2014 Kids' Storage Ideas from HGTV

By : H. Camille Smith

Let's face it: Kids are natural collectors. So, it only makes sense to give them somewhere to stylishly display their stuff. Designer Susie Fougerousse suggests: "Every child's room should be equipped with a sturdy bookshelf for displaying treasures, books, pictures and more. Selecting a basic style in a neutral color will allow the parents maximum versatility for use over the long term. As the child grows, the uses and consequently the look of the shelf will naturally adapt to the child's changing needs."

"Functional and stylish storage is an essential element to consider when decorating a child's room," says designer Susie Fougerousse. "If the room allows for it and your budget permits, a bookcase with doors or drawers is a classy way to enhance the look of the room while providing valuable storage for odds and ends."

Older kids need storage, too. Designer Sarah Richardson adds a handy feature to this young man's bedroom: a fabric pouch positioned just below the mattress. This pouch is the perfect place for stashing comic books, handheld games or every teen's must-have techie devices.

Corral kids' clutter in colorful boxes. Designer Sherri Blum recommends these because, "small toys, hair accessories, craft supplies and more can be easily tucked away in these neat boxes readily available at craft stores." Bonus: a customizable paper label so you'll always know what the box contains.

This hyper-organized (and downright cute!) little girl's closet can easily be transitioned into a big girl's closet as her storage needs change. Image courtesy of the Container Store.

Designer Susie Fougerousse is a big believer in having a good mix of permanent and transportable storage solutions in a child's room. Her Tip: "Portable storage containers such as painted wooden crates or metal bins that can be personalized are a stylish option for children of all ages. With an endless array of colors, patterns, fonts and shapes to choose from, these storage containers are a cool and decorative addition to any room."

Designer Sarah Richardson turns a sleigh bed into a daybed in her vacation cottage. Perfect for small visitors, this corner is an inviting spot for reading a favorite book or catching an afternoon nap. Slipcovered ottomans with removable lids offer plenty of storage for small guests' toys.

Built-in bookcases add handy storage and display space for boyhood treasures while an aviation theme and queen-size bed will work for many years to come. Design by RMSer thriftydecorchick.

Clear kitchen canisters look (and work!) great as dresser-top storage for kids' favorite small toys. When they're past the crayon-and-army-men stage, the same containers can be used for storing hair accessories, belts or art supplies. Design by Holly Mathis.

Reclaim square footage for baby's playtime with vertical storage. Designer Sherri Blum says, "Built-in wall units are especially helpful in small spaces; a single wall with built-ins can replace toy boxes, bookcases, desks and trunks to create a room that is more open and clutter free."

HGTV Dream Home 2014 : Kids' Bathroom Pictures

This fun and functional space combines durable neutral materials with bright, kid friendly touches. 

About the Kids' Bathroom : 

This high traffic area designed to accommodate multiple children at once features durable, chic materials that would be at home in any grown up bathroom. Bright red and white accents add a youthful touch. 

Since the adjacent bunkroom sleeps up to four, this bathroom is built to accommodate a crowd. It features two zones: A vanity and dressing area and a separate commode and shower area.

HGTV Dream Home 2014 : Kids' Bedroom Pictures

About the Kids' Bedroom: 

Part fun hideaway, part practical place to sleep, this kid-friendly bunkroom proves that grown-up details can fit right in in a child-focused space. Vaulted ceilings and exposed beams give this room a treehouse feel, and allow for stacked bunk beds that can sleep four. 

The vaulted ceilings, exposed wood beams and light-filled windows give this room a treehouse feel. The space's architecture allows for the use of stacked bunk beds that can sleep four.

Part fun hideaway, part practical place to sleep, this kid-friendly bunkroom is grown-up enough to serve as an overflow sleeping space for adult guests.

Kids' Candy Crafting Table for Christmas 2013

From creative crafting ideas to candy-colored decor, designer Casey Noble shares fun and festive ways to turn a living room coffee table into a kid-sized holiday hangout.

By Brian : Patrick Flynn

The center of this great room is designated as a holiday gathering spot for kids, complete with snacks and interactive crafting ideas. With kids occupied, parents can enjoy a more formal dining experience in the next room.

Turn a coffee table into a holiday snacking and crafting spot by grouping floor cushions in seasonal hues around the perimeter. Similar to high chairs at standard dining tables, a small stack of fluffy cushions or pillows can help boost toddlers up to the perfect height.

Give kids a designated surface to draw on with a roll of kraft paper spread across the surface of the table. In addition to being able to express themselves creatively, this also gives parents a chance to suggest seating by writing each child's name onto the paper with markers, chalk or crayons.

Similar to vintage milk bottles, Mason jars are a sophisticated alternative to plastic vessels or drinkware. To bring classic farmhouse style to a kids' table, consider using Mason jars for snacks such as crackers or pretzels.

While kids entertain themselves at the holiday soiree, it's important to always consider safety first, especially when it comes to candy. Before laying candy out, be certain to ask parents if their children have any allergies or dietary restrictions, then stick solely with small, soft styles rather than hard candy, which could pose a choking hazard.

One of the keys to making candy and snacks interactive as crafting supplies is to choose ring-shaped options with holes directly in the center. This will allow kids the option to use their food to make crafts by sliding twine, ribbon or string directly through the center to create garland, bracelets or necklaces.

Kids can also put the holiday table to use as a place to create handmade gifts for friends and family. To turn colorful candy into necklaces or bracelets, supply kids with string, twine and ribbon in assorted styles. Encourage them to get creative with color and shape, and then bestow their creations to friends or family.

Candy garland is a more practical alternative to candy necklaces or bracelets. The key to creating these effectively is ensuring kids use safety scissors to cut strands no less than 48 inches in length. Once placed around the tree, these strands can create a cohesive, seamless look without the hassle of having to start directly at the bottom, then winding up and around the tree with one extra-long single strand.

Help tiny guests gather their culinary crafts with unique party bags. Find letters and fonts online, and then print them directly onto paper bags by running them through a basic color printer. Prior to the end of the party, keep the bags displayed nearby as tree decor, encouraging kids to take them down and fill them up before they leave.

2013 Girls' Room Curtains Design Ideas

To chose the best girls' room curtains, a great way to start is by thinking about what you need in the space. For instance, if the child's room gets a lot of natural light, you may want to look for curtains with a light-blocking lining. Also consider the hardware you'll require for the styles of girls' room curtains you're considering. You may want to choose a curtain rod set that can be used for different curtain patterns over the years. If your child is old enough, you could narrow down some available styles and colors before asking her which she likes best.

 If you've established a theme in a girls' room, it's best to continue that in curtains. For instance, in a princess themed space, animal motif curtains are likely to appear mismatched. Another consideration is the amount of detailed pattern already in the room. Picking up the details, whether these are flowers or other motifs, by including them in the curtains can tie in all of the decor and furnishings nicely. Alternatively, if you prefer a look that is colorful without being too "busy," you could select a solid color of curtains that will still coordinate with everything.

 When choosing girls' room curtains where you haven't already established a theme or color scheme, starting with the window covering selection can be inspiring. By looking at different colors and patterns of girls' room curtains, you may find one that will help establish the theme as well as the hues of the whole space. If you find several different curtains that are in stock and in your price range, letting your daughter have the final pick can be a great idea.

If budget is a strong consideration when choosing curtains, many department store and other shop-at-home websites allow you to list products by price. This way, you may be more likely to see something in a lower price range that will make the best girls' room curtains for your home. When choosing lower cost curtains, it's important to consider the quality and maintenance. If the window coverings are going to fade or start falling apart after only a few washings, or they're dry clean only, you aren't likely to actually save money by choosing the cheapest curtains.

Written By: Sheri Cyprus