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Clever Kids' Rooms: 15 Ideas to Give Boys' Bedrooms a Boost
Give your young man's room more than just a lick of blue paint
The challenge in decorating a boy’s bedroom is managing to design a space that not only reflects his interests and personality, but can grow with him over the years. Bedrooms are the only area of the house children can totally call their own, so a feelgood retreat for work, sleep and play is a real gift. These practical bedroom ideas will give the boy in your family a reason to feel proud … no matter how old he is.
2. Update the shelves
It’s amazing the difference a paintbrush and a deep-blue hue like this can make to a bedroom. The blue used in these shelves makes the colourful books and toys on display stand out and is a grounding influence in an otherwise pale room.
It’s amazing the difference a paintbrush and a deep-blue hue like this can make to a bedroom. The blue used in these shelves makes the colourful books and toys on display stand out and is a grounding influence in an otherwise pale room.
3. Weave in texture
You’ll want to sink your fingers into the woolly sheepskin draped over this chair. And the fabulous wall-hanging is given a lift with the help of a tree branch. Gorgeous.
You’ll want to sink your fingers into the woolly sheepskin draped over this chair. And the fabulous wall-hanging is given a lift with the help of a tree branch. Gorgeous.
4. Design a hangout area
If your ceilings are high enough, raising the bed allows you to make use of the space underneath. The usual use for such a space is for a desk, but this bedroom idea is even better. The padded bench seats on either side of the table make for a comfy place for completing homework, doing crafts and spending time with friends.
If your ceilings are high enough, raising the bed allows you to make use of the space underneath. The usual use for such a space is for a desk, but this bedroom idea is even better. The padded bench seats on either side of the table make for a comfy place for completing homework, doing crafts and spending time with friends.
5. See red
This simple but stunning bedroom tempers the bold use of red with a couple of sumptuous, texture-rich throws that steal the limelight. Including the retro red light shade is a groovy move.
This simple but stunning bedroom tempers the bold use of red with a couple of sumptuous, texture-rich throws that steal the limelight. Including the retro red light shade is a groovy move.
6. Turn to contrasts
The giant world map and globe aren’t the only factors that inject interest into this bedroom; it’s the winning combination of colours and patterns. The bedding alone features stripes and spots, and the striped blind adds to the fun. Natural timber gives the room warmth and depth to balance out all those competing patterns.
The giant world map and globe aren’t the only factors that inject interest into this bedroom; it’s the winning combination of colours and patterns. The bedding alone features stripes and spots, and the striped blind adds to the fun. Natural timber gives the room warmth and depth to balance out all those competing patterns.
7. Add vintage appeal
Toys from your youth or gathered from antique stores provide a sense of style in your son’s room. Boys’ rooms lean towards being overly practical, so bring playful charm, lightness and humour to their personal space. If some of that can rub off on them during the more challenging teen years, so much the better!
Toys from your youth or gathered from antique stores provide a sense of style in your son’s room. Boys’ rooms lean towards being overly practical, so bring playful charm, lightness and humour to their personal space. If some of that can rub off on them during the more challenging teen years, so much the better!
8. Plan ahead
This baby’s room is just delightful, but the neutral walls mean there’s plenty of scope to adapt the art and decor as he moves into his toddler years and beyond.
This baby’s room is just delightful, but the neutral walls mean there’s plenty of scope to adapt the art and decor as he moves into his toddler years and beyond.
9. Go for classic stripes
These bold stripes stand out for two reasons: they’re framed perfectly against the bright white walls and furniture, and they’re in an unexpected tone. When paired with red, the right shade of brown can truly deliver.
These bold stripes stand out for two reasons: they’re framed perfectly against the bright white walls and furniture, and they’re in an unexpected tone. When paired with red, the right shade of brown can truly deliver.
10. Highlight with patterns
The two-tone chevrons and stripes are the highlights in this bluer than blue bedroom. Simple patterns can add interest when you don’t want to go too bright with a lot of different colours.
The two-tone chevrons and stripes are the highlights in this bluer than blue bedroom. Simple patterns can add interest when you don’t want to go too bright with a lot of different colours.
11. Make stripes work together
Using bold stripes on the walls of the alcove separates it nicely from the rest of the room, while the striped rug ties the two spaces together brilliantly.
Using bold stripes on the walls of the alcove separates it nicely from the rest of the room, while the striped rug ties the two spaces together brilliantly.
12. Be clever with storage
The window seat makes this room twice as special. Look at your own son’s room with fresh eyes – could cupboards, drawers or shelves be used to create a window seat in his room?
The window seat makes this room twice as special. Look at your own son’s room with fresh eyes – could cupboards, drawers or shelves be used to create a window seat in his room?
13. Get creative
The corrugated iron in place of traditional wall panelling adds an unexpected element to this unique room, and the blackboard feature wall is sure to provide endless fun.
The corrugated iron in place of traditional wall panelling adds an unexpected element to this unique room, and the blackboard feature wall is sure to provide endless fun.
14. Use gentle tones
This room is a good example of designing a space that will grow with your child. There may not be much variation in colour used here, but it’s comfortable and stylish nonetheless.
This room is a good example of designing a space that will grow with your child. There may not be much variation in colour used here, but it’s comfortable and stylish nonetheless.
15. Dream big
The only trouble with this amazing room is that your son will never leave home. Never.
The only trouble with this amazing room is that your son will never leave home. Never.
The corner of this bedroom is stunning for any age group, simply because of that bright red armchair and bold stripe. Your little boy will love cuddling up with you to read a bedtime story here, and in later years it’s sure to become the spot where he chooses to read, text and chat.