As with all DIY projects, the boys’ room redo took much longer than expected, but hip, hip, hooray it’s done! It all started with this design board. Next we repainted the walls, stained some shelves and installed a new light. And then end-of-summer-fun and back-to-school craziness and a few project hiccups later, I finally spent this past weekend finishing up the space. It came together just as hoped – merging my neutral-loving aesthetic with boyish charm and lots of personal touches.
Welcome to the new and improved boys’ room.
Our three boys {ages 9, 8, 5} share this room and a couple of things were important in the redesign.
1. It needed to feel light and bright. The two sets of bunk beds are dark and take up over half of the room, so it was necessary to balance the space with lots of white.
2. The boys wanted their own reading lights and places to keep their special things.
3. We wanted the room to reflect the boys and stay away from being overly theme-y or feeling too young.
I think we succeeded at all three.
The walls are now white, the ceiling is faintly blue and a custom window treatment {by my mom} made of painters drop cloths runs across the entire window wall. It’s amazing the difference a fresh coat of paint made in the room. The previous color was a nice neutral beigey-gray, but it just felt so dark. I was nervous going white, but after seeing this room transformation, we’re seriously considering painting our whole house white.
The inexpensive shelves hold a quirky mix of the boy’s favorite things: books, baseball cards, trophies, a bottle cap collection and a few pieces of drift wood from their favorite beach.
The stamped wood round sits on the shelf next to a couple of my oldest’s beloved hardy boys books.
That woven footstool turns out to be a great multi-purpose piece: I love it for propping my feet up while I read at night, the boys love it for stashing random toys when it’s time to pick up their room.
On the other side of the room are two more bunks, an old chippy dresser and new art wall.
Each bed has it’s own reading light, a metal wall locker and cork board for saving special notes and photos.
The collected art is really where the concept for the room began.
The Be Brave canvas was the starting point, then came this darling camping/hunting print.
With the chalkboard antler print, a photo of No. 2 on our favorite beach, Atlas’ announcement, a mini version of the Make Good Choices print, a pinecone print, painted canvas and striped bunting, it makes for a eclectic, yet clean little grouping.
One of my favorite features {and the one that caused the most headache} is this cork wall. It is just a small wall right when you enter the room and it seemed like the perfect place for the kids to tack up special photos, awards, notes. I’ll share all the details of this project fiasco later this week, but for now I’m just happy that those tiles are finally stuck to that wall.
I finished all of the last minute touches late on saturday night while the boys had a sleepover in the bonus room. When they saw the finished room in the morning, they were so excited {well, as excited as a 9, 8 and 5 year old boy gets about a finished bedroom} and that made the whole thing worth it. It’s bright and charming, clean and boyish … just the look we were hoping for.
I’ll share a full list of sources this week, but if you have any specific questions, please leave a comment and I’ll respond back with the answer.
//UPDATE//
for all of the sources, click here.
Hi! Just wanted your readers to know that Hobby Lobby is now carrying that “Be Brave” canvas…I got it for 15 bucks! It’s 16×20…
I love everything that you did in this room….I want to copy ever detail â¤ï¸
what size did you purchase in the canvas print “Be Brave?” I love it so much!
Our canvas is 24×30.
Hello. Been looking into a corkboard wall for a while, could you share where you got these?? I have seen them at Target, but they are $10 piece for a small square. Were you able to do them any cheaper??
The cork is from Widgetco – it is self-adhesive, but did not stick to my walls. You can read more about them here: https://jonesdesigncompany.com/decorate/sources-boys-room-makeover/
I totally love your boys’ room. The bed looks great, love your idea of bed lights & cupboard for each of them. Everything just fits well in to place.
What a fun space! The Be Brave Canvas should be very inspiring for your 3 young boys. And, how much fun it must be for them to be in the same room together, i.e. as if at camp together. I’m glad I just discovered your blog.
Absolutely marvelous. I’m in love.
I am in love with this room! My three boys shared for awhile and the youngest two still do – you’ve given me the inspiration to create something fun for them. Thanks!
I love the military style blankets! I saw your post from today (Wednesday) for the source, but wondered if they are scratchy. The price is amazing!
you (and helpers?) did a fabulous job decorating and d.i.yoursef’n your son’s bedroom. its fantastic-every detail. (just luv those lockers, the cork, the art, the blankets…the list goes on)
you really put it all together from cot to wallcover-b r a v o! so thoughtful-xo!
i’m sure your son’s will get many year’s worth of enjoyment from your special touches. g o o d j o b!!!
(can’t wait to see the next project! )
That is AMAZING!!!!!!!
I absolutely love it. Can I call it beautiful? lol Because it is, even though its masculine, I just think the balance of it all requires me to say just that, It’s beautiful!
Great job, momma:)
Looks so great, Emily! I love that you gave each boy their own personal space in the bed area. I think that’s really important and special. Great work!
SO LOVE!!! I love every time I get an email with a new post from you Emily! Your home is so lovely! Question…I have twin boys(2y) and another on the way. Did you paint this white in a Flat or Satin finish? I did flat throughout my whole house…not smart! Even with BM paint:-(
The walls are eggshell. Hopefully they’ll hold up with these boys!
This is by far one of my favorite makeovers I’ve seen in a very long time! So many great elements and I love how personalized it is to your boys! Beautiful!!!
I love the boys’ reading lamps!! Where did you find those? I know you are going to share your sources, but anxious to hear :) I’ve looked at IKEA but haven’t found ones like those. I like how close they stay to the wall.
this is really pretty great emily!!!
what a great room — I love everything about this! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com
Where is their bedding from? I always love your taste and your eye for detail is simply perfection! ps–I know you are normally a minimalist—so I love that you took a risk with organized clutter in their room.
Did u make the ‘antlers’ above the boys’
shelves? If so, i would love details. It looks
awfully cute!!
I LOVE it! It is the perfect amount of fun without being to young or themy. Great job!
So sweet! I love the cork boards by their beds.
I LOVE this room and can so relate. I have had 3 boys sharing a room and you hit the nail on the head: reading lights and a place for their own things. Now how long will it look so cute?!
Wow! What a great room. Love it all. What did you do for window treatments? Can’t wait for more details. Job well done!
Love this!! Totally pinning ;)
Hugs,
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
This room looks fantastic! I can only imagine the antics that happen there. I love that it is not theme-y, but boyish overall.
So sad to see the wall lockers are no longer available! If someone hasn’t already asked about each boys’ individual wall sconce, I’d love to have the source for that in your later post. Thanks!
When you get around to posting the sources, could you include the tiny pinecone print? Thank you! You did a GREAT job on that room!! You are motivating me to finally completing some of my projects around my house! Keep up the great work.
emily! it is fantastic!! LOVE the storage cube {pinned! will share with BHG!}. And I am a sucker for navy and white and boys. The best part… an extra bunk for sis or a best buddy!
I’d love to see more about the curtains. The idea to cover the whole wall is fabulous!
you done did it again.
Fabulous reveal. I just redid Landon’s room last year, but this has me thinking.
~LOVE~ seeing Hardy Boy books on display. ;)
love it! where did you find the pinecone print?
Fabulous job! You are amazing!
You knocked it out of the park! I can hear all their late night giggling sessions from here! Enjoy!
It looks amazing!
Not sure what you used , but I put up similar cork tiles and I used chaulk. It works great and doesn’t ruin your walls.
This is absolutely darling! I bet your boys love it. It’s very boyish, without being childish, and will definitely grow with them. I know you are posting sources this week, please include the ‘swiss blankets’ at the foot of the beds. Thanks!
PLEASE tell me where you found those bunk beds! I want single beds just like those, if they come apart.
LOVE it! Very inspirational! Would love for you to show how you organize their closet or dresser space as my 2 boys share a room and I don’t want to take up floor space with dressers–trying to max their closet out. Any suggestions or ideas!??? Thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful and creative escapades!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your style!! Wonderful boys room and so glad you don’t do “theme” rooms! But I will say (if you don’t mind), PLEASE don’t paint your whole house white! I LOVE the color of your rooms!! (Oh, your husband didn’t pay me to say that either… ha ha)
LOVE it!! can’t wait to hear about your sources. I really want to know where you got the metal wall lockers!!!
I love how it turned out! Will you do some DIY posts, too? I would like to know more about the cardboard antlers hanging above the shelves. Also, how did you make the striped bunting on the gallery wall? Any sewing involved? Is it fabric or large striped ribbon? Thanks so much for the inspiration!
This is my inspiration – I’ve already recreated the storage cubes and I had the striped duvet. Love seeing how it all came together. Coming soon to a bedroom in my home!
Room looks great! I noticed you said lockers are from UO. Are they recent? I’m asking because I went on their website as soon as I saw your post and I’m unable to locate them!
Oh no! Just looked them up and it looks like they are no longer available. I hate it when that happens! Here is the link in case you want to try calling to see if they have any more anywhere: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=27648641&color=031
Thanks, Emily.
They are an online item only. :(. BUT I am ordering another of their products to achieve the same aesthetic…thought it might also interest other readers who liked your idea.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=28054948&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS
Such a fun room for your boys! I love how you put it together. Where did you get the green lockers from? They are amazing!
This is incredible. I might be copying parts of it to finish my little boys’ room that I’ve lacked inspiration for! Your style and taste is perfection. Love love love your blog!! Can’t wait to hear where you got that amazing herringbone pillow from!!
Emily, my two boys share a room and the two girls share a room and I’m wondering how do you guys fit all the kids clothes into one dresser??? I’m thinking each kid is going to need their own dresser for clothes and there just isn’t room!!
Maybe they don’t have a ton of clothes? But I’m not sure that’s it because I feel like I’m doing laundry for days :)
Just their shirts are in the dresser – the rest of their clothes are in the closet.
Thanks so much for getting back to me! :)
Looks so fabulous! I think my favorite is the “Guest” space!! What kid would not want to be a guest there!!
Can’t wait for the source list. I love the green lockers I searched all over urban outfitters website and came up empty
I love it! the black beds with all the boyish masculine touches are perfect. nice job!
It really looks great! I just finished my boys’ room and went with a similar non-themeless outdoorsy theme. (yes, that makes sense! LOL) I purchased the swiss army blankets but ended up returning them – the boys’ didn’t like the texture. I love, love, love the “Labor Day” print and the lockers. Thanks so much for giving us a peek. I hope they enjoy your hard work!
Darling! I love it all. Especially the swiss blankets.
I know you are publishing sources later- but would love for you to include where the beds are from!
Thanks!
The beds are from costco about six years ago. I’ll check to see if there are any markings to give more info.
I love it! It looks great. Love your blog & your style!!
I love the room. This would be great at my mom’s house for all her grandson’s to use. I have a new project for you… have you considered painting the slats that the lower bunk sleeper looks at? You could paint them white and then stencil words on them…. Bible verses, Pledge of Allegiance, something you want them to memorize, etc. In your free time…. (ha!)
I love it! Wheredid you get this amazing lockers???
all of the sources will be posted this week. The lockers are from urban outfitters.
Really precious! Thanks for sharing.
I still don’t understand where you put all of their clothes?! Maybe it’s just my house, but with two boys of my three boys in one room with a bunk bed, storage for clothes and toys go beyond the closet. Maybe you have large closets and a play room. Or maybe I just need to simplify. Probably the latter.
Shirts and underwear are in the dresser, pj’s are in a stacking bin on one side of the closet, the other holds a shelf with pants. Sweatshirts/sweaters/nice shirts are hung in the closet. Swim clothes are in bins under the bed, a bin of car tracks are under the other bed. We have a playroom that holds all of their toys.
Where did you get the grey striped bedding? Love it!
I love the wall lockers too….where are those from? I redoing my 8 year old’s bedroom right now and your design board is my inspiration:)!
Love this room! super cute! I’m dying to know where you found the amazing star chart print?? My son would love something like that!
i’m supposed to be writing a sermon for class right now, but i just couldn’t wait to see the reveal! so cute! (or whatever the boy version of “cute” is. :))
ha! Go get to work, girl!
Love it! I’m curious though, you have four beds and three boys. Is the extra bed for a guest (like your wall sign says)? You must like symmetry!
We bought two sets of matching bunks before we had our third. My husband just thought it would be fun to have extra beds – which it is. So yes, just an extra bed for sleepover guests.
Outstanding !
Great room! I just finished my boy’s room too and he has an antler mount hanging on his wall that was his late grandfather’s (my dad). The chalkboard antler picture would also go nicely in his room. I noticed someone else asked you where you got the reading lights, and I too would love to know where you purchased them. Also, the deer head pillow on the chair…can you give me a resource for that as well? Thanks!!
Looks terrific!
I would like to puRchase a few of the mini make good choices prints. Both of my sons are at college and I know they won’t hang up the larger size in their dorm rooms but love the reminder! Can u help me find the smaller size?
Thanx
The mini make good choices were just a prototype before I fully designed the larger ones. I’ll see what I can do for you with offering the smaller ones :)
I’m so impressed that you have 4 beds in this room and it still looks spacious! Every detail is engaging and perfectly decorated…love it!
This is the most amazing boys’ room ever. It is perfect in every way! I can’t wait to hear more about it!
What a fabulous room! Love all the details.
Looks fantastic, Emily! I have to ask about the white paint as I’m currently trying to pick a white for my bathroom; did you use untinted paint or is it a specific white? Thanks!
The white paint is Silky White by behr. It is a nice, clean white.
I love this room!
My son has a similar style room with a hunting/fishing/outdoor theme.
I am definitely going to buy the print with the dog and canoe…we have black labs!
Also, my son is a HUGE collector and has a similar collection of bottle caps!
Thanks for sharing!
I know … what is it with the bottle caps? It’s like they know its an age-old tradition for boys to collect bottle caps.
Where are the sheets, comforters and fancy bed pillows from? How about the cute stuffed animals? Thanks it looks great!
All the sources will be posted soon!
The finishing touches are perfect.
Very lucky little gentlemen you have there— The room looks spectacular. I was trying to figure out my favorite part but I just cant! Nicely done–
I love this room! I knew I would. I can’t wait to hear where the lockers are from. I think my boys need those!:)
Where did you get the wooden library card holder on their dresser? I love the whole room!!
That little card holder is from my local craft store. I’ll find the sticker to see the original source and will post about it soon!
Yes, please :) Also, LOVE the turnout of this space!
Love this room! I would love to know where you got the reading lights that mount to the wall and the inexpensive shelves. I have four boys, so this room is great inspiration for me.
Holy awesome!!! Love. It. All.!!! Wall lockers??!! Where? And the dresser… Is it new made to look old? I love the small box of cubbies on their dresser too. And what about the bed spreads? You have the best eye-awesome work!!!
Sources coming soon … the dresser is actually old with chipped paint.
It looks great! Where did you get the reading lights? My boy would love it next to his bed too!
It turned out great! Love the wall lockers for each boy. The number of treasures to be stored in those are limitless, I’m sure.
very tasteful, emily. I love everything about it. where did you find the large chalk board print, “be strong and courageous, seek adventure and truth?”
That be brave print is by Lindsay Letters.