Though we moved in to our home over two years ago, we had not done a thing in my tween daughter’s room. (Hey, I’ve been busy doing things like painting kitchen cabinets, limewashing fireplace stone, and covering all of the mirrored surfaces!)
The time finally came this summer to give her a bedroom she loves. With her input on all of the design, she settled on a pink boho bedroom with a “bookish” twist. (Note: it’s much easier to design a kid’s room when he or she is little and has no opinions. Ha!)
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.
This bedroom makeover was done on a strict budget, and because of that, it’s filled with money-saving makeovers and projects. At this point in time, I haven’t written tutorials for all of the projects, but I will link them as they are posted!
Benjamin Moore Odessa Pink Walls
My daughter wavered between painting her room green (Benjamin Moore Rosepine) and pink (Benjamin Moore Odessa Pink). She ultimately landed on pink because it scared her (I’m not even kidding) and because she thought it would look best with her plants. (OK, whatever floats your boat!)
Odessa Pink is part of Benjamin Moore’s Historic Color Palette, and it’s a really sophisticated shade of pink that leans to the warm side of the hue.
It also works well with the honey oak trim in the room, which I haven’t gotten around to painting yet. (And being honest, which I may never paint.)
We brought in green tones with the plants, block print floral bedding, pillows, bench at the foot of the bed, and more.
Furniture Updates with Peel and Stick Wallpaper and Paint Samples
To give the earthy feel we all associate with boho decor, I added a neutral, grasscloth textured-look peel and stick wallpaper to the white dresser, nightstand, and headboard.
I also swapped the plain white drawer knobs for these pretty pink and white ceramic knobs.
Then, I repainted the bench at the end of her bed with the leftover Rosepine green paint sample. This bench has had a lot of looks in its lifetime. I previously blogged the time I painted it with butterflies for my daughter’s room when she was five!
(If you visit that butterfly bench post, notice “Lambie” her favorite stuffed animal. Lambie is still around today! Can you spot her in any of the photos?)
Keeping the furniture she already had saved us a ton of money!
The Bookish Boho Reading Nook
Because my daughter LOVES to read, we had to create a little reading nook in her room.
I found a very cool MCM vintage chair on Facebook Marketplace, which was perfect for this spot! I love how the brown ties in to the honey oak trim.
I made a cute little foot stool, popped on a plush green velvet pillow, and framed quotes from her favorite books on the wall.
The hanging plants above the chair were an absolute must-have for my daughter. She insisted on real plants, but when she realized how difficult it would be to water them, she let me pop in fakes. Phew! I was having nightmares of dirt all over the already-dingy carpeting! The real plants stay in easy-to-reach spots.
The Fairy Light Ivy Wall
Above the bed, I wanted to hang a large piece of art, but my daughter vetoed that idea. Instead, she insisted on ivy and fairy lights: a look that is (apparently) very popular these days.
We DIY’d this fairy light ivy wall in an afternoon, and I have to admit that it looks pretty cool when it’s glowing at night!
This project was, admittedly, not one I would have put in my own room. BUT, I worked really hard to let my daughter design a room that SHE would love. I kept reminding myself it wasn’t about me. When I saw how excited she was about this ivy wall, I knew that was the right decision.
Other Budget-Friendly Boho Bedroom Elements
In order to give this room a fresh new look without spending too much money, we did lots of other inexpensive DIY’s. Some of them were:
- Spray painting the ceiling fan blades to take them from a reddish brown hue to a neutral cream color. This was an awesome update.
- Using Antique Gold Rub n Buff on her existing mirror to change the color slightly so that it would work with the new wall color.
- Adding my favorite inexpensive curtain panels to soften up the window. This is the second room I’ve used these panels in. They are such a steal!
- Purchasing pillow covers to give her old pillows a new look (instead of buying new).
This pink boho bedroom is everything my daughter wanted for her space. I know she loves it, and I love the memories I have of working on it with her!
Dee says
I love your daughter’s room. Youthful and sophisticated. Also love Rub and Buff. I’ve used it on lamps and a rooster light. Spray painted them all with Rustoleum Aged Bronze and then used Gold Rub and Buff and avoiding getting it in the crooks and crannies so that the Aged Bronze was visible. I see you have a little fuzzy beautiful kitty cat. Adorable!
Bre says
Thank you, Dee!! Yes – youthful and sophisticated – that was the goal. Thank you!! It sounds like your Rub n Buff projects turned out awesome. I love the added dimension it gives pieces! đŸ™‚