7 Cool Colors for Kids' Rooms

As they grow up, kids change their ideas about their favorite color about as often as they change their socks. So how is a parent to choose what color to paint a kid’s room? While a soft blue might be your idea of the perfect backdrop for a crib, by the time your child has any input, he may well deem it too "babyish." Instead, choose a color that your kids can grow with, and focus on swapping linens and accessories out as they mature.

Your kids’ ideas about what color to paint their rooms may not be quite up your alley. But try hard to let them have input! It will give them a sense of ownership. With any luck, that will translate into good stewardship—perhaps even in the form of keeping the rooms clean. If they choose bold colors you think may overwhelm the room, compromise by using them as accents on one wall, as a border, or as the backing to a bookshelf. And painting trim and ceilings isn't off-limits; these don’t have to be white.

Looking to start off strong? Before you settle on an idea for the color of your kids’ rooms, click through these seven favorite paint jobs for bright ideas that are sure to stay in style.

By Debra Immergut | Updated Dec 29, 2020 12:58 PM

Citron Yellow

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Yellow Bedroom

What could be more cheery than waking up in a room soaked in sunshine? When choosing this color for a child’s space, look for pure yellows or tones freshened with a bit of green, and steer clear of brown-gold shades. Pair with other warm colors and white to create a vibrant, energetic mood.


Related:  10 Color Picks to Set Any Mood in Your Bedroom

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Bold Red

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Red Bedroom Ideas

Red isn’t an easy paint color for every room in the house, but it can be really fun in a kid's space. Paint an accent wall in a stimulating fire-engine shade to enliven a reading nook or homework area; it looks especially warm and inviting with white or wood floors and furniture.


Related:  Awesome Accents—17 Ways to Make Any Space Pop with Color

Nor-Son Custom Homes

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Cobalt Blue

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Blue Bedroom Ideas

Blue is a perennial choice for boys’ rooms, of course, and it’s growing in popularity for girls too. Instead of a pale blue or turquoise, though, consider something darker, like cobalt or navy. These brave blues lend a crisp, classic look and provide a striking contrast to bold tones—think oranges or magenta—and neutrals alike. Another plus: The walls will never show smudgy fingerprints!

Lucy McLintic at Four Walls & a Roof

Electric Green

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Lime Green Bedroom

Lime or leaf greens are wonderful multitaskers. As long as the shade doesn’t skew too neon, green can be both soothing and upbeat, and works well for any age or gender. Look for a bright tone rather than a dark forest green, which can read as somber.


Related:  Trending Now—Emerald Green

Apartment Therapy

Cool Gray

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Gray Bedroom Ideas

A decade ago, most parents would have considered gray too dreary for a child’s room, but the current craze suggests otherwise. This cool hue has spread from living rooms and kitchens to kids’ spaces. Here, a well-chosen gray sets the perfect stage for colorful toys and artwork.


Related:  Winning Combinations—9 "Can't Miss" Color Schemes

Design by Laura U Interior Design; photography by Julie Soefer Photography

Hot Pink

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Pink Bedroom Ideas

So your child wants to think pink when it comes to her room? A pastel version is sweet and classic, but for more pop and lasting power, try a fuchsia—a vivid pink with a tinge of blue. Pair with black, gray, or white for a hangout that’s both super fun and sophisticated.


Related:  In Living Color—7 Tips for Brightening Your Home's Palette

Design by Ana Donohue Interiors; photography by Michael Lee

Bright Purple

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Purple Bedroom Ideas

Letting your kids choose their own bedroom color is a great way to increase their sense of ownership. Unfortunately, not all favorite shades translate easily to decor—and purple is a tricky one. Periwinkle can be pretty but can also read as dingy if too gray. Go brighter and bolder, and mix in white and silver accessories for contrast.

Zillow Digs home in Basking Ridge, NJ

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Believe it or not, even with the vast number of paint color options available, a select handful of hues surpass all the others in popularity. We spoke with industry experts to uncover their best sellers. Click to view now!