Inspiration for a Modern Boy’s Room
1. Target 2. Ebay 3. Target 4. Overstock* 5. Red Letter Words 6. World Market 7. World Market 8. Pottery Barn
When we lived in our old house and I had just started this blog, my son Luke had just turned seven. He was so small then — it’s been surprising and wonderful to watch how much he’s grown and changed over the years.
If you’ve followed the blog for a long time you might remember him from the infamous messy-hall “giraffe” post six years ago — the little guy who wore his underwear on his head. Those were memorable days.
He’s not seven anymore. He still has that same handsome face and a head full of curls, but now he’s taller than both his sisters and me.
He’s thirteen now. Thankfully, the underwear-on-the-head phase is behind us.
For years his room had to tolerate a swine-pink paint color. Poor guy. We repainted a year or two ago, but the color didn’t suit him and we never followed through with finishing the space. I don’t have many photos from that time — it just wasn’t worth documenting.
He slept in bunk beds for years at the beach house. Bunks are great for sleepovers and they free up floor space, but now that he’s taller they’re no longer comfortable. His furniture consisted of a tiny desk and an old dresser that had belonged to one of his sisters — it didn’t feel like his own space.
Ever since he turned thirteen I’ve wanted to give him a room that reflects who he is now: a place he enjoys, where he can be comfortable, study, and make memories through his teen years.
The room is small, so our options were limited. His two main requests were simple: a full-sized bed and a proper desk. We created an inspiration collage to guide the redesign and have been working steadily on the updates.
The makeover focuses on practical choices for a teen boy’s room: a comfortable full bed, a functional desk for homework and hobbies, smart storage solutions to keep clutter under control, and a neutral, mature color palette that can adapt as his tastes change. Lighting and durable materials are prioritized so the room can withstand daily use while still feeling inviting. Accessories and wall décor are kept personal but minimal, allowing the space to grow with him without becoming cluttered.
We are excited about the progress and eager to share photos of the room as it comes together. Next week I’ll post updated images so you can see how the design is shaping up and which elements we chose to make the space both practical and stylish for a teen boy.
Disclosure: *Luke’s new bed, shown in the inspiration collage, was provided by Overstock.com as part of a room-makeover challenge. We were not otherwise compensated; all design choices and opinions are our own.
Next week I’ll have pics up of the room so far, so you can see the progress we’ve made!