Slightly Coastal: How To Make A Small Bedroom Feel Special

One of the big challenges with this house has been room size.  Every secondary bedroom is a small bedroom.  Our house is about 1800 s.f. and the builder packed 4 bedrooms in it.  I would have preferred 3 larger bedrooms, but the choice was not mine.  Luckily, my kids are not “hang out in their room” kind of kids.  They both prefer to be out in the common spaces with everyone else.  I still wanted to make their small bedrooms feel special.  I recently finished my oldest son’s room and you can see that HERE.  I focused on 5 ways to create a special space for my younger son even though he has a small bedroom.

Tip # 1:  Use Color!

When I asked my little guy what color he wanted his room to be he told me green.  I knew he meant green green.  Not mint green.  Not apple green.  Not hunter green.  He wanted bright primary green.  I wanted to give him his green room in a way I could live with also.  By painting his dresser green he immediately had the green he was looking for.

Carrying the color around the room helps make it a main player in the room.  I used the green again by lining the back of his bookcases with green fabric taped to poster board.

I also used it on a planked wall treatment behind his bed, in one of the pillows on his bed, and in his bedding.

By using the color at least 3 times, I reinforced the idea the room is a green room.

Tip #2:  Pattern and Texture

They’re only little for a little while…why not let them have that crazy bedding?  They have their whole life to live with neutrals.  This truck bedding was his older brother’s bedding.  He couldn’t wait to have it on his big boy bed.

 

The hounds-tooth rug brings in another fun punch of pattern.  Luke likes to “walk on the water”-a game I love to play too.

The planked wall treatment behind his bed also gives some great texture to the space.

Tip #3:  Make It Personal

Little ones like to see pictures of themselves and those they love.  Here, I created a small gallery wall where I can easily change out pictures.  I also displayed pictures of his grandparents, brother, parents, and dog around the room.  These items make it a really personal space for him.

Tip #4:  Use Cool Lighting

Kids need a light to read with.  If you have a large enough area for a reading nook, congratulations!  You can do some awesome lighting and design.  I knew his reading area was going to have to be his bed.  I wanted good lighting for reading, and a hanging plug-in pendant light fit the bill perfectly.  To make it cozy, I created this planked wall and valance as the backdrop.  I added grosgrain ribbon to a simple white lamp shade to make it extra special.

Tip #5:  Organization That Works

Nothing is more frustrating than knowing you have something, but you just can’t find it.  It’s no different for a 3 year old.  I created loads of storage by flanking his dresser with tall bookshelves that are secured to the wall.  Everything I want him to reach is on the lower shelves.

Nothing drives me crazier than doing the laundry, folding it, and putting it away only to pull it out of an unorganized drawer a wrinkled mess.  I’m kind of obsessive about not wearing wrinkled clothes.

I can easily find matching pieces and everything stays organized.

 Here are a few more shots.  I so love how his room has turned out.  It is such a bright and cheery place in our house.

I just love his room and the most important part is, he does too.  Have a great day!

Nancy