If you’re looking for some girls bedroom ideas, you’ve come to the right place! As my daughter is preparing herself for a move to a big school and with SATs exams in the next couple of weeks, we both felt her room needed a little rethink. OK, I thought! But she happily agreed! Her old Ikea desk was way too small for her. And shoved into to the corner of the room it did not give her much space for creativity!
As I was just moving my own small office space from our bedroom to newly created space downstairs, I agreed to give away my old Ikea desk. Excitedly she accepted the offer as my desk, although not big at all, was much bigger than hers.
So, she has a desk! But that’s not enough!
I needed to figure out how to create a cool homework space to encourage her creativity too. If you’re a parent of a kid in a certain age, then I’m sure you know (and let’s just call it what it is) they can get a bit lazy! It is so much easier to pick up a phone and chat with friends for hours or watch the same video on YouTube for hours.
Luckily, she has so many different after school activities that her “phone time” is restricted anyway. But I wanted to make sure that when she is in her room, she not only has a proper place to do her homework or study for exams, but also a place that is fun and one that will help her stay creative too!
And I’m quite happy with the result! Just take a look:
So, what I did exactly?
If you’re looking for some girls bedroom ideas but your budget is limited, than you’ll be happy to know there was barely any money spent. Obviously if you’re trying to create a homework space for you kid you will need a desk. And that’s the biggest expense. But if you already have a desk, you can jazz it up a little and the space around it too for even bigger impact! And that’s what I did – for less than £20!
Chalkboard magnetic paint – one of the best girls bedroom ideas!
Well, this paint is a great choice for any kiddo, and it’s still great when they get older too. It’s not a big discovery, they’ve been around for few years. My son has his own chalkboard wall since we did his room two years ago. My daughter was always complaining why she didn’t have one so I thought this would be a great starting point for her new homework space. (Try this one)
Apart from being a chalkboard, the paint I’ve chosen also has magnetic properties. But to get the most of it you need to apply three coats. As I’ve run out of paint after two coats, there’s only few magnets that actually stick to the wall. We weren’t bothered at first. But now, after few days since the wall has been painted, I think I might get another tin of paint and give it a final coat. Not because it doesn’t look right. It actually looks gorgeous. The paint has a great matt finish. And although it is smooth, it gives a bit textured look that catches the light at the same time. I am seriously considering using the same paint somewhere else in the house. Simply because of the paint finish!
Having the entire wall to scribble on, write beloved quotes and important notes on is great for the kids of any age. And it’s great for the kitchens or home offices too! And if you opt for a magnetic one, that gives them even more opportunities to stay creative.
Cork board
Cork boards are one of another great girls bedroom ideas (or bedrooms of any kind). I’ve decided to add some cork boards too as the initial idea was to do the whole wall in cork. I even went as far as ordering few metres of cork but my calculations were wrong and had to cancel the order at the end. After that my daughter told me she didn’t want cork on her wall any more… Typical! Luckily I got the money back and managed to sneak in some cork to the room anyway! But by painting it the same colour as the walls I made it less visible and she actually loves it… Typical again!
Ikea desk makeover
Let’s move to the desk now. The most important piece in creating kids homework space. As the desk was white and very plain I decided to jazz it up a little with a gold craft adhesive paper which I’ve found in Home Bargain. It cost me less than £3 for two rolls. But as the desk had metal bits to pull the drawers up I’ve painted them first with the same black paint I used for the wall. I think you have to admit that greyish metal and gold don’t meant to be together! And it’s little details like that that really make a difference.
Sticking the craft paper proved a little bit more difficult and the air bubbles just kept on reappearing. But I got there at the end… I decided to do the drawers and add few stripes to each leg of the desk… just for fun! And then I got carried away with the gold paper and treated a desk lamp to a little makeover… and a pencil holder too! But I think the effect is rather cool, if I can say so myself. So if you’re looking for some girls bedroom ideas or just want to add some interest to a desk (or any furniture), sticky paper is a great and cost effective solution! (Try this one from Ebay)
So, what do you think about this homework space?
I really like the gold in the desk against the black wall. It makes the room look more grown up but still cool enough and I’m happy to say, my daughter likes it too.
There will be a second part of the makeover, once we’ve agreed on the wallpaper… I don’t expect this to be any time soon!
So, is it the best girls bedroom idea ever? Probably not! But it’s all about being resourceful and working with what you already have in the house. And as a result spending as little money as possible.
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Evija
May 18, 2018I love your blog, you always have such great ideas on how to update a space on a budget, which is right up my street! I love the upcycled desk.. everything looks better with gold!!! its a fact! 🙂
Maria
May 17, 2018Great ideas for updating a space on a budget! I’m loving the desk and I’m even considering that magnetic chalkboard paint for my own workspace ? I’m sure your daughter is absolutely thrilled with it. Great job!
Anonymous
May 17, 2018Thank you Maria. Just make sure you have enough paint for three coats. I can’t guarantee it will hold the magnets but the finish of the paint is really good, almost textured ?
JENNY KAKOUDAKIS
May 15, 2018Very resourceful – and how about the chair and that line at the ceiling matching colours! Brilliant touch! Being crafty is really good and teaches them a lesson that you should recycle, upcycle and re-use materials!
Anonymous
May 16, 2018I don’t think the lesson is learnt, she keeps asking for new stuff all the time ??
Donna Ford
May 15, 2018What a great idea! I love the creativity and customisation. I bet she just loves it. Well done!
Anonymous
May 16, 2018Thank you Donna. I hope she likes it ?
Tamsin Allen
May 15, 2018This is such a cool space and will last her well into the teenage years too. Have her friends seen it – I bet they are very jealous. 🙂
Anonymous
May 15, 2018Thank You but I don’t think her friends will be as excited about the mess she’s already made in her room ??
Pati
May 15, 2018Oh wow hub you have done a cracker of a job i love it so much xx
Anonymous
May 15, 2018Thanks Pati, if only my daughter appreciated it and took care of the room for once, it would be still looking like this ?
Melinda
May 14, 2018Oh what a lucky girl! I absolutely love this- I would’ve lost my mind for a space like this when I was younger! My ‘creative space’ was my bed??♀️ It’s beautiful, you’ve done a lovely job?
Anonymous
May 14, 2018Thank you Melinda. My creative space as a kid was a little corner on the floor filled with cushions ( not so trendy ones) which I proudly called “dreaming spot” ??
Juan Sandiego
May 14, 2018What a cool desk, Anne Marie. I didn’t know they made magnetic chalkboard paint. And I like the sneaky bits of cork. Everything is the perfect backdrop for that beautiful chair.
Anonymous
May 14, 2018Thank you Juan. The chair keeps moving around the house but I have to admit i do like it against that black wall ?
Fiona
May 14, 2018It looks really great. You’ve added some really lovely touches, she must be really pleased with it.
Anonymous
May 14, 2018I hope she is, but you know what they’re like, one minute they love somethig, next minute they’re into something different ??
Lins @ Boo & Maddie
May 14, 2018It’s fantastic, I’d have loved a space like this! In fact forget that I’d love a space like this now X
Anonymous
May 14, 2018Thank you lovely, it was so easy to make and we’re both happy with the result ??
Becky at PinksCharming
May 14, 2018Oh I LOVE this! The desk looks so wonderful with the gold you’ve added and the black chalkboard wall looks brilliant. I can see what she’s so pleased with it!
Anonymous
May 14, 2018Thank you Becky. She loves the room but that still doesn’t make her to keep it tidy ???
Mary Middleton | hellopeagreen
May 3, 2018I think this is soo sooo cool. Who wouldn’t love this space? I’m already thinking for my 5yo what needs to “happen” next in his room….. not sure I’ve got the DIY skills to make it happen though