Choosing kid-room paint colors that last as kids grow

When painting your child’s bedroom, remember that she won’t be a baby forever. Nobody wants to repaint every year or two, so select paint colors that last as children grow.

Not every little girl grows up loving bubblegum pink, nor does every growing boy love navy blue. Create unique color palettes that are appealing to toddlers, teens and every kid in between. A combination of citrus shades (greens, oranges and yellows) are youthful enough for little ones but funky enough for even the coolest high schooler. Turquoise and tangerine is another hot color combination. Red, khaki and black also come together nicely. If you are looking for something a little more muted, consider cocoa partnered with pale green (or light blue). Orange accented with cream is also a distinctive but not overpowering color scheme — plus, it works for all ages.

White and off-white aren’t your only color choices when it comes to neutrals. Gray is a fabulous neutral color to use on the walls, and you can always change up the look of the room with different accent colors — from purples to greens — as your child grows. Gray has been very trendy in nurseries in recent years, and that trend has extended into older children’s decor, too. Browns (from dark chocolate to light wheat) are pleasant and gender-neutral options.

If you don’t want to end up painting the entire bedroom every time your son or daughter wants a new bedroom look, then paint three of the walls in a neutral shade and the fourth in a bold color. Then, you’ll just have to paint one wall — the accent wall — to change up the look of the entire space.

When decorating, consider painting one wall with chalkboard paint. The black color creates a nice contrast with the pastels often used in babies’ and young children’s rooms. The chalkboard wall will prove useful no matter the age of your kids. It will be perfect for preschoolers learning their ABCs, and it will still work as a graffiti wall for tweens and teens.

Instead of an accent wall, you can create an accent ceiling. Patterns like stripes, polka dots and chevron print on the ceiling can add just the right amount of flair to a child’s room. Some will tell you to avoid making your baby’s ceiling too bright or busy, but once kids pass toddlerhood, painting the ceiling in a bold color or unusual pattern could be a fun idea.

The paint in your kid’s room has to stand up to everything from chocolate fingerprints to “accidental” crayon drawings. Pick a durable, easy-to-clean paint. We love Glidden DUO Paint + Primer. This two-in-one paint provides great coverage while requiring fewer coats than do other paints. The stain-blocking primer and stain-resistant paint come together to create beautiful, easy-to-clean walls that look great over time. Glidden DUO Paint + Primer is available in three sheens and 562 interior colors, including all Martha Stewart Living colors. In addition to in the bedroom, you can use this paint in the bathroom because it’s mildew resistant, too!

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