The following is a guest post from Jennifer Buda Steuer

Nothing makes me happier than the feeling of new energy in a space. I wanted to change my daughter, Chloe’s bedroom to mark her rite of passage from preschool to Kindergarten. My mission, (without breaking the bank) was to give her room a fresh look by building on the base design of her room. These are some simple tips to “redo” your child’s room:

1. Invest in a Rug

 A new rug will give a room a brand new look. You can even put one on top of wall-to-wall carpet. I opted for a soft chenille braided rug. An oval rug “enlarges” the room and has been a great location for our family to play games, pet the dog, and create memories.

2. Add Throw Pillows

Throw pillows can be relatively inexpensive and make a big impact. These cabana-striped pillows play off the area rug. A great place to find reasonably priced throw pillows is Bed, Bath and Beyond. This summer they have great designs by Natori and DKNY. When selecting Chloe’s pillows I chose a design that would add a pop to her existing color palate.  

3. Create Storage Solutions

A fresh new look means that everything has a place. I am always on the search for great looking containers. Wicker baskets or small suitcases are another excellent storage solution for little toys.

Hang buckets under a shelf with 3M adhesive hooks. You can buy galvanized buckets at the Container Store or even your local hardware store and decoupage them with your child’s favorite images.

I would also suggest using color copies of your child’s artwork.

4. Turn Their Name into Art

Decorative alphabet cards are easy to find. Take the letters of your child’s name, punch holds in the top of each card and string together to create a Name Card Garland. Another option is to buy wooden alphabet letters from different sources and mix and match to create a fresh take on this popular decorating trend.

And what result did my efforts bring? The next morning, after the unveiling, Chloe woke up; played independently and hummed a happy little tune. What do you get as a parent? A sense of peace that your child feels inspired and empowered and has a place to call her VERY own.

Jennifer Buda Steuer founded Buda Design Inc. in 2003. With an expert knowledge of diverse styles and forms, Jennifer is focused on creating a unique ambiance for each project.