Happy first full day of Spring and welcome to our “Teen Bedroom Reveal”! It’s still very cold here, but the snow is s-l-o-w-l-y melting. We have been getting into the 40’s which feels like beach weather after THAT Winter.
Here’s our front yard:
That’s our Christmas tree defrosting. We whipped put it out there in January and left it because it snowed the following day, and never stopped. Funny how something so easy becomes so difficult, and not a priority in that type of weather.
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So yes, today is the big “Teen Bedroom Reveal” day. Valerie’s room is finished, and I’m happy to say, I think she likes it. She spends a lot of time in there with her sister & friends 🙂
I tried to create a space that could change as Valerie grows through her teen years. She’s only 11 right now, but I see the future coming like a freight train fast.
Valerie loves animals, her friends, and social studies (studying other countries), so I used those things as a BASE. I also wanted to save $ by using things we already have.
I’m sharing 2 versions with you today. One very colorful, young, and fun, the other more neutral, mature, and rustic.
Here’s the colorful:
Here’s the room when it was a very dull and dreary guest room…
I think I tired Sylvia out when I was staging the room. The bedroom set was actually our wedding gift to each other 20 years ago. It’s very special, so I’m happy Val can give it some good use. The colorful quilts, black light fixture, and vintage clock we had from Valerie’s old room.
The frog was mine when I was little.
I used an old leather belt to tie back the curtains. The “Painted Gum Ball Machine” tutorial can be found here: “Painted Gum Ball Machine“, or you can find the source in my source list below to buy a red one.
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Now for the more neutral, rustic version…
I traded out the colorful quilts for a cozy, furry blanket. I also switched out the lamp, and added my husbands deer antlers. Valerie bow hunts with her Dad often.
The vintage suitcase is from a church rummage sale. I also ordered large black and white cardboard prints of Valerie’s dog, Dude, and her cat, Sylvia, at Kinkos. This is a very inexpensive idea to do with any photo you cherish.
One of the first things we did besides painting the room, was switching out the dated ceiling fan with a pretty light fixture. I found this affordable, rustic chandelier and knew it would be beautiful with the exposed wood beam. See more light fixture choices below.
This “DIY Custom Framed World Map” was perfect for over Val’s bed because of her interest in world history. Details on how we saved $ making it ourselves here: “DIY Custom Framed World Map”.
Lastly, I added this “Simple DIY Light Photo Frame”. Val can add photos to it over the years. It’s also makes a nice night light.
“Simple DIY Light Photo Frame“
Pull it all together and you have a unique room that doesn’t look like a hotel,and has tons of personality with room to grow. The rustic chandelier, large neutral window treatments, and “DIY Custom Framed World Map” GROUND the room. The patterns, textures, eclectic vibe give it unique personality.
There’s endless future design possibilities here. Valerie has already added a ton of her favorite drawings, stuffed animals, and personal trinkets to make it more her own.
She’a quite the little decorator.
Update: We decided to lighten the curtains for Valerie to our favorite Gypsy Ruffled Curtains…where to find those here: “Gypsy Ruffled Curtains“

It is Beautiful, What a GREAT Job you Did.
Love it Julie! Such a cozy, warm room for your daughter:) I’m not sure which look I like better though, they both look awesome!
The room looks fantastic…what a great teen room! So, which version is Valerie living with?
p.s. Sylvia looks so much like our cat. I think we need to have an arranged marriage.
lol!! Sylvia is a catch girl!!! Val is living in her version, lol. It involves lots of stuffed animals, and drawings 🙂
I like it a lot, my son wants to redecorate his room. He is very into bands, not your everyday bands. I don’t know what to do. I wish I was creative.
How about posters, Barbara? You can tack them all over the place diagonally so no worries about being straight!
Love that bedroom Julie. I was especially drawn to the frog. I made one of those for my daughter when she was little — she’s 41 now.
I couldn’t resist that green guy. I believe my Aunt purchased him from someone that made it. It was in the 70’s. I love him too 🙂 How cool that you found us!
Both room looks are fun, fun, fun! I love the softer vintage look of the suitcase and rotary phone… and the map… adorable! Bravo Red and Val!!
Thanks, C.!
Looks great. The room, not the yard that is. Our melt must be just a tiny hair ahead of yours – our Christmas tree is now in full view.
I’m forgetting where you are, Bliss. I just looked into the week long forecast. It looks horrible 🙁
Beautifgully done, Julie. I like the framed map. Looks great. The balance of colors is just right (as always with your design)
Pinned:)
Make it a fabulous weekend.
Julie,
I am loving your blog! The bedroom is amazing and it is so funny I have a DIY map like that in the works as I type. I just put a protective coat of poly on the wood and it is spread out on my dining room table. Hope to get it up this evening. I love seeing how great it looks on a wall. Ok off to explore more!
Cheers!
Thank you, Jordan! Can’t wait to see yours!
Woah, nicely done!!
Such a great makeover, love the colorful throw!
XO
Kristin