How should I decorate a kid’s room?

Everyone benefits from a space that’s uniquely their own — especially kids. Kids love to help plan and design their bedrooms. After all, the place where they sleep and play is their own little part of the world, and it gives them a sense of ownership when they’re able to put a personal touch on it.

Here are three ways to customize your child’s room without breaking the bank:

1. Think about flexible options. Neutral walls and colorful accents make for the best basic building blocks of a child’s room. Don’t worry about adding any bright color — all the toys and accessories can do that.

When it comes to developing a theme for the room, consider using easily changed elements. This flexibility will come in handy as kids grow and their tastes change.

If they’re on a baseball kick, get baseball-themed blankets and pillows for now and swap them out for the next obsession later. If they’re into trucks or dolls, place some on a shelf. You can change these as their interests evolve.

Interior designers specialize in all aspects of home design and can give you pointers on how to involve your kids in the process. 2. Consider built-in furniture. Think about hiring a carpenter for built-in beds, dressers, bookshelves or seating. This way, you can maximize space while designing a room that will grow with your child for years to come.

A twin-sized loft bed will be great at any age beyond toddlerhood, for example. Smaller children will enjoy using the space below the bed for toy storage (or an impromptu playhouse with a few cleverly hung curtains), and older kids and teens can use the space for a desk.

Window seats provide an outside view that connects kids to nature, and they can be decorated to suit their changing interests as well.

Built-in shelving saves space and offers great flexibility over the years. A toddler’s Dr. Seuss books can be replaced by toys, which can be replaced by school books. Built-in shelves provide a safety bonus for smaller children, since they can’t tip over.

3. Create a unique look with custom painting.

The paint job in your child’s room provides the baseline for the rest of the look and design.

Look for paints free of volatile organic compounds. They’re the best choice for anyone sensitive to allergies or prone to headaches.

Satin and semi-gloss paint finishes are excellent choices for kid’s rooms; their water base makes them easy to clean with soap and water. Plus, satin paint is forgiving of imperfections.

To really fire up your child’s creative instincts, consider chalkboard or dry erase paints. They’ll let your budding Picassos draw to their heart’s content with an easy cleanup later.