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mcbrayer0814

Big boy room makeover

7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

We've decided to tackle our sons room and need to start somewhere. I'm starting with a rug and just not sure what works. He is 5 BUT we don't want a little boy room. We want a room that he can grow into and be a big kid room.


The bedding is staying but of thinking of getting another duvet cover to change out with his current. I horribly added some black nightstands to cover the bare nightstands that are currently there to get a better idea.

We will be changing a lot in his room but need to start somewhere so any advice would be greatly appreciated.














Comments (46)

  • 7 years ago

    How old is your son? I think this would give folks a little more info to help you. :)

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks for pointing that out. I edited the post to show he is 5 but we want a room for an older kid that he can grow into.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    The truth is that you son is not going to love a room at 15 that he had a 5. I think it's a smart idea to pick age-transitional furniture pieces, like bed, dresser, desk etc. But things like beddings, rugs, paint etc. will likely age with him.


    Does he play in his room? If so toy storage will be key. IKEA is good for that. I'd avoid big tall bookcases. They'll get too cluttered right now and may be used as a jungle gym. I think the black/espresso pieces are a little too dark for a kids room I'd look for more natural wood pieces. All the rugs look nice, but something darker will hide stains better.

  • 7 years ago

    Following this post as I also looking at redecorating my boys room, I painted some mountains and they look fab but he doesn't like them think they are too grown up for him. so will be doing something fun so he can enjoy his room and something that's easy to change when he's older

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    How about adding some personality/color with bedding and/or the rug? That would be an inexpensive and easy change when he gets to middle school age and has his own ideas about what he wants in his room :)

  • 7 years ago

    Start with a padded headboard that allows for an age appropriate slipcover over it - could be plain, design, of theme. This allows for propping up in bed to read bedtime stories together and later, bedtime reading or homework.
    For a bedstand, select a desk instead if space is limited. A lamp can serve both the desk and bed. Choose a desk that can grow with the child.
    Plan for books shelves that are accessible to the child’s height and perhaps some bins of toys.
    Lastly, I’m sorry to be negative but I have never understood the use of a rug that mostly goes under the bed. Either choose a much bigger rug or else two smaller rugs for the perimeter of the bed.
    Once these “bones” are in place, you can change out bedding and drapes as the child grows and tastes change.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    What pieces are staying specifically? The headboard? The wood console? The drapes (which are too short)? Although dark rugs do hide stains better they also need to be vacuumed more frequently, think every day, because they show every speck. Instead of your mock up with the rug can you take actual photos of the room with out rug selections? Floor plan, measurements? Maybe open the drapes so we can see the space with some more light? Is that the only window? What does your budget include? New furniture? bedding? window treatments? etc.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    What would HE like in his room? I would try looking online with him at some removable decals which may suggest accent colors (Fathead is one company). For example, my first thought is that a 5-year-old would probably like a superhero. Red accents for Spiderman and spider web decals would look good with what you already have. Or maybe he likes cars or dragons or dinosaurs. Let him be involved with the decisions. The decals easily come down as he gets older or tires of them, so you’re not tied into a major investment for bedding that has a childish design. I’d stay neutral with bedding, rug, and furniture.

  • 7 years ago

    Not a Pro.

    I say go with your your instincts and add dinosaur, trucks, printed pillows, what every he loves.

    As he grows, change the pillows to his new love.

  • 7 years ago

    I think you need to decorate the room for a 5 year old boy not the older boy he will be. His room should been fun now. And colorful. He will grow up fast enough let him and you enjoy his childhood now. What does he like? The room will need to be painted and need new bedding and rugs before he grows into it. As someone else said he will want a change when he's older. Everyone's tastes change. Popular Colors, design and styles change.

  • 7 years ago

    Decide whether you want blacks or blues - don't combine them. If you want the black furniture, go with a black and white room (white walls) and add color through changeable bedding, art and accessories. If you want to use the navy blues, use darker stained wood nightstands instead of black, and paint the walls white. The gray walls look very sad for a child's room. White walls are a good backdrop for posters, maps, or peel off decals. Either way, exchange the drapes for a simple shade in white to match the window trim.

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  • 7 years ago

    He loves dragons, dinosaurs, and The Flash. I wasn't thinking about decals but that would be a good option. He does like blue and grey. I am looking to have permanent staples and change out sheets, pillows and small decor. We have a playroom so 99% of toys are there and not his room.



    Room is roughly 14x10.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Get your son involved! What does he like? He doesn't have to get free rein, but give him some ownership of his space.

    That doesn't look at all like the room of a child. It looks like the room of a depressed aunt.

    Take him to IKEA, let him pick his duvet cover and new sheets. It doesn't have to be one he grows in to; they are inexpensive enough to be discardable when his tastes change.

    Heck, do the whole room at IKEA. He'll love it, and the experience. Have a fun day.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Much better photos, thank you. So what is staying furniture wise? How tall are the ceilings? Do both windows have blinds on them?

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Here’s a thought that won’t break the bank!



  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    We moved in and started renovating everything so haven't really touched his room to make it his yet.

    Nothing is really permanent, everything can be changed if need be but his mattress is staying.

    Ceilings are 8 feet. Both windows have b blinds.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bybmg8cg5KS/?igshid=w5pi4nxlt3fr

    I like the idea of the picture in the link.

  • 7 years ago

    Five is still really really little, and that room ex. looks almost adult like. What does your son think? Does he have favourite colours? Maybe red, like the flash?

  • 7 years ago

    He likes blue. He doesn't really care. He likes just about everything I show him. So I figured I'd design the room for growth and incorporate this favorite things with framed posters, statues, or other removable decor.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Not a pro but I am a mom.

    Nice room. You could leave the neutral black niche shelving and end table black -- your son will not care. Do make sure the room can get some natural light. If those are black drapes, you could keep them to but add clear sheers in between them and add white mini blinds (new kind w/o the cord) so the room can have privacy and light control -- including letting in natural light.

    You might want to focus your decorating dollars on making his bedding age appropriate -- for his spread/comforter, choose his favorite bold colors, perhaps geometric shapes, and/or his personal interests (animals; fictional characters).

    Would not add a large rug or add expensive furnishings -- not for decorative purposes. The rug you choose could even be a game rug but do make sure any rug has a no slip back. You might add one or more rugs small enough to wash in a front loading washer -- at the local laundry if you don't have one -- and use it to create an activity space -- perhaps a small table and pair of chairs of suitable size for your son and a friend.

    Storage space for what your son will want to store -- his possessions that you will want him to learn to put away himself -- would be a better use of your budgeting dollars than a new bedside table. You don't need to bust the budget doing it because a small child will not care or even be thinking about how you bought the latest most expensive thing when he decides to play with toys that can scratch furnishings.

    Certainly, if you find a bargain in a quality built wood chest of drawers and/or bed side table that is safe now -- one that cannot be pulled over and with drawers that stay in and cannot be pulled out to land atop him -- and that is also durable enough to still be usable as he grows up, consider your self fortunate ... but don't rush into buying something not truly needed just to "decorate"..

    When you look for furnishings, choose something that is safe for a small child - something that will not pinch little fingers or have a lid that will drop down on his head or hand. Something worth considering that could be usable now and later could be a desk top height credenza with multiple front doors and a middle shelf that can store, hidden, a lot of toys now and leave more out but NOT on the floor. It could also be usable for keeping other possessions as your son grows up -- games, back packs, sports equipment, musical instruments. A credenza could even have a thick glass top added now to prevent scratches to a wood top and make it easier to clean and create a large space suitable for his playing with a train set or matchbox cars or Lego or Lincoln logs or other building sets. Box shelves for the walls over a credenza could display your sons treasures and trophies.

    Have fun with your project.


    Oh, and for that credenza or other toy cabinet: don't forget to shop thrift stores such as Habitat for Humanity or a used office furnishings store for something well built and usable for your purposes ... and add a little to your son's college fund rather than go in to debt for something new.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Okay I would get him a navy bed frame and navy dresser. These are timeless classic and can carry him through to adult hood as well as make for a great guest room once he is out of the house. To mix in some color I would get some light wood bedside chests. You have room for them and there is quite frankly never enough drawer storage where kids are concerned. These too can later be transitioned into adulthood and stay for the duration. I would invest in some super hero sheets. and some super hero posters or art work. This can be easily changed out as his interests transition. ZI would do a madras quilt over the foot of the bed and some matching shams and keep the gray duvet. It works. I would do a simple rugby striped rug. Some fun striped lamps. For the windows first you need longer panels. They should go to about a half inch off the floor or brush the floor. Since your ceilings are 8' I would take the rod all the way to the ceiling and help bring the height of the ceiling up. The solid color is falling flat so I would do something like the gray and blue shown in the design board. Bring interest but can last for the next 20 years if need be. Center the bed on the wall its on with 3 drawer chests on each side.. Center the dresser on on a wall whichever side of the arched window you want. I'd probably do the side near the closet door. You can add to this over time if you find he needs a desk or shelves etc.

    designinteriorsouth's ideas · More Info


  • 7 years ago

    Design Interior South, that wowonderful advice. Everything you said allows for timeless pieces along with his current interest.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I should add I was bringing in painted solid colored navy pieces because the wood floor is such a strong color as well as pattern/grain. The solid painted furniture will help tone it down and now add to it.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Oh and there a. re some great poster frames out there now at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Ifr you do posters frame them to give them a finished look then later when he outgrows super hero and wants super models (hahaha I raised two boys I know) the frames can remain and just change the poster. The pow boom etc canvases I found right here on Houzz when I typed in superhero art

  • 7 years ago

    One thing he doesn’t seem to have is a desk. If he likes quiet time with legos or likes to draw, he might enjoy something like that. It can be nice to hang up stuff they create, you can put his art into frames or have a big cork or magnet board for displaying his treasures. I always found ikea to be great for kids bedding but you may have other options there, it’s an easy way to add colour and personality with a built in timeline, easy to replace. I can’t remember when my son had favourite colours, but I know he did, he was a pretty spirited kid who loved red and silver, and at one point wanted me to use red marble in his room somewhere (as if lol) even now he picks flashy things like Venetian style glasses when we check out the thrift stores lol. I compromised and got him wood furniture with red drawers and doors For his first real furniture.

  • 7 years ago

    And are you sure you want a light color rug? With a 5 yo? If so, there are some lovely indoor-outdoor rugs that are soft under foot, but easy to clean, just take outside, and hose it down.

  • 7 years ago

    I think some are missing what I am trying to do in his room. Yes he is 5 but he is almost never in there except to sleep. He does not eat or drink in his room. He doesn't drink juice or anything liquid with color other than milk so spilling wouldn't be an issue. He spends most of his time in the family/playroom.


    I wasn't sure if I wanted curtains to kiss the floor or hang just below the window trim, so at this point they are just hanging incorrectly to get a sense of what they look like at different lengths.


    Design Interior South had some great ideas and seems to be along the same wavelength when it comes to what I want out of the room.


    I like all of the rooms or at least parts of all the rooms pictured below. I just don't know how to incorporate it into his room. The flooring we have is staying so I am trying to find a piece to start with that works with the flooring and goes from there. A lot of the photos I like have lighter floors or carpet. Just trying find a way to make what we want work with our floor.


    And I find it a little funny how so many people love bedrooms like the ones pictured below that they will "pin" it or fawn over it on instagram but then tell someone that it has no personality and the kid, who doesn't make any money and will change their minds 5 times in a year on what they like needs to have most of the input. So far my son has picked out the color of his curtains and where he wants certain pieces to be placed in his room and certain sheet sets. He will have input but he is not going to be allowed to deck out his room in what he loves this moment. Any time he walks into a friends room or sees a picture online he says it's his "favorite", he likes everything and everything that is new is awesome. He will have a say in certain pieces but the majority of this room will be pieces I know will work for him into his teenage years and aren't his current "favorite".









  • 7 years ago

    I just realized that my last paragraph may sound a little harsh if read a certain way. I am not trying to sound rude when it comes to someone's opinion. I've just seen so many people come here for help and most of the comments they receive are criticizing or trying to lead them in a completely different direction.

    If your comment is trying to save the original poster from a headache or money wasted down the road then yes, send all the advice. But if your comment is to simply disagree with how someone is decorating their home because it's not your taste then what's the point? I believe this page was created to help people not a place to hate on one another's taste and visions.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    There have been great ideas and great pictures! I would surely get rid of those gray walls. They are such a depressing color. Keep everything light. Turn off the ceiling light and use only lamps. Replace the curtains with very neutral curtains and add a colorful rug. Add a set of shelves for storage and a dresser for his clothes. Add some cute, kid art to the walls and fun bedding.

    The inspiration pics are so great but pulling off those looks often translates to $$$$. I think that his room can look great without costing thousands of dollars.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    What size bed is that? A queen is a must IMO for a long term bedroom and all the rest should be done for a 5 yr old since his favorite color will change often keep the walls neutral get fun bedding and simple blinds on the windows lots of storag for books and collectables and some toys .Fun art on the wall that will change with th favorite color of the year. There is no way to do a room that will span 5 -18 yrs old . Get a fun ceiling ligh and lamps It looks like a huge room so add a sofa bed for sleepovers and somewhere to sit as he ages.

  • 7 years ago

    Full bed. We did have a chair and a half in there and then changed it to a loveseat but I just wasn't feeling it at the time. So we do have spares to put in there later in life but at the moment I don't like them in there.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    mcbrayer do you like the modern farmhouse look in the last batch of photos you posted or were you just making a statement? Is that the look you are trying to get?

  • 7 years ago

    Yes, I like the modern farmhouse, or industrial farmhouse look. I am trying to achieve a look similar to something in the photos I posted but with some of his personality. Again, he likes The Flash, dragons and dinosaurs but that doesn't mean they have to be bright, bold colors. There is vintage Flash posters along with dinosaurs in more mute colors other than the bright orange, green and reds.

  • 7 years ago

    I guess you have a plan and pictures to use as inspiration and no one understands what you want to do with the room you don't need help. I just think you are about 3 to 5 years early. A 5 year old needs to be a kid and his room should reflect him

  • 7 years ago

    Is the tv staying? Can't say I've ever seen one in a five year olds bedroom.

  • 7 years ago

    TV is staying. Now you can say that you have.


  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Modern farmhouse take. Hutches on chests are not en vogue currently so it is very hard to find them. For that reason I did full bookcases on each side of the bed. I liked this one because each shelf has a front and it would be easy to mount a wider piece of wood and stain it to match existing wood of shelves to install a library light on the top front. Then easily run the cord down the back side so it isnt shown. An easy way to get a more custom look. It is easy to do the room in the black and white and gray like you prefer and add no color or just a small amount of color in sheets and art .Most themed kids things can be found in black and white, hence the super hero sheet option and poster art options. Maybe adding a nice occasional chair would be something he might like. A place for quiet time to read etc. If you go with this color way and want to add a color , red is the natural choice here to go with gray, black and white. Blue struggles with it. Smokey blue could work but finding that exact shade could prove difficult. Yellow would also work well but in general I haven't come across too many males who enjoy the color yellow. Accessories like the metal wall letters are a dime a dozen and easy to find. Hobby Lobby has an entire section of this stuff. You may even find great prices on them as Modern Farmhouse has reached its peak and is sloooowwwwwly falling out.

    designinteriorsouth's ideas · More Info


  • 7 years ago

    That mood board is awesome! I'll start searching a few more things and see what we can come up with. I always second guess myself and my husband's only answer is "whatever you want" so sometimes I need an outside opinion or just confirmation to make the final decision.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Most of those items were pulled off of Wayfair so they are very reasonable. Others are from here. The others are search engine searches. Key words "black and white super hero sheets". "black and white super hero Art". "Black and white super hero posters"


    https://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Avengers-Lifestyle-Stripe-Comforter/dp/B01GCS1QWY/ref=asc_df_B01GCS1QWY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=192246181415&hvpos=1o16&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7448564829667853908&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009658&hvtargid=pla-303637576778&psc=1


    https://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/justice-league-duvet-cover/?catalogId=10&sku=1891782&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Bedding%20%3E%20Duvet%20Covers&cm_ite=1891782&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImtO7uv-R5AIVhONkCh3pnQukEAQYDSABEgIaavD_BwE


    https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/enes-etagere-bookcase-lrfy6141.html?&experiencetype=2&selectedvertical=2


    https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/highland-dunes-gonsalez-black-indooroutdoor-area-rug-w001627167.html?&experiencetype=2&selectedvertical=2



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  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Looks like you're in good hands with @Design Interior South but I just wanted to provide you with a great and affordable resource for the look you're going for - https://www.schoolhouse.com/. Best of luck!

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Just realized the drapery panels are sold out on here in the black and white. Here is the direct link to them on HPD


    https://www.halfpricedrapes.com/fresh-popcorn-and-black-vertical-colorblock-panama-curtain.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw4jhvIKS5AIVIiCtBh2lVgJyEAQYEyABEgINcvD_BwE

  • 7 years ago

    Nune thanks for the suggestion but I think we have different definitions of affordable, especially for a kids room.

  • 7 years ago

    We have a few items ordered and my son picked out the artwork he wants so we have a start. Once I get everything in I'll start to set up the room and post pictures so get some feedback. It's no so much the bed area that troubles me it's just the layout of the room. It's wide and a little confusing to me. Thanks to everyone so far.

  • 7 years ago

    Couple more questions. Trying to decide on the actual layout of the bed. I can't decide if it would be better, look more appealing, or be more functional to have two nightstands flanking the bed, nightstands with open shelves above, bookcases flanking the bed or nightstands with bookcase type shelving attached to the top of the nightstands. I've attached some photos for reference but not able to find photos of all scenarios I'm thinking.