Easy Way to Happiness

Paint is the medium of illusion and fantasy. You can use it to realize a boy’s dreams by creating a bedroom that will be an extension of his personality and a showcase for his youthful passions. You might want to run ideas past the occupant but you can surprise and thrill your child with an imaginative bedroom makeover.

Themed Boys’ Rooms

Whether the boy in question is passionate about cars or stars, there’s a theme that you can implement in his bedroom using little more than paint. You may choose to create a total environment or simply to co-ordinate features thematically. Identify the key features of your chosen theme and think about which can be effectively realized in paint. Popular themes for boy’s rooms include outdoors activities, cars and trains, sport, the Wild West and the realms of space. You might want to opt for themes that are less gender-stereotyped.

You could aim for a room that is as realistic as a film set by decorating walls, ceiling and floor. Using paint to create a faux stone effect you can simulate a cave or a castle. Faux paint woodwork can achieve the look of a Wild West saloon or a pirate’s cabin. For a more traditional bedroom, coordinating colors and motifs can be enough to add character and evoke atmosphere, and will require less effort and expense.

Imaginative ways to use paint in themed rooms are legion. A young car fanatic might be amused by road markings painted on the floor or faux tire tracks stenciled on the walls. You don’t have to stick to murals or borders depicting cars. If the theme is the Wild West or a castle, you can use faux painting techniques to simulate a distressed or antique look. Metallic paints can be used to simulate chrome, bronze and metal features appropriate to a particular theme.

Bear in mind when choosing a theme for a boy’s room that children’s passions can be short-lived and you don’t want to have to redecorate when the fad passes.

Color Schemes and Paints

Pastel colors aren’t ideal for small boys liable to track dirt around. Some paints are more washable than others, and some are more resistant to scuff marks and chipping. The colors you choose may arise logically from your theme. If not, co-ordinate colors with a color wheel and consider using treasured items in your boy’s room as the inspiration for a color scheme.

Novelty Paints

Paint not only creates a look but can be used for some practical purposes. You can even buy magnetic paint that will allow pictures and papers to be displayed, like a notice board (but more fun). Luminous paint, perhaps depicting stars and planets on the ceiling, will amuse your child after lights out. Chalkboard paint will allow your boy to draw on the walls without the usual consequences. Standard colors are green and black, but recipes for homemade versions and custom colors are available.