7 Cool Colors for Kids’ Rooms

As they grow up, kids change their ideas about their favorite color about as often as they change their socks. So how is a parent to choose what color to paint a kid’s room? While a soft blue might be your idea of the perfect backdrop for a crib, by the time your child has any input, he may well deem it too "babyish." Instead, choose a color that your kids can grow with, and focus on swapping linens and accessories out as they mature. Your kids’ ideas about what color to paint their rooms may not be quite up your alley. But try hard to let them have input! It will give them a sense of ownership. With any luck, that will translate into good stewardship—perhaps even in the form of keeping the rooms clean. If they choose bold colors you think may overwhelm the room, compromise by using them as accents on one wall, as a border, or as the backing to a bookshelf. And painting trim and ceilings isn't off-limits; these don’t have to be white. Looking to start off strong? Before you settle on an idea for the color of your kids’ rooms, click through these seven favorite paint jobs for bright ideas that are sure to stay in style.

By Debra Immergut

Updated on Dec 29, 2020

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Citron Yellow

shutterstock.com

What could be more cheery than waking up in a room soaked in sunshine? When choosing this color for a child’s space, look for pure yellows or tones freshened with a bit of green, and steer clear of brown-gold shades. Pair with other warm colors and white to create a vibrant, energetic mood.

Related:  10 Color Picks to Set Any Mood in Your Bedroom

Bold Red

Nor-Son Custom Homes

Red isn’t an easy paint color for every room in the house, but it can be really fun in a kid’s space. Paint an accent wall in a stimulating fire-engine shade to enliven a reading nook or homework area; it looks especially warm and inviting with white or wood floors and furniture.

Related:  Awesome Accents—17 Ways to Make Any Space Pop with Color

Cobalt Blue

Lucy McLintic at Four Walls & a Roof

Blue is a perennial choice for boys’ rooms, of course, and it’s growing in popularity for girls too. Instead of a pale blue or turquoise, though, consider something darker, like cobalt or navy. These brave blues lend a crisp, classic look and provide a striking contrast to bold tones—think oranges or magenta—and neutrals alike. Another plus: The walls will never show smudgy fingerprints!

Electric Green

Apartment Therapy

Lime or leaf greens are wonderful multitaskers. As long as the shade doesn’t skew too neon, green can be both soothing and upbeat, and works well for any age or gender. Look for a bright tone rather than a dark forest green, which can read as somber.

Related:  Trending Now—Emerald Green

Cool Gray

Design by Laura U Interior Design; photography by Julie Soefer Photography

A decade ago, most parents would have considered gray too dreary for a child’s room, but the current craze suggests otherwise. This cool hue has spread from living rooms and kitchens to kids’ spaces. Here, a well-chosen gray sets the perfect stage for colorful toys and artwork.

Related:  

Bright Purple

Zillow Digs home in Basking Ridge, NJ

Letting your kids choose their own bedroom color is a great way to increase their sense of ownership. Unfortunately, not all favorite shades translate easily to decor—and purple is a tricky one. Periwinkle can be pretty but can also read as dingy if too gray. Go brighter and bolder, and mix in white and silver accessories for contrast.

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ourfifthhouse.com

For more about kids, consider:

8 Kids Clubhouses You Never Want to Outgrow

Banish Boredom with 7 Kid-Friendly DIY Projects

The Royal Nursery: 12 Jaw-Dropping Room Ideas for Your Prince or Princess