Turning kids drawings into wall art

Turn your child's own sketches, scribbles and paintings into pieces for their bedroom walls. Buy simple frames that let the art shine and create a unique gallery wall that they'll be proud to show their friends. You can also use a local printing shop or go online to turn the artwork into ready-to-hang canvases.

Consider these ideas for your child's bedroom 'art gallery':

• Incorporate your child's favourite hobby into their room design. A row of original skateboards above the headboard adds serious cool to a bedroom.

• Hang a brass or chrome curtain rod across the wall and use clips to display original sketches and watercolours.

• Tap the spontaneous artist by adding a chalkboard wall. Let your child rip!

• Removable wall transfers, stickers and 'temporary wall tattoos' are available in many styles and patterns. They're a wonderful medium for creativity, without harming your walls or décor. Plus, when your child or tween gets a new mood, you just peel them off and start again.

• Display art is easy, too, with galvanised metal, found in sheets at home improvement stores. Just mount on the wall and voila! instant magnetic board.

Create reading nooks

Encourage a love of reading by creating a cosy spot where your child can escape to and enjoy their books. Try these on for size:

• Designate a reading corner with a pretty armchair, standing lamp and throw rug underneath.

• Buy or construct a private teepee, complete with comfy cushions and favourite stuffed animals.

• Place an upholstered bench seat between two sets of bookcases or bookshelves where your youngster can rest, read or relax.

• Got windows with lots of natural light? Create a sunny window nook for your child and use bins underneath for storage.

Storage with style

• Who needs dull hooks? Brighten up your space with funky metallic or steel hooks in wow colours shaped like peace signs, flowers, hearts and animals. Use them to hang necklaces, ID tags or sweatshirts.

• Metal or plastic buckets look great hanging from an anchored shower curtain rod, filled with books or art supplies.

• Use an over-the-door shoe organiser to house collections of other, colourful stuff: scarves, socks or stuffed animals.

• Short on space? Get hold of a wall-mounted desk and paint it in rainbow colours. It's efficient, easy to personalise and when the homework is done just close it up and fold it away.

• Have fun with shelves. They come in every shape and size and can be the focal point of a great wall design.

Unique Headboard Ideas

Make a strong statement with the headboard. They come in many great fabrics and colours, but you can also create your own. Pick up some fabric with your child's favourite character on it and staple it to a baseboard. Is your child a sports fan? Re-purpose their fan t-shirts into a quilt-like headboard to show the world which teams they support.

Decor Inspiration

• DIY Message Board. Create a useful board with framed corkboard. Add a wrapping paper centre and metallic studs around the edge and keep plenty of pins to hold messages and reminders in place.

• Bring a chair to life. Use fabric and paint to make it your child's own. Do the same with a footstool.

• Make lighting fun. Buy a light fixture that you can customise. Find a cool kid-like chandelier. Use table lamps with your kids' favourite licensed characters, from Disney to sports to music. Go colour-wild with hot pink or acid green. Lava lamps are also loads of fun.

• Fingerprint furniture. Paint a dresser, table or another raw piece of furniture and let your little one personalise and make it their own by adding their wild-colour, paint-soaked handprints and fingerprints.

• Glow it in the dark for a good night's sleep. Many hobby stores sell glow-in-the-dark paint additives. Paint stars, moons and planets on the ceiling, or a nifty design around the room edge. Lights-out time becomes so much fun!

With a little imagination and some good old-fashioned creativity, you can help your child create a special bedroom that they can truly call their own. Happy decorating!