There’s a lot of room to have fun when decorating a kid’s room, but I always start basic. You want things that will last past this week’s latest favorite color or show. Solid basics, like the ones sold at GFM, will grow up with them as their tastes change. By keeping the walls and furniture more neutral, you’re free to switch out posters and bedspreads as tastes change and kids grow.

“Clean your room” is probably something you’re used to saying a lot. This is why I encourage any parent decorating a kid’s room to keep storage top of mind. Storage cubes, bins, and baskets are your friends. Some storage can even be décor: You can get display shelves for favorite books, for example, or have a cubby hole for each beloved stuffed animal. 

When setting up the room, just remember that “eye-level” means their eye level. Kid’s furniture aside, art, shelves, and storage should also be lower. If they have a closet, consider adding a second, lower hanging rod that they can reach for storing clothes. And don’t forget kids love to just hang out on the ground: Sometimes, a bean bag or soft floor cushion is going to be more comfortable (and get more use) than an armchair.

You probably don’t even need to go shopping if you’re looking for wall art for a kid’s room. Many things you already have on hand, like family pictures, art projects, and little league trophies, are perfect for gallery walls and perching on shelves. If you raise a budding collector, you can also find creative ways to display things like shells, stamps, and dolls. You can also help them create a rotating gallery of their own by hanging string or wire with clips. 

There are also many inexpensive elements you can add to your child’s room that up the kid-appeal in a big way. Extra-soft rugs and blankets can make playtime cozy, a canopy can make a little girl feel like a princess. A chalkboard wall, art table, or teepee might be out of place in an adult’s room, but that’s the point. Childhood is fleeting, so let them make the most of it.