Dreamy Pink & Butterfly Oasis: Olivia’s Pre-Teen Bedroom Makeover Reveal
Is it possible to be envious of your own child’s bedroom? Because I genuinely want to move into our daughter, Olivia’s, newly transformed space! It’s not just cute; it’s absolutely, undeniably adorable. While I won’t be setting up permanent residence, I can’t promise there won’t be countless mommy-daughter blanket fort sessions happening here – it’s far more appealing than backyard camping with bugs and dirt, trust me!
Just a week ago, Olivia’s room presented a very different picture. It was a blank canvas, a space we hadn’t touched since moving into our home last April. Take a look at its ‘before’ state, a testament to how far we’ve come:
Our Home Renovation Journey & The ‘Mom Guilt’ Turning Point
To be fair, our house has been a whirlwind of projects since we moved in. We’ve poured our energy into transforming numerous spaces, including the living room, breakfast nook, foyer, playroom, dining room, master bedroom, hallway bathroom, and even the powder room. Suffice it to say, we’ve been incredibly busy, and Olivia’s room, unfortunately, took a backseat. This led to a classic case of ‘mom guilt’ – a feeling many parents can relate to when one area of the home, especially a child’s personal space, isn’t quite living up to its potential.
However, with a new little one on the way, my determination to make Olivia feel exceptionally special and ready for her big-sister role intensified. My goal was clear: before we even began thinking about the nursery, Olivia deserved her own beautiful, refreshed sanctuary. This bedroom makeover wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating a secure, joyful space for her during this significant family transition, ensuring she felt cherished and excited about her growing responsibilities. It became a priority to craft a dreamy, functional pre-teen bedroom that truly reflected her blossoming personality.
The Surprise Transformation: Pink Paint & Butterfly Wallpaper Magic
The perfect opportunity arose when Olivia spent her spring break out-of-state, visiting close family. This was my chance! I threw myself into the project, painting like a woman possessed for three days straight. The following weekend, my amazing mom joined me, and together, we tackled the wallpaper, jamming out to classic oldies – a perfect soundtrack for a memorable DIY project. The anticipation of Olivia’s return was almost unbearable, but the effort was entirely worth it. This was truly a labor of love, designed to create a magical reveal.
I genuinely wish I had captured Olivia’s reaction on video when she first stepped into her new room. To say she was thrilled would be an understatement; it was a cascade of pure, unadulterated fan-girl squeals and joy! That moment alone made every drop of paint and every carefully placed strip of wallpaper entirely worth it. It’s a joy that only a parent can truly understand when you see your child’s eyes light up with such delight, knowing you’ve created a space that celebrates who they are.
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Choosing the Perfect Palette: Behr My Sweetheart & Benjamin Moore Simply White
For the walls, I selected Behr My Sweetheart, a truly perfect, soft blush pink. This delicate shade strikes an ideal balance, offering a sweet, feminine touch without being overly childish, making it ideal for a growing girl transitioning from childhood to pre-teen years. It provides a warm, inviting backdrop that is both sophisticated and playful. The trim throughout the room received a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore Simply White, a timeless and crisp white that provides a clean contrast, beautifully framing the delicate pink walls and enhancing the room’s brightness. Robert and I have future plans to add elegant picture frame molding below the chair rail, which will undoubtedly add a touch of classic architectural detail and elevate the room’s sophistication even further, reinforcing its transitional style.
Currently, Olivia’s mattress and box spring are temporarily resting on the floor. Her old bed, a fantastic $20 thrift store find that I lovingly painted three years ago, finally reached the end of its life cycle after years of faithful service. We’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of her new bed, which will complete this cozy sleep sanctuary. This interim period gives us a chance to truly appreciate the transformed backdrop of her room and dream about the final furnishings that will bring it all together.
The Magic of Butterfly Wallpaper: A Pre-Teen Dream Come True
When discussing her dream room, Olivia had two very clear requests: butterflies and pink. Naturally, these became the guiding principles for the design. Finding the perfect butterfly wallpaper that would also grow with her was crucial. After an extensive search, I stumbled upon this exquisite wallpaper pattern at Anthropologie. Its sophisticated yet whimsical design made it absolutely ideal for transitioning her space from a little girl’s room into a pre-teen haven, especially since Olivia will be turning six this fall. The delicate butterflies flutter across the wall, adding a touch of nature-inspired elegance that feels both youthful and mature. While it was certainly a splurge, the dramatic and beautiful impact it made on just one accent wall above the chair rail was undeniable and completely worth every penny. It adds a touch of retro charm and a unique personality that perfectly captures her youthful spirit while offering timeless appeal, ensuring it won’t feel dated in a few years.
For those inspired to try a similar DIY project, wallpapering might seem daunting, but it’s truly manageable, especially for a single accent wall. If you’re considering adding a bold statement or subtle texture to your child’s room, don’t shy away from wallpaper. You can find my comprehensive beginner’s guide to hanging wallpaper here. It breaks down the process into simple steps, offering practical tips and tricks to ensure a smooth application and proving it’s not nearly as scary as it’s often made out to be!
Functional & Stylish Elements: Doors, Floors, and Shades
Continuing the sophisticated black door trend we’ve embraced throughout the rest of our home, Olivia’s bedroom door was painted in Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron. This deep, rich shade adds a striking contrast and a touch of modern elegance to the pastel pink walls, creating a chic visual anchor in the room. This consistent design choice ties her bedroom seamlessly into the overall aesthetic of our house. Eventually, I plan to swap out the existing doorknobs for beautiful bronze or glass ones, which will further enhance the room’s refined aesthetic and add a touch of vintage charm.
A significant improvement came when Robert and my dad bravely ripped up the old, worn rug, revealing the gorgeous hardwood floors hidden beneath. This instantly brightened and expanded the room, making it feel more open and airy. While the hardwoods are stunning and easy to clean, we’ll eventually roll out a smaller, soft rug – perhaps a plush, textured area rug in a complementary color – to ensure Olivia always has a warm, cozy surface to step onto each morning, especially on colder days. This will add both comfort and an additional layer of style to her space.
The other side of the room has undergone a dramatic transformation as well. We’ve successfully decluttered and hauled out all the miscellaneous items that had accumulated there over time. This clear-out has created an inviting, spacious feel, making the room feel larger and more serene. I’m already envisioning a lively yard sale in our near future to rehome these treasures – one person’s junk is another’s gem!
The Craigslist dresser, a functional piece awaiting its turn, is slated for a full makeover within the next week or two. It will receive a fresh coat of paint and new hardware to perfectly complement the room’s updated aesthetic, transforming it from a simple storage unit into a stylish focal point. Additionally, I’ve replaced the old, outdated blinds with these beautiful warm bamboo shades. They introduce a lovely natural texture, provide excellent light control, and instantly elevate the window treatment, adding a touch of organic elegance and warmth to the room while maintaining privacy.
What’s Next for Olivia’s Dream Bedroom?
While the initial transformation is stunning and has already brought so much joy, we’re not quite finished. The next exciting steps on our agenda include selecting and hanging beautiful curtains to add softness, privacy, and another layer of style to her windows. We’ll also be moving in the new bed that Olivia is so eagerly anticipating, and choosing charming nightstands to complete her sleeping area, providing convenient surfaces for her books and treasures. We’ll also be replacing the old light fixture with something more modern and fitting for her new space, and carefully curating wall decor to reflect her evolving personality and interests. Each of these elements will further enhance the cohesive and enchanting atmosphere of her pre-teen bedroom, making it truly her own.
Our Ongoing To-Do List: Completing the Dream Space
We’ve already made significant progress on Olivia’s dream bedroom, tackling the core elements that define its new look and feel. It’s rewarding to see so many tasks checked off, transforming the room from a neglected space into a vibrant sanctuary. Here’s a quick overview of what’s been accomplished and what we still have in store to bring this pre-teen bedroom makeover to its glorious completion:
Paint walls Behr My Sweetheart in eggshellPaint trim/below chair rail Benjamin Moore Simply White in semiglossPaint ceiling Benjamin Moore Simply White in flatPaint doors Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron in semiglossHang wallpaperHang bamboo shadesRip up old rug- Move in new bed
- Move in nightstands
- Get new textured rug
- Hang curtains
- Replace light fixture
- Paint dresser
- Hang ballet barre with mirror?
- Find wall art
- Find new bedding
Given the swift progress we’ve made so far, I have a strong feeling that we’ll be checking off the remaining items on this list in no time. Our goal is to create a functional, beautiful, and inspiring space for Olivia that she will love for years to come – a true reflection of her personality and a comfortable haven for her to grow in. Here’s hoping for continued momentum and a fully completed, picture-perfect pre-teen room very soon! Stay tuned for the final reveal!
