While there are a lot of playroom decoration ideas out there, the most cost-effective and straightforward way to decorate a kid’s room is to add an accent wall. Since a child’s taste change daily, I find it best to go with something temporary. Vinyl decals are perfect for that, and there are so many options! Keep reading to see how I create fun and affordable accent walls for all the kids’ spaces using adhesive vinyl decals you can purchase online or make at home.
Playroom Decoration Ideas Inspiration: Vinyl Decals
When I started dreaming about RJ’s nursery almost five years ago, I envisioned an accent wall behind the crib. Adhesive wallpaper wasn’t so popular yet, and we had no desire to paint another wall in the house. When Googling “playroom decoration ideas” and Pinteresting it up, I stumbled upon the most adorable teepee wall stickers, but immediately got sticker shock (no pun intended) when I visited the website and saw the price.
I had recently invested in a Silhouette Cameo and figured I could make the decals myself. After a google search and a trip to my local vinyl store, I had a plan.
Materials
You certainly don’t have to make your decals. There are plenty of pre-made stickers and playroom decoration ideas available on Etsy or at Target or Hobby Lobby. Here are a few of my favorites:
If you do choose to make your own, you’re going to need adhesive vinyl (I use Oracal 631 from here) and a way to cut it. You could certainly create a pattern or template and cut out each shape individually. Another option might be a craft punch. But I prefer using a cutting machine. It’s a fun tool to have in your craft arsenal. My original Silhouette Cameo certainly paid for itself when creating fun accents for the boys’ rooms. I upgraded to the Silhouette Cameo 3 and love the new features, my favorite being the universal blade.
Last but not least, you’ll need a few tools. For instillation, you will need a level if you want them in straight lines and a measuring tape during the planning process. I use a laser level and a free measuring stick we got at Lowe’s. We also have a stable step stool, and I’ve most recently needed a taller ladder to reach the tops of the 12-foot ceilings in our new home.
Plan Ahead
Now it’s time to do some planning. First, you’ll want to measure your wall. Note the height and width as well as anything that might disrupt your pattern. Examples of “pattern disruptors” are windows or electrical outlets, anything else physically attached to the wall. Frequently you can adjust your plan to avoid these items. And sometimes you can also cover that area up with your crib, bed, dresser, etc.
Next, decide if you’d like to go with random placement or a repeated pattern. I prefer a recurring design because it models the look of wallpaper. But, I’ve also seen some gorgeous walls with casually placed decals. This option works exceptionally well in a fun space like a playroom. You also don’t have to stick to one shape or color. Mix it up by alternating the shape and color of every other decal or alternate the columns or rows.
Last, decide how far apart you want your decals. Placing them farther apart will mean you need a smaller number of stickers and prevent your wall from looking cluttered. I typically set mine 4 inch wide decals 8-12 inches apart and find this works well.
Sketch it out
Once you’ve planned the design in your mind, you may find it helpful to draw it out. You can do that on paper or electronically. This way, you will have a visual of what your wall will look like and how many decals you need to purchase or create. I do recommend having a few extra stickers on hand in case of mistakes or changes to the plan.
Here is an example using a wall that is 10 feet wide by 8 feet tall, a pretty standard size. For this design, you will use 72 decals. I gave you all the measurements to make things easy! Start your first teepee 6 inches from the top of the wall and 10 inches from the edge. Space each teepee 12 inches apart lengthwise. Start your second row 16 inches from the top of the wall and 18 inches from the edge. Repeat this pattern until you have a completed wall. Make sure to add anything on the wall to this plan and adjust accordingly if needed.
Get Organized
Once you’re ready to start, assemble all your materials, and grab your tools. If you need to move any furniture, do that first, so you can work efficiently. Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to have some good coffee to fuel you through the process.
Peel and Stick
I like to start at the top corner of the wall. That way, I get the ladder work done first, which I think is the hardest. The application process is pretty straightforward. Remember, these are just big stickers! Here are my tips:
- Prep the surface: Make sure the wall is clean, dry, and free of dust. Adhesive stickers best adhere to a smooth, flat surface. I do use decals on textured walls. But, don’t expect the decal to look smooth if the texture behind it isn’t.
- Peel and stick: Slowly lift the decal from the backing to avoid tearing. Apply to the wall and then smooth with pressure to affix firmly. Rub gently with your hand or cloth to activate the adhesive. Smooth any bubbles as needed, a credit card is a useful tool for that.
- No toddlers allowed: If your kids don’t know that these are stickers, they are less likely to try to peel them off the wall. So, apply your wall decals when the children aren’t around. That doesn’t sound very fun anyway.
I hope that helps motivate you to go out there and create your fun accent wall! Feel free to check out my shop for playroom decoration ideas or reach out if you have any questions or need help designing your pattern. Or- if you have playroom decoration ideas let me know in the comments.
