The place where your child sleeps and plays does not have to be elaborate or expensive to be exciting, personal, and homey, as these kids'-room suggestions from the message boards indicate.

Mural Tip: Find pictures of what you want to paint -- rain forests, outer space, Pooh, dinosaurs -- and get a projector. You can buy an inexpensive one at a craft store or rent one over the weekend. Trace the outlines of the projected pictures on the wall. It's easiest to do after dark, but barring that you can hang blankets over the windows to block out the light so you can see the projection better. After tracing, paint in the detail.