Jackson’s Big Kid Room Reveal
I don’t know what it is about kid’s rooms, but I’m learning that they’re probably the most fun spaces in the house to decorate, change around, and make projects for. Kids take themselves way less seriously than we adults do, and that means their rooms get to be more colorful, more playful, and just a bit sillier.
When I first decorated Jackson’s nursery, I swore it was my favorite room in the entire house, and that still hasn’t changed now that we have fully converted it over to a “big kid” room. It looks completely different than it did before, but it’s still the most calming, happy, wonderful place in my whole house. I think I like it even more than our master bathroom.
Maybe. I don’t know. It’s a tough race.
When you last saw the room, we had just put his big boy bed in it, and we had his little black and white striped teepee up. We still have the teepee (and he still loves it!) but it’s not a permanent structure in his room, so it goes up and down pretty regularly. Thankfully it’s really easy to put up and break down – since his room is so tiny, it makes it nice to be able to put it away when he wants a little more room to play!
So, what else is new? I rearranged the shelving in his bookcases to reflect his personality a bit more – I added a few stuffed animals, spread his books around to make it a little less structured, and added some more color. He wasn’t sure about it at first (change is not my child’s favorite thing in the world), but he has since admitted that he likes the new setup.
Another update to the room is the gallery wall. The old setup was lacking something once I re-arranged the room – it’s such a big expanse of wall with nothing on it, so I decided to fill it up with some art. This is probably my favorite part of the entire room. It’s colorful, whimsical, and a perfect reflection of my little man’s personality.
Plus, who doesn’t love stuffed animal heads hanging on the wall?
They’re my favorite.
Ever since we changed things up, I’ve noticed that Jackson is spending a lot more time independently playing in his room. I’m sure part of it is just him growing up (sniff! sniff!) but I really do think he enjoys his room a lot more now that it’s a little more suited to him, and he’ll spend long periods of time in here playing with his superheroes, making a giant mess, and just generally being a kid.
It’s simultaneously wonderful and terrifying to watch him grow up like this.
But, that’s parenthood, isn’t it?
I have to say, though, that hands-down my favorite part of having Jackson in a big kid room is the snuggles. Y’all, if someone would have told me about the snuggles sooner, I would have switched him over to a big boy bed ages ago.
Every night when Jackson goes to bed, instead of reading with him in a chair, I get to climb into bed with him to read. He scoots right up next to me, and we spend a few minutes reading, laughing, and enjoying his books.
And then?
The best part happens.
I put the books away, I roll over to face him, and we snuggle. We talk about his day, we talk about his dreams, we talk about food he loves and toys he loves and what he wants to do in the morning. He’ll often rest his tiny little hand on my cheek while we talk, and sometimes he burrows his head right into my neck as if he’s trying to soak up my scent before he drifts off to sleep. I used to just get a quick hug and a kiss before he went to bed each night, but now I get a good ten minutes of chatting, giggles, and the sweetest snuggles I’ve ever had in my life.
It makes my soul sing, and it’s my favorite part of the day, every single day.
Can’t get enough!
I’m wondering how long I can keep this whole snuggles and chatting before bed thing going.
Through elementary school? High school? Can I go do it with him when he’s in college? Too much?
Oh well, I guess I’ll just enjoy it while it lasts.
See something you love in this post? Click any of the images below for more details!
And you can also click to find tutorials for the DIY globe and theruler growth chart!
Hi, Im thinking of the bed for out three year old. How high is it from the floor? The mattress we have is 10in and I am just concerned about him falling from the bed!
Hi! Just checked IKEA’s website and it looks like it’s about 12″ from the ground.
Hi! Adorable room. I’ve been looking at that ikea bed as well for my toddler son. Do you mind sharing what paint color you used? It’s great.
Thanks, Kate! Honestly, we didn’t save the paint so I’m not sure what it was – I’m sorry!
OMG I love this room! I agree about having so much fun doing your children’s rooms. I absolutely love those bookcases, and so handy!
Thank you, Kati!
Wow those shelves are to swoon over, gorgeous! kids room! You were so smart to incorporate the storage space.
Maria
I adore his gallery wall and those stuffed animal heads! So cute! And I love that this new set-up is bringing you more snuggles and time together – so sweet!
I love the shelves, completely gives me a throwback when I was in high school. I used to have books, cactus ( a fake one lol ) and a globe on my shelves! I also love the bed. I am getting my son a new bed and he requested if we can get a red one! I don’t know what’s with the red color but now i realized something after seeing your photos! Great Job!
Thanks, Rose! Haha kids can be so opinionated sometimes! 🙂
Love the bedding you chose! Where is the duvet from? The link just keeps sending me to Pinterest. Thanks!
Oh no! I’ll fix that – thanks for letting me know. I think it’s a glitch with my Pinterest plugin. The bedding is from Amazon, you can find it here.
What a great room for a Big Boy. Love it.
This turned out great. I love how you incorporated so much storage space, and I love that globe!
The snuggles definitely never need to stop! Parenthood, gotta love it’s wonder. I adore that fox print. And that build in storage- holy dreamy! I need that in my room 😉
They’re the best! And thanks, the animal prints are one of my favorite things in his room!
Jackson’s big kid room is too cute! Love the gallery wall by his bed and that “be you” sign is perfect! 🙂
Thank you!