Toddler Bedroom Makeover

Source List: Mirror | IKEA Dresser & Bed | Ceiling Fan |  Bedding | Rug | Star Felt Garland | gifted Tidy Books Bookcase | The Birth Poster | gifted Planets in Time Print | Boyhood Pennant | QVC Faux Fiddle Plant (under $60) | Paint: Boothbay Gray by Benjamin Moore

What a whirlwind the past four and a half months it as been. A global pandemic, our entire family staying home to live, work, and play, to welcoming Lucy James to our family and transitioning to a family of four. The biggest project on our plate prior to March 13th was creating a new room for Jack (aside from our new floors being installed). Thankfully we had already painted and picked up his new furniture from IKEA. What we had left to do was put together his bookshelf and decorate (my favorite part, honestly).

First things first, the before. This room started out as a catch-all prior to a guest bedroom. Literally, a catch-all for mainly my junk (out of season clothes, donation piles, my photography equipment, random furniture). After a year or so, I turned the space into a beautiful guest bedroom. It was my little jewel box of a room. I knew when we got pregnant with Lucy it was either going to be her nursery or Jack’s new toddler bedroom. We landed on Jack’s new room since the nursery was already put together. I originally thought we would go this direction with his new space, keeping the green walls, and then we landed here.

After a few coats of paint, our LVP floor installation, and some quality time spent building IKEA furniture, we had the makings of Jack’s new big boy room. My favorite addition to Jack’s new bedroom is his Tidy Books bookcase. We safely anchored it to the wall, and it’s just his height so he can grab any, and all books he wants off the shelf, which he often does. We wanted to keep his room a place where he can rest, read, and know it’s a calming space (though, he has yet to do either of those things in his room…because, toddlers). Allowing accessibility for his books and toys on low shelves help promote independence. All of his books are front facing, he can reach the top shelf, and he can engage with his books as he sees fit.

I found Tidy Books after a late night pregnancy insomnia binge on Instagram and Pinterest. I love learning about having a Montessori home, allowing children to develop naturally and independently and trying to incorporate elements when it makes the most sense for our family. We have a low shelf in Jack’s closet for some open-ended toys and this bookcase are good examples of those elements. Géraldine Grandidier, the designer and creator of the Tidy Books bookcase developed it with Montessori principles in mind. That children can always have access to their favorite books instead of waiting for a special time to read. Jack gets to pick out what books he wants to read vs. Mom and Dad always picking them out and we get to see what he is interested in at that particular moment in time! It’s a timeless piece and will last for years on end.

We’ve rearranged the wall decor in his room a few times, as you’ll notice in some of the photos. Almost all of his wall decor items came from his nursery. I need to find a better solution to secure the felt banners to the wall (maybe I’ll frame them individually) and we have removed the garlands for now and plan to do an entire wall full of artwork (we have a few in his closet just waiting to be hung up). I commissioned my brother, who is a talented artist, to draw the Avengers for Jack. I framed our Spider-Man print, still need to print and frame Hulk! We recently added a Planets in Time print above his bookcase. Overtime, I plan to continue to add artwork, even Jack’s own masterpieces, to create an entire wall full of art (much like our original inspiration from The Makerista).

Every inch of Jack’s room is toddler proofed. I don’t love our solution for his blinds, so that is on our wish list to swap out it out for a cordless roman shade option like we did in the nursery. He has been throwing all of his clothes out of his dresser if he is left alone in his room, so we need a solution for that. However, every outlet, piece of furniture, and the bi-fold doors have been secured for his safety! All. The. Things. in preparation for him to move into the space.

Jack is very proud of his big boy room and we are all anxious and excited for him to move in when the time is right.