Kid's Guest Room

When I saw that Thrifty Decor Chick chose Kid's Room as this months selection I thought I was left out.  After I got thinking, I decided to feature my Guest Room since it would work great for visitors of all ages.  My son's friends stayed here recently but I don't think that's what Sarah (TDC) had in mind (they're in their mid-20's!).  So sorry if I'm bending the rules a bit and I promise I won't cheat when the subject is finished basements or nurseries!  I will definitely sit those out. 

We already had one twin bed when my sister-in-law gave us another one.  I've been  into the coastal look lately and decided that would be a fun theme.  If, and when, we have grandchildren of our own (no pressure kids!) this would be a nice room to make them feel like they were on vacation.  It's still a work in progress but this is what we've completed so far.

The room is just big enough for the two twin beds and I used a dresser instead of a nightstand (great tip for small spaces).  The dresser was my Aunt Ann's and I have no idea how old it is.  I am still on the lookout for headboards so I have held off  doing anything to the dresser.  I may go with white wood,  natural wicker, white iron or something else. 

I found the lightweight quilts at Steinmart.  I think they will look even better after they've been washed a few times and get that soft, vintage look to them. 

The design pretty much covers the whole beach look with sand dollars, starfish, scallops, coral and various other shells along with stars and stripes.  I would have considered them a good deal money wise too except for one thing.

The shams (not really made to match) were separate so that added to the bedding cost.  The shell pillows are from Beall's and are for use indoor or out.  I bought them for my lanai but liked the way they looked in here better.

For those rare cool nights here I wanted to add a blanket to the bottom of the beds.  These are Ralph Lauren from TJ Maxx and were only $17 each.  The are true white but can be washed.

I bought white sheet for the beds (love white sheets!) and bought 2 twin flat sheets to use as curtains for that casual look.

All I did was iron them and loosely clip them with curtain rings.  I kept the curtain rod brown but  I may wind up painting it white depending on the headboard decision.

These pictures are hanging above each bed and although they look alike each one is different. 

A nice little prayer for young ones staying with us.

I had so much fun decorating the dresser top.  You can read about that HERE.

Since I wrote that post I've added the little swimmer. 

On the other side of the room is a large closet.  I would like to get small trunks or luggage racks to place at the ends of the beds.  That's about all that will fit in this room.

Another sign I added above the light switch.  I didn't want to put too much in this room so there is plenty of room for guests and their belongings. 

I apologize for not showing you a puppet theatre, train track or great toy storage but at this point of my life (in between children and grandchildren) this is what we need from this room!

Here are some tips for doing a kid's room or guest room.

-This is a great chance to do a fun theme.  Children will change their minds often about how they want their rooms to look so spend your money in the right places(like good sturdy furniture ).

-Sheets make great curtains in these rooms.  They are inexpensive and very long so you can hang your rods up high.  You can often find them to match bedding too.

-Don't fill the room up with so much stuff that there is no place to play or spread out a homework project

-Buy washable bedding and if it's the kind that looks better a little softer or more faded the better!

-Nothing beats crisp white sheets and they are easy to keep clean,  Think white slipcovers.

-Don't forget lighting.  Just an over head light is not enough.  Think of reading bedtime stories or when they get older, wanting to reach over and turn out the light before falling asleep.

-I've had both hardwood and wall to wall carpet in bedrooms and as much as I love wood, I prefer carpeting in a bedroom-it's your personal choice.

-I have 6 underbed storage boxes under these 2 beds, the ones on wheels are even better.  They hold a lot of stuff!

I am joining the following parties...

Show Us Your House at Thrifty Decor Chick
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll thru Life
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating
Delightfully Inspiring Thursday at Delightful Order
Vintage Inspiration at Common Ground