There are countless ideas for decorating a little girl’s room. I’ve decorated two girls’ rooms over the years—from nurseries to rooms for elementary-aged children—so I’m sharing what worked for us and what I’ve learned along the way.
Each fall I do a big decluttering session in my daughters’ rooms to make space for gifts and new toys that come with birthdays and the holidays. Decluttering before the busy season helps keep things manageable and makes decorating updates feel fresher.
It’s been almost five years since I shared their nurseries, and while a lot has changed, some pieces have stayed. You can look back at the older nursery photos for inspiration and see how elements evolved into rooms for bigger girls. I’ve completed several DIY projects in these spaces, so I hope these ideas feel achievable.
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Turquoise & Pink Nursery Turned Gold & Pink Big Girl’s Room
First up: my oldest daughter’s room. She’s eight now, and we’ll likely do a tween-style update soon, but for the moment her room blends nursery nostalgia with a more grown-up palette of pink, gold, and white.
When we added her daybed and trundle years ago, I shifted the color scheme toward gold and pink while keeping a few nursery touches she loved—like a favorite bird canvas that she insisted remain above the bed. Small sentimental pieces like that help transition a space without losing the comfort of familiar decor.
Many of the pieces are older and may no longer be available, but you can capture the look by combining a few key elements: a patterned duvet (I used a gold-and-white polka dot), playful sheets, and framed art with a simple, uplifting message. Mixing new accents with treasured items keeps the room personal and layered.
Storage matters: I used an IKEA Kallax unit for toys and bins, which keeps things tidy and easy for kids to use. I also upcycled small pieces—painting IKEA spice-rack shelves in gold to create corner bookshelves and making a few simple fabric hoop art pieces. DIY projects like these give rooms custom character without breaking the bank.
For now, the room remains a sweet midpoint between a nursery and a growing child’s space. When we do update to a tween style, I’ll preserve pieces that feel special and swap in more mature elements—think layered bedding, a study area, and updated wall art.
Woodland Creature Nursery Turned Little Girl’s Room
My younger daughter’s room is still very much the woodland-creature nursery I designed when she was born—probably one of my favorite kid rooms to create. She’s four now, and the changes have been minimal but practical: the rocking chair is gone, the crib converted to a full bed, and we added toy storage.
I moved her dresser into the walk-in closet to free up floor space and consolidated clothing storage so everything is easier to find. The IKEA Kallax with bins is a go-to solution for toy organization and keeps playthings accessible for little hands.
One of my favorite DIYs in this room is the faux taxidermy head over her bed. I made it from soft materials and even used real antlers from a buck my husband had before she was born. It’s held up well and remains a charming focal point, even though the antlers have shifted slightly over time.
I installed simple wall ledges—built from basic boards from the hardware store—to display picture books and favorites. Those ledges are inexpensive, practical, and perfect for rotating displays as children grow. The room’s color story came from art prints and fabric I loved; building a room around a print or fabric is a helpful way to stay cohesive and inspired.
A practical item I added to both rooms recently is ruffled blackout curtains. They’re affordable, available in several colors and lengths, and they help family routines—kids sleep later in summer and settle into bedtimes more easily when the room stays dark.
Looking ahead, the girls are talking about sharing a bedroom and turning the other room into a playroom. They’ve picked out a bunk bed they like, so that may be our next update—possibly a holiday or birthday project if Santa (or an early present) cooperates.
I hope this update on my daughters’ rooms gives you fresh girls’ bedroom ideas and inspires a few DIY projects. Mixing practical storage, sentimental keepsakes, and a few thoughtful DIYs creates rooms that feel personal and functional.
Paint Colors in Each Room:
- Pink room: Cream Puff by Benjamin Moore
- Blue/green room: Lido Green by Benjamin Moore
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