NYIAD Design Articles - Stencils for Spring Design

In recent years, as the economy has boomed, one sector of the interior design industry has enjoyed a remarkable explosion: products for babies and kids to use when decorating children's rooms. We're here to help you figure out how to wade through all that's out there when you're decorating kid's rooms to create a place that's just right for your child or for the child's room of your client.

Stencils for Spring Design

Everything gets a little stale after a long winter, and anyone with kids knows that the kids' rooms are certainly no exception. Now that spring is here, the whole house could use a good airing out, and it's time to freshen up your kid's room along with the rest of the place. While you're cleaning out the closet and organizing the summer clothes, why not also create something beautiful on the walls? Just because your kid is a kid doesn't mean she can't appreciate a new look for this new season.

And making over a kid's room doesn't have to break the bank. One trick we like that is cost-effective and fun is to use stencils to liven up the walls — and there are lots of stencils designed for kids' rooms on the market today.

When you're looking for stencils, be sure to do a thorough search. There's a great variety in styles, even within stencils made with kids in mind; some of the drawings are more realistic, others more cartoonish. By all means bring your child in on this part of the process — you want him to feel happy and comfortable with the creatures cavorting on the walls.

One company we like, mywonderfulwalls.com, has stencils that are graciously drawn, and yet playful as well.

Tips on Decorating Children`s Rooms — Stencils for Spring Design

The farm theme stencil kit brings junior out of the city and into a quaint, old-fashioned farm, complete with lambs and chickens. We also like the underwater theme, with realistic-looking fish, seaweed, and seahorses.

For your little abstract artist, you may want to look at the polka-dot theme, which will give junior's room a decidedly modern look.

Whimsical Walls is one company offering stencils in every imaginable theme and style. For the fantasy-lover who adores all things fairy-ish, there is a collection of stencils with castles, fairies, dragons and unicorns.

Kids who are more space-minded will enjoy the astronaut stencils, which could be cleverly placed in spots near the ceiling, and combined with cloud stencils.

One great reason to go with stenciling is that it's much more cost-effective than having the room professionally wall-papered, and you probably handle the job yourself. We found some very specific instructions, including a list of supplies you'll need, here: Wall Stencils: Advice from a Pro.

You'll want to gather all the supplies, make sure the walls are clean (or freshly-painted — though that will of course increase the cost), and lay down old sheets or drop cloths on the furniture before you begin. Depending on the age and dexterity of your kid, she can help you apply the paint, which will give her the feeling that the room is her own creation. And that will put a spring in everyone's step.