Whether it's a nursery that needs updating as your child gets older or your teen needs a grown-up take on his childhood room, an entirely new room can break the bank. But a whole new look can be had on the cheap, and the number-one low-cost item that can transform a room is paint. Choose a color your child likes but that's timeless - so that you don't have to change the look every time trends change. In other words, no black for the goth teen! Consider whether you might want to paint the furniture. A complementary color on a dresser or nightstand would look great with some cute, inexpensive drawer pulls. Think of a theme before you get started, and stay with it to keep the look of the room pulled together throughout the process. Instead of hanging pricey framed pictures, why not look for some craft foam at the art supply store? It's a soft, adhesive sheet of flat foam that can be cut in any shape you like - letters, trains, sports themes, butterflies, castles - whatever your child is into. It's temporary, so it can be pulled off whenever you get tired of it.
Changing your child's bedding can go a long way in a room makeover. Try to find a great deal on a bed-in-a-bag that your child loves, or do it yourself for even cheaper. Find two flat sheets in a size larger than the comforter your child currently uses, and cut them to fit on top and underneath the comforter. Secure raw edges with hem tape and line edges with Velcro to create a DIY duvet cover! If you need organization, then there's no need to raid a container store for a bunch of plastic bins. Simply take a look at what you have and discard anything unneeded, broken or old. Now streamline where things are kept by organizing by size. Clear shoe pockets hung on the back of the door are ideal for tiny items, like barrettes, school supplies and small toys. Consider a low bar in the closet if you have small children and want them to be independent when it comes to getting dressed. Use the top bar for out-of-season clothes, dressy clothes or those that are too big. It's easy to redecorate on the cheap, so give your child's room a fresh, new look.