20 Kids' Room Paint Color Ideas

From subtle to bold, interior designers share their go-to paint colors for nurseries, kids’ rooms and teen rooms.

July 22, 2021

By: Mina Hochberg

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Choosing a Paint Color for a Kid's Room

Whether you’re designing a nursery or giving your tween’s room a makeover, deciding what color to paint the walls can be a daunting decision. After all, there are many factors to consider when painting kid bedrooms. Different colors evoke different moods, so it’s important to think about your child’s personality. Some colors dominate the room, while others serve the colors of the furniture and textiles. Some colors are bold and vibrant, while others are neutral and calm. If your child is young, you may want to pick colors that your child will still like five years down the road. With so many considerations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you’ve even picked up a paintbrush. Here are 20 ideas for painting kids’ rooms to help get you started. Design by Laura U Design Collective; photo by Amy Bartlam Photography.

Gentle Purple

Sanctuary by Benjamin Moore is a nuanced purple hue that transforms this attic bedroom into a serene kid getaway. "Parents hear purple and may cringe," says Campbell Minister of Decorated Interiors. "However, there are some lovely tones that will stand the test of time as a child ages." This color also serves as a fine backdrop for neutral textiles. Photo by Mike Van Tassell.

Aqua Blue

A bright aqua blue like Benjamin Moore's Dream I Can Fly is guaranteed to make a bedroom pop — especially rooms with nautical themes, such as this bunk room designed by Phyllis Taylor of Taylor & Taylor. "In a space designed for children, aqua works well as it's energetic and gender neutral," says Taylor.

Neutral Gray

Don’t underestimate the power of gray, especially if you want just a hint of color and nothing more. Silver Chain by Benjamin Moore works for any age or gender and it allows other colors in the room to shine. "I chose this paint because it brings out the beautiful gray veins in the marble wallpaper on the ceiling," says Malka Helft of Think Chic Interiors.

Timeless Pink

The wrong shade of pink can have a short half-life, but the right shade of pink can last well into the teen years. Lauren Clement of Lauren Nicole Designs painted these walls with Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray then used her custom paint color, Bliss by Magnolia Paint Co. Benjamin Moore, for the library ladder. "It is a soft and happy pink that is not too bubblegum bright and not too ballet-slipper-colored," says Clement. "It will be the perfect pop of pink to grow with her."

Moody Blue

A deep blue hue has the power to infuse any space with drama. Mozart Blue from Benjamin Moore is a perfect shade for kids who enjoy a sophisticated vibe. "We swathed the whole room in this luscious, deep, dark blue," says designer Linda Eyles. "It’s moody, but really pretty at the same time."

Playful Pink

If your kid wants pink but you’re reluctant to drown the room in a bubblegum tint, strike a compromise with playful dabs of pink against a white backdrop. Shawna Percival, owner and creative director of Styleberry Creative Interiors, mixed, tinted and toned several pink hues from the Folk Art line by Plaid to create a variety of colors, then dotted them on the wall. Colors used were Ballet Pink, Baby Pink, Pure Coral, Tickled Pink and Warm Bisque.

Minty Green

Benjamin Moore’s Copper Patina is a minty shade of green that’s carefree and bold, but not too bold. It’s also a color that can grow with children into the teenage years. "We picked this paint because we felt it would be a good transitional color that would easily transition from a little girl’s room to a tween room," says Kalah Talancy of KT2 Design Group.

Dusty Rose

Sometimes classic pink is just the right way to go, and Benjamin Moore’s Teacup Rose is as classic as they come. The rich tone keeps this hue from coming across as overly dainty. "We picked this specific color of pink because it has a dusty cast, so it wasn’t too sweet," says Kalah Talancy of KT2 Design Group.

Almost White

Worldly Gray from Sherwin-Williams is a smart choice if you enjoy white walls but don’t want to go full-on white. The subtle shade of gray is especially complementary with rooms that are steeped in natural tones, such as this room designed by Leigh Spicher, National Director of Design Studios for Ashton Woods.

Soft Blue

If blue is your color of choice, Benjamin Moore’s Oystershell is a delicate hue that makes for a classic yet versatile look. It also goes well with the bright primary colors of children’s toys and books. "Softer colors on the walls act as beautiful backdrops for imagination," says Cara Fox, owner and lead designer of The Fox Group.

Calming Pink

Benjamin Moore’s Proposal is the perfect shade of pink if you’re looking for something that’s soft and elegant. This pink speaks to all ages and should be just as suitable for a tween as it is for a baby. "We tend to focus on soft and soothing color schemes," says Cara Fox, owner and lead designer of The Fox Group. "A few favorites are subdued pinks and blues."

Abstract Landscape

This pattern is reminiscent of snowy mountaintops against a backdrop of evergreen trees. The abstract mural is a good fit for kids young and old, which means it can grow with your child for years. Laura U Design Collective painted this wall in Sherwin-Williams' Greens and Minor Blue. Photo by Kerry Kirk Photography.

Half and Half

The lower half of this bedroom is swathed in a lovely lavender shade. The dual-tone design is instantly striking and gives the room a sense of dimension. It’s also a good option if you want color but not too much color. Laura U Design Collective picked Benjamin Moore’s China White and Touch of Gray. Photo by Amy Bartlam Photography.

Chalkboard Paint

Chalkboard paint is a popular choice for kids' rooms, since it allows kids to personalize their wall — not to mention the opportunity it gives them to draw on walls. Mel Bean of Mel Bean Interiors used Krylon Chalkboard Paint Special Purpose Brush-On for this boy’s bedroom.

Grassy Green

Benjamin Moore’s Grassy Fields is a perfect shade of green for those who prefer bold over subtle. The green pairs well with other bold colors like coral or goldenrod. Designer Annie Elliott combined these green walls with pink decor to create a cheerful space bursting with personality.

Sky Blue

Designer Annie Elliott painted this room in Benjamin Moore’s Waterfall to create a playful backdrop for a room bursting with color. This shade of blue pairs especially well with rainbow textiles and candy-colored accents.

Hygge It Up

Black is an unconventional color for kids' rooms, but it provides a nice dramatic backdrop that contrasts well with many lighter colors — especially for fans of hygge, a Danish way of life that celebrates coziness. In this room from Havenly, the walls are painted with Benjamin Moore’s Soot and paired with crisp whites and colorful accents. This color scheme is sure to give your child some serious design cred.

Contrasting Stripes

"A great way to add interest to a kid’s bedroom is to add bold stripes to the walls," says designer Kim Armstrong. "The higher the contrast in colors the bolder the stripe will be. In this girl’s bedroom we chose to keep the contrast fairly low as to create interest, but let the stripes fall back as a supporting role." Armstrong used Sherwin-Williams' Lantern Light and White Flour.

Geometric Lines

"Bold colors paired with geometric lines are always a favorite with tweens," says Leigh Spicher, National Director of Design Studios for Ashton Woods. "The contrast between bold colors is a nod to their desire to push boundaries." To recreate this look, consider using Sherwin-Williams’ Comical Coral, Bravo Blue and Serious Gray.

Limewash Texture

Jessica Salomone of Lotus + Lilac Design Studio picked contrasting shades of blue to create this cozy and serene nursery. The shiplap wall is painted in Inky Blue from Sherwin-Williams. The other wall features Faded Flaxflower from Sherwin-Williams, with a top coat of Portola Paint Lime Wash. "Limewash was selected for the side walls to create subtle movement and texture," says Salomone.