Readers' Choice: The Top 20 Kids Rooms of 2011
Need ideas for your son or daughter's room? Go no further than the most popular kids rooms on Houzz — chosen by you!
Staff Writer, Houzz.com
Staff Writer, Houzz.com More »
This year, Houzzers were looking at kids' room photos in virtually every style and color palette for every age range. Nurseries, toddlers' rooms, and teenagers' rooms were all on the list of most popular photos uploaded this year, and styles ranged from traditional to very modern.
Take a look at the 20 most popular kids room photos uploaded to Houzz this year, and when you've seen them all, please let us know which room is your favorite.
More Readers' Choice winners of 2011::
Kitchens | Bedrooms | Baths | Offices | Living Rooms | Bedrooms | Patios | Laundry Rooms
Take a look at the 20 most popular kids room photos uploaded to Houzz this year, and when you've seen them all, please let us know which room is your favorite.
More Readers' Choice winners of 2011::
Kitchens | Bedrooms | Baths | Offices | Living Rooms | Bedrooms | Patios | Laundry Rooms
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| 1. Although Houzz users were torn about the gray color choice in this room, everyone agreed that these built-in bunk beds created a perfect setup. Building them into the walls not only makes the bunk beds sturdy and sound, but the configuration allows for plenty of space in the rest of the room. Private Comment
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2. These bunk beds are nestled into the corner in this room, taking advantage of what could have been awkward leftover space. Houzzers loved the built-in shelving and reading nooks with lamps on each headboard.
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| 3. While this entire home was a huge hit on Houzz this year, users really loved this simple child's bedroom. The elevated bookshelf with a ladder was an especially popular touch. Users also liked the idea of making a built-in bed near a window with a view. Private Comment
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4. Doing an all-white nursery can be a little intimidating for new mothers, but Houzzers liked how this designer pulled it off. By layering textures and playing with reflective surfaces, the nursery feels warm and cozy, but still very clean.
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5. Houzzers loved the adorable wall mural with built-in shelving in this space. Often, it can be a challenge to design a kids room with a theme that doesn't feel cheesy or over the top. While this design is simple, it's still playful and bright enough to cheer up a child's playroom.
Private Comment
6. Designing a teenager's room is usually a matter of balancing things your teenager wants now with a look that will last through high school. This teenage boys' room uses a fun and boyish brown-and-blue palette that will work for years to come. Custom built-ins around the bedframe can showcase knickknacks and trophies.
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7. Houzz users loved the bold and girly design in this room. The wall and ceiling murals are stunning, and the bold pink bedding is the perfect shock of color.
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| 8. Houzzers bookmarked this photo for its solution to the bunk-bed dilemma. Building the bunk beds in and keeping them clean and white means the rest of the room can be decorated in any style. Private Comment
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| 9. This boy's bedroom is full of easy and fun design ideas. Try adding different shades of blue to brighten up your son's room. The mix of the locker cabinet, checkerboard rug and bold blue walls makes this room fun without going overboard. Private Comment
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| 10. Pink is just as popular as ever in little girls' rooms, but purple is a close runner-up. Houzzers bookmarked this photo for the fantastic bed frame, glittery light fixture and all of the flowery touches throughout the room. Private Comment
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| 11. When designing a nursery, you want it to be a calm and soothing space (parents will be spending a lot of time in there). This nature-inspired wall mural has a very serene feel, but the green stripes and mix of textiles make the space feel contemporary and happy. Private Comment
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12. Houzzers loved the idea of putting a chic daybed in a nursery or toddler's room. Not only is it a great space for parents to relax while reading or playing with their child, but it can also be a good transition bed after the crib. Houzz users also bookmarked this photo for the kelly green textiles and the fun wall art.
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| 13. While this room is stunning on its own, Houzzers bookmarked it for its smart use of Ikea cabinetry. By installing the cabinets on either side of this window space and framing them with drywall, the designer was able to make it look like they were built into the room. Private Comment
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14. Mixing chocolate brown with brighter colors was everywhere on Houzz this year. This designer mixed turquoise and lime green with brown for a colorful teenage girl's room. Houzzers loved the look, and wanted to know all about the matching products and accessories in this room.
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15. Here's another great purple room, designed for a teenage girl. Houzzers loved the dress form in the corner and the bulletin board above the custom desk space.
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16. If you're going to do a themed room for your teen or tween, it's best to keep it simple. This tennis-inspired room can easily be transformed into a guest room after college graduation with just a little paint.
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17. The designer of this mod-style room went all out with color and design. The gray base paint keeps the look modern, but the accessories and accents give it a fun retro look that any teenage girl would love.
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| 18. Houzzers bookmarked this photo for the smart daybed design in the corner of a room. The corner headboard and pillows mean that the bed can serve as a couch during the day. Take off all the pillows at night, and you have a comfy place to curl up and sleep. Private Comment
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| 19. This bed is the perfect solution for a room with slanted ceilings. A lot of teenagers move to the top of the house after they're done sharing a room — but it can be hard to work with the limited space a sloped roof provides. This built-in bed keeps a high ceiling above the bed itself, and there was room for a little bookshelf where the ceiling slopes. Private Comment
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| 20. A modern version of a bunkhouse, this room can fit as many as five kids — all with plenty of sleeping space. The designer worked with the long and narrow shape of the room by putting custom bunk beds against one wall and a crib and changing table on another. Private Comment
Tell us: Which of these reader favorites from 2011 do you like best? More: See the all-time most popular kids' rooms on Houzz |
Comments

I love the purple flowery room, the tree bookshelf wall mural, and the bunkhouse. All of these are so fun for kids!
http://blog.17thandriggs.com
http://blog.17thandriggs.com
5 months ago ·
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Jason Shepard says:
There are entirely too many of these with 4 or more beds. There are evidently legal differences between where they are located and Illinois where I am -or- the owners have multiple same-sex children. Here in Illinois, you cannot legally have multiple children in the same room, even if directly related, unless they are of the same sex and we also have a maximum of 2 per room after the age of 5.
I'm curious as to what states these rooms are located in and whether or not they are meeting legal standards. If not, the resale value of these homes just plummeted like a rock.
I'm curious as to what states these rooms are located in and whether or not they are meeting legal standards. If not, the resale value of these homes just plummeted like a rock.
5 months ago ·
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glickwoman says:
Jason -
I find that amazing. What do families with limited means do? Seriously, we know that many families in the lower income bracket (the ones who are not having built in bunk beds made) have many children.
I have a neighbor who has 7 children in a 3 bedroom house. While their reason for living in this home is not necessarily lack of finances, they are still having 7 boys share 2 bedrooms.
Diane
I find that amazing. What do families with limited means do? Seriously, we know that many families in the lower income bracket (the ones who are not having built in bunk beds made) have many children.
I have a neighbor who has 7 children in a 3 bedroom house. While their reason for living in this home is not necessarily lack of finances, they are still having 7 boys share 2 bedrooms.
Diane
5 months ago ·
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suburbandecorista says:
I'm sorry, but I just really could not decide! I really loved these ideas, the nurseries were especially lovely....
5 months ago ·
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Jason Shepard says:
@glickwoman: In quite a few cases, DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) removes them from the family and places them in Foster Care until the parents manage to get a home big enough to follow the rules. They "could care less" (their words) about your financial situation or the economy. People with limited financial means simply live in fear every day of losing their children to the State of Illinois foster care system. It's horrendous and some wonderful families have been broken up because of it, especially in recent years with the downturn in the overall economy.
You'd think these beautiful rooms these people have created would ensure the safety of the children, but in Illinois that would not be the case, unfortunately.
You'd think these beautiful rooms these people have created would ensure the safety of the children, but in Illinois that would not be the case, unfortunately.
5 months ago ·
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zappedan says:
That's why many people don't live in the communist state of Illinois. How rediculous to take kids away from loving parents because their house is too small. Unless there is abuse the state should mind their own business. No wonder everyone is leaving that awful state.
5 months ago ·
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rebelliousraven says:
I can understand older different sex kids wanting their own rooms but we have 6 kids .... they all grew up utilizing two rooms (we lived in an older farm house and that was what there was)... until the last two were born they were in one room... one "double bed" bunkbeds... boys on the bottom, girls on top.... they changed etc in the bathroom....they are in or graduated from college now....they learned cooperation, negotiation and respect for others property. They also learned to appreciate things a little better I hope... values that seem to be sadly disappearing. I love these rooms and now that we are able to remodel and add space I will be making a bunk bed like these for our future (I hope) grandchildren. How sad the state of Illinois would judge the abiity to parent on sharing a room.
5 months ago ·
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angi says:
the bunks pictured are positively not for daily living. they are likely at a beach house and the beds are only used when family and friends come together. no one in their right mind would want to make beds like that on a daily basis! of course they also probably have a nanny and house keeper. let's hope the nursery with the mirrored dresser also has a full time housekeeper on staff. otherwise that sweet baby will be just a source of irritation to the parents who designed the space for themselves with no thought of what a baby wants or needs. i guarantee that mother will notice the fingerprints on the dresser before she notices the baby's smile each time she enters this room. sad, really. so interesting that as a society we've come to envy the financial means to achieve the ability to disconnect with our humanity.
5 months ago ·
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tomcat says:
Bunk beds are a great idea but making the top bunks would be quite difficult.
5 months ago ·
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krylela says:
Wow, the personal diatribes on social issues run rampant here! As for the rooms and decorating... my favorite is the mod girls' chocolate and dots. It's very cute with room to grow. I also love the white rooms with bright splashes of colors.
5 months ago ·
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findpause_pressplay says:
First, thank you so much for putting our grey bunks on the list! :) Second, we're not breaking any laws :) and finally....we love them! i did a post on my blog about how i keep the bedding simple and we left room around the mattresses for easy changing....no housekeeper around here...just a mom and dad with lots of kids! :) :) all of these rooms are beautiful and fun!
5 months ago ·
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talycole says:
I love #3 the best and in second place is #2! In #3, I always dreamed of having my bed in a nook like that as a kid. One thing I love about #2 is the cool pocket above the head that has a light. It reminds me of the sleeping cars on old trains.
5 months ago ·
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dinkydi says:
Jason - Actually that is not true. There are no laws in the United States regarding the number and/or sex of sibling sharing a room. You might be confused with laws regarding public housing which limits the number of people per room (and children must be same sex).
In any case I love room 3.
In any case I love room 3.
5 months ago ·
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team1s says:
Number 12 is my favourite, and number 9 my second favourite - probably because I think they're the ones that most appeal to the mother of twin two year old boys! I love all the bunk bedrooms, too - I kept thinking that if I'd had quadruplets rather than twins I'd be all over those!! Of the bunks my favourite is number 8, although I also love the night-light/reading nooks on number 2. They're all such lovely rooms.
5 months ago ·
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sekr says:
Every one of these rooms is beautiful in its own way. What I want to know is how on earth do you make those bunk beds?? Especially the built-ins with rails?
5 months ago ·
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ab01566 says:
Jason--the law you reference has to do with sleeping arrangements for foster children. Since they are wards of the state, the state can dictate such arrangements but otherwise, as pointed out by dinkydi, there are no laws in the U.S. regarding the number and/or sex of children sharing a room.
My favorite is number 20. It would be perfect for my dream beachouse!
My favorite is number 20. It would be perfect for my dream beachouse!
5 months ago ·
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mars2 says:
As far as the issue of fingerprints on the mirrored dresser in #4, I think the baby would get so much fun from looking into a mirrored surface at her own level that this would more than make up for the need for the occasional wipe down. Should ease of cleaning always be the first priority?
4 months ago ·
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Artspace Marketplace says:
Easily order Contemporary Art for your kids' rooms
www.artspace.com
www.artspace.com
4 months ago ·
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Lady W says:
Dont be so uptight about how many kiddos are sleeping in the room. I am certain these pictures are to provide individuals with ideas and concepts. In addition to showing consumers what a designer can provide..
4 months ago ·
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aronrae says:
I think bunk beds like this are fabulous for daily living. Plenty of room for fun sleepovers!
4 months ago ·
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Tasha White says:
I love the locker room cabinets in the boyz room #9. Does anyone know where can I find those? I love all these rooms. I have a tween girl, a 6 yr old boy and a 5month girl. Great ideas for all my kids rooms!
4 months ago ·
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baba66 says:
I like the use of space in #1 and #20. The gray color in #1 is soothing, not stark. I like the style of #20 also. The boys room, #9 looks like a fun place to play and #10 would be a whimsical for a girl. I love the design of the bed in the slanted roof room #19. It also allows for privacy if the room is a shared one and each child has their own bed. The one I did not like is #8 because the top bunks have too little headroom.
3 months ago ·
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aerinrae says:
Maybe they are not at all financially strapped and have a seperate room for sleepovers. Given the amount of times I have had kids covering my family room furniture, I'd say thats not a bad idea. If I had the money.
3 months ago ·
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aquabooks99 says:
@angi why wouldn't any of the bunk beds be for daily use? Kids don't usually make their beds to the same standards as adults.
3 weeks ago ·
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