Our Teen Boy Bedroom Makeover Reveal

April 28, 2022

A modern teen boy bedroom makeover with personal touches.


These updates to our son's bedroom were a long time coming! I've been half way done with his room for years.

Our son is so easy going, he liked it as it was. But recently it hit me like a ton of bricks that he will only be here at home with us for a few more years. THREE to be exact. 

HOW did that happen so quickly??

Many of you have been reading this blog since the beginning and remember our boy as a little one. He still had his apple green striped nursery when I started blogging! 

It was after my mini meltdown that I moved into gear to update his space into a room fit for a teenager. We talked about what he wanted and decided a few of things needed to be updated to get rid of the little kid vibes. :) 

When we moved into our home four+ years ago, we set up his room with a lot of items from our last house, including his cute red, white and blue bedding: 
blue, red and white boy bedding

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That was from Pottery Barn and I don't think the duvet cover or quilt set is still available. 

It was time to get something a little more age appropriate for a 15-year-old. :)

The Billy bookcase shelves create plenty of storage for displaying his collectibles. We later added doors to the bottom half of the bookcases to clean it up a little. 

I had a plan in mind for that space between the bookcases, and it started with a couple DIY project like this do-it-yourself dark blue tufted headboard

Then I added some simple and inexpensive shiplap behind and a header along the top: 
shiplap wall behind headboard
And then it sat...for years! Until reality hit me a few weeks ago and I was on a mission.

My first project was to FINALLY paint the wood shiplap wall and surround a crisp white (Pure White by Sherwin-Williams). I knew it would look great against that dark blue headboard: 
white shiplap nook behind headboard

When I installed the shiplap, I also used scrap wood for the header across the top. I was planning on wrapping crown molding around the whole built in unit, but I went to go buy it and about choked that an eight foot piece was $18. 

Instead, I grabbed two $2 MDF 1x2s and installed that around the top. I actually like it better than crown anyway...it's simpler and fits the look of his room much better!:
bed nook with sconces and headboard

Those IKEA Ranarp lights are so fun, we've had those forever. You can either clip them to something (like a desk) or hang them on the wall.

I love the cozy feel the header, bookcases and lights create in this little nook: 
IKEA sconces in bedroom nook

As you can see, we finally changed out the stars and plaid comforters with a blue and gray comforter set from Target. It's SUPER soft. The older I get the more I move away from duvets/covers. They wear me out. 😂 It's so much easier to throw a comforter in the wash.

His bed is now the cats favorite spot. :) 

I wanted a little more contrast on the bookcases, so I used this blue peel and stick grasscloth wallpaper on just the backs of them: 
dark blue grasscloth wallpaper

I looove it! It makes the inexpensive Billy bookcases look so much more refined. I have plans to use this wallpaper in another spot in the house too. 

The deep blue backdrop showcases his trophies and accessories even more!

The windows got new black out drapes -- the two toned gray and white works great with the new bedding:
gray white blackout drapes

They do a great job of blocking the light! 

We had old DIY airplane artwork from his last bedroom hanging on that wall by the window, but we both agreed it was time to do something a little more mature. 

I played around with a few things, but finally decided on function over form and just hung a couple black hooks: 
vintage dresser boy room

Now he can hang his awards and passes from different events. 

The boy needed a place to sit! That modern chair in the corner fit the bill. 

It's easy to put together (tip: the back bar and arms don't fit together perfectly, but we don't see it and it's still super sturdy) and had the modern look he wanted. 

This wall art trio was another repeat from his room at our previous home. I still love them so much: 
skinny desk tight space

The cabinet knobs I used as "hangers" for the frames spell out "FLY" and the art prints are vintage airplane scenes. 

The skinny desk is from IKEA as well -- perfect for a small bedroom!

It took about two weeks here and there, but I got the little updates finished up and we all LOVE how it turned out. I'm so happy he likes it. 😊 
white shiplap blue headboard

Now the finishing touches feel like they fit a teenage boy instead the decor we've had since he was a three-year-old (sniff).

Oh, and I replaced the flush mount ceiling light with this industrial "Sputnik" inspired light fixture: 
teen boy bedroom decor

It gives off so much more light than the old one and the size works better for his room as well. 

His lighting options are what I love most about his room -- we installed the color changing LED rope lighting around the bookcase unit years ago:
built in bookcase bed nook

We plugged them into an outlet that runs to the switch, or he can use a remote that comes with the lights. 

I think we hit a great balance with these small bedroom updates. His teen bedroom has a more mature feel, but still showcases the things he loves most. :) 

Next up...his bathroom! I've had plans for that for years!

I gathered all of the items in his teen boy room makeover here: 

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Comments

  1. Happy to see that he is a UK fan!

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  2. :) He's an IU fan through and through, but we took him to a father/son bball camp years ago and were so impressed with them!

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  3. I remember his adorable room from your last house! I love the updates you made here, and that you were still able to use some of the same decor. My fave has always been that propeller. Glad to see it made the cut!

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  4. This room looks perfect for a teenager. Great updates! Curious, what is the wall color?

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! It's called Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams.

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  5. Have followed through most of the transitions you've done and love this one!

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  6. Wait..what????!!! He’s 15??!!! How did that happen?
    Looks wonderful as always!

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  7. What a fun room! Question: Did you paint your IKEA knobs or is there a site/ place You can recommend? I am having the worst time finding replacement knobs :(

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    Replies
    1. Thanks!! I got those on Amazon, but you can find great options at hardware stores or Hobby Lobby!

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  8. I remember reading not long ago when you made his big boy room .... He is a teen already... time flies!!!

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  9. I love this room! I was wondering how you attached the MDF and board the connects the bookshelves?

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I screwed the top piece in through the top of the bookcases (it was slightly wider than the opening). Then added some trim to the front to cover it up.

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If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!