For months, we kept saying, “We’ll wait until we can save up and do it big.” We had visions of the perfect, Pinterest-worthy playroom, someday. But lately, we’ve been reminded that time is flying by and that our son is full of the little magic and spirit now! So, we wanted to give him a space that inspires play, creativity, and joy today, not years from now.
So we challenged ourselves: Could we completely transform his playroom in one weekend? And, on a quick-ship, Amazon and Target budget?
Spoiler alert—we did it! And it’s now one of our favorite rooms in the house.
The Vision
We wanted the space to feel lively yet timeless, something our son could grow into. It needed to be playful, organized, and layered with charm. Full of elements that reflect his curiosity and love for animals, books, and pretend play.
The bold choice? Adding painted stripes to the walls for instant energy and personality.
The Process
Here’s how we tackled it in just a few days:
1. Clear the Room
The space was full of a temporary setup: a daybed, craft table, and a cabinet of toys. We started by removing toys, furniture, and art so we had a blank canvas to work with.
2. Plan the Stripes
We used 2in tape and set a .5in distance in between to determine the size of the stripe. Using a laser level, we measured and taped the walls from floor to ceiling, making sure every stripe was perfectly straight. Please note, our home is very old with plaster walls, so they were not fully straight from top to bottom! This caused some flaws, but the process itself is not flawed!
3. Seal the Tape
Before adding the main stripe color, we painted over the tape edges with our base wall color (a soft white). This step is key to preventing paint bleed and getting crisp lines.
4. Add the Stripe Color
We applied two coats of a rich, jewel-toned green-blue that brought instant depth and character to the room. That color is Hidden Gem, by BEHR. It is their 2026 Color of the Year and is the perfect moody contrast to ground the room! They gifted us the paint and materials.
5. Peel the Tape Wet
The most satisfying part—peeling off the tape while the paint was still wet to reveal sharp, clean lines.
If interested, I can definitely make a video post showing exactly how we did it, we filmed it all!
The Details that Make It Special
Once the paint dried, it was time to style the space. We layered in:
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A cozy daybed piled with gingham and textured pillows for reading and lounging.
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Vintage-style animal artwork for a touch of nostalgia. They are his 3 favorite animals by the river!
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Open bookshelves to display his favorite reads and encourage daily storytime.
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Wicker baskets for toy storage—functional but still charming.
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A mini art station for drawing and crafts.
The end result feels warm, personal, and full of life—a space that encourages both play and calm moments, welcoming our guests when needed too!
The Biggest Lesson
You don’t have to wait for “someday” to create a home you love. This weekend project reminded us that with a little creativity, planning, and elbow grease, you can make a big impact in a short amount of time.
If you’ve been putting off a room makeover because you’re waiting for the perfect budget or timing, consider challenging yourself to a weekend project—you might be amazed by what you can accomplish. You certainly won’t regret it.
Shop the Space
More photos of all the details below, but you can shop the space here!
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