Boys’ bedroom ideas might not be known for being the most stylish but that doesn’t mean they can’t be, while also being whimsical and engaging for your little one. So if you want to create a bedroom for your son that both you and he will love, this is the place to be.
There is a lot of fun to be had when coming up with children’s room ideas and designing and decorating your little boy’s bedroom. As it’s a space that he’ll be using for everything from sleeping to playing, reading and doing homework, it needs to have a balance between fun and calm.
‘The best decorating approach is to balance calm and interest,’ says Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House. ‘A child’s room is an opportunity to be colourful and playful, but the space still needs to support sleep and a sense of security. A bold, fun bedroom doesn’t mean it has to be overly colourful or loud in its approach. You can combine colour, texture and interesting details without a room being overstimulating.’
Here at Ideal Home, we get to tour and feature some of the most incredible family homes around the country, many of which come with a boy’s room. And they make for some great inspiration when creating your own little boy’s space.
1. Opt for a nature-inspired colour scheme
Much like girls’ bedroom ideas don’t have to be all pink, a boy’s room doesn’t have to be covered in blue. Instead, a nature-inspired colour scheme is what experts recommend.
‘Some of the most successful children's rooms use colours inspired by nature,’ says Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn. ‘Greens are another popular choice because of their versatility. From gentle shades such as Gregory's Den and Sapling to deeper colours like Hobby Wood or Secret Room, green works equally well in bedrooms and playrooms, creating spaces that feel connected to nature while allowing brighter accessories and toys to stand out.’
That’s what Natalie Benes and her husband, Anthony opted for in their son Leo’s room in their Hertfordshire house. ‘The rich colour palette was inspired by the playful rug. The walls are in different shades of greeny-blues with pops of rusty reds, including the vintage bookcase that I painted myself,’ Natalie says.
2. Create different areas with paint
As already mentioned, a child’s bedroom needs to serve several purposes. But this can be playfully addressed by zoning the space with the use of paint ideas.
‘Colour can help define different areas within the room for sleeping, reading, learning and play. Paint is one of the easiest ways to bring personality into a space, whether through colour-blocking, painted furniture or simply choosing shades that reflect your child's interests,’ Cathryn at Earthborn says.
3. Go for natural materials
‘Natural materials such as wood, wicker and linen also work beautifully in children's spaces, helping create rooms that feel comfortable,’ Cathryn at Earthborn advises.
For her children’s room in her Stafford family home, Emily May opted for lots of wooden furniture, as well as rattan finishes seen on accessories, storage baskets and even a wall shelf.
4. Build a loft bed
If you’re after a small children’s bedroom idea, then utilising a loft bed is one of the best to go for just as Louise and Peter, owners of a family home in Oxfordshire, have done.
'The boys’ room used to feel small and cramped,’ Louise says. ‘So, Peter decided to build a loft bed himself from reclaimed wood left over from other projects, and we designed storage built along one side for toys and books. This way, we were able to squeeze two beds in without covering over the lovely original fireplace. And with the bed up above, there’s still plenty of space to play in.’
5. Give them a den to hang out in
Creating a cosy spot where your little one can hide and play or read is something he’s sure to love. So incorporating a play tent in his bedroom is the best thing you can give him. Jess and Mat opted for the Costway kids play tent, available at Amazon, in their sons’ bedroom in their York semi-detached family home.
‘Our boys love having somewhere to hide, and this wooden tent gets used every single day,’ Jess says.
If you want to get the look of the kids' room above, this is exactly the same wooden play house they've used.
6. Do two-tone walls
Incorporating fun paint ideas and techniques is one of the easiest ways to inject some playful whimsy into your little one’s rooms. And it can be as simple as painting two-toned walls like Jo and Chris, owners of a coastal Essex home, have decided to do in their son’s bedroom.
‘Blue is our son's favourite colour and we painted the upper walls white to keep the space light and bright. I wanted this room to be somewhere he could relax but also enjoy playing with his toys,’ Jo says.
7. Go for a vintage look
If you want real old-world charm and the whimsy of a fully analogue childhood in your kid’s room, then why not go for a vintage look with real vintage pieces?
That’s exactly the path that Olive and Hugo, owners of an east Devon home built inside former stables, have gone down in their children’s room. From a patchwork cottagecore-style bedspread to a vintage rocking horse in the window, it all adds to the overall charm and whimsy.
8. Create character with wall panelling
Combining different textures in a room is one of the most important things you can do to make the space interesting and add depth to it. And a kids’ bedroom is no exception. Starting with wall panelling ideas is a great way to go about it.
And that’s exactly what the owner of this ex rental house has done in her son’s room, going for a classic wall panelling style and painting it in a Parma Gray blue shade from Farrow & Ball.
9. Don’t shy away from upcycling
A child’s bedroom is a great opportunity for a furniture upcycling project. Whether you give an old piece of furniture a new lease of life with the use of paint or even wallpaper, you can let your imagination and creativity run wild. And even your little one can help with ideas.
The owner of this Victorian family home brought the scheme of her son’s bedroom together by using the wallpaper on the walls on an upcycled wardrobe, too. ‘When our first son was born in Crystal Palace, I found this wallpaper featuring the iconic Crystal Palace dinosaurs, which I knew had to be the main feature of his room. I also upcycled some furniture using off-cuts of the wallpaper, which tie the whole scheme together,’ she says.
10. Make a creative corner
Create a colourful corner with plenty of space for your child to draw, paint, make collages or play with LEGO, alone or with a friend, much like this one from a pastel-coloured Dorset family home.
'Young minds benefit hugely from the use of colour, invention and playfulness in their bedrooms to stimulate their imaginations and their playtime,' comments Annie Sloan, founder of Annie Sloan. 'Unexpected side effects can include instilling in your child a strong sense of pride in their own environment.'
11. Set sail with a coastal scheme
Create a beautiful seaside theme in boys bedroom ideas by seeking out patterned wallpaper and bedding with coastal details, from anchors and seagulls to lighthouses and beach huts. Off whites and pale blues create a really calming bedroom colour scheme, and wooden boats bring natural texture.
'Paler colours work well in a child’s room,' agrees Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown, 'as they tend to be more calming and soothing – both for the child and parents. A background of soft blues or aqua can be a good basis from which to add more colour.'
12. Go for a superhero theme
Choose a fun and empowering superhero theme for both girls bedroom ideas and boy room ideas that inspire confidence.
'Superhero motifs will help your kids feel like they can conquer the world, even if they’re having a tough time,' says Nadia McCowan Hill, resident style advisor at Wayfair. 'When it comes to colours, opt for bold poppy tones like monochrome with kicks of yellow for a mood-boosting space.'
13. Chalk it up
If your child's been known to doodle on furniture, chalkboard paint, like this one from Amazon, could be a perfect solution for a boy's bedroom.
Bedroom wall decor or piece of furniture that doubles up as a chalkboard will mean always they have somewhere to draw and write, and friends can leave messages.
14. Hang graphic prints
Graphic prints bring loads of visual interest and personality to boy room ideas, whether you go for bold typography, Andy Warhol-inspired pop art prints. Use brightly coloured washi tape to tape prints directly onto the wall.
Or frame them up and use Command Strips, at Amazon, so that you can move things around easily.
15. Celebrate their hobbies
For a boy's bedroom idea that feels sophisticated but still full of character, why not hang framed artwork with nods to your child's favourite hobbies?
Hanging skateboards or creating a shelf for trophies, rugby balls and favourite baseball caps will give the room personality while maintaining a more grown-up look for when teenage bedroom ideas are needed.
'When decorating a boy's bedroom, you want to create a space that reflects his personality rather than playing to stereotypes,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs.
16. Put up a magnetic wall
Attach a sheet of mild steel to the wall to turn it into an inexpensive floor-to-ceiling memo board.
Fun magnets are perfect for younger kids but once the space migrates into teenage boys bedroom ideas they could also use it as a place to store things that have inspired them, their homework schedule or photos of their mates.
17. Bring out their wild sides
A jungle theme works well for any kids' bedroom including for boys' bedroom ideas and will certainly spark their imagination. Choose bedding that is bright and fun with lots of animal characters, but opt for a more grown-up bedroom wallpaper.
This means you can easily change the whimsical bedding as they get older to something a little more pared-back or muted, but the wallpaper won't need to be replaced as it still has a sophisticated feel.
18. Encourage tidiness with a toy cupboard
By customising a basic pine unit (here we've used an IKEA IVAR), with a tester pot or two, it becomes a colourful addition to your boys bedroom ideas, and perhaps, a great way to encourage them to put away their toys inside.
It's wall-mounted design will maximise floor space for play too, and means less chance of toys getting lost under furniture. Alternatively you could paint the doors of these bedroom storage ideas with chalkpaint to double up as a space for chalk drawing too!
19. Make a feature of storage
Turn a piece of storage furniture into a feature. This turns something practical in boy's room into something much more fun and banishes the boring.
In their Hove family home, Jess and Oliver injected plenty of colour into the space, including their son's room. 'We added plenty of easy-to-reach toy storage ideas for our son to keep his things organised. The chaise longue used to be Oliver’s mum’s, and I painted it in navy fabric paint. It’s a lovely spot for us to curl up with a book together before bedtime,' Jess says.
20. Create a mountain-scape feature wall
Bedroom paint ideas and effects are a popular way of adding fun to a kids room. You literally have a blank canvas to work with so the more adventurous the design the better. We love this zig-zag mountain range with acid yellow snowcaps that also highlights the bed.
'Work out a design on paper then scale up for the walls, using good masking tape to create crisp lines,' says Judy Smith, Colour Consultant, Crown. 'Kids’ rooms have a license to be fun. Therefore, why not add a bit of playfulness by painting furniture to match or contrast with the walls.'
21. Set up a stylish study station
You can achieve fun boys bedroom ideas even on a budget. You don’t need an actual desk to create a dedicated homework area, this clever DIY desk is made using two pieces of wood attached to a booshelf.
Complete the look with a clip-on task lamp, some colourful wall prints and plenty of stationery supplies.
22. Introduce a theme with soft-furnishings
There is no doubt your child will go through many hobbies as they grow so keeping boys bedroom ideas up-to-date with their interests could get expensive.
Make change easy and affordable by swapping out bedl inen and accessories. 'Starting with a blank canvas is not only manageable but encourages creativity,' says Debbie Leigh, ILIV's design manager.
'Keep it simple by painting the walls a neutral tone and experiment using a selection of colourful bunting and wall art. Adding co-ordinating pillows will liven the room whilst keeping costs at bay, an achievable makeover which can be frequently mixed up.'
23. Make it feel like a treehouse
This is a great boy bedroom idea as wouldn't every young child love to live in a treehouse? Create the vibe by using wooden finishes liberally throughout the decorating scheme and a fun feature wall using plenty of green.
A bed canopy like this one from Amazon over the raised bed is the final stroke of genius.
24. Seek smart storage solutions
Use the walls to utilise maximum storage potential for boys bedroom ideas. Securely attach attractive baskets to the walls to elevate storage. they out of reach baskets are ideal for everyday essentials, that you wish to keep out of little hands.
By lifting storage you are not taking up valuable floor space – making your space better suited to play.
To match the rustic aesthetic try using smart wicker baskets under the bed for additional storage. Decorate with warming rustic tones of coral to accentuate the natural materials.
25. Hang wall art at child height
Whether they're a toddler or nine going on 17, hang wall art at the right height. That way, they can enjoy the pictures just as much as you. Floating shelves are also a great way to make a feature of your child's books and make sure they're easy to hand come story time.
String up some decorative fairy light ideas to cast a soft glow over the room as it gets closer to bedtime.
26. Add a bunk bed
Whether you are working with shared bedroom ideas, or frequently have friends to stay, consider investing in bunk beds rather than twin beds. Take inspiration from Kelly and Rob's Norfolk contemporary family home and their son's bedroom.
'I found the design I wanted, Rob drew it up on the computer, and our carpenter made it for us. The top bunk is for when his friends sleep over,' Kelly says.
Thanks to its stacked design, a bunk bed takes up a much smaller footprint, so the room will feel more spacious. That means more space for your little ones to have adventures with their toys on the floor, which is essential if you don't enough space in your home for a playroom.
27. Squeeze in extra storage with a cabin bed
Add accessible, extra storage with a smart cabin bed. The under-bed drawers are suitable for children of all ages. A cabin bed is perfect for a room that's short on space and even has an exposed shelf for little ones to pop their books on after story time.
Continue the vibrant colour scheme throughout the bedroom just like the homeowners of this Surrey village family home have done. 'When it came to the front bedroom I saw a space for a cabin bed and seeing my little sketch come to life still blows my mind. We designed the cabin room for my nieces and nephew, so they have a fun place to play when they come to visit.'
28. Add character with wall stickers
Wall stickers are an easy and cheap way to let your kid put their stamp on a neutral bedroom – our white bedroom ideas demonstrate more examples of how to do this. Many websites will even offer you the choice of getting the stickers personalised with your child's name, or a motif you've designed yourself.
Though wall stickers can be a little fiddly to put on the wall initially, once they're on they will not budge until you choose to peel them off. Plus, they're designed to disappear without a trace. That's right – no nasty marks you'd otherwise have to paint over.
All this makes wall stickers ideal if you live in a rented house. they're also a smart choice if your child is in that tween-period. One minute they're obsessed with monkeys – next thing you know, they want a Banksy-style design on their wall. Both can be achieved with a simple sticker change.
29. Be bold with accent colour choices
Traditional colours such as blues and reds are a classic option for boy room ideas, but don't be afraid of zingy yellows or calming pastel shades if you want something a little different. Dare to be bold by painting bunk beds in a standout colour to make them a cheery focal point.
However, if you do decide to brighten up the furniture, it's best to keep your walls and floor low-key and neutral. That way, your feature pieces really sing out.
30. Maximise corners with clever shelving
Make the most of every inch of the room with clever wall shelves. Learn how to put up floating shelves into the corners for the ultimate use of this often-underused space.
Use a cluster of simple single ledge shelves – IKEA, Wilko and Argos are great sources of budget options. Position two different sizes sat side-by-side to create a V-shape. Alternatively, if you have matching sizes, cut the edges into a point to match them up in the corner seamlessly.
31. Paint the floor
Create a playful space for your boy by painting stripes on the floorboards in different hues of their favourite colour. Paint them in a graduating range of colours for added effect – you could use colour cards as inspiration.
FAQs
How do you style a boy's room?
'Boys' rooms are often a challenge to style, but the key is finding a balance between keeping it fun and functional,' comments interior designer Linda Haase. 'The best way to get started is by thinking about what he'll use the space for, and what his favourite things are.
'If he's an avid reader, consider adding a reading nook with soft lighting and cosy seating. If he loves to play video games or watch TV, consider adding a gaming console or flat-screen TV that can be easily mounted on the wall.'
How can I decorate a boy's small bedroom?
Children don’t necessarily need huge bedrooms as their smaller furniture can seem dwarfed by the surroundings. So, if your boys' bedroom is small and cosy the key is to make the most of every inch of space. 'Choose a storage bed, add plenty of layered, narrow shelving to walls and even the ceiling can be utilised to hang decorative accessories such as aeroplanes, jungle foliage, or planets depending on what they are into,' Rachel Homer, interiors writer and mum of two boys suggests.
Also, think about reducing the footprint of furniture to make the space seem bigger. Wall-hung wardrobes, slim bunk beds and storage that makes the most of wall space, will all help the floorspace seem larger, therefore the room feel larger too.
While colour is important in any childs' room, think about using it to enhance the space, rather than make it feel small and dark. Lighting is your friend to make the space feel larger too, so opt for a variety of side lights, as well as a ceiling light, then have fun with neon wall lights, too.
Cathryn at Earthborn concludes, ‘Children's rooms should feel fun and inspiring, but they should also be spaces where children can relax, play and sleep comfortably.’
