8 Things from Your Childhood Bedroom Worth Bringing Back Right Now

Kids bedrooms are packed with color, whimsy, and daydreams. Animals decorate the walls, toys cram the shelves, and star stickers smile down from the ceiling. Think back to your childhood bedroom for a second—that was the place you let your imagination run loose and the room you began to develop your interests and hobbies in. Maybe you’ve found yourself sleeping there once again in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation—or perhaps just reminiscing a bit brings back fond memories of your childhood digs. But have you thought recapturing some of that magic in your adult bedroom, now or maybe in the future?

There’s a way to do this without making the whole space look too adolescent. One or two touches from this list is all you need to make your bedroom a little more cheery. Who says adulthood has to be so serious? Read on for our picks on what from your childhood bedroom is trending yet again—and for good reason!

If you decorated your walls and ceiling with glow in the dark star stickers, had a mini figurine of a NASA shuttle, or had astronaut bed sheets, you’ll be glad to hear space themed is back and trending again—maybe it has something to do with the current resurgence of all things astrology? Either way, we’re fond of these celestial-themed pillowcases. Pair them with simple white bedding for a pop of pattern or spring for the matching duvet so you can literally sleep under the stars every night.

Buy: Heather Dutton For Deny Solar System Pillowcase Set, $49 from Urban Outfitters 

Everything is a rainbow explosion of color when you’re little, and you can bring a little bit of that whimsy into your adult bedroom, too. Try one of these embroidered rainbow poufs. It’s a nice way to infuse your space with a little bit of extra color.

Buy: 16-inch Round Rainbow Connection Pouf, $109.99 from Target

Pom poms could have been on anything from sweaters to mittens when you were in grade school. But now they also decorate grown-up bedroom throws. Keep it sweet and subtle with a striped woven blanket that features contrast colored pom poms.

Buy: Woven Nayland Throw Blanket, $78.00 from Anthropologie

If you were afraid of the dark as a kid, you probably had a cute night light to keep the monsters away. Channel that same spirit by decorating your nightstand or bedroom shelf with a quirky light that that you can leave overnight if you like—on a dim setting is best. After all, there’s nothing worse for falling back to sleep like turning on overheads or walking into a wall on your way to the bathroom, right?

Buy: BÖJA Table lamp with LED bulb, $44.99 from IKEA

Floral motifs were all of the flower-power rage years ago. Channel that sweetness into your adult bedroom with the help of petal cushions in bright, saturated colors. They’re a fun alternative (or addition) to all of the velvet shell pillows popping up on beds and sofas right now.

Buy: Pink Ladies Velvet Petal Decorative Pillow, $45.00 from Kip & Co

You might have had illustrations of fairy tale scenes or zoo animals decorating your childhood walls, adding a dreamy touch to your room. Do the same for your adult space with the help of a bespoke portrait illustration. Having one of these made is kind of like getting your very own cartoon character! You can find an artist on Etsy and commission a piece of your family, you and your partner, your pet—whatever.

Buy: Custom Portrait, Starting at $30.00 from Etsy

Animal prints never really go out of style. But if you’re looking for something a little more reminiscent of your childhood, skip the subtle cheetah print wallpaper and faux hide rug and go for a plushie-like animal throw pillow instead. They’re not stuffed animals exactly, but they kind of look like them, and that’s fine in my book. Something like this sloth pillow will add a quirky touch to your bedroom or even living room.

Buy: Furry Sloth Pillow, $49 from Urban Outfitters

Did your parents decorate your bedroom with colorful wall murals and scenes from picture books? Add that same colorful splash to your grownup bedroom with the help of hand-painted or purchased vinyl stick-on murals. This painted rainbow headboard hack is a favorite of ours, but you could do just about anything on your bed wall to achieve a similar decorative impact.