The Big Boy Room Glow-Up
Now that Luca is 5, I know it’s time to say goodbye to the crib-turned-toddler-bed and give him a space that truly reflects the kid he’s becoming. Even if I’m not quite emotionally ready to admit it.
Luca’s room hadn’t changed much since he was born, but over the past year he started asking for a green bedroom (green is his favorite color, after all). So we slowly began dreaming, planning, and selecting elements together to bring this new room to life. One that would feel cozy, elevated, and most importantly, his.
Giving it the green light
If you know Luca, you know he’s a design assistant in training. He’s been tagging along to job sites with my dad and me since he was a baby and has a sharp eye for details. So naturally, he helped with everything from choosing bookshelves and light fixtures to debating wallpaper patterns.
I wanted Luca’s room to feel warm, comforting, and slightly more grown-up, without going too mature. We probably won’t be in this house forever (five more years max), so I designed this space to grow with him from age 5 to 10. Think: rich tones and texture, with pops of personality and plenty of storage for his ever-growing LEGO stash.
The color palette started with one non-negotiable: green. Luca was very involved in picking the final paint color, and even helped brush samples onto the wall to test it in real life. From there, I layered in cozy textures, a fun plaid wallpaper, and classic elements like chair railing to divide the space and add dimension. I also leaned into a slightly moodier palette than the rest of our mostly white home.
His favorite part? Probably the sconce lights we found on Amazon. We didn’t want to hardwire them, so I installed them on the wall and added rechargeable light bulbs he can control with a remote from his bed. It’s his favorite “grown-up” feature—and mine too, because they look hardwired, but are a fraction of the cost.
While most of the room got a full refresh, there were a few elements I knew I wanted to keep from his nursery. His mid-century-inspired dresser from Urban Outfitters (my original splurge!) was a definite stay. It’s sturdy, timeless, and still one of my favorite pieces in the house. Since the room is small, I also kept the original layout—just elevated it with new finishes and smarter functionality.
A few lessons learned
Do-it-yourself is always a slower process than you think. I worked on the room in chunks—sometimes with the kids around (they love to help!), and sometimes during daycare hours so I could stay focused. It was tedious at times, but absolutely worth it. Huge shoutout to my dad, who came over and helped me knock out the final details just in time for filming day. You’ll be able to catch the full reveal soon on Instagram!
If you're planning a big kid room of your own, here are a few tips that helped make the process smoother (and a little more fun):
Purge first. You’ll thank yourself later. Go through everything in the room and be ruthless about what stays.
Let your kid weigh in. Offer 2–3 curated options for each category—paint, bedding, storage, lighting—so they feel involved but not overwhelmed.
Use a mood board. I build ours in Canva to see how all the pieces work together visually before committing to anything.
Track your materials and costs. I keep an Excel sheet with links, shipping costs, and a running total so I can stay organized and budget-conscious.
Get a second opinion. I checked in with our lead designer Shannon and also shared ideas with trusted friends to get feedback and fresh eyes.
These little planning steps really helped keep the project fun, functional, and totally doable—even with a five-year-old design assistant in the mix.
Final verdict (from Luca himself)
When I asked Luca what his favorite part of the room is, he said: “The lights and my big bed with secret drawers!” That’s a win in my book. Designing this room was such a special project for both of us. It’s proof that a space can be kid-friendly, functional, and still feel beautifully designed.
XO,
Ashley
Love Luca’s Room? Grab the DIY Guide
Steal every tip and trick from Luca’s room makeover with this DIY guide, which includes paint colors, storage picks, budget-friendly finds, and more.