Plaid drapes are especially whimsical in a children’s room

When you're picking out the decor for a child's room, you might have some trouble coming up with a kid-friendly style that also has some staying power. After all, parents know better than anyone else how likely little ones are to change their tastes in terms of a favorite toy or character.

It's best not to decorate with children's characters if you suspect that your kid might change his or her mind on the subject, or if you think they might soon grow out of it. In these cases, it's best to stick with a more neutral pattern that you know they are going to love.

Whether you're decorating for a little boy or girl, you can't go wrong with a plaid. This classic will be a fantastic accent to a basic design scheme for the rest of the room, and will look great on accessories such as your curtains and drapes.

Best of all, this versatile pattern comes in a range of colors and styles, so whether you're looking for a blackout drape or a simple valance, you can find it in plaid. Similarly, this design has enough fun in it to convey a feeling of childhood, but you should have no trouble at all making it work through your child's teen years. Simply removing childhood books, toys and accessories will make the room much more age-appropriate for a teenager.

This classic pattern is a favorite among many adults as well, and if used correctly, can add whimsy to a stately library or study. The best thing about it is its ability to be used in a great range of contexts.

So if you have hit a wall when it comes to decorating a bedroom for your child, think of a great standby like plaid. It's going to look wonderful in your tiny tot's room, and be able to stay with them as they grow.