My first attempt at the One Room Challenge was our laundry room last year and, while it started off strong, life just got the better of me and I did not finish it on time. To redeem myself, mostly to myself, this year I managed a teen boy bedroom makeover while simultaneously building the fancy farmhouse chicken coop.
Phew! That was close. But I’ve still got it! And now I feel a little less inadequate even if that laundry room reveal won’t post until August.
It blows my mind how much bigger this room looks now. As a reminder, here’s the before.
This room was well loved, and definitely well collected, but that bed just kept getting smaller and smaller by the day. Plus, all this heavy furniture completely weighed down the whole room.
Teen Boy Bedroom Makeover
The Bed
We started by building this mid-century modern DIY platform bed to accommodate his new world’s most comfortable mattress and because he doesn’t realize a twin bed is just as long as a full, he’s convinced his feet no longer hang off even though they never did. And we just let him live in ignorant bliss.
The Dresser
When we built this dresser (for under $150!!) I couldn’t decide what color I would go with. Should I stick to my inspiration color and something similar to the bed? OR should I go with a black stain to mimic the statement wall?
In the end, I decided to add black accents instead of another black statement piece. That’s why the wall is called a statement wall – because it doesn’t have competition! Amiright?!
Anyway, I am so glad that I followed my gut on this and I can’t wait to share with you how I finished this piece. I think the process might surprise you. It took me about 10 minutes to put this finish (and sealer!) on.
This room is home to the under $100 IKEA hack closet system and now it finally has an amazing room to go along with it.
The Walls
Since his previous room was heavy, not only on the furniture but also on the knick-knacks, we wanted this room to be less burdened with stuff. It took me awhile to realize that I am somewhat of a minimalist. Having lots of stuff makes me feel crowded and overwhelmed. Less stuff = less anxiety. So it was no surprise when my mini-me decided he wanted his new room to feel less crowded, too.
But we still wanted the room to have lots of texture and interest so we chose this DIY board and batten technique to give the walls some added dimension.
Textiles
I gave him free reign on design choices and let him be as involved as he wanted to be. When he couldn’t decide, he’d defer to me. When the rug he picked out came in I wasn’t immediately a fan. In fairness, I hadn’t completely unrolled it but, from what I could tell, it seemed a little shiny, almost like silver. He insisted on keeping it and I am so glad he did. It looks amazing!
Another thing he insisted on was just this one decorative pillow. I think that probably has more to do with how much he hates to make his bed, but it was a good call. It’s just enough and, coupled with a few throws and that awesome pouf, it’s all the room needed.
Extras
He picked out the furniture designs and at the top of his wish list was a leather butterfly sling chair.
I had no idea how comfortable one of these would be, but it’s the perfect chill spot. We also built him a turntable stand and vinyl record holder that was so last minute the room still smelled like stain this morning! It’s a little bigger than I planned so I think I might scale it down a bit.
I might also hang his acoustic guitar above it or the framed tour book from his first concert. I couldn’t decide so I left it for now.
Before this room makeover, he had never even heard the phrase mid-century modern before. He just knew what he liked when he saw it. The important part about accessorizing in this room was scale. Mid-century modern is inherently short. This was perfect for a room that had been weighed down by heavy furniture in the past.
This tree stump table, with its modern lines, was the perfect height for his bed. It was also plenty of room for a side table without taking up valuable floor space.
We went with a small task lamp for the side table and a floor lamp on the opposite side.
One of the last decisions we had to make was artwork. I never want to add decoration to a room just for the sake of having decorations. So we were looking through photos trying to find something meaningful. We were both delighted to find this photo of NYC. It’s taken from the penthouse terrace of the first time I stayed in NYC (at the Hudson Hotel) and in the photograph is the first hotel he stayed in a few years later, the Roosevelt.
We knew it was the perfect choice and the money we saved having a 24 x 36 poster printed up at Staples was the cherry on top.
So that’s it! Our no frills, but still a little fancy, modern teen boy bedroom makeover. It’s the coolest room in the house! Which is fitting, I guess.
We didn’t get to the removal of the carpet and new flooring but that was something completely out of my control. I am so excited to say that we will be revisiting this room (and the rest of the house!) with new flooring soon. I don’t know about you, but I’d have killed for a bedroom this cool at 14, you?
Ummmmmm, I LOVE it! Your son is so lucky! The black wall is everything and I am in awe of how that dresser turned out! You nailed it 🙂
You are so sweet and I so appreciate it! Thank you!
so awesome, jamie! love how masculine and modern it is!
Thanks, Cassie! That means a lot!
I love it!! It looks amazing!
Thank you, Brittany!!
I love, love, love it! And you’re right, it does look so much bigger. That bed is SO amazing! I still can’t believe it was a DIY project.
Thank you, Sam!
Where is the rug from?
It’s from RugsUSA
My bedroom still disnt look that good and I’m in my 50’s!!! You did an amazing job.
Mine either, Laura! 😉 Thank you!
Gorgeous! I can’t believe you built that bed. And that statement wall is incredible!! Love it!
Well thanks so much, Amanda! I appreciate that!
Great job! The room looks fantastic and it sounds like you got to have some fun with your son while you did it. How lucky are you that you and your son share some of the same tastes in decorating and furniture 🙂
We definitely did and I am so lucky! Thanks, Val!
That is one awesome teen boy’s room!!!! He’s so blessed to have a talented and cool mom! Keep up the good parenting work!!!!
You are so kind! Thank you!!
That bed is AMAZING!! This room is full of perfect choices for a teen boy
Awww, Lindsey! Thank you!
That black wall is amazing. That bed is the coolest too. Congrats!! It looks so good.
Thanks so much, Jess!
Nice work and your son has some seriously amazing taste… it must run in the family.
– Kim | www.design-confetti.com
We appreciate that, Kim! Thank youu!
Jamie I have three teenagers and love this room design! The board and batten to the ceiling and the black wall look phenomenal and love how minimalistic it is (especially since my kids’ rooms are complete chaos at the moment!) Awesome job!!
Thanks so much, Lisa. I truly appreciate it!
The room cam out Awesome!! was wondering where you got the leather chair? thanks
Thanks, Michael! It’s from Joss & Main.
Hi Jamie! I just happened upon your blog while searching for DIY Platform beds! This DIY is really amazing! How much did this DIY Bed cost to make?
Hi Markell,
Thank you! The bed cost just a little over $300 to make. I had a few of the materials on hand. Depending on how much of the materials you already have and what you choose to use, cheaper wood vs more expensive and faux leather vs real leather, it can cost more. But I’d say between $325 and $375.
I love the color you painted the dresser and much better than the Sussex grey!!! I love the bedroom and I’ll bet he loves it!!! I also loved watching the tutorial on the fancy Chicken home and they sure loved it!!! You are so talented!! I love you honey!!!
Thanks, Aunt Connie! Love you, too! 😉
Hi Jamie, Loved your son’s room ,he’s lucky to have such a talented mom. My husband and I loved his choice for the rug. I would so appreciate it if you would tell us where it was purchased .
Thanks so much, Andrea! And thanks for letting me know you saw this in This Old House! The rug is from RugsUsa.com. I cannot remember the name of it though. Should be easy enough to search. Let me know if you have trouble finding it!
That. is. stunning. The perfect balance of pattern and calm, uncluttered yet warm. You have a new subscriber. : )
You’ve made my day! Thank you! Welcome to the crazy train. So nice you have you on board! 😉
Hi. LOVE THIS. Where is the wood bedside table from?
Hi Kirstie,
Thank you! It’s from a store in Savannah called, Nadeau. It’s a chain but I’m not sure of their locations.
Beautiful room! Do you have links for your pillow and blanket?
Hi Tia! The throw is from IKEA and the pillow I got from Etsy (Sew + Cloth). Thanks so much!
What color black is the Wall.
It’s Onyx by Benjamin Moore. You can find more info on the walls here: https://www.southernrevivals.com/diy-board-batten/
Hello! Love the look of this room and I’m designing my teen boy’s room as well! Can you tell me where the neutral bedspread is from? Thanks!
Hi Kasie,
I tried looking back through my emails but I couldn’t find the order. I want to say it’s from Wayfair. I will update this, and maybe add a shop this post section if I am able to find out for sure. Thank you!
This room is awesome! Where is the rug from?
Thank you! It’s from RugsUSA!
Amazing! You have totally inspired me to makeover my 11 year old son’s room. I must admit I am stealing a large number of your ideas, although I dare not take on the DIY bed ha! I have searched high & low for a pouf ottoman I like as much as yours, but to no avail. Do you remember where you purchased it? Thank you!
Hi Steph,
I believe it was Amazon. But I am working on a list with links this week to include things I purchased plus non-DIY equivalents to the things we made. Thank you!
Where did you get the throw blanket on the bed & the leather butterfly sling chair? My 13 year old son just got moved to his own room. We are minimalists & want our son’s room to basically look just like this. I would love links to the throw & the chair please, please, please.
Hi Holly,
The chair is from Joss & Main, the pillow from Etsy. I am working on including links this week. I hope you’ll check back! Thank you!
Jamie, I love this! The crazy thing is my sons room is sooo much like the before if your sons it’s almost scary. From the blue and white walls with the white chair rail, tall corner bookshelf, and size, etc. i have a couple questions…
– What was the texture on the walls before you did the board and batten? Looks like flat.
– Can you post the links to all the furniture and accessories that you purchased and didn’t make?
Hi Nicole,
Thanks so much! Yes, our wall texture is flat. And I would be glad to include links to the purchases for this room. I am adding it to my to-do list for the week. I hope you’ll check back with me. Thanks again!
Hi! I just came across this post and love it!! I am trying to find ideas for my pre-tween’s new room in our new home but I also know that paint colors are tricky for East-facing rooms, which his is. Which way does this room face, if I may ask? Thank you!!
Hi Tracy,
Thank you! His window is South to South-west facing. I’d suggest playing close attention to undertones if you’re concerned about the light changing the color throughout the day. You should be safe with something that is a pure color, but, safer still, maybe try a few swatches in the room and observe those throughout the day before making a final decision.