toned blues and greens to create a relaxing sleep space. Warm shades like orange and yellow help create an energizing play or study zone. Select colors purposefully to elicit desired moods and feelings in different room zones.
Paint sheen recommendations
The paint sheen you select impacts the look, durability and washability of the walls. Here are sheen recommendations by area:
– **Flat or Matte** – Best for walls in kids bedrooms, provides an attractive velvety look. Withstands cleaning and touch ups.
– **Eggshell** – Slight sheen, great washability. Recommended for hallways, playrooms and other high traffic areas.
– **Satin** – Pearl-like glow, resists stains. Great for doors, trim, and bathrooms. Adds nice contrast against flat walls.
– **Semi-Gloss** – Very durable and stain resistant due to medium-high shine. Use in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry.
– **Gloss** – Highly reflective shine. Great for accent walls and trims.Too much glare for large spaces. Shows imperfections.
Flat, eggshell and satin are the best choices for kids spaces. Use gloss only sparingly on trims or small accent walls to add interest. Limit glossy paint to playrooms, craft areas and bathrooms that require heavy duty washability.
Top kids paint brands
Here are some top quality paint brands recommended for use in children’s spaces:
– **Benjamin Moore** – Wide selection of premixed colors. Low VOC, “zero” VOC options. Durable, washable, kid-friendly.
– **Sherwin-Williams** – Industry leader. User-friendly paints and colors. Low VOC options plus antibacterial paint.
– **Behr** – Affordable quality. Low VOC. Excellent color selection and coverage. Scrubbable finishes.
– **Valspar** – Budget-friendly brand at Lowe’s. Mom-approved stains, kid-friendly colors. Low VOC options.
– **PPG** – Available at Home Depot. Good variety of sheens and quality kid-safe paints. Budget to premium.
– **Kelly-Moore** – Wide array of fun color choices. Durable washable finishes. Easy to apply.
– **Kilz** – Specialty primers including stain-blocking, mold resistant and adhesive. Affordable quality.
No matter which brand you choose, select low or no VOC options. Look for durable, scrubbable, stain-resistant finishes ideal for kids spaces. Top brands offer quality paints in the exact colors you need.
Paint sheen comparison chart
| Paint Sheen | Level of Shine | Advantages | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat/Matte | None | – Hides imperfections – Washable – Velvety look |
– Bedrooms – Living rooms – Dining rooms |
| Eggshell | Soft glow | – Withstands cleaning – Durable – Low sheen |
– Hallways – Kids rooms – Playrooms |
| Satin | Low-medium | – Resists stains – Pearl-like – Easy to clean |
– Bathrooms – Doors – Trim |
| Semi-Gloss | Medium-high | – Very durable – Resists moisture – Easy to wash |
-Playrooms – Craft rooms – Kitchens |
| Gloss | High sheen | – Most stain resistant – Shiny and reflective – Shows imperfections |
– Accent walls – Bathrooms – Craft rooms |
This comparison chart summarizes the sheens from least (flat) to most (gloss) reflective. Consider shine level, durability, washability and look to select the right finish for kids spaces.
Tips for painting a child’s room
Here are some top tips for a successful paint project in a kid’s bedroom:
– Prep the space – Clean surfaces, fill holes, tape trims, lay drop cloths
– Prime walls – Creates uniform surface for paint to adhere to
– Choose child-
