Two College-Aged Boys' Bedrooms Grow Up But Keep A Masculine Vibe

I did an e-design type project a few months ago, selecting furnishings for two college-aged boys’ bedrooms. The homeowner didn’t want the rooms to totally lose their identity, but wanted a more sophisticated and “designed” look for each.

I love putting together these moodboards and furniture pieces, even though finding pieces in stock that work together well, is really a challenge right now with supply chains the way they are.

As soon as I find the perfect piece, sure enough, it is out of stock with no restocking date in the foreseeable future!

I’m actually leaning into these types of projects now, as I’m finding it harder and harder to give my full service clients the bad news that items are backordered or have super long lead times these days. This way, people purchase on their own, buy what they want, and deal with the procurement themselves.

Many people prefer this these days anyway! :-)

So, that’s what I’m doing here, with my remote email design services. These are more involved than my Q&A, so most of these are custom quoted.

College Aged Boys’ Bedrooms

These two bedrooms were pretty simple and the taxidermy needed to stay. (I’m from Texas, so I get that! :-)

After review of these pics, I felt like some masculine color was definitely in order.

Bedroom 1 - Plain white walls with some beige toned trim and doors created a simple envelope for this bedroom.

Bedroom 1 - Plain white walls with some beige toned trim and doors created a simple envelope for this bedroom.

Bedroom 2 - Another simple, white bedroom needing a little personality.

Bedroom 2 - This room was a bit smaller than the other, with more doors.

I did a green scheme and a blue one, they could just be interchanged or a dark gray color used if these colors didn’t appeal. I just like the dark wall color with the taxidermy on the wall there.

Here were my notes to the homeowner.

Masculine Bedroom 1

I like this blue, SW Charcoal Blue, as the wall color for this room, but you could do any navy or gray blue that you like. I added a few blue items in there, bedding and a lamp, as well as the window shade rec, so you'd have to get samples and compare the colors, like the window shade fabric with the wall color.

I did a good sized dresser here, as he seems to have the room. I'd move the bed to the end wall like you mentioned. It looks like you might have to relocate the outlets that are up high on the wall there if you move the bed.

I included a mirror, not sure if you will keep a tv, but do whatever you prefer. I did a gray wash type finish on the dresser, then more of a warm wood tone on the nightstands in a rustic look, with the mirror repeating that color of wood. Also, the ceiling fan would be nice to replace, in a warm wood finish here too.

I'd hang the taxidermy above the bed and then sit one of the ducks out on the dresser on one side. It looks like you could add a bench at the end of the bed or a bookshelf then on the door wall maybe, but not sure about the room size there.

Dresser | Nightstand | Lamp | Mirror | Pillows | Bedding | Ceiling fan

Window Shade - The Shade Store, Flat Roman

Fabric: Nate Berkus, Paloma, Night Sea

(Note: Looks like several items selected for this project in June of 2021, which were in stock at the time, are no longer in stock. Contact the vendor if you’re interested in the items to find out current lead times.)

Masculine Bedroom 2

I have Sherwin Williams Pewter Green as the wall color here. I like the blacker wood look of this chest, with the concrete top. It would echo the color of the headboard I think. Then I did a gray wash rustic wood tone on the nightstands.

A lamp in a gray/black finish echoes the black elements in the room and the ceiling fan would be nice in the ash maple lighter wood finish. Any kind of gray / greige bedding would work here, I rather like this woven look. I've got another small pattern for the Roman shade, it's a gray and would work with the Pewter Green color.

Dresser | Nightstand | Lamp |Bedding | Pillow | Ceiling fan

Roman shade - The Shade Store, Flat Roman

Shade fabric: Jonathan Adler, Gravel

(Note: Looks like the putty color of that coverlet is not available anymore.)

Nightstand / Optional Bookcase

Please check to see if the nightstand widths will fit on the wall where you will put the bed before you buy anything. Also, check the height of the bed with the nightstands. The nightstand doesn't have to align perfectly with the height of the mattress, but it's kind of inconvenient feeling if they are shorter than the mattress.

You could do one nightstand and then a bookcase like that on the other side, if they need display space for the animals or other things. In the green room you could do the black finish, in the other room you could do the Auburn color.

Here’s the option for the bookcase.

My Own Son’s former Bedroom

I updated my own son’s room some years ago, in a similar manner. I didn’t want to take the masculine vibe out of the room, but wanted to leave a few personal items, and create a more guestroom type space.

You can check that out here.

A Modern Masculine Townhome For A Med School Student

Here’s one more masculine space, a townhome designed for a med school student who will be needing a place to study and lay that tired head when getting a break. :-)

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