Bed provided Overstock.com
SLast week I shared our plans to redo my son Luke’s bedroom. He turned 13 this summer and has been asking for updates for a long time. We’d promised this refresh for years, and finally the timing felt right.
I’ve been busy with other rooms, but this was the one I really wanted to finish. Kids grow up so quickly, and at 13 there are fewer years left with him as a child than we’ve already had. He’s my last child at home and I wanted his room to feel like a place full of good memories.
When the time came, I could focus on his room and make the changes he’d been hoping for. He didn’t ask for much: a full-sized bed and his own desk. He’d been sleeping on bunk beds that were great for sleepovers but increasingly uncomfortable and awkward for him. Since he rarely used the top bunk, we agreed to replace the bunks with a full bed so he’d have a space that felt more grown-up and comfortable.
My daughters and I put our heads together to figure out how to fit a full bed and a desk into his small room. The room measures just under 11 by 11 feet and, with windows, a door, and a closet, wall and floor space is limited.
Choosing the bed was our biggest challenge. Which wall should it go on? What style would suit the space? Would a full-size bed overwhelm the room? What color and texture would work? So many decisions to weigh.
We decided the bed needed to sit tucked in a corner so the entryway would remain open and the room wouldn’t feel dominated by the mattress the moment you stepped in. Placing the bed in the corner minimized its visual impact while leaving circulation space near the door.
With a small room, it’s tempting to choose compact furniture, but often scale and shape matter more than absolute size. My first thought was a bed without a headboard to save visual weight. In the end, we chose to prioritize comfort and coziness—after all, the bed was going to occupy a large portion of the room, so making it inviting felt important. A soft, upholstered headboard seemed like the right call.
I’ve learned that aiming for cozy in a small bedroom helps the entire space feel intentional and comfortable.
We searched for a bed that felt both cozy and boy-friendly. A padded corduroy wingback bed fit the bill—though it was a bit of a risk because it wasn’t small or light. I admit I was nervous until I saw it in the room.
Then I loved it. Luke seems to love it too—phew.
The wingback bed turned out to be a perfect fit. Its straight sides allow it to nest neatly in the corner, and its presence creates a visual focal point without overwhelming the space. The color and texture add depth and warmth, helping the room feel purposeful and comfortable.
This update made the room feel like a cozy destination. I’ll confess I even used Luke’s new bed for a phone call once while he was at school because it was so comfortable.
Working on the kids’ rooms has made our house feel more like home. Even though this house wasn’t intended to be our forever home, taking the time to make it comfortable has helped me grow attached to it. Small improvements—thinking about how a room will actually be used—go a long way toward making a house feel lived-in and loved.
After the bed was in place, we focused on functionality: adding hooks, shelving for books, task lighting for reading and projects, and spots for mementos. Loving the home you have isn’t just about buying things; it’s about deciding what will make daily life easier and more comfortable.
The bed now sits like a little nest in the corner. We also ordered an allergy-friendly mattress so the bed is both comfortable and clean. It’s his first brand-new bed that wasn’t handed down, and he seems genuinely pleased with it.
I’ll share more photos and updates on the room makeover soon, along with the sources for items used.
FIND THE UPDATES TO THIS ROOM HERE!
Disclosure: We were provided an in-store gift card to Overstock.com to use for this makeover, which covered the bed and the mattress. Both items were easy to order and arrived promptly; the bed was simple to assemble. No other compensation was provided. The designs, ideas, and opinions are my own.
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