Sydney gets a Birthday room transformation.
I am so excited to share this room makeover with you because this one wasn’t just a design project, it was a birthday surprise. Sydney, my client, is a fun, creative, and opinion-filled 10-year-old who had been dreaming of a more “grown-up” space. Her mom applied to make that wish come true just in time for her birthday.
This tween bedroom makeover features a modern blend of soft blue paint, bold patterned wallpaper, improved storage, and intentional styling. The room was redesigned to transition from a playful childhood space into a more mature, organized, and personality-filled tween room, perfect for growing into.
From rendering, to paint, to wallpaper, and finally styling, every step was intentionally planned to create a room that could grow with her while still feeling fun and expressive. And the best part? When she walked in for the room reveal, her reaction made every detail worth it.
The Before
When I first stepped into the room, it was full of personality, color, and memories, but it lacked structure, storage, and a cohesive design. The walls were a bold coral hue, artwork and posters were placed wherever there was space, and furniture had slowly evolved without a true layout plan. Like many kids' rooms, it had become a mix of favorite things rather than a functional space that supported sleep, play, studying, and organization.
There was so much potential ,trophies, artwork, stuffed animals, and personal pieces worth celebrating, they just needed a space where everything had purpose and a little breathing room. The goal wasn't to erase personality but to refine it, organize it, and build a room that could grow with Sydney.
The Design Plan
Every great room transformation starts with listening. For this project, my client had a clear wish list:
✔️ a soft blue palette
✔️ bold black elements for contrast
✔️ a place to proudly display trophies and medals
✔️ posters and personal artwork incorporated into the design
The challenge was blending those playful elements with a layout and style that would still feel elevated, organized, and able to grow with her over time. Instead of guessing how everything would come together, I moved into the planning phase with a 3D rendering.
Before committing to furniture, paint colors, or wallpaper, I created a full digital rendering of the space. This step is honestly a game changer. Not just for me as a designer, but especially for clients.
The rendering allowed us to:
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Test bold design choices (like the black patterned wallpaper and deep navy curtains)
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Visualize furniture scale and placement
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Make decisions about wall décor layout before making a single nail hole
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Confirm that the soft blue tones would balance the graphic patterns and still keep the room feeling calm
It also helped us refine the details: rug size, desk location, bedding tones, and even trophy display placement. I did leave the shelving area simple to make adjustments at the end but removed the guesswork for everything else.
Once everything arrived, the fun part began, making the rendering come to life. Painting the Room
Painting the Room
Once the room was cleared and prepped, paint was the first major step in setting the tone for the redesign. The original bright coral walls were full of energy, but they didn't align with the calm, modern direction we envisioned. So we started fresh with Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. It created a perfect blank canvas without feeling stark or cold.
A question I know some people will ask is: “Why paint the walls if you're just going to cover them with wallpaper?” and here’s the simple answer: because it’s the professional way to do it.
Painting first creates a clean, even surface so wallpaper adheres properly and looks its best. Any uneven color, patchy drywall, or previously bold paint (like the coral walls we started with) could show through lighter wallpaper or affect how the pattern reads.
But there’s another bonus: future-proofing.
Wallpaper trends change and kids grow, one day this wallpaper may come down. When that happens, the room already has a fresh, neutral foundation. Instead of peeling off paper and revealing a loud background color or patchy walls, everything underneath is smooth, clean, and move-in ready.
So even though the wallpaper steals the spotlight, the paint still plays an important behind-the-scenes role, setting the stage now and protecting the room later.
After the base was complete, we layered in color with Benjamin Moore Yarmouth Blue. This shade brought in the soft, peaceful blue tone my client originally requested, soothing enough for a bedroom, but still rich enough to make a statement. Using it selectively helped define the room’s design zones and brought depth back into the space without overwhelming it.
This two-tone approach allowed us to balance calm neutrals with personality and gave the room a fresh foundation for all the styling and décor that followed.
Installing the Wallpaper
Selecting the wallpaper was one of the defining moments of this design. We wanted something modern, bold, and full of personality, but still timeless enough to grow with the space. After exploring several options, we landed on two striking patterns from Happy Wall:
These bold patterned wallpapers pair beautifully together because they share a similar scale and rhythmic flow, but each brings its own mood. The black and cream design creates a high-contrast statement moment, while the softer geometric layout on the adjacent wall adds balance and warmth.
Side by side, they transform the room into a space that feels curated, intentional, and full of style, not just decorated. The patterns became the backbone of the entire design direction, influencing furniture selection, color palette, and even the artwork we chose later.
If you're wanting to hang wallpaper but a little nervous about the process; check out my hanging wallpaper tutorial to help!
Styling the Room
Designing this room was such a fun challenge because Sydney had a very specific wish list: soft blue tones, bold touches of black, trophies proudly on display, and wall art and posters that felt personal and meaningful. The goal was to blend style with personality, something that feels polished and intentional, but still reflects the playful energy and accomplishments of the person living in it.
Furniture Pieces
I started with a soft blue backdrop to bring calmness and balance to the space. Because blue can lean serene and subtle, I contrasted it with graphic black elements, like the bold wallpaper pattern and deep navy curtains, to create visual interest and maturity. Storage was another key factor, so I incorporated baskets, shelving, and a clean-lined dresser to keep everything organized without sacrificing aesthetics.
Decor Pieces
- Rug
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Curtains (
Avalon Blue Heritage Plush Velvet Room Darkening Curtain)
- Curtain Rod
- Table Lamp
- Hanging Baskets
- Circle Metal Accent Shelves
- Cane Shelves
- Acrylic Bookshelves
- Big Art Print
- Vanity Mirror
The trophy and medal displays were a highlight of the design process. Rather than tucking achievements away, we showcased them using modern round shelves so they feel like decor while still being accessible and meaningful. Soft textures, like the accent pillows, quilted blanket, and cozy rug, helped soften the bold patterns and add warmth.
In the end, the room feels like a perfect balance: soft but structured, playful but elevated, and full of personality. And most importantly, my client loves it.
Final Reveal
This room was such a fun one and I was able to incorporate all of the little things Sydney wanted. From the fun patterns, right down to the decor.
Sydney's mom requested a new big girl's room and this corner of the room shows just how playful and grown-up a kid’s space can feel at the same time.
The bold black-and-cream wavy wallpaper sets a modern backdrop while the deep navy curtains add the perfect contrast. The upholstered bed softens the space with cozy curves, layered bedding, and a mix of fun pillows and stuffed animals that show off Sydney's personality.
This gallery wall is where the room’s personality truly shines. Sydney loves posters, so creating a curated art moment was a must. The mix of pieces brings together inspiration, bold style, and a little sparkle. At the center, a striking editorial-style portrait becomes the anchor of the wall, surrounded by soft, motivational prints like “You got this” and “dare to dream.” A colorful disco ball painting adds a fun, whimsical touch, while the abstract figure print grounds the arrangement with calm simplicity. All of it stands out beautifully against the geometric wallpaper, turning this corner into a stylish and confidence boosting focal point.
On the left, a simple wood desk paired with a glowing vanity mirror creates a sweet spot for homework, creative play, or getting ready. This was one of Sydney's first requests; so I made sure to create a separate area just for it. The patterned rug ties everything together and adds texture underfoot, balancing all the graphic elements in the room.
This side of the room highlights how functional storage can still feel stylish. The light wood dresser brings warmth and clean lines, topped with a sculptural lamp that gives off a soft, inviting glow. Wall-mounted baskets neatly hold plush toys, while a small shelf displays favorite characters.
Above the dresser, round gold shelves showcase medals and trophies, turning achievements into artwork. The framed collage adds a personal touch, making this wall feel loved, lived-in, and uniquely hers. The geometric rug continues across the space, tying the two sides of the room into one cohesive design.
Last but not least, I created this little reading display area because Sydney loves reading books. It was a simple way to both display her book and create some more organization for all of her things!
As always, Thanks for reading guys!
