Interior

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.