Before & After
This room, like the primary bedroom, is very large and lent itself well to a dual-purpose design: a bedroom that also functions as a playroom and game area. In the original layout it already had room for both a bed and a sizable seating area.
For the makeover we installed two sets of bunk beds and removed the exterior door for safety. Because the room is intended for children and the backyard contains a pool, we decided it was safer to eliminate direct outdoor access.
The walls originally had a comb texture, which I like to avoid, but skim coating proved too expensive so we left the texture intact. The low ceiling also showed the same texture and had painted orange beams — a detail I would have preferred as natural wood, but that choice informed our overall approach.
To visually streamline the space and downplay the low ceiling and pronounced beams, we painted the entire room one color so the eye reads it as a single, enveloping field of color.
After some family debate we let our five-year-old choose the paint. He picked Aquatic by Dunn Edwards, a deep jewel tone that makes a large room feel cozy without overwhelming it.
The rich teal brings warmth and intimacy to an otherwise vast space while providing a dramatic backdrop for furnishings and artwork.
Bunk Room Decor Ideas
Large Baskets
When my custom bunk bed plan fell through, I found dark wood bunk beds that suited the space well. I chose twin-over-twin bunks to maximize sleeping capacity and to allow adults to be comfortable when needed.
Navy bedding keeps the room feeling cozy and layered; bright accent pillows add visual interest and personality. For reading lights I installed plug-in brass sconces on the lower bunks — an easy, attractive functional upgrade.
The bunks left a generous open space beneath, so I added large woven baskets for bedding and toy storage. This keeps the room tidy while making use of otherwise wasted space.
Because the room is so large, I layered a jute rug with a vintage Moroccan rug on top to anchor the seating area and inject color. The open floor works well for play; we added a small chess table and floor cushions to create a casual game spot.
To replace a low-hanging ceiling fan and give the room a focal point, I selected a brass floral chandelier. It fills the vertical space nicely, provides ample light, and acts as an elegant visual anchor.
Storage needs are met with two large closets and the under-bed baskets, but I added a small red chest found at an antique mall for miscellaneous items. Above it we installed a small gallery wall to introduce more personality.
Butterfly Art Print
Butterflies and botanical prints became a recurring motif. We selected artwork as a family and mixed in small mirrors to create a layered, collected look.
A Cozy Reading Nook
With so much space, adding a reading nook felt essential. Instead of wallpaper (which didn’t work with the textured walls), I brought pattern in through textiles.
I chose a floral settee to introduce pattern and softness, and continued the red accent theme with a vintage textile framed as art and a bold red pillow sourced from an antique shop.
A turquoise reading sconce was the final touch for the nook. The lamp complements the floral upholstery and the dramatic doors that lead into the room.
Turquoise Sconce
The finished bunk room coordinates with the rest of the house while offering enough playful energy and sleeping capacity to delight visiting kids. It balances function, comfort, and a collected, vintage-forward aesthetic.
Photos by Jeff Mindell, Design by Kelly Mindell
Teal Bunk Room Sources
Paint Color: Aquatic by Dunn Edwards*
Saltillo Tile: Colores de Mexico
Jute Rug: Rugs USA
Red Moroccan Rug: Soukie Modern
Bunk Beds: Target
Mattresses: Tuft & Needle*
Navy Blue Duvet Covers: Tuft & Needle*
Red Woven Pillows: tlali pani
Pink Stripe Bolster Pillow: Jungalow for Target
Chandelier: Sazerac Stitches*
Brass Reading Lights: Lowes
Floral Settee: Rifle Paper Co for Cloth & Company*
Turquoise Sconce: Etsy
Antique Doors: Arte de Mexico
All other decor items in the space were antique or second-hand.
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