Trying to give my daughter 2 themed rooms on a tight budget.
We are buying an old farm house that needs a lot of work so money is very tight. This will be my 7 year old daughters first house and it's away from family so I would love to give her something amazing. She wants a forest theme for her bedroom and laser tag theme for her play room. Any ideas on how to create these 2 rooms? I don't have a lot of money for a large amount of paint or wall mural.
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I'd begin the room with a ceiling light similar to this chandelier (buy an inexpensive one and spray green). If the ceiling does not have an outlet see below for cardboard chandeliers. Terrell Swan Chandelier
Cardboard chandeliers http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cardboard+chandelier&qpvt=cardboard+chandelier&FORM=IGRE
There are sites that sell wall decals of trees Tree Wall Decal Wall by NouWall
There are sites that sell stencils of trees http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=tree+stencils&qpvt=tree+stencils&FORM=IGRE
For the lazer tag area I think you need black lights etc. See here
http://www.ehow.com/how_5015754_make-black-light-party.html
Speaking from experience, if this was my situation, I would stop using words such as amazing. You have limited funds and cannot provide a dream house right now. You do not want your daughter to be expecting that you can provide Disneyland, and when you cannot, have her feel forever disappointed that the house did not live up to her expectations.
Be very patient and loving toward yourself and your daughter. This is a huge transition for both of you.
I would start a new discussion with your daughter. I would use a multi-step approach.
*Sit with your daughter while she draws and describes what she envisions for her bedroom while you sit with her. Take notes.
Decide together if this is a WANT or a NEED. (A warm covering for the bed is a need. An action figure is a want.) This concept is taught in second and third grade. It might be very hard for her at first. Be prepared for some tears. Explain calmly that all children her age are learning about WANTS and NEEDS, and that it is even hard for grown-ups to delay the gratification of a WANT (such as new earrings) in order to pay for a NEED (such as paying the water bill).
Decide if there are things that you could make, paint, or build yourself. Brown wrapping paper and green construction paper on a thrift store coat tree can be as satisfying as an expensive item if you make it together with love in your heart, a creative sparkle in your eye, and a great deal of flexibility.
Look online for how-to decor. Teacher sites are sometimes good. Teachers can make almost everything from cardboard and masking tape!!
Then pare down the items that must be purchased already made, one by one. "Which one of these things would like to have FIRST?" Write that down. Then look at the remaining things on the list. Do the same. You might be surprised at what the "key" is to make the room into what she wants. Sometimes just a few details will be enough.
Do the same for her playroom.
*Decide on a truly honest budget - No extra $23.95 is possible. Explain to your daughter that there is only (name budget number) right now. Put the budget number on a piece of paper with her. When she wants something, including the supplies for making something yourselves, write down the ordering/purchasing information and the price in a spiral notebook, so it does not get lost. Sit down together (side by side). Use a calculator and subtract the amount from the budget. Show her how much money is left. If the numbers alone are difficult for her to understand, use pennies or gravel or something else to represent dollars.
All best wishes and encouragement to you and yours.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea/tools/childrens_ikea_rooms_ideas/#/20121_chrs03a_01