Budget-friendly kids’ gallery wall

The thing about decorating kids’ rooms is a parent’s instinct is often to (a) add bright colours and (b) let the kids pick out things they like. Neither of those things are wrong, but they can both lead to decorating roadblocks.

I was recently called in to help tweak the decorating in Addy’s room. It was full of light and had excellent “bones” in the form of matching white Ikea furniture, but her mom didn’t feel the room looked “finished.”

Two things struck me immediately: (a) wow, that is a PINK accent wall, and (b) ugh, a Trolls poster is not an ideal focal point.

The pink wall wasn’t a problem. It was even a really nice pink — a preferred shade I have always called Barbie Pink. The trouble was that it was so bright and eye-catching, the only thing to look at was . . . that framed Trolls poster. (Yes, Trolls is a fun movie with excellent songs — I have the soundtrack on my iPhone — but I don’t enjoy characters in decorating or clothing, as a rule.)

I took a bunch of photos and measurements, and went home to start working on pieces for a fun, fresh gallery wall arrangement to replace Poppy and her friends.

I was going to use two large canvas prints that Addy already owned (both from Winners) along with a light-up unicorn, but I needed smaller elements to mix in. I also wanted to balance out all of the pink by adding lots of white and pops of aqua and yellow.

Here are seven different ways I created inexpensive new pieces for Addy’s gallery wall …

 

1. Laser-cut wooden frames.

These basic wood frames (no glass or backing) are usually around $1 at the craft store and are easy to paint. I filled one with a picture of JoJo Siwa (cut from an old calendar page I found in Addy’s room), and the other holds a chihuahua birthday card from her friend, Kinley.

2. Glittery foam name.

I used a pretty, free font (“Beauty and the Dutch” on DaFont.com) and printed out Addy’s name. Then I transferred it onto a huge piece of foam core, cut it out with a craft knife, and covered the whole thing in many coats of white glitter and clear spray lacquer.

3. Fabric letter.

With my remaining foam core, I cut out an uppercase “A” and wrapped it in yellow fabric — hot-glueing it in place on the back. Then I added a few sparkly buttons and felt flowers to the front to dress it up.

4. Silhouette art.

I took a square scrap of wood, painted it white and then hopped online to scroll through different silhouette clipart. Addy loves unicorns so I picked one, printed it out, and traced it onto the wood. It didn’t take long to fill it in with pink craft paint, and then I added pink glitter because glitter is always a good idea.

5. Small wooden accents.

Wooden hearts, keys, crowns, and other shapes are also around $1 at the craft store. They’re great “filler” to add when you’re finishing a gallery wall, and attach easily with Command Strips or finishing nails.

6. Doodle art.

I painted a tiny wood square white, sketched an abstract design with a black Sharpie, and filled it in with pink, turquoise and yellow — more free art.

7. Pom-pom garlands.

Thread a needle with sturdy thread and stitch through the pom-poms individually — making sure to double back and then continue so they hold their position. I’d never made these before, and now I’m hooked. They’re so fun!

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Addy loves her new gallery wall, and it’s changed the whole look of her bedroom. Oh, and I did keep her Trolls poster — I just re-hung it in a spot where it’s not so prominent. 😉