Kid's room decor ideas

Three-dimensional decorating gives a room character and an extra element of whimsy. Why settle for typical design themes, when you can add items that set your child's room apart from other kid's rooms?

LET THE SUNSHINE IN

Every child's room should be bright and cheery, but adding your own sunshine makes it extra special. Create a three-dimensional sun from Styrofoam and fabric, or create a sun that actually lights up!

A Styrofoam sun is simple to make and adds charm to a small child's room or any nursery. Simply cut a large Styrofoam ball in half, and glue on batting. Trace the half ball onto the backside of nice bright fabric then draw a circle about six to eight inches larger than the one you traced (depending on how thick your ball is).

Cover the batting with the fabric and hot glue the edges to the back of the foam. Make sure to pull the edges tight and hold in place for a few seconds after gluing. Start at the top then move to the bottom. Look at the front after each step to make sure the face of the sun is smooth. Complete the left side, then the right, the top then the bottom, and then pull taut the edges in between.

Attach the sun to the wall and add yellow and orange 'rays' made from felt. The rays can be attached with staples or double faced tape.

For a shiny sun, purchase a battery operated push-on light, the bigger the better. You will obviously want to choose a round one. Paint the face and the edges yellow, and add rays made from a bright orange and yellow print fabric. Instant sunshine is the push of a button away.

To give the room even more depth, you might want to add some three-dimensional clouds. Simple clouds can be made from cotton balls glued onto poster board that has been cut into cloud shapes.

Another great way to make clouds is to cut cloud shapes from thin pieces of craft wood, and attach them to the wall, raising them up with a block of wood behind each one. Paint the wood, and then glue on wispy pieces of fiber fill.

GOING BUGGY

Ladybugs and spiders are easy to create following the directions above for the Styrofoam sun. Simply add small foam balls for heads, substitute the appropriate fabric, add some pipe cleaners, and leave off the rays. Wisps of fiberfill make great spider webs, and you can attach artificial greenery or silk plants to the wall for ladybugs to rest on.

RAINBOW ROOM

You can paint a floor to ceiling rainbow, but it won't be as exciting as a three dimensional one. Substitute puff paints to create some texture. Or, for even more dimension, purchase swimming "noodles" in bright colors and attach them by tying the ends together with string. Bend them into a rainbow shape and attach to the wall. This also makes a great window treatment.

COLOR ME THREE-D

Purchase banks or toys that are shaped like giant crayons and pencils and display them in your child's room. Attach a piece of foam core or canvas to the wall to look like a sheet of paper. Hang one of the giant crayons from the ceiling with fishing line, and make it appear to be writing on the "paper." Add designs to the canvas with paint. Don't soak the brush, and use loose strokes to make the painted lines look more like crayon marks.

If you would rather make your own crayons, purchase brightly colored felt by the yard. A 24" x 7" rectangle with a triangle shaped end is a simple pattern for a crayon. Sew the top and sides of the crayon closed, stuff it with fiberfill, and whipstitch the end of the crayon to close it. Add rings of black ribbon at the top and bottom for more interest. Suspend crayons from the ceiling or attach them to the wall. Add crayon shaped throw pillows to your child's bed or favorite chair.