Compromising With an 8 Year Old – Bedroom Decor
Right now, we are in the planning stages of updating my 8 year old’s bedroom decor.
We plan to change over from a baby-ish room to a more grown up 8 year old’s room!
At the moment, this is how it looks.
Bedroom Decor for an 8 Year Old:
Originally, my makeover plan was to decorate a vintage-travel-Ralph Lauren-ish-rugged country preppy-ish type of room.
Although, my 8 year old’s plan is to have a darker blue room with “stuff I like”.
Luckily, he does love travel and maps so that works with my original plan. In addition, he loves Legos, science, architecture, animals, trains (not the “baby-type!”), books, baseball, basketball, golf…
I am going to keep this train print.
And of course his globe:
Recently, I bought him this great print of the Empire State Building. He really loves this.
First, I tried to convince him that gray walls would look great and we would have blue bedding.
No.
“Gray walls will look ugly.”
Maybe I scared him off with the last paint test – see I Don’t Want A Baby Room. when the gray looked lilac!
For awhile, we have gone back and forth with many paint colors and are narrowing it down to a few.
Amsterdam is one color we like and I actually have it in my master bathroom…
He admitted he likes that color.
Though, I may choose something slightly different.
With his furniture, Amsterdam would look nice. Since the walls we be darker, I am going to go lighter on the bedding and windows.
Maybe these panels would be fun…
Or I might go for a plan light gray panel since he doesn’t love the above ones.
But I like the chain link look so I will probably at least slip in a pillow!
Yesterday, I came across this gorgeous room…
I would love the colors in my son’s room to come out like this!
Anyway, the room is coming along. If I had started decorating the room a year or two ago I might have been to convince him of more. But then again,
it is his room and should reflect his style. So funny, to think that a kid could have a “style”. Seriously, I didn’t even think an 8 year old would care about bedroom decor! I guess my baby is growing up! At least my 5 year old still loves everything I choose!
So, my goal is to have the room done by the end of May. Let’s see if I can do it!
If you would like to see how the room turned out, read: My Son’s Room – Before and After.
Do your kids have opinions about their bedroom decor?
He is a lucky little guy to have a mother who takes his input in the design! My room looked almost exactly the same growing up, from age 5 to 18! haha I love that train print, and of course the globe!
I think it's important to give your kids a say on the room they'll be sleeping, playing and hanging out in. I think your color scheme is great for a growing boy and that you'll be able to adapt a blue color like that into a more teen room room as he gets older! Love the train print and also the Empire State Building!!
I love that you're working on the room together. Sometimes I get the urge to change things in my oldest's (6) room but I figure I should wait a couple of years so that we can do it together 🙂 Right now neither of mine have any preferences. And neither does Honey so maybe they never will 🙂
Yes, and yes opinions!! I always encouraged my children to voice their opinions on their room decor! Not saying I used everything they chose!! You have some great ideas!
How funny that we both posted about boys rooms today! 🙂 It really is already such a great space and I totally relate to your dilemma of wanting to go one direction while they are old enough to know the direction in which they want to go. They just need to stop growing right? 😉 It is all going to look so great when it is done though and will definitely make for some good memories!Vanessa
Ha! My guy has an opinion about every.single.thing. in his room, we're past due for an update and it'll be interesting, he says he wants is modern? 🙂 The Amsterdam is such a great color, it will be fun following along!
Love those blue gray colors and the Empire State Building will be good for years! Looks like you've got a good plan.
This brings back memories of my then three year-old's wailing when she discovered I moved her dresser to a different wall while she was at preschool. How DARE I? I love your choice of colors, and you have such a great start with the terrific artwork. Have fun!
Isn't it funny how they have such strong opinions? I loved my son's room when he was growing up. We decorated it twice. Once when he was about 6 and again when he was about 13. Loads of fun. The window panels you found are fabulous. I would love them in my room!
My kids' always had opinions that I incorporated except for all the basketball and rapper posters that I said no to….but we compromised and everyone was happy. I like the direction you are going!
Thanks for linking this up, Shelley! Exciting to see your changes!