Since we rarely have an excuse to decorate a little boy’s room ourselves, we enjoy living vicariously through friends and readers. That’s why we’re excited to share Kat and Mitch’s fantastic transformation of their son Ryder’s bedroom. They achieved an impressive makeover largely through DIY efforts and thrifty finds, all kicked off by a free bed they discovered. Here’s Kat’s story in her own words, retold clearly and naturally.
We just finished my son’s room and we’re so proud of how it turned out. To start, here’s a reminder of what the room looked like a few years ago when Ryder was a baby.
What finally pushed us to tackle the makeover was spotting a metal bed in my neighbor’s burn pile one day. Since I didn’t want to put a “new to us” bed into a periwinkle-colored room, it felt like the right moment to change the whole space.
My husband installed the pallet ceiling and I painted almost all the furniture. For the walls we chose Benjamin Moore Thunder. We left the paint swatch on the kitchen wall while we decided, and every visitor gives us a strange look when they read “BM Thunder” under it. It’s funny to us—some of our friends have a twisted sense of humor, apparently.
The pallet ceiling was time-consuming but well worth the effort, and it wasn’t as difficult as we worried it might be. Ryder absolutely loves it, and we expect he’ll enjoy it for many years. Pallet projects might feel trendy right now, but when done well they bring a lot of character to a room.
I found the curtains and duvet cover at a thrift store literally days before finishing the makeover. I had low expectations of finding the right size or style secondhand, but I lucked into a Pottery Barn duvet cover with two shams for just $3. It was exactly what the room needed.
We managed to complete Ryder’s room on a very tight budget. The only new items we purchased were the ceiling fan and a jelly-jar sconce. Everything else came from thrift stores, auctions, or was gifted to us. I love the thrill of discovering great deals—there’s nothing quite like finding the perfect piece at a bargain price.
Hope you like it! – Kat
There are more photos and detailed descriptions of the makeover on Kat’s blog, where she has shared project lists and links for the many DIY elements used throughout the space. One standout is a retrofitted bookcase they modified to echo the pallet ceiling, which demonstrates how small custom touches can tie a room together. The combination of reclaimed materials, painted furniture, and carefully selected textiles shows how creative choices and resourceful shopping can transform a space without spending much.
This room makeover highlights several ideas that are useful for anyone planning a child’s bedroom update: consider reclaimed or repurposed materials for architectural interest, shop thrift stores for textiles and accessories, prioritize a durable and visually appealing focal point like a ceiling treatment or statement bed, and focus on small custom details that make the space feel unique. Kat and Mitch’s project proves a thoughtful, budget-conscious approach can deliver professional-looking results and a room the child truly loves.
Which element of Ryder’s room stands out to you the most? The pallet ceiling, the thrifted bedding, the painted furniture, or the clever repurposed bookcase? Each part contributes to a cohesive, welcoming space built with imagination and care.