Planes, trains, trucks and toys, there's nothing quite like little boys! Designing boys' bedrooms can be a lot of fun, but can also be challenging when deciding on a theme and color palette, especially if you have a little guy whose interests change on a weekly basis. Read on for some tips on how to create a perfect space you'll both enjoy!
Lorenzo's Room
When we found out we were expecting again, we wanted to give my 4-year-old son, Lorenzo, a new room that was a little bigger and conveniently attached to a space we had turned into his playroom already. Since a child's interests change so frequently, I didn’t want to rely heavily on one theme. To be honest, we ran out of time to paint; however, the room does not have a lot of natural light, and the existing cream color gave the space a brighter, airy feel. I also stuck with a classic, neutral color palette since he will be staying in this room as he grows older. It's easy to bring any color to a space with accessories like pillows, stuffed animals and other toys.
I liked the idea of adding masculine touches to the room that had a playful feel. Most items are pieces he won't outgrow, like the plane propeller protruding from the wall, the chalk globe or the modern dinosaur figurines he loves to play with. The layout of the room had a small alcove that felt perfect for a reading corner and desk area. Lorenzo loves to pick a book from his book wall (built from picture ledges from IKEA), and this makes it much easier for him to see his favorite ones. I needed to find a desk that wasn't too large or too small, and I discovered this metal one online. It was a bright mint green, which I easily changed by spray painting it a gunmetal color to better complement the space. By adding a throw rug, it brought some pattern to the room and defined the alcove space.
Children tend to accumulate a lot of toys, which is why it's ideal to have plenty of storage options available. A decorative suitcase at the foot of the bed doubles as a step stool into bed and a place to store all Lorenzo's little toys. Fun crates and wire baskets add a stylish touch while storing all his loose items floating around.
Four-year-old children have a ton of interests, most of which change by the day! I didn't want to base the room on a certain theme, so I added touches of different things Lorenzo enjoys such as dinosaurs and superheroes. The dinosaur footprint decals were a whimsical accent and are easily removable, as is the dinosaur artwork. It can certainly be swapped out someday.
As Lorenzo grows older, I'm sure the space will evolve, but for now he really loves his "big boy" room!
Luca's Room
Since we were having another boy, the nursery didn't need to change drastically, yet I still wanted to create a new look for our new baby. By keeping the existing gray herringbone wallpaper and aqua paint color, I created an updated feel with the artwork and accessories. Blue is a typical boy color; however, I kept it interesting by using a monotone color palette with various shades of blue. I swapped out the existing area rug, curtains, artwork and pillows to create the new color scheme. It’s a very calm, serene space, perfect for those late nights and early mornings! Accents of cream, gray and silver are great complements to the blues and help add visual interest. I also included a mixture of different patterns and textures, which is easy to do when you have a clearly defined color scheme.
The star decals on the ceiling were already there from Lorenzo's nursery, and I still really liked them. I loosely went for a constellation theme after also finding the great custom constellation artwork. It's a unique piece in that it shows the night sky on the evening Luca was born. Coming across a decorative item you really like can be the jumping-off point for the rest of the room when you're not sure of a theme. Again, I only added touches of it and didn’t revolve the entire room around stars. By doing so, things like the giraffe and the nautical rope lamp don't feel out of place.
It's important to me to use furniture that serves multiple purposes and can be used for years to come. The storage bench is perfect for storing toys and other odds and ends while doubling as a spot for Lorenzo to sit while I'm taking care of Luca. The metallic silver dresser is another great piece that has a removable top when we no longer need a changing table.
Most importantly, when I designed Luca's nursery, I wanted to design a room I enjoyed spending time in as well, since I knew I'd be in there quite a bit! Accents like the faux fiddle leaf fig tree lend a grown-up feel. I also used things, such as the seagrass foot stool, that were originally in other rooms of my home. Little touches like this make for a space both mama and baby really enjoy being in!
10 Tips for Decorating Success
- It's best not to design a room too heavily on one theme; rather, add touches of the child’s current interests that can easily be changed out as he or she grows older.
- Don't be afraid to add a throw rug on top of existing carpet; it adds color and pattern easily!
- Shop in all home décor departments, not just in the children's section.
- You can add a mixture of prints to keep the room interesting if they're within the same color palette.
- Don't try to decorate the space all at once. Leave room for pieces you find over the years that you and your child really love.
- To get the most use out of the furniture, don't buy juvenile pieces they will outgrow in a few short years.
- It's not necessary to use matching furniture sets. It keeps the room interesting to mix it up!
- Painting furniture is an easy DIY and the perfect solution when you can't find exactly what you're looking for.
- Design a furniture layout that best accommodates your child's needs. Lorenzo and Luca both spend a lot of time on the floor playing, so I made sure there was space for that.
- I always recommend making a design board before starting a room. Pinterest is a great resource for collecting ideas, but then fine tune it by making an actual board of only the items you plan on using and a floor plan so the board gives you a clear vision.
About the Author:
Andrea Folino owns and operates Folino Estate, a winery, restaurant, vineyard and event space in Kutztown. Prior to designing and opening Folino Estate with her husband Marco, she was a real estate agent and owned an interior decorating company. Though she spends most of her days tasting amazing wine and eating great Italian food, she still has a passion for interior design. When she's not spending time with her husband and little boys, she loves being involved with anything creative: like making floral arrangements and fashion. Her favorite hobby is shopping to expand her ever-growing shoe collection.
