Friday, February 3, 2012

French Country Style Kids' Bedroom Ideas

A French country child's room is an elegant design motif.


Children's rooms have the tendency to be decorated somewhat loud and over-the-top. If you want a child's room that is kid-friendly, but still sophisticated, consider French country style. French country style is elegant and classic, but it is also meant to look aged and rustic so it can stand up to the challenges of being in a child's room. This look is easy to achieve regardless of budget. If you are looking for a way to bring this style into your child's room, keep some design guidelines in mind.


Color Scheme


French country rooms are simple and clean; however, they are not always spotless, which is good for a child's room. The primary colors in these spaces are white and off-whites, such as ivory or cream. Instead of a high-gloss bright white, look for antiqued shades with tones of yellow or blue. Along with white and cream, other colors are tan, pale yellow, light blue and pastel pinks, greens and purples. Keep the color palette clean and simple; overloading the space with too much color will take away from the elegance of the overall look.


Furniture


In a child's bedroom, furniture should be expected to withstand a little wear and tear. Luckily, French country style lends itself well to a bit of abuse. In fact, aged, more rustic pieces are preferred in this style of design. Look for light-stained wooden furniture, or paint pieces in shades of cream or tan. Paint trim to make it a bit more child-friendly, such as pink, blue or yellow. Scour secondhand sources, such as estate sales and thrift stops, for pieces to furnish this space.


Headboard and Bedding


An upholstered headboard can be an important focal point in this space. Cover a carved piece of wood with a classic print, such as toile, flowers, stripes or gingham in soft muted colors. For the bedding, use texture to add interest, even if the color palette is muted. For example, couple lace pillow shams with ruffled duvet covers and burlap bed skirts.


Art and Accessories


Use art and accessories to add a touch of whimsy to this space. To incorporate French culture into the design, frame photos or paintings of French landscapes. Vinyl wall decals are an easy way to add a child-friendly graphic to the space. For example, peel and stick a vinyl decal that spells out a word in French and hang it on the wall over the bed. Antique lamps, mirrors and photo frames make decorative additions to this type of room.

Tags: child room, French country, French country style, this space, color palette, country style, this style