How about a grayish color/ Or perhaps a deep yellow/gold? If the comforters are nautical looking, you could add a rope trim to the ledge of the beadboard.

Same color as walls.....blends in, gives a bit of texture, room will look bigger than if you use more than one color.

I agree. Just paint it anything but white.

I had no idea beadboard was "girly." I agree that you could paint it the wall color, but I think you can also leave it white and just paint the walls above it a "boyish" color. With the blue beds and bedding, you could do a sandy beige color, a variation of the blue, green, red, orange!? Lots of options.

I never thought of beadboard as "girly" either. I agree with others that color is more important than the texture of the beadboard. Beadboard is easy to go nautical, esp if you already have the navy bedspreads...red, white, navy and light blue are classic colors together to go with a nautical theme. But there are alternatives as well.

[Contemporary Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2103) by Benicia Interior Designers & Decorators Michael Trahan Interior Design

[Eclectic Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2104) by Bozeman Interior Designers & Decorators Design Associates - Lynette Zambon, Carol Merica

[Rustic Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/rustic-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2111) by Other Metro Architects & Designers StoneHorse Design, Inc.

[Traditional Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2107) by Oakville Interior Designers & Decorators Chic Decor & Design, Margarida Oliveira

Thank you .... I am happy to hear some don't think it is feminine to begin with. I think because we have had it in my daughters room for 9 years I have a hard time seeing how it would work with boys. I will pull out my paint deck and star picking swatches!

A bit late to the party, but you might try a warm grey wash or grey chalk paint. This would give the feeling of driftwood or make it more rustic. Depending on the age of the boys, you might consider how it will grow with them (e.g, yellow and blue probably not a good choice for pre-teens)

Most homes in New England have rooms faced with beadboard, and I'm sure those people don't view it as girly.

Leave the beadboard white and simply change the color above it would be the simplest solution and easiest on your DH.

[Contemporary Kids[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kids-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_24653~s_2103) by Santa Monica Interior Designers & Decorators Sarah Barnard Design

Here is a link that might be useful: design plan for boy's room

Beverly27 - THANK YOU for the pics you attached. Two of them would work perfectly. I spent so many hours on Houzz but never came across these - must have been using the wrong search terms. The room would be for my 6 year old and 3 year old boy - so these are all really great options. Thank you - I was really having a hard time visualizing it, but now am not so panicked!