On My Mind: Redecorating Two Tween Bedrooms at Once
Every room in my house is in some sort of flux. My daughters are 8 and 11 now, and figuring out how different spaces need to evolve as they get older has become something of an all-consuming logic puzzle. We live in the suburbs and have the luxury of multiple bedrooms, but until a few months ago, the girls shared one anyway; in July, we moved the 11-year-old into what we previously called the guest room but had kind of become a dumping ground for whatever didn’t fit elsewhere (we don’t actually host many guests). At one point I had grand plans of picking her up from a week of summer camp — which ended right before her birthday, with middle school on the horizon — and surprising her with a flashy home-makeover-show reveal. But in reality it’s been a series of half-measures, whatever we can get done and afford little by little. And of course she has so many of her own ideas, as does her younger sister.
Untangling the two kids’ stuff has been tough. I obviously should have anticipated more of the arguments over what belongs to whom, and who gets to keep what, since peak sibling rivalry was one of the reasons for making the split in the first place. It’s like going through a breakup. One girl is happily still sleeping in the twin-size bunk bed they previously shared, surrounded by a bunch of books and toys that need sorting though and clearing out. The other is starfishing in the expanse of a queen-size bed that came with the place and peppering us with questions about when we’re going to get the rest of our own junk out of there, repaint, and put up shelves. Each has an ever-changing wish list full of new furniture and décor and will inevitably be getting bedding and home goods for Christmas. Parents who’ve done this before: Please, share your wisdom!
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One of the first things we bought to help personalize the new room fast was this cat switch plate to zhuzh up an outlet that’s in a particularly visible and inconvenient spot.
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Even though she now has an entire closet to herself, the 8-year-old has become obsessed with getting a locker like the one her sister has at school. We’ve been browsing Mustard Made because the colors are so good; she likes the double-wide Twinny in light pink, which will probably be easier and more versatile to organize inside, though I also see the appeal of side-by-side Skinnys in different colors. (Thankfully the brand has a sale is coming up.)
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When my older daughter was an infant and we lived in a one-bedroom apartment, I bought an an oversize Miffy lamp that was cheaper a decade ago but a splurge nonetheless. We plunked it down on mine and my husband’s dresser, then newly cleared off to make room for a changing pad on top, and used it during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. It’s been around ever since, a softly glowing bunny beacon who these days always has necklaces and headbands looped around her ears. Neither girl wants to part with it, so the older one has requested this smaller version.
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This cheerful yellow — and actually affordable — coat rack might be handy for the child whose wardrobe is 90 percent hoodies.
Both kids need new desks for doing homework, drawing, and crafting. They also both need bookshelves, storage for art supplies, and a place to display their favorite LEGO builds, squishies, and assorted mementos and trinkets. I’m all over the place between simple tables combined with modular drawers, desks that have built-in drawers and hutches, wall-mounted systems that will make better use of vertical space, sit-to-stand desks that will literally grow with them, neutrals versus bright colors, and trying to stick to a budget while also wanting to avoid particleboard and having regrettably expensive taste. (It doesn’t help that the closest Ikea is two hours away.)
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I've bought other items from Unfnshed and the quality is good. These shelves come in multiple sizes.
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Simple, compact, and made from solid wood and MDF. I like how the shelf can help keep the top clear.
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Another simple style made of wood and veneer, with a sleek built-in drawer.
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Laminate top, but you can choose from four sizes, five finishes, and eight leg colors.
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This powder-coated steel option from Room & Board comes in two sizes and 14 colors.
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We already picked up this mini tool box to hold various bits and bobs.
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If only the price of this fun steel storage cabinet wasn't so high ...
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Do I dare try this "MoMA-inspired" dupe?
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A knockoff of the Magis 360° — and the product photo may be AI — but the price is tempting.
The older kid needs a comfy place to lounge and read. I think she would absolutely lose it if we got her a papasan chair, but they’re kind of gigantic. I also think it’d be awesome to have a hanging chair or cocoon swing in one corner, but the layout of the room doesn’t allow for that and I’d like to be able to easily move it around. So I’m still on the hunt.
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The ottoman in this set nests under the chair and has storage. I just wish it came in other colors.
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Not really less bulky than a papasan, but it looks cozy, it swivels, and I love the icy blue shade.
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Cushy and expensive but with a machine-washable cover and hidden storage under the seat.
Here’s everything else I’ve seen recently …
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I am simply unable to resist an eye motif and will be adding these Grainne Morton studs to my Christmas list once I decide between a matching pair or singles in different colors.
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Emma Brooke Jewelry Googly Eye Charm
My sister’s got a milestone birthday coming up, and I am currently hyperfixated on buying two of these incredible Emma Brooke googly eye charms for us to wear as BFF tokens. They com in sterling silver or 14-karat gold and really move!
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I am attempting to DIY a squishy dumpling Halloween costume to wear when I volunteer for one daughter’s classroom party next week. Assuming one of these inflatable “body bumpers” will fit me, it could make a good base.
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I previously had a tortiseshell case from Flaunt on my iPhone and loved the look of the squared corners until they started a hole in the back pocket of a beloved pair of jeans. Now I’m testing this case from Urban Sophistication that seems very appropriate for the change in seasons. It’s sadly not MagSafe compatible, but it is pretty comfortable to hold.
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I tend to go full puff as soon as it gets even slightly cold, so these slip-ons are looking especially plush right now.
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