Decorating
Kids’ Rooms: 10 Boys’ Bedrooms That Aren’t Blue
Get creative with colour and explore these stylish alternatives to blue
I’m not anti-blue by any stretch of the imagination and I love every part of this shade’s spectrum – from whispery periwinkle to power-packed cobalt and indigo. All can be classic – and cool – choices for decorating a boy’s bedroom, but, sometimes, don’t you think blue is just a bit too obvious a choice? For a beautiful alternative, think pebble grey, leaf green or bright primaries to create a striking space. You can’t go wrong with pure white, buttermilk or biscuit, either, as any one of these hues can provide the perfect base for growing tastes and changing needs. It’s about how you (and he) style things. Whatever you choose, I guarantee you won’t feel blue…
Use earthy hues
Pale grey, charcoal and taupe hues create a really grown-up colour palette for a teenage bedroom. This striped bedding is smart, snappy and timeless, while the chalkboard wall is heaven for budding graffiti artists and doodle addicts – or simply for remembering those all-important mathematical formulas…
Pale grey, charcoal and taupe hues create a really grown-up colour palette for a teenage bedroom. This striped bedding is smart, snappy and timeless, while the chalkboard wall is heaven for budding graffiti artists and doodle addicts – or simply for remembering those all-important mathematical formulas…
Accent with a primary
An energising hit of pillar-box red makes for the most eye-catching accent in a boy’s bedroom. The crimson metal bedsteads add a striking full-stop to the gunmetal grey fabrics and furniture, and will appeal to children of all ages. It’s a simple jolt of playfulness – nothing too fancy or fussy – that makes this a happier place for sleeping, playing and hanging out.
An energising hit of pillar-box red makes for the most eye-catching accent in a boy’s bedroom. The crimson metal bedsteads add a striking full-stop to the gunmetal grey fabrics and furniture, and will appeal to children of all ages. It’s a simple jolt of playfulness – nothing too fancy or fussy – that makes this a happier place for sleeping, playing and hanging out.
Paint a classic base
Even for really young children, there’s no need automatically to plump for dazzling blues and comic-strip motifs to make boys love their bedrooms. These bespoke bunks have been painted in a sophisticated grey-green shade more usually seen in living zones. But while the end result is undeniably classic, it’s also cute thanks to the playful addition of the sweet, printed bed linen, which can simply be swapped as tastes change.
Even for really young children, there’s no need automatically to plump for dazzling blues and comic-strip motifs to make boys love their bedrooms. These bespoke bunks have been painted in a sophisticated grey-green shade more usually seen in living zones. But while the end result is undeniably classic, it’s also cute thanks to the playful addition of the sweet, printed bed linen, which can simply be swapped as tastes change.
Inject some neon
As with all decorating schemes, it’s important to remember who will be using the space and for what purpose. That’s why this boy’s wraparound white bedroom is livened up with flashes of tangerine and lime green.
The room’s character comes from its accessories rather than the wall colour, so complete the look with bold art and a robust, hardwearing floor that can easily be cleaned – and that creates the smoothest racetrack for all of those toy cars…
As with all decorating schemes, it’s important to remember who will be using the space and for what purpose. That’s why this boy’s wraparound white bedroom is livened up with flashes of tangerine and lime green.
The room’s character comes from its accessories rather than the wall colour, so complete the look with bold art and a robust, hardwearing floor that can easily be cleaned – and that creates the smoothest racetrack for all of those toy cars…
Rev up a neutral scheme
This gender-neutral bedroom is the perfect choice for a spare sleeping den or for a brother and sister who share. The all-white scheme is undeniably fresh and revitalising (and can be spruced up with new lick of paint – or try kitchen paint for a wipe-clean finish), while the fresh chartreuse and subtle grey accents add a vivacious blast.
Adding two accent hues to a neutral bedroom – one strong, one soft – is a clever, uptempo route to injecting design flair and is easy to pull off with coloured bedding, lamps and storage.
This gender-neutral bedroom is the perfect choice for a spare sleeping den or for a brother and sister who share. The all-white scheme is undeniably fresh and revitalising (and can be spruced up with new lick of paint – or try kitchen paint for a wipe-clean finish), while the fresh chartreuse and subtle grey accents add a vivacious blast.
Adding two accent hues to a neutral bedroom – one strong, one soft – is a clever, uptempo route to injecting design flair and is easy to pull off with coloured bedding, lamps and storage.
Create a laid-back, vintage vibe
Vintage-inspired, whitewashed bedrooms don’t just look the part filled with feminine florals and pretty bunting, as this charming boy’s room shows. So rather than reaching instinctively for a tin of sky blue paint, go for all-over white on the floor and walls and add colour with framed pictures, maps, globes and prized toys on display (and don’t shy away from blue as an accent hue).
Anchor the ‘whiteness’ by mixing modern-day storage with vintage pieces, like this old locker, rustic crate and basket, for an eclectic vibe so packed with texture and character, he won’t even notice that blue isn’t the dominant feature.
Vintage-inspired, whitewashed bedrooms don’t just look the part filled with feminine florals and pretty bunting, as this charming boy’s room shows. So rather than reaching instinctively for a tin of sky blue paint, go for all-over white on the floor and walls and add colour with framed pictures, maps, globes and prized toys on display (and don’t shy away from blue as an accent hue).
Anchor the ‘whiteness’ by mixing modern-day storage with vintage pieces, like this old locker, rustic crate and basket, for an eclectic vibe so packed with texture and character, he won’t even notice that blue isn’t the dominant feature.
Offset pattern and print
Moving away from a potentially cold blue and plain palette and towards a warmer, earthier mix of colours and prints can work wonders for a boy’s decorating scheme, as this bedroom demonstrates.
The rich, ink-and-green tartans and muted, pebble grey wallpaper are inviting and restful, while the classic, chrome lamp, trunk bedside table and graphic, entomological poster make for an added punch of personality.
The key to mixing up your patterns is to stick to at least one common colour – here it’s the grey that holds everything together.
Moving away from a potentially cold blue and plain palette and towards a warmer, earthier mix of colours and prints can work wonders for a boy’s decorating scheme, as this bedroom demonstrates.
The rich, ink-and-green tartans and muted, pebble grey wallpaper are inviting and restful, while the classic, chrome lamp, trunk bedside table and graphic, entomological poster make for an added punch of personality.
The key to mixing up your patterns is to stick to at least one common colour – here it’s the grey that holds everything together.
Plump for pale and interesting
What teenager wouldn’t adore this spacious bedroom, which is clad head-to-toe in elegant neutrals for a grown-up feel? The devil’s in the detail, and the reason this space works so well for family members who are getting a taste of independence is down to the flashy chrome accessories, the low-level lighting and the multiple media points to cater for an ever-growing hoard of high-tech kit.
Be inspired with more ideas for your attic
What teenager wouldn’t adore this spacious bedroom, which is clad head-to-toe in elegant neutrals for a grown-up feel? The devil’s in the detail, and the reason this space works so well for family members who are getting a taste of independence is down to the flashy chrome accessories, the low-level lighting and the multiple media points to cater for an ever-growing hoard of high-tech kit.
Be inspired with more ideas for your attic
Sass it up with stripes
Push boundaries and create a modern coastal look using black-and-white humbug stripes and flashes of red. I love the clean, crisp mix of pencil-thin stripes and polka-dot bed linen, while the wall-mounted surfboard, fisherman-style lantern and woven grass blind instil a subtle taste of the seaside for beachcombing boys everywhere…
TELL US…
Have you opted for non-blue for your boy? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Push boundaries and create a modern coastal look using black-and-white humbug stripes and flashes of red. I love the clean, crisp mix of pencil-thin stripes and polka-dot bed linen, while the wall-mounted surfboard, fisherman-style lantern and woven grass blind instil a subtle taste of the seaside for beachcombing boys everywhere…
TELL US…
Have you opted for non-blue for your boy? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
A fresh green is a great alternative to blue when it comes to boys’ rooms. It’s a famously restful colour – perfect for spirited youngsters. If you find wall-to-wall green just a tad overwhelming, then simply block out one area and accent with accessories such soft throws or pillows, mixed in with plenty of crisp white. The result: a bright and fresh backdrop for either dark wood or white furniture.
Discover more beautiful green walls