Design Compromise: Themed Sheets Roundup

Designing my kids nurseries was such a blissful process. Does the baby like pink and turquoise? Yes. Should I paint a tree on the wall? Of course. Do I want to avoid a theme or licensed character? ABSOLUTELY.

But then comes the day you start daydreaming about new design ideas—about the time that you are ready to move your sweet baby from a crib to a big kid bed. Remember how easy it was designing a room for that newborn? Well, it’s not that easy anymore. You see, in the last few years our little children have formed likes, dislikes and, gasp, opinions! And if you haven’t had to fight with a three-year-old about what to wear or been forced to buy the soup can at the grocery store with the latest and greatest TV characters on it in fear of complete public meltdown…well, just wait a few years. Your day is coming, eventually.

This past year we moved into a new home, and my six-year-old was so excited to get rid of his “baby stuff” and graduate to a big boy room. I’m sure he had dreams of Transformers wallpaper, Spider Man hanging from the ceiling and a train track bordering the walls of his room. But I was not ready for that. I didn’t want the characters everywhere, and at the rate he was changing obsessions, I would be broke with each redesign. So we compromised, and I got creative. And let me tell you, it’s the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

Here’s a picture of Cade’s current room. Can you find the Batman?

Still searching? Well keep looking, because to the adult eye, all we see is an adorable vintage sports boy’s room. But to my son, he sees Batman. You see, I bought him these Batman sheets from Pottery Barn, and yes, I’ll admit it’s not the perfect match to his beautiful duvet and shams, but when we pull back the comforter at bedtime, he squeals with joy at his Batman-themed room. Tricky, very tricky.

So now I get to keep my children’s rooms decorated how I want and still satisfy their latest obsession with character-themed sheets. The perfect design compromise.

Looking for your child’s favorite character? Here are some of the most popular choices—and don’t stress if it doesn’t match perfectly with your decor. Remember, you could have decals all over your wall too.

1. Princess Sheet Set 2. Star Wars Sheet Set 3. Dinosaur Sheet Set 4. Dora Sheet Set 5. Toy Story Sheet Set 6. Barbie Sheet Set