18 Creative Tips for Decorating a Boy's Bedroom

childrens bedroom with red airplane
Photo: Philip Harvey

Creating a bright and happy bedroom for the young man in your life has never been easier. Decorate your boy's bedroom with these fun and inspiring bedroom ideas.

01 of 18

Cheery Space to Play

childrens bedroom with white green and blue décor
Edmund Barr

Kid spaces are a great opportunity to add multiple layers of color, but resist the urge to go overboard with too many saturated tones. Take color cues from a pillow or a cheerful striped rug, layering several muted shades that don't overwhelm with competing colors. This boy's room features calming shades of blue, gray, and white, with small doses of bright green added for fun.

02 of 18

Organizing Made Easy

childrens bedroom with bunk bed and blue shelving
James Nathan Schroder

Teach your little one the ins and outs of organization with clear bedroom storage. What was once a bookshelf became home to this little boy's toys, keepsakes, and games. With clearly defined places for everything, your little boy will be more likely to want to clean up after playtime.

03 of 18

Stripes Galore

childrens bedroom bunk beds and primary colors
Kimberly Gavin

This design goes all out with stripes of different sizes and colors, but the underlying scheme of blue, yellow, and white ties the whole space together. Primary colors are always a good bet for kids' rooms and can be adjusted to fit a more mature bedroom in the boy's future.

04 of 18

The Chameleon of Color

childrens bedroom white walls and colorful decor
Ed Gohlich

White walls look anything but boring when paired with a bold patterned bedspread in boy's bedroom decor. Sunny orange, bright blue, and lime green accents create a lively color scheme. Crisp white bedroom walls and open shelves set a neutral backdrop that will pair perfectly with any decorating style as tastes change.

05 of 18

Out to Sea

nautical themed childrens bedroom
John Bessler

This nautical shared bedroom uses boat-shaped furniture to emphasize the theme. Complementary wall art and a red, white, and navy scheme gives the bedroom a cohesive look. White walls help balance the rich red carpet.

06 of 18

The New Neutral

childrens bedroom with stuffed animals
David A Land

Although many people don't think of blue as a neutral, it's really one of those colors that go with just about everything. Soft blue walls blend effortlessly with a variety of patterns and textures in this toddler's nursery, and these soothing shades of blue will have true staying power as he grows. When considering ideas for small rooms, turn to light blue, as its airy shade makes a space appear larger.

07 of 18

Sports, Sports, Sports

childrens bedroom with basketball artwork
Reed Davis

Drive home a sports theme for an active boy's bedroom without going overboard with astroturf and sports-inspired bedding. This room uses a large, vividly colorful basketball print to set the color scheme. Floating shelves feature the trophies and awards he most values.

08 of 18

Nautical Preppy

childrens bedroom white walls and nautical decor
Laura Moss

Give a boy's room a nautical touch with a navy bedroom set, plank walls, and ship-inspired accessories. A gallery wall of antique posters and a sailboat flag bunting adds to the theme without making the decor look too juvenile. A madras quilt at the foot of the bed brings all the accent colors together.

09 of 18

Space Cadet

childrens bedroom with planets and stuffed animals
Alise O'Brien

Wondering how to decorate when your little one adores outerspace? Instead of embracing an all-out cosmic boy's bedroom theme, use neutral colors and furniture to create a sophisticated space, then add fun planet-themed accessories. A large model solar system hanging above the bed is fun now, but can be easily replaced as interests change.

10 of 18

Room for Two

thin white floor-to-ceiling vertical cabinet
Jay Wilde

Although shared spaces can be fun, it's important to choose a theme that everyone likes. The color scheme in this bedroom allows for many possibilities in wall hangings and accessories. Mature bedding and upholstered headboards can last well into these brothers' teen years.

11 of 18

Artsy Inspiration

childrens bedroom with square shelving
Greg Scheidemann

Searching for a kid-friendly color scheme? Look no further than his artwork. Inspiration for this boy's room came from the dynamic painting hanging on the wall. Blue walls look great contrasted with a vibrant orange bookshelf and throw blanket, and a few splashes of lime make for a fun color scheme.

12 of 18

Explorer Extras

childrens bedroom with painted maps
Susan Gilmore

Consider defining an oddly shaped room with a high-contrast paint job or accent wall. This built-in bed nook features a map mural that coordinates with the washy blue walls of the rest of the room. Not only does this boy's wall paint emphasize the layout, it also gives the room an adventurous theme.

13 of 18

Forest Fun

childrens bedroom with blue and orange bedding
Edmund Barr

A nature-inspired bedroom is great for any little boy with a love for the outdoors. To emphasize a vaulted ceiling, this room features white shiplap that runs vertically on the wall and horizontally on the ceiling. A mix of natural materials, like the twine on the bedframe, bamboo Roman shades, and a wood accent wall, add to the woodland feel.

14 of 18

Storage for All

childrens bedroom with white shelving
Michael Partenio

Cleaning up after playtime will be a snap with built-in boy's bedroom storage. Colorful bins and baskets hold art supplies, playing cards, paper, and more. The lower shelves are great for storing kid-friendly books, toys, and games, while the top shelves are better for items that need parental supervision.

15 of 18

Fun for All Ages

childrens bedroom with couch and bunk bed
John Merkl

Gray continues to be a popular neutral and works for both younger boys and teenagers. Shades of gray, black, and brown create this neutral boy's bedroom. Add pops of blue in the seating, accent pillows, or wall art for a fresh dose of relaxing color.

16 of 18

Creative Beds

childrens bedroom with drum set
Alec Hemer

To give your boys more room for both work and play, consider pushing their beds along adjacent walls. The open space in the middle of the room will be perfect for overnight guests or playtime. Consider lofted beds. The space below doubles as a fort when they're young and a space for storage or study as they grow older.

17 of 18

Monkeying Around

childrens bedroom with oar and stuffed animals
Reed Davis

A jungle theme gets a nautical twist in this gorgeous neutral bedroom. Classic sock monkeys swing from vines, while others perch happily on vintage boat oars. A twin-size bed packs extra storage with built-in drawers for toys and clothing. A shag rug adds comfort and style underfoot.

18 of 18

Happy Campers

childrens bedroom with red airplane
Philip Harvey

Wondering what to do when your little one adores flying? Instead of embracing an all-out aviation theme, use neutral colors and furniture to create a sophisticated space and add fun airplane themed accessories. A large model airplane hanging above the bed and some adorable airplane throw pillows embrace his love of flying, but the items can be easily replaced as his interests change.

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