Splurge or Save?

Kids' Rooms Etc. shares simple strategies on how to invest in style.

 

Splurge! Rugs have amazing transforming power. In this room, rugs -- soft chenille, graphic circles, and solid-color shag -- set the mood in each phase.

 

Save! We flipped the nursery's discount-store bug prints and put the peel-and-stick dots on the back to make new art. Posters rule tween time.

 

Save! You have to get creative to control window treatment and hardware costs. We stretched our dollars by reusing the pricier elements, such as custom Roman shades.

 

Save! A little paint and fun embellishments work wonders without permanency. We used paintable rings in all three rooms, and added peel-and-stick dots in the girl's room.

 

Save! Though it's great to make a statement with lights, find creative ways to do it. The tween-room lights are actually inexpensive kitchen pendants.