How to create themed bedrooms for kids (without compromising on style!)

It usually starts with a spark — a dinosaur obsession, a love of outer space, or the sudden declaration that everything must be football themed. Sound familiar?

As parents (we’re in this with you!), we love seeing our children light up with excitement! And naturally, we want to bring that joy into their bedrooms. After all, their room is where they dream, play, create, and grow.

But here’s the tricky bit: children’s interests change fast. And what feels like a fun idea today can quickly become outdated. Themed bedrooms can walk a fine line between imaginative and gimmicky. So how do you create a space that feels personal and playful — without clashing with the rest of your home?

At Earthborn, we’re big believers that a themed room can still be beautifully designed. With a little planning, a child’s bedroom can grow with them — while still feeling fun, inspiring, and uniquely theirs. Here’s how to do it…

Think mood, not cartoon

The most stylish themed bedrooms aren’t about literal interpretations — they’re about mood. Rather than going all-in on pirates, princesses, or superheroes, think nautical explorer, enchanted forest, or cosy book nook.

By designing around a feeling or a story, rather than a single character or fad, you can create a space that will age gracefully and still feel relevant as your child grows.

Start with a sophisticated colour base

Colour sets the tone. While it can be tempting to go bright and bold, softer, more grown up shades tend to have more longevity — and they still leave room for fun.

Try grounding the room in versatile shades like:

Hobgoblin – an easy-going green that works well for nature or adventure themes

Bo Peep – a soft blue that’s perfect for space, sea, or calming bedtime vibes

Grassy or Sapling – beautiful for an outdoorsy or woodland feel

Gosh Golly – a warm, grown up pink to radiate positive energy

 

All our paints are child safe and our durable Lifestyle finish is ideal for high energy rooms with plenty of creative messes.

Add the theme with paint (not wallpaper)

Wallpaper might look tempting, but it can date quickly (and is a pain to remove). Instead, use paint to create something imaginative yet subtle, that doesn’t overwhelm the room. Here’s a few ideas we love:

A painted mountain range in soft greys and greens behind the bed

A night sky ceiling in Balloon Ride dotted with glow-in-the-dark stars

A colour blocked “tent” corner for reading or dreaming

 

Painted features are easy to refresh, and our eco friendly, virtually VOC free paints mean you can do it without the hassle or harsh chemicals and get back to using the room quickly.

Let accessories tell the story

Themes feel most natural when layered in through textiles, art, and lighting.

You don’t need to go overboard with matching everything. Accessories are your best friend when it comes to adding (and updating) a theme.

You could add a constellation print duvet or rocket lamp for space fans. Try wall prints of vintage football shirts, instead of giant wall stickers. Or a handmade pennant banner or name sign that adds colour without clashing with the overall design.

By keeping the base furniture and wall colours timeless, you can swap out smaller items as their passions change — without needing a full redesign.

Get creative with storage

We all know the chaos kids can create. So clever storage is essential and it doesn’t have to be boring.

Lean into the theme by using vintage crates for a treasure hunting adventurer. Painted wooden boxes in team colours for a sporty vibe, or soft baskets in nature tones for a calm, Scandi-inspired look.

Just make sure there’s plenty of it — older kids still accumulate toys, books, tech, and sports gear at an alarming rate.

Let them be involved

Designing with your child, rather than for them, can lead to some of the most joyful results. Ask what they love most, show them colour options, and let them help choose artwork or accessories. The more ownership they feel over their space, the more likely they are to respect and enjoy it.

You don’t have to hand over the entire decorating process (we’ve all seen the appeal of neon orange at age 7…), but letting them feel involved helps make the room theirs.

Plan for the long game

Themes don’t have to lock you in. When done thoughtfully, they can be both fun and flexible. With a strong foundation — beautiful colours, simple furniture, and playful accents — you can keep the spirit of a theme alive without boxing yourself in.

A fairy tale forest today could become a tranquil teen hideaway tomorrow, all without changing the bones of the room.

 

Ready to get started?
Explore our colour card for beautifully rich, child safe shades perfect for imaginative rooms that grow with your child — and never feel too gimmicky.

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