Everyone loves an imaginative and awe-inspring kid’s room, am I right? Which is all the reason we were psyched to see this cheery redo from Amandelin. Check out her letter:
My son’s room was desperately in need of some redoing. Beyond the aesthetic problems (like the knotty wood paneling and bargain bin particle board furniture that my mother kept “gifting” us) the room is also 23 feet long and 9 feet wide. Three of the four walls are monopolized by windows and the fourth is broken up by double french doors. Needless to say it posed quite a challenge.
I painted all of the paneling white, replaced the mismatched denim curtains & “custom” 80’s paint-splattered roman shades with cheap white Ikea curtains. All of the furniture in the room, with the exception of the Expedit and the two Ikea toyboxes, is thrifted. I think the most expensive thing was the bed, at $19.99.
The sidetables were $5 for the pair; I painted them with white lacquer, used a jigsaw to cut a thick piece of wood to the curves on the top, and stained the wood. The lamps were $10 each at my local Habitat for Humanity REstore. I painted them out in red and hand-cut a robot stencil, using leftover table paint to get the graffiti effect.
The lamp on his Expedit was originally one of a pair I had in my bedroom. Until he broke one. I hand-painted a treasure map on the base and used white contact paper to put a skull and crossbones on the inside of the shade, which is only visible when you turn the lamp on. Months and months of work and elbow grease and combing through thrift stores was totally worth it for my almost-four-year old to have a bright and functional room! – Amandelin
We can’t believe that’s the same room, Amandelin! It looks so cheery, and the fact that it was done so inexpensively and with so many hand details is just awesome. Your son must have so much fun in there. Kinda makes us wish we were four again. What about you guys? Do you have a favorite project or thrift store find in this makeover? So many great DIYs, so little time.
Sarah says
Freaking AMAZING! Amandelin your son is so lucky. Those robot lamps are the cutest. Just wow!
Becky G says
Amazing! I love that you took a challenge (the long room) and turned it into a sleeping zone and a playing zone!
Very, very well done.
Bobbi says
What a great job!!
I love the treasure map lamp with the skull & crossbones. The lamp with the wallmap and the items above the desk will be able to easily evolve into decor for an older boy! I know my 7 year old would love to have those items used in his own adventures!
Kasey says
Wow that room is just so cute! She did an awesome job!
Im glad I saw this post. It gives me just the inspiration I need [currently transforming our sons room into a space that’s more mature and no so baby-ish anymore].
carike says
great job! I love the paint colour, and the charming 3-drawer dresser. Your art is also very well-displayed, you have a good eye!
Miki says
WOW! I love how you hid the door with the large decorated panel behind the headboard.
Laura says
It’s really, truly amazing what a gallon or two of paint cand o to a space. Love it!
Laura
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Looks fabulous! Great job on the redesign!
Liz says
I love the blue headboard. Also great that it covers up what appears to be an outside door. Great job!
liz @ bon temps beignet says
This room is too cool! Kids’ rooms are so much fun to do. There’s so much more room for creativity.
Nancy says
What happened to the door?
K says
This is adorable! I’m in the middle of decorating a room for our kids and this is inspiring. Great job!
Alicia says
That is AMAZING! Lucky boy, I want his room.
Nancy says
What happened to the door? I realize the door is probably where the headboard is now, right? How did you cover it up? What was that process like?
Cheri @ I Heart Old Houses says
Wow, I don’t know where to begin! Love the lamp, love the wall color, love the tiny wooden desk and chair, love the way the colors from the art and walls are repeated in the fun bedspread…amazing job! That’s one lucky kid.
Megan says
What a fantastic job. The bedding is just so sweet.
Kate @ Twenty-Six To Life says
It doesn’t look like the same room! Fantastic job!
Laura (youngDCliving) says
I really like the color headboard (?) behind the bed! And the placement of the frames and the vintage looking Choo Choo poster. Any more details on that part of the room? Great job :)
Whitney says
I’m dying to know about the train poster/canvas. Where is it from?
It’s an amazing room – great job!
candace @ thecandace.com says
I am blown away! WOW!
Karla @ {The Classy Woman} says
So bright and cheery! Great windows too! I love all of the budget transformations. Awesome! :)
Amy G says
I love how much brighter and more open and airy the room feels with the lighter walls :)
Beth says
I’ve been trying to figure out how to transition from nursery to “big boy room” for quite a while now! This is great inspiration!
Hilary @ Bee's Bungalow says
WOW!!! Amandalin, when can my husband move in?! Absolutely incredible, I love the robot/pirate/treasure map stencils. Inspiring to see little boys can have cute rooms, too!
Nichole@40daysof says
This is one of those transformations where I can honestly say I did a double take.
Jacquelin Seybert says
WOW! The room is so bright and welcoming now.
Leanne says
WOW!! That is an amazing transformation! Did you get rid of the door in the before pictures? or cover it up?
kelly says
people are so creative i wish i had that kind of brain!! what a fun kids room. it really doesn’t look like the same place
Kate says
My eyes bulged out when I saw the after pics… GREAT JOB! How inspiring!
Stacy says
My son is a train freak and I’d love to hang that Choo Choo poster in his room, so any details on that would be greatly appreciated. Amazing room transformation! What a difference the white walls and curtains make!
Lauryn says
WOW! love it!
Lesley says
Amazing!! I, too, am coveting that Choo Choo poster for my little boy…
Laura@JourneyChic says
Absolutely gorgeous! Your son must have so much fun in there. Your hard work definitely paid off! Out of curiosity (as I’m expecting a boy of my own any day now), does your son mind the light coming in through the sheer curtains, or are there blinds hidden underneath?
julie says
Oh my gosh – AMAZING!!! I thought your first “after” photo was your inspiration photo from a magazine.
Caryn says
Awesome job! My favorite part is definitely the blown up Burton Choo Choo book cover over the bed! What a lovely room!
Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat. says
It is so bright and cheerful! I am constantly wowed and amazed by what you can do on a budget. I got tons of inspiration from this post – thanks!
XO
Lenore
Kristine says
Wow! What a transformation. From dark and dreary to light and airy. My favorites are the robot lamps and that cool modern dresser. Fantastic job!
Alisha says
WOW! It’s fun and kid friendly, yet super clean and classic, and best yet, it’s personal! Great use of the tricky space! Love it!! AWESOME job!!
Danielle says
That’s incredible! I had NO idea that was the same room. Wow!
Jamie says
Now that’s a big boy room!
Emily says
I love it! The white walls and curtains really allow the other colors in the room to stand out. Such a colorful room, without over-doing it!
mandy says
I am always amazed what some paint can do to a paneled wall. Love the techniques, makes me really want to visit some thrift stores to find some great things for our house!
down bedding says
This is so lovely, it almost looks like two different rooms. Your son is one lucky and I am sure very happy boy! Love the playing area, it’s probably every little boy’s dream.
Loni says
WONDERFUL! My 3 yr old son’s room is in desperate need of a redo and this is great inspiration…he would LOVE this room…I even see many of the same toys!
Lindsay@Tell'er All About it says
Wow, I’ll bet Amandelin got some great inspiration from your den makeover, too! Way to go! This is so cute!!
xoxo,
Lindsay
Cori says
AMAZING!!! Is that an upholstered headboard behind the bed frame? Or did they paint it? Looks great!
Pam says
Amazing transformation!!!
GreenInOC says
WOW!
Michelle says
wow! i love what they did to the room, very nicely done! so, when do i get to go over and play?? =)
Lindymint says
This transformation is so well done, I don’t even know were to begin. The thing that stands out to me the most is Amendelin’s use of wall decor. The art over the dresser and the wall shelf displays are so perfectly balanced, it makes me want to cry a little. Great job, and thanks for sharing!