Stop Repainting: How To Pick a Kids’ Room Color That Lasts Through Every Age

My 5-year-old wants to paint her room pink. Bright, bubble-gum pink. 

I'd be OK using the color on a throw pillow or bed sheets. I don't necessarily want it on the walls. The color is loud. You can’t not notice it—even from down the hall. Plus, I don’t want to drag her bed, her dresser, her bookshelf, and her toy chest to the center of the room, cover them all in plastic, paint, and then do it all again in 12 months when she’s tired of living in the Barbie Dreamhouse.

If I’m going to paint the walls, I want something she’ll like for years to come, something she can grow into—something we'll both be happy with.

Lisa Hudson, president of Fresh Coat Painters, says my problem isn't uncommon. She sees lots of parents getting caught in what she calls the "What if they hate it in two years?" trap. But she says designing a kids' room is easier than many parents might think.

“The secret to a successful room that grows with your child is to be playful with the design but grounded in your color choices,” Hudson explains. “You want a room that feels like a cozy, imaginative haven now, but can still look sophisticated when they're a teenager.”

Here are five tips from experts on creating a playful space that can grow with your kid.

1. A room's primary color choice should be muted

Experts agree that when it comes to choosing the dominant color for a kids' room, don't go too bright or bold.

Alexandra Cooper, an interior designer at Planner 5D, notes that kids might be attracted to that "wow!" color, but on four walls (or sometimes even one), banana-yellow or fire-engine red can be downright overwhelming.

Instead, Cooper says to go for muted versions of the bright hues your kid loves. She recommends dusty blues, sage greens, warm terra cotta, or soft yellows.

“These shades feel sophisticated yet playful when paired with the right decor,” she says.

Ashley McCollum, color marketing manager at Glidden, advises homeowners to pick “the grown-up cousins" of a child's favorite colors. If your kid loves hot pink, McCollum recommends a rosy variation like Cinnamon Diamonds PPG1055-5. If your little one prefers sky blue, she says to look into a dustier hue like Chalky Blue PPG1153-5.

2. Add a new take on an accent wall

Anna Tatsion, the lead interior designer and architect at Decorilla, says an accent wall can give a kid the bold look they want, in a way that’s not too loud—and easier to swap out when the time comes.

And while accent walls used to be a simple concept (one wall, one bold color), she says there are lots of ways to make this feature seem new and custom.

She suggests incorporating painted geometric shapes and getting creative with removable wallpaper. Alternatively, she recommends choosing a fun color for just the bottom half of a wall, then white or neutral above.

“This feels fresh and modern while being less visually overwhelming as kids age,” Tatsion says.

Ombré technique is another favorite, Tatsion says, explaining that this look “reads as artistic rather than childish and creates a beautiful backdrop for furniture and art as they grow.”

Hudson agrees that an accent wall can be a great addition to a kids' room, and notes that the ceiling can also serve as an accent. She says a soft, ethereal blue ceiling can make a room feel like it has a window to the sky. Meanwhile, a darker color, like a deep navy, can make the space feel extra cozy.

Of course, it’s important to note that accent colors should complement the color on the other walls. Compare and contrast paint splotches before committing, and don’t be afraid to ask for help at your local paint store.

Not sure where to start? McCollum says Blush Beige PPG1070-2 is neutral enough to act as a main wall color and looks great when paired with Jam Session PPG1172-3.

3. Play with moldings and wainscoting

If accent walls are too much for you, Tatsion says painting just the molding in a room can add some personality without being overwhelming.

“I love doing molding or wainscoting in a deeper tone than the wall color for contrast,” she says.

Cooper adds that wainscoting painted in a darker hue with lighter walls above, or the other way around, “creates a sense of structure and elegance.”

4. Try colorblocking

Another way to add some color (without making the whole room PINK! or YELLOW!) is with colorblocking. Cooper notes that a wide horizontal band or arch shape behind the bed “introduces playfulness without committing to a theme the kid will outgrow.”

Hudson says you can take it a step further by creating abstract shapes, like a soft, rounded mountain range, or a simple geometric shape behind the bed or a desk. You might end up with a really custom, high-end look that’s still kid-approved!

5. Choose interactive paint features

Cooper says making a large section of chalkboard or magnetic paint can give kids a fun, interactive board that they can customize every day. This can be great around a desk or as a backdrop for a dress-up area. Something simple like a “house-shape” section of chalkboard paint can become a new favorite toy, becoming a grand mansion or a petite cafe, depending on the day.

In the end, McCollum says there are so many designs, so many colors, and so many ways to paint a kids' room. But she says the goal is simple: to "strike a balance between playfulness and longevity—something that sparks imagination now but can grow with them over time.”