Coen’s Classic Boy’s Bedroom Makeover
It’s easy to assume that little boys don’t care much about interior design. That they’ll be happy with any space as long as it has toys and room to play. But in my experience designing kids’ rooms, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Boys, just like anyone else, respond to spaces that reflect their interests, personalities, and tastes. A thoughtfully designed room isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating a space where they feel seen, inspired, and comfortable. Follow along on this boy’s bedroom makeover to see how we went from simple to bursting with personality.
Coen is the son of my good friend Heang, and it has been such a joy to design their home room by room. From the dining room to Heang’s office, I’ve helped create a space that feels like home to them. Being part of this process has given me the chance to bring Coen’s interests and personality into his own special space.
Starting with the Basics
If you’re curious to see the entire design process unfold, follow me on TikTok. I shared videos of the process. It’s a fun way to see how a room comes together.
The first thing we did was add trim to the lower portion of the walls, giving the room a polished, custom feel. Then we painted the walls this magnificent blue-green color, which instantly brought depth to the space. It set the perfect foundation for everything else in Coen’s room.
Next, we added this playful wallpaper to the top section of the wall, creating a striking contrast with the blue-green paint below. This particular combination of paint and wallpaper is one of my favorite projects I’ve ever worked on. It has so much personality and is perfect for this boy’s bedroom makeover.
Making Space for Busy Kids
I love incorporating a lofted bed in a kids’ room because it maximizes the space for living and playing. By elevating the bed, the area underneath can be transformed into a cozy reading nook, a play zone, or extra storage. It makes the room feel larger and more functional. It’s a simple design choice but very practical.
I was able to fit tons of storage under the lofted bed, keeping toys, books, and essentials neatly organized. As Coen gets older, that same space will easily accommodate a desk, creating an ideal spot for homework or creative projects. I really hope this room grows with him.
I’m not sure how often that plaid chair is actually used, but if it were in my house, it would definitely be my favorite spot to sit and unwind. It just has that perfect cozy, inviting vibe that makes you want to curl up with a book.
West Elm Loft Bed
Buffalo Plaid Chair
Standout Design Elements
The chandelier is such a fun and funky addition to the room. It adds personality and charm without feeling too fancy or formal. This room gets a lot of natural light, and we’ve included a lot of task lighting. That means we’re not depending solely on this chandelier to light the whole room. So, it can just go on being fancy.
I think the classic wooden furniture pieces help ground the space quite a bit. With many of the elements having cool tones, the warm brown wood is a perfect balance.
MCM Dresser
Gold Mirror
Reading Lamp
Chandelier
A Little Something Special
Why not add an adorable wooden boat to the dresser? The room has a nautical theme, and it’s simple touches, like the fish art and the rope mirror, that make the room feel thoughtfully designed and pulled together. I find the best place to find quirky decor items like these is at your local thrift store.
And of course, no room is complete without a Nerf Gun Wall. You can check out this blog post here to see how I did a similar project for my son’s room. One of the great advantages of designing your own home is that you can create exactly what you want. Have a kid who’s into Nerf or Legos? You can find unique and fun ways to include those elements in their room.
A Stylish Room For a Cool Kid
It was such an honor to create this boy’s room makeover for our friend Coen. Being trusted to design a space that reflects his personality and interests was incredibly rewarding, and seeing the room come together has been a joyful experience from start to finish.
If you live in the Greater Baltimore area and are interested in having me design a space in your home, I’d love to hear from you. Please contact me to get started!
