Girls' Bedroom Ideas: 17 Ideas From Toddler to Teen
17 girls' bedroom ideas for every age, from floor beds, canopies and woodland themes to bunk beds, cabin beds and grown-up teen rooms, plus colours, planning and safety tips.
By Magda Callery, interior designer and florist
Designing a girl's bedroom is one of the most fun projects in any home. It's a place to sleep, play, read, dream and, as she gets older, study, get ready and hang out with friends. The best girls' bedrooms are pretty and personal, but they're also practical, safe and flexible enough to grow with her from toddler to teenager.
In this guide I'll share 17 girls' bedroom ideas for every age, the best colours and themes, how to plan the room so it lasts, the safety basics every parent should know and the mistakes to avoid.
The quick answer: the best girls' bedroom ideas combine a calm colour palette, such as blush pink, sage green, lilac or warm neutrals, with a cosy bed, plenty of easy storage, a reading nook and personal touches like art, wallpaper and lighting. Floor beds and low shelves suit toddlers, themed rooms and cabin beds suit younger girls, and teenagers need a desk, a dressing table and a more grown-up scheme. Choose furniture and colours that can be updated with bedding and accessories as she grows.
Girls' Bedroom Ideas by Age
| Age | What she needs | Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Toddler (1 to 3) | Safety, a low bed, easy-to-reach toys | Floor bed, soft rug, low shelves, a reading corner |
| Young girl (4 to 8) | Play space, storage, a little magic | Themes, canopies, cabin beds, murals |
| Tween (9 to 12) | Somewhere to read, create and do homework | A desk, a pinboard, more grown-up colours |
| Teen (13+) | Privacy, study space and a place to get ready | A dressing table, a double bed, string lights |
17 Girls' Bedroom Ideas
Ideas for toddlers and young girls
1. A house-frame floor bed. A low floor bed shaped like a little house is safe for toddlers moving out of a cot, and it makes the room feel playful. Drape it with fairy lights or fabric for a cosy den. If she's just moved out of the nursery, many of the baby girl nursery ideas can be carried over.
2. A woodland theme. A painted tree mural, woodland animal prints and natural wood furniture create a gentle, magical room that won't feel babyish too quickly.
3. A reading nook with a canopy. A hanging canopy, a pile of floor cushions and a low bookshelf make a reading corner she'll want to curl up in.
4. Low open shelving. Low shelves with baskets let younger children reach their own books and toys, and make tidying up easier. Rotate toys every few weeks to keep the room calm.
5. A bed canopy. A linen canopy hung from the ceiling above the bed adds romance to any girl's bedroom and works at almost any age.
6. A gallery wall of art. Frame a mix of art prints and her own drawings above the bed. Use clip frames so you can swap her artwork in and out.
Ideas for shared rooms and small rooms
7. Bunk beds for sisters. Bunk beds save floor space in a shared room and children love them. Choose a sturdy bed with guardrails, and follow safety advice on who sleeps on the top bunk.
8. A cabin bed with storage. A mid-height cabin bed with drawers, cupboards or a desk underneath makes the most of a small bedroom. Many of the loft bed ideas suit older girls too.
9. Matching beds with personal touches. In a shared room, matching beds keep it calm and fair, while different coloured bedding, cushions or name art give each girl her own corner.
Colour and pattern ideas
10. Blush pink and sage green. Pink and green is a soft, timeless pairing that suits girls of every age. The room can grow up simply by changing the bedding and accessories. There are lots more pink and green room ideas to try.
11. A calm sage green room. Sage green is soothing and grown-up enough to last into the teenage years. Pair it with rattan, cream bedding and warm wood. A few of the best green paint colours work beautifully in a bedroom.
12. A floral wallpaper feature wall. A pretty floral wallpaper behind the bed adds pattern and personality without overwhelming the room. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is easy to change as she grows, and there are plenty of pink wallpaper ideas for girls who love pink.
13. Lilac and lavender. Soft lilac walls with white furniture and touches of gold feel dreamy and fresh, and they're a lovely alternative to pink.
Ideas for tweens and teens
14. A study desk and pinboard. As homework grows, a proper desk, a comfortable chair, a good desk lamp and a pinboard for photos and notes become essential. A compact writing desk fits even a small room.
15. A dressing table. A dressing table with a mirror and a stool gives a teenage girl somewhere to get ready, and it's often the piece she'll love most.
16. String lights and layered lighting. Warm string lights, a bedside lamp and a reading light make a teen's room cosy for evenings with friends. The same principles of bedroom lighting apply at any age.
17. A grown-up neutral scheme. Warm whites, beige, oatmeal and natural textures make a calm, grown-up bedroom that she can personalise with bedding, posters and plants.
How to Plan a Girl's Bedroom That Grows With Her
- Keep the big things neutral. Choose furniture, flooring and the main wall colour so they'll suit her for years, and add personality with bedding, art and accessories.
- Plan for storage. Children have more things every year. Under-bed drawers, wardrobes with adjustable rails and low baskets all help.
- Let her choose. Give her a few options for colours, bedding or a theme so the room feels like hers.
- Use removable decor. Wall stickers, peel-and-stick wallpaper and framed prints can be updated easily.
- Leave floor space. Children need space to play, dance and spread out, so don't fill every corner.
Safety Basics for Children's Bedrooms
A beautiful room has to be a safe one. Health Canada's advice on bunk bed safety is clear: "No children under 6 years old on the top bunk at any time." It also recommends "guardrails on all 4 sides of the top bunk, even if the bed will be placed against the wall."
Tall furniture can be dangerous too. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne's advice on furniture tip-over prevention is to "secure televisions and tall or unstable furniture to wall studs or floors with appropriate anchoring devices," and to "avoid putting tempting items (e.g. favourite toys, lollies, remote controls) on top of furniture."
- Anchor wardrobes, chests of drawers and bookcases to the wall.
- Choose cordless blinds, or keep cords well out of reach.
- Keep beds away from windows and radiators.
- Use LED fairy lights that stay cool, and switch them off at night.
How I Design Children's Rooms
After more than 15 years of designing homes, pubs and restaurants, I've learnt that children's rooms are some of the most rewarding spaces to design, because they're full of imagination.
- Design with her, not just for her. I always ask what she loves, whether it's a colour, an animal or a favourite book.
- Think five years ahead. I choose furniture and colours that will work as she grows, and keep the themes in the accessories.
- Make it cosy. A soft rug, a canopy, cushions and warm lighting make a bedroom feel safe and comforting.
- Add something special. A mural, a beautiful wallpaper or a vintage piece of furniture gives the room character that a catalogue can't.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why it's a problem | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| A theme that's too young | She'll outgrow it in a year or two | Keep themes in the accessories |
| Too little storage | Toys and clothes take over | Plan drawers, baskets and shelves from the start |
| Bright, overstimulating colours everywhere | Can make it harder to sleep | Use calm colours on the walls and brights in small doses |
| Not anchoring furniture | Tall furniture can tip | Fix wardrobes and drawers to the wall |
| Young children on the top bunk | Risk of falls | Keep under sixes on the bottom bunk |
| No space to play | The room feels cramped | Keep some floor space clear |
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I decorate my girl's bedroom?
Start with a calm colour palette, add a cosy bed and plenty of storage, then personalise the room with bedding, wallpaper, art, a reading nook and lighting.
What colour is best for a girl's bedroom?
Soft pink, sage green, lilac, pale blue and warm neutrals all work well. Calm, muted shades are easier to live with and last longer than bright colours.
How can I make my daughter's room more grown-up?
Swap themed accessories for plain or patterned bedding in grown-up colours, add a desk or dressing table, and replace children's art with framed prints and photos.
What age is a girl's bedroom too childish?
Most girls start wanting a more grown-up room between 9 and 12. Keeping the big pieces neutral makes it easy to update.
What age can a child sleep on the top bunk?
Health Canada advises no children under 6 years old on the top bunk at any time.
How do you decorate a small girl's bedroom?
Use a cabin bed with storage, light colours, wall-mounted shelves, a mirror and a few well-chosen accessories so the room feels open.
How do you decorate a shared girls' bedroom?
Choose matching beds or bunk beds, give each girl her own bedding, cushions and storage, and create shared zones for reading and play.
A Room to Grow Up In
A girl's bedroom should be a place where she feels safe, happy and completely herself. Choose a calm palette and furniture that will last, add plenty of storage, keep safety in mind and fill it with the colours, art and little details she loves.
And if you'd like help designing a bedroom for your daughter, you can book a one-hour online interior design consultation with me.
About the author
Magda Callery is a UK interior designer and florist with more than 15 years' experience designing homes, pubs, restaurants and bars, and her expert commentary has featured in Homes & Gardens, The Mirror and The Spruce. Explore more of the interior design articles.
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