My Son’s Room Makeover – Dark Green Boy Bedroom

Ellis’ new big boy bedroom is finally finished! Take a look at the new space complete with a full-sized bed, bookshelf, and charming wall decor for my little man.

No one prepares you for the day when your home no longer has cribs or rocking chairs. It’s one of those bittersweet milestones that tugs at your heart. I knew it was time for Ellis to upgrade to a big boy bed, but I couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental as we packed away his crib – the place where he first slept.

Instead of dwelling on that pang of sadness, I channeled my energy into creating a cozy and personal oasis for my sweet boy. A few weeks ago, I shared my vision for his new big boy bedroom and I’m so thrilled with how it turned out!

The Plan For My Boy’s Green Bedroom

The plan was simple: keep the dark, moody forest green walls (“Tarrytown Green” by Benjamin Moore) and his trusty dresser, but swap the crib and rocking chair for a new bed and a sturdy bookshelf. I wanted the space to grow with him—a room that felt both playful and timeless.

And that’s exactly what we did!

Before we dive into the final reveal, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to see how this room has evolved over time.

Ellis’ Nursery – The Evolution

When we purchased our home in 2019, we tackled a phase-one renovation. Every wall was painted, the millwork, baseboards, and doors were replaced, and the dated upstairs carpeting was removed. This room transformed from a tired mint green to the deep, rich shade of “Tarrytown Green”, paired with crisp “Simply White” trim. The green paint color really makes the space feel cozy and inviting!

For three years, this small space served as a simple guest bedroom—functional, but nothing particularly special.

Then, in 2021, everything changed. Ellis was on his way, and I began the process of turning the guest room into a nursery. While the green walls stayed, everything else was refreshed and reimagined for our baby boy.

Here’s a look at his nursery during the week we brought him home. It’s hard to believe he was ever that tiny!

Growing Up and Out of the Nursery

When Ellis turned three this past fall, we transitioned his crib into a toddler bed. We removed one side of the crib and added a toddler rail so he could climb in and out independently and make potty trips if needed. But it didn’t take long to realize that this setup wasn’t going to cut it for much longer.

Ellis is growing fast, and he looked so cramped in that tiny toddler bed. It was time for an upgrade – a room design that let him stretch out, play freely, and grow into the next chapter of his childhood.

The Final Reveal

I’m so excited to share the finished toddler bedroom with you. From the cozy bedding to the curated artwork, every detail feels so him. Let’s take a peek at the final transformation!

A Huge Bookcase For All.The.Books.

Ellis desperately needed a spot for all of his books. Before, they were stored on shelves inside his closet. But it was cumbersome to open the doors to find the titles we needed. Now, everything is easily accessible on his new bookcase!

His new bookshelves are big and deep and it was hard to keep all of his book organized. Finn then found these acrylic book dividers and they’re amazing!

The books don’t all fall over when you take a book out! We ended up buying more for Rory’s room. Such a simple solution.

I adore the wood tone on this piece and it adds some warmth against the dark green walls. It also fills that spot perfectly. In the cabinets, we have puzzles and extra blankets. If Ellis wakes up early in the morning (he is usually the first one up!), he is allowed to do a puzzle while he waits for his light to turn green.

It’s also a great place for some of his personal belongings his dinosaur piggie bank, and plants.

He gets great light in his room and I knew some plants would really add some life to this room.

Striped Platform Bed

This striped bed was the first piece that I found for the space. It kicked off the rest of the design plan. I absolutely adore it! It gives the room a grown-up feel, but with the blue color of the comforter, it still feels playful and cozy.

Stripes are just so cute for a little boy’s room, but honestly, I think this bed would work in just about any space. It did make bedding a bit tricky to nail down though.

Most bedspreads for boys’ spaces have stripes or a checkered pattern! I ended up going with this blue comforter set and it’s super cute and cozy.

An ivory quilt at the end of his bed and a decorative pillow complete the look! We ended up choosing the same mattress that Rory has in her room and it’s been heavenly. I swear, these kids have the coziest beds in the house!

We’re also so happy with our decision to go with a full-sized bed in this room. Yes, it isn’t super easy to make the bed with it up against the wall. But it’s worth it to be able to snuggle with Ellis at night during bedtime stories. Plus, we won’t have to upgrade to a bigger bed any time soon!

Because this room is small, the nightstand couldn’t be too wide or else it would interfere with the swing of the door. I found this black metal nightstand and it gets the job done! I love the spot for a basket underneath (it holds random toys), and the rattan lamp completes the look. I ended up swapping the lampshade for this shade with a black trim. It ties in the black from the nightstand beautifully!

Curating A Special Gallery Wall

Earlier this week, I revealed the extra special feature wall I created for Ellis. I took pictures of his favorite toys, printed them out, and framed them! The end result is a gallery wall completely customized to my little guy.

I also used this moon that my friend painted for Ellis. It’s what the moon looked like on the evening he was born. Isn’t it so beautiful?!

I’m so happy I ended up creating this sweet little gallery wall for him. It’s definitely his favorite part of the entire room.

All Of The Little Details In This Kid’s Room

You’ll notice we had to remove the patterned curtains from the room. Not only were they a bit too much with the striped bed, but it was too difficult to open and close them with the bed over there. We kept his blackout bamboo shades and they do a fine job getting the room nice and dark for him.

Ellis loves his “lovies” and keeps them all in this cute little basket.

I like it because they’re easy for him to access AND put away by himself. Plus, that lid keeps them hidden away so things can look tidy.

I ended up keeping Ellis’ black and gold ceiling fan. It keeps the room cool in the summertime and it’s still sleek and modern. The black and gold on this fan made it easy for me to choose the metals for the space. Black and gold – obviously.

Boy’s Bedroom Makeover – Before & After

Let’s take a peek at the transition from his nursery to his big boy bedroom….

Ellis’ Big Boy Room – Sources

I tried to link everything that I could from this new space. If it isn’t listed, that means it’s no longer sold or it’s a one-of-a-kind item.

Ellis’ Reaction

When I transitioned our daughter from her nursery to her big girl bedroom, I did it all in one day! That meant that she got a big surprise when she came home from school. For Ellis, this project was more of a slow burn and I completed things in chunks.

Honestly, I think he liked this because he would come home every day and eagerly run upstairs to see if anything was different. He was thrilled about the bed and feels very cool sleeping in such a big bed. He also loves that he can easily get his books and gaze at his beloved toys on the wall. All in all, I think he is a big fan of his new room!

As for this mama, I’m happy that my kids are happy. Their rooms will always be special to me.