Theme rooms can be a lot of fun for children and currently one of the most popular is the rainforest room theme. Creating the look of a tropical rainforest is popular because it's warm, friendly, and exotic. Kids love rainforest rooms because they're fun, while parents like them because they encourage creativity and imagination.
Bedrooms decorated in a rainforest theme can work for kids of all ages and either sex. They're gender neutral and can last from the nursery stage through childhood.
The key to designing a child's room in a rainforest theme is to use a lot of different textures, patterns, and colors, and to incorporate common rainforest motifs.
Colors for Rainforest Room Themes
Rainforests are all about color, particularly lush greens and the many browns of exotic woods. These are the colors that will provide the foundation, and there are several ways to incorporate them into the room.
- Greens should range from the palest shades to dark, rich emeralds. Browns consist of mahogany, tan, camel, beige, and every other shade you can think of.
- Bedding, throw blankets, accessories, lamps, rugs and curtains are all easy to find in green shades. Painting the walls a shade of green also provides a rainforest feel.
- Furniture can easily be found in shades of brown, as can accessories. Try to add a few black accessories as well as they ground the room, and the color can be found in the rainforest.
- Remember to add a few vibrant hits of color, such as red and yellow, to represent the many tropical birds that reside in the rainforest.
Rainforest Style Furniture and Floors
- The rainforests are filled with various shades of brown. Wood furniture of varying shades will mimic the look of exotic trees, as will hardwood floors. Think about placing dark wood furniture on a light wood floor. Contrast is key.
- If wood floors aren't doable, consider using carpet or area rugs in green or brown, or a natural un-dyed material such as seagrass, jute, or sisal.
- Upholstered furniture should also be incorporated in the room for softness. Cover pieces in greens and browns, or if you want to take a walk on the wild side, try an animal print.
- Another way to show some creativity is to paint furniture. Bookcases, beds and dressers purchased in an unfinished material can be painted in an animal print or to resemble trees and plants.
Exotic Window Treatments
When deciding on window treatments think about your privacy needs. Curtains in greens and browns will suit just fine, but if you don't need much privacy think about using gauzy mosquito netting. It has a certain tropical flair. Wooden or bamboo blinds also work very well.
What to Do With Walls
Walls provide the opportunity to show some real creativity in a rainforest theme bedroom.
- Murals are a fabulous way to recreate a rainforest. If you know of a skilled painter have him or her come in and work his or her magic, or consider hiring a professional. Trees and vines with animals peeking through will suit perfectly. Paint one wall or the entire room.
- Another wild idea is to paint a single wall or door in an animal print.
- If a mural or custom paint job isn't feasible or desirable, try decorating the walls with pieces of art. Kids will enjoy making their own rainforest theme art to hang in their room. It can be as simple as cutting out contruction paper leaves.
- Think also about using peel and stick wall decals. They come in a wide assortment of styles and themes and are easy to take down and move around the room.
Don't Forget the Accessories
Make sure that all of the accessories fit the theme.
- Add some high quality stuffed animals to the room. Tigers, gorillas, cobras and other exotic stuffed animals can be purchased at toy stores or in zoo gift shops.
- Add bamboo accessories such as doormats, screens, and lampshades.
- If the room needs a fan, get one of the large wooden varieties.
- Replace plain hardware such as cabinet and dresser knobs with animal-themed versions.
- Add a zebra print lampshade to a plain black lamp.
- Tie an animal print scarf around door handles or drape them around other accessories such as mirrors.
- Don't forget to include some real plants too!
Create a Room Your Child Will Love
The most important thing to remember when creating a rainforest room theme is to make sure that it suits the personality of the individual residing there. Think about what your child will like and then use your imagination and creativity to make it happen. Get your child's input and let him or her help in the decorating process. The time you spend together and the enjoyment your child gets out of the room will make it well worth the effort.
