Rainbow-coloured butterflies flying brilliant blue skies, flitting on the wall. Flower-shaped pillows resting on pastel bedsheets. Childrens room decor is as attractive as it gets, with a plethora of options to choose from. But expect a sizeable bill.

Instead with some imagination, you and your kids can create your own decor to match any shop window. Not to mention the fun and satisfaction it gives you of doing it yourself.

Make a blueprint
Do some window shopping to get some ideas and pick a theme. Decide how you will arrange the room, and what all youll need.

Get the room organised
You cant start decorating a messy room. Therefore get stuff in order, and figure out what type of furniture you need. Book shelves, cupboards, toy and clothes bins and shoe racks will keep the clutter off the floor.

Craft your pieces
Use thick cardboard and acrylic paints to paint and cut out shapes that you can suspend from the ceiling. Make glass paintings and suspend them near the window or door, to allow sunlight to pass through them.

Create eye-catching art work, by using a mix of bright colours and imprinting hand or fingerprints. Or even splashing the shapes till you get a good image.

Or choose some attractive theme-related images, print them out on photo paper, and display them on a wall.

Add a bulletin board to display your childs art and crafts, or creative writing.

Decorate a wall
A plain wall could be made to look stunning with a row of handprints in different colours (draw erasable straight lines using a measuring tape or scale to make sure they are in line). Or, impact colourful handprints on a white door.

Or, make potato stampers and use acrylic paint to stamp a shape on one wall in colours related to the theme.

Make the right purchases
You might need to purchase furniture or racks to store stuff. Check out two-three furniture stores to get the best buys. If you are buying curtains, try to get some extra fabric which can be used on tables, and in other places.

Supervise every activity so you achieve a professional effect. You and your kids must love the room!

– Cynthia John

Also read: Beat lockdown blues with DIY activities