Believe it or not, I’m finally back with an update on Sean’s room!
This teen boy’s space is slowly transforming into a rugged yet refined retreat with its navy walls and wood accents.
Featuring pieces like a Vince Lombardi sign (via Freestyle Mom on Etsy), a city map, striped duvet and shams, a rope light, a lidded basket, and striped curtains, the room’s character is coming together piece by piece.
It’s no secret that tackling room makeovers in record time isn’t exactly my forte.
Case in point:
- The One Room Challenge Coastal Bathroom Makeover? >>> 14 WEEKS (Totally worth the wait, though!)
- The $100 Challenge Mudroom Makeover? >>> STILL IN PROGRESS after a YEAR (We’re 90% there, just waiting on some plumbing fixes!)
And now, Sean’s room—my January project for Casa Watkins’ New Year, New Room Challenge—has also extended beyond its original timeline. Did I finish it on time? Not quite. BUT!
There’s progress! My teen is thrilled with one BIG new addition, and while progress is slow, the room is steadily evolving into something special.
Walls and Desk Updates
I’ve already shared the new wall color and the inlaid resin-coated wood desktop I built for his room.
New Ledges
Since my last update, I’ve also added wood picture frame ledges to this cozy nook.
These ledges were inspired by a tutorial from Jennifer at The Craft Patch. Instead of just mounting ledges to the wall, I secured a board into the studs and then attached a 1×3″ face board to the front for added functionality and a substantial look.
Jennifer’s gallery wall idea for hallways is stunning, and I’m happy with how these turned out in Sean’s room. For reference, I’ve installed similar ledges in my other kids’ rooms:
- Peter’s rustic ledges in his Moody Masculine Mighty makeover.
- Hannah’s nail polish ledges, which double as “functional art.”
Closet Improvements
Next to the ledges is Sean’s small closet, which was in serious need of reorganization.
The previous owners installed custom wood shelving in all the closets—great for a young child, but not ideal for my almost-16-year-old with his hoodies, sweatpants, ties, belts, sports gear, and hanging clothes.
To make it functional, we purged old clothes (two bags donated!), removed shoes and hats for storage elsewhere, and added a closet rod. Now it fits his khakis, button-downs, and more.
Sean couldn’t care less about the closet upgrade, but since it’s doorless, I’m considering wooden hangers for a cleaner look (and maybe even some ironing…eventually!).
The Big Addition
The most exciting update? A brand-new queen-sized bed!
It’s not fully styled yet, but Sean is thrilled with the upgrade, and honestly, seeing him happy makes all the effort worthwhile.
While this room isn’t finished yet, it’s coming together beautifully—rugged, refined, and perfect for a teen boy growing into his space. Stay tuned for more updates!
I’m working on a custom headboard and bed frame for Sean’s room, and I’m beyond excited to share it with you soon! In the meantime, he’s absolutely loving his big, comfy queen-sized bed with fresh sheets, a cozy down comforter, and a new duvet.
Being the youngest child, Sean has grown up with a life of hand-me-downs—clothes, toys, sports gear, even his old bed and comforter were passed down. His mattress desperately needed replacing, and when he asked about upgrading to a bigger bed, my first response was, “No way, it won’t fit in your room.” But secretly, I began brainstorming how to make it happen as a surprise for him.
A Special Gift
Let’s be real—Sean already has a pretty great life, especially compared to so many kids who face homelessness or hunger, even in affluent countries like ours. That perspective isn’t lost on either of us. Sean’s humility and gratitude make it especially rewarding to give him something that feels so special to him.
To make space for the queen-sized bed, I reconfigured the room. I removed unnecessary furniture and designed a super-slim desktop to maximize every inch. Now, Sean can enjoy his dream bed. It’s a fair upgrade, considering his older brother has a queen (the former guest room bed) and his sister sleeps on a massive king bed I created by combining two twin mattresses. As a kid who loves sleeping, this setup is perfect for him!
Real-Life Reality Check
Here’s the truth about the current state of his bed—it looks exactly like this every morning. Getting him on the school bus is already a victory; making the bed isn’t even on the radar!
It’s funny how much my standards have shifted over the years. When my kids were little, everything had to be perfectly tidy every day. Now? The next time Sean’s bed will be properly made is when we change the sheets or prep for a photo-worthy room reveal.
I’ve learned to let go of the little things, and honestly, it’s freeing. What really matters to me is that my kids pitch in around the house—whether it’s unloading the dishwasher, taking out the trash (bonus points for doing it without being asked!), cleaning up shared spaces, and most importantly, being respectful, kind, and gracious. Compared to that, a messy bed feels trivial.
What’s Next
This post turned into quite the update, didn’t it? Thanks for sticking with me as I share this rugged yet refined teen room transformation, step by step, rather than the “instant makeover” magic you’d see on HGTV.
Coming soon, I’ll have updates on the bed frame I’m building, under-bed storage solutions, plans for curtains, and what’s going up on the walls.
Hope you have an amazing day!
