Dream Toddler Bedroom: From Start to Finish

A Step by Step Toddler Bedroom Makeover

We recently moved our son out of his nursery and into his big boy room and I have to say, it was such a fun project! Let me walk you through how we made it all happen—from adding wainscoting to picking out furniture—so you can try it too.

Plan Out the Design

First, we had to sit down and decide what we wanted for the room. The goal was to create something cozy but still modern and practical. We wanted a design that would grow with him over the years. Here’s what we had in mind:

1. Style: We wanted the room to feel timeless, so we chose dark wainscoting and crisp white walls for a nice contrast.
2. Functionality: Toddlers grow so fast, we needed furniture that could keep up. The bed is low-profile and the cubbies are short so that we can stack them on top of each other as he grows too.
3. Storage: We needed a spot for all the toys, books, and clothes—so the closet got a major makeover.
4. Lighting: We made sure the room had good lighting with a modern ceiling fan and bed side night lights for reading time.

Adding Wainscot

Wainscoting was a total game-changer for the room. I am so impressed with how it turned out. Here’s what we did:

1. What We Used: We went with pre-primed MDF boards for a board-and-batten look.
2. Measuring: We decided to have the wainscoting about 4 feet high and marked a level line around the room to guide us.
3. Attaching the Boards: We used a nail gun to secure the boards, spacing them evenly. Then, we filled in the gaps and nail holes with wood filler.
4. Finishing Touches: After sanding and caulking all the edges, it was ready for paint.

Picking the Perfect Paint

For the walls, we went with a two-tone look—a dark midnight blue for the wainscoting and trim, and a soft white for the top half of the walls. Here’s how we tackled it:

1. Primer First: Always prime! It helps the paint go on smoother and last longer.
2. Painting the Wainscoting: We used Benjamin Moore, it has a durable finish.
3. Painting the Upper Walls: We kept it simple with a matte white paint that pairs with the wainscoting.
4. Windows and Trim: We painted the window frames the same color as the wainscoting to tie it all together.

Upgrading the Closet

Closet space is gold in a toddler’s room. Here’s what we did to make the most of it:

1. Decluttering: First, we emptied everything out and figured out what needed to stay.
2. Shelving: We added cubbies, a shelf up high and four rods for hanging clothes.
3. Bins for Storage: Bins make it super easy to keep toys and smaller objects organized.
4. Fresh Paint: A quick coat of paint on the closet doors tied it into the rest of the room.

Choosing Furniture

We kept the furniture simple but functional, and most of it came from Amazon.

Toddler Bed: A low wooden bed that’s perfect for now and grows with the kiddo. We added a navy quilt for a clean, modern look.

Cozy Chair: A swivel armchair near the window makes a great little reading nook.

Bookcase: We grabbed a wooden bookcase that fits tons of books, making it easy for our kid to see his full selection of his favorites.

Rug: A neutral woven rug adds some warmth and is soft enough for playtime.

Finishing Touches

This is the fun part—decorating!

1. Wall Art: We hung a framed train illustration from our sons great grandma and a wooden propeller on the wall above his bed to add some personality.
2. Curtains: Sheer white curtains let in plenty of light while still giving us privacy.
3. Lighting: The ceiling fan has a built-in light and fan that is guarded to keep from any dangerous.
4. Bedding: We threw in some plush toys and cozy blankets to make the bed extra inviting. 

TIP: adding all their favorite toys to their bed, helps in building comfort on night one in their new bedroom.

Where We Shopped

Most of the room’s pieces came from Amazon, which made it super convenient. Here are some of our faves:

1. Toddler Bed: Amazon
2. Swivel Chair: Target
3. Bookcase: Amazon
4. Ceiling Fan: Wayfair
5. Rug: Amazon

This room makeover was a labor of love, and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. It’s cozy, functional, and will grow with our toddler over the years. If you’re thinking of tackling a similar project, go for it! And if you try any of these ideas, let me know how it goes—I’d love to see your version!