Ever since we posted a photo of the bedding we found at HomeGoods in the podcast show notes for Episode #69, we’ve meant to share a proper room update. Over the last few months we refreshed our daughter’s bedroom with new paint, rearranged furniture, and an antique bed we scored on Craigslist. It feels like the room has grown up a bit—just enough for a seven-year-old who’s starting to want a more mature space.
Why Update Her Bedroom?
Kids change fast, and their rooms should evolve with them. Our daughter wanted something less “babyish,” so we made a handful of intentional updates: a fresh wall color, a different bed style, and a few swapped accessories. The goal was to keep the room playful while making it feel more polished for a growing child.
Previously we’d moved her from a crib to a daybed, then later to a larger bed. After she asked to remove the canopy, some painted raindrops on the wall looked awkward along its former edge. Rather than patching them, we decided on a full repaint to create a cleaner, more mature backdrop. We lightly sanded the wall, primed it, and applied two coats of White Heron from Sherwin-Williams. The finish covered everything and now the wall reads smooth and calm.
Small styling choices made a big impact. Our daughter prefers the purple side of her comforter now, and that cooler tone harmonizes well with the rug—proof that letting kids have a say can yield great results. Curtains may change later, but overall the room feels more finished and balanced.
It’s a long way from the nursery-style setup we started with, and I like that the space now reflects her personality while still feeling timeless.
The New Bed
We hunted for a headboard for over a year and finally found an antique wooden spool bed on Craigslist for $90. It came with side rails and a footboard and even had old-style holes for winding rope mattress supports—likely a 100-year-old piece. High-quality reproductions can cost over $1,000, so this vintage find was a win: more character and far less money.
The footboard felt heavy in the room, so we detached and saved it for another bedroom. To use only the headboard, we built a simple cleat on the back so it hangs on the wall independently. That trick lets the vintage headboard shine without crowding the floor. I still gush a little about how old and cool it is when I tuck her in—parenting humor, I guess.
The pom-pom trim on the comforter echoes the spool shapes on the headboard in a charming, accidental way. The bedding came from HomeGoods and the playful llama sheets are from Target, which keeps the look youthful without feeling juvenile.
We paired the bed with white nightstands to lighten the visual weight against the wood headboard. The simple drawers are practical—perfect for doll clothes and small toys—and a pair of touch lamps adds a fun, easy-to-use bedside option kids love to tap on and off.
The abstract print above the bed and a framed magazine page with a quote add personality without overwhelming the space. Our daughter insisted on displaying what she likes, which felt important during this update.
The Paint
We chose White Heron for the walls because it’s a soft, warm grey-tan that complements the trim and accent colors already in the house. It plays well with bright white trim (we used a bright white on the moldings), the soft pink ceiling, and the bold closet door. The result is a muted, modern palette that still reads cozy and kid-friendly.
The Storage & Art
We kept the DIY toy and book storage from a previous project but refreshed the art around it. My daughter chose a few sentimental pieces—like small silver antlers to hang a dreamcatcher keychain—which made the space feel personal while still organized. The bookshelf has become a little playhouse, and I love that the shelves double as tiny rooms for her toys.
I introduced a few gold frames to add warmth and cohesion with some silver accents already in the room. Small layered metallics create depth without feeling too grown-up, and found objects—like a small dog figurine that used to be a drawer knob—ended up as quirky, meaningful touches.
The Dresser
The dresser across from the bed started life as a changing table and is still working perfectly as a dresser. We kept the favorite inlay mirror above it and updated the lamp with a subtle gold spray paint finish. Curtains are IKEA panels we dyed light pink years ago—serviceable for now but likely the next thing to get replaced with something heavier and more tailored.
Changing the wall color helped connect this room with the rest of the upstairs, which mostly uses warm tan-gray tones. Because this room gets excellent natural light, the softer color reads inviting rather than stark, and it helps white elements like the crown molding and lamps stand out.
The Closet
We converted the closet nook into a small drawing and writing space after the homemade dollhouse was passed along to a new family. The vanity from IKEA fits perfectly in the alcove and offers a compact desk surface and hidden storage. A spare dining chair became the seat, and the flip-top workspace is handy for stashing supplies. The resulting nook is a quiet, kid-sized spot she can use for crafts, homework, or getting ready one day.
The vanity’s bright red interior is an odd IKEA choice, but it actually reads playful in the space and matches the room’s eclectic feel. Having multiple small desks in the house might sound excessive, but each one gets regular use—and this one gives our daughter a private spot to draw before her brother wakes up.
Get the Look: Updated Girl’s Bedroom
Here are the main elements that shape the room’s updated look: White Heron on the walls, bright white trim, a soft pink ceiling, a bold closet door, a vintage wooden spool bed, light nightstands, playful bedding, layered artwork and frames, and practical toy and book storage. The combination of vintage and budget-friendly pieces keeps the room unique, comfortable, and kid-proof.
As with any child’s room, this is unlikely to be the final iteration. We expect to replace the curtains, swap the bookcase for a larger desk eventually, and upgrade the dresser when deeper drawers become necessary. For now, the space feels balanced between grown-up and fun—just right for a little person who’s getting bigger by the day.
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