Ever since we shared a photo of the bedding we found at HomeGoods in the podcast notes for Episode #69, we’ve been planning to post a proper room update. Over the last few months we’ve been updating our daughter’s bedroom with fresh paint, a vintage bed we scored on Craigslist, and a few other small changes to make the space feel a bit more grown-up but still playful.
Why Update Her Bedroom?
Kids grow up fast, and our daughter wanted her room to stop feeling like a “little kid” space. She’s seven now and asked for a few changes that made sense for her style. You might remember photos from when she first moved from a crib to a daybed; this update is the next step in that evolution.
We made some changes over time, and last year she decided she didn’t want the canopy anymore, so it came down. The painted raindrops on the wall under the canopy were looking odd—some were even half-painted along the line where the canopy had been—so we sanded, primed, and repainted the wall in Sherwin Williams White Heron. Two coats covered everything and now the wall feels smooth and neutral, giving the room a calmer backdrop for the colorful details.
Small decisions, like which side of the comforter to show, have a big impact. Our daughter prefers the purple side, and she’s right—it works beautifully with the rug and pulls the whole look together. We may change the curtains someday, but for now the room feels much more finished and intentionally edited.
It’s a big change from where the room started a few years ago, but evolving the space to match her tastes has been worth it.
The New Bed
We finally found a headboard after a long hunt: an antique wooden bed we bought on Craigslist for $90. It’s a full bed with side rails and a footboard, and the seller said it’s about 100 years old. Rather than using it fully assembled, we attached the headboard to the wall using a simple cleat made from scrap wood, so the headboard works independently and gives the room an heirloom touch without the bulk of a full frame.
The footboard felt a little heavy in the room, so we plan to repurpose it later in our son’s room. The spool detail on the headboard is charming and plays nicely with the pom-pom trim on her comforter, which we also found at HomeGoods. The llama sheets are a playful touch and make bedtime fun.
The white nightstands are from a mainstream retailer and lighten the visual weight in the room, which helps when pairing them with a darker wooden headboard. The bedside lamps are the touch-on style kids love, and the drawers have become practical storage for doll clothes and tiny toys.
The abstract art above the bed and a torn-out magazine page framed as a quote add personality. Our daughter insisted on keeping items she loves, including a little silver antler that now holds a dreamcatcher keychain—small choices that make the room hers.
The Paint
We chose White Heron for the walls because it plays well with the other colors upstairs: bright white trim (Benjamin Moore Simply White), a soft pink ceiling (Benjamin Moore Pink Cadillac), and a bold closet door (Benjamin Moore Cinco de Mayo). White Heron is a soft, warm grey-tan that unifies the space and lets the white trim and colorful accents pop.
The Storage & Art
We kept the DIY toy and book storage we built years ago but refreshed the art around it. Some pieces stayed, others rotated out, and our daughter selected a few favorites to display. The bookcase has become part storage and part playhouse, and that playful use of space feels right for her age.
Gold frames and a mix of silver accents add visual interest to the gallery wall above the bookcase. Small found objects—like a little spotted dog that used to be a drawer knob—now act as quirky picture-holders, which keeps the display personal and slightly eclectic.
The Dresser
Across from the bed we kept her changing-table-turned-dresser, which has lasted through years of use. We added a painted inlay mirror above it and refreshed a yard-sale lamp with a soft gold spray paint. The curtains are Ikea panels we dyed light pink, and they are likely the next item on our list to update for a slightly heavier, more tailored window treatment.
The new wall color helps the room feel connected to the rest of the upstairs and enhances the way white details, like trim and lamps, stand out against a subtle warm backdrop.
The Closet
We repurposed the closet after selling the homemade dollhouse. Our daughter wanted a place to draw and write, so we added a compact vanity desk from Ikea that fits neatly in the nook. The desk has a flip-top for storing pencils and supplies and a normal drawer for papers. A spare dining chair pulled from storage works perfectly as a seat.
This little desk gives her a private spot to work in the morning before her brother wakes up. It’s one of several drawing stations in the house, and each one gets used regularly, so this turned out to be a practical and welcome change.
Get the Look: Updated Girl’s Bedroom
Here’s a quick summary of the main design elements that shaped the room:
- Walls: Sherwin Williams White Heron
- Trim: Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Pink Cadillac
- Accent door: Benjamin Moore Cinco de Mayo
- Antique wooden spool bed as a focal point
- White bedside tables to lighten the palette
- Playful bedding with pom-pom trim and llama sheets
- DIY toy and book storage with rotated art and accessories
- Small vanity in the closet for drawing and quiet time
This update feels like a natural next step in the room’s evolution. Down the road she’ll likely need a deeper dresser and possibly a larger desk, and the bookcase may become a full-sized workspace. Until then, the room strikes a balance between childhood charm and a more mature, layered look that will grow with her.
Want more kids’ room projects and tutorials? Check our archives for ideas and step-by-step projects.
*This post originally included retailer information and shopping notes.*