Sherry and I were completely smitten with the room Anna created for her two boys. Partly because we don’t have a son (well, we do have a furry one, but he doesn’t have his own room) — so it’s fun to see design geared toward boys — and partly because she packed clever ideas into a space that could have been overlooked. Look for a chalkboard closet, a cozy built-in desk, and smart storage solutions throughout.

Here’s Anna’s note about the project:
I just finished making over my two sons’ room and wanted to share the result. This is what the room looked like before (on a messy day). It had a lot of unused corners, and we knew we could make the layout much more functional if we planned thoughtfully.

And here’s where we ended up. Boy rooms are always fun to me because there are fewer examples floating around than girl rooms. The re-do took about six weeks because (1) I’m not in a huge hurry and (2) I DIYed a lot of elements — the curtains, the duvet covers, and the desk.

There’s only so much a girl can do in a day for a room that’s not even hers!

Small details like personalized hooks and a wall-mounted book rack are both decorative and functional — translating to less clutter on the floor.

Here’s the desk we built for the corner beside the bed. Adding a dedicated workspace instantly made the room more practical and kid-friendly.

And here’s the artwork grouped on the wall above and beside the desk — a nice focal point that ties the room together.

Thanks for taking a look — Anna
Thanks again to Anna for sharing her project. The makeover highlights thoughtful use of every inch: a chalkboard closet for creativity, striped drapes that add pattern and softness, layered lighting that brightens the space, and a bike and map that inject personality. The mix of DIY textiles and custom-built furniture keeps the room special and budget-friendly. Which element stands out to you?