How To Save Money on Kid Focused Spaces

We're in the process of giving Jackson's room a mini refresh just in time to start first grade! Ever since I designed his nursery 7 years ago (cue tears) I have tried to choose décor and style elements that will grow with him. I call it "sophisticated whimsy," and styling our kid-friendly spaces this way has saved me a TON of money! How, you may ask? Well, the décor I've chosen has a more classic vibe, so rather than swapping out a bunch of nursery décor for his toddler room and then swapping again for a big kid space, I was able to reuse most of our original décor and still give him a playful modern look!

This post is all about selecting elements that are whimsical enough for a kid's space but also stylish enough to grow into! And my tops picks are all pretty affordable too! Everyone wins!

One of my favorite things about the décor in Jackson's room is all of the art on the walls. Gallery walls are such a great way to add interest and a wow factor to a space. They can also elevate the look of a room, so that's a win-win in my book! I used a combination of black and white animal photographs mixed with family antiques such as license plates, and 3D elements like this resin bear head. His walls have a curated sophisticated feel but are still playful for a 6 year old.

If you like to switch art regularly regardless of the space, don't miss my tips for affordable and even free art here!

Rugs labeled as "kid's rugs" can be cute, but that race track rug will only be "cool" to your child for a few years. Instead, invest in a high quality, but easy to clean rug in a more classic pattern. Let the colors of the rug have a playful vibe rather than the design. It will be much easier to keep the same rug through several stages of childhood. The rug in Jackson's bedroom was originally in our first home's family room. It is wool and looks just as great 14 years later as it did when I first purchased it.

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If you invest in good quality wood furniture for your child at an early age, you can continue to use those pieces throughout their childhood years and beyond! The large dresser in Jackson's room was actually mine growing up!!! This dresser has been several different colors based on the space and design. I've also swapped out the hardware several times too! Don't miss my go-to tips for painting furniture here!

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Later this week, I'll be revealing the swaps we've made in Jackson's room! Some of the furniture is changing to accommodate my little big guy, but most of the room will still contain the elements it has had since the beginning. Stay tuned!

xoxo, L