IMO there is nothing in this space that says a little boy is using this room the only thing that gives it away is the side piece on the bed. This looks like a Mom decided what works maybe ask him what he likes this space looks like it belongs toa much older boy. The desk is kind of useless for drawing and painting , maybe a nice big blackboard on the wall for art . Some storage for lego etc. IMO a childs room should be for the child.

I would liven it up a bit. Consider moving the tiny light to the desk and add a larger lamp (orange to continue the basketball decor?) to the nightstand. That will also give better lighting for bedtime stories. You could continue the orange to the other side of the room with an orange desk chair.

As far as the corner goes, how about a circular storage bin for toys?

You have a nice start but I agree that the space needs some personality. I like the idea of orange as an accent color or Carolina blue. Painted chair, bedside rug, bed pillows, lampshade, end of bed throw, etc.

When you are looking for the finishing touches consider texture as well. A chunky pillow and throw, a textured linen lampshade, etc. All the surfaces in the room are currently flat and one dimensional. Texture and color will liven it up.

In your pictures you show a tiny child in that bedroom not a 10 yr old so maybe more info ar the beginning would have resulted in my ability to answer with more helpful info. BTW I am a Mom and raised 3 boys with a chalk board in their rooms but of course no carpet.

Sara, how nicely you arranged his items about sports. :)

My desk gets crowded with a desk lamp - floor lamp ? course, there are others.

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I like this for $80. Solid N, contrasted with caged, and small mirror frame ...

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Oooohhh everdebz that last light youbposted ! So fun!!!

White desk chair? Gray chair ? Orange chair ?

Yes.... would it be child size?

I thought it was a little boys room too based on the child in the picture and the bed guard rail.

He have a favorite? I like the zing ...or is that zest haha - that orange would bring...

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I think you have done a nice job decorating the room..in general it does feel a little mature for a child.... but i think it is the serious wall color that adds the maturity...kids are only kids for a while for sure..but for now some color would go a long way to make this room cheerier...and more fun...maybe he can give you some input or you can go with a big boy blue or a sunny yellow....or even a tonal stripe

Even an accent wall at the end of the bed?

One other item of furniture that most kids enjoy is bean bag chairs....they seem to come in bright colors,too

@everdebz- that orange chair looks fun! what would you put above his desk? Shelves ? Acrylic board/calendar ? I’d love to give him some options and he’s can decide .... but I’d like to start pulling away from black.

@btydrvn- what color would you make the accent wall? I’m trying to go brighter in the room and the walls are already pretty light 🤷‍♀️

Any thoughts on what to put on his dresser ? what color picture frames? Book ends ?

Hi Sara, You have a good start. Nice wall. You might want to group the wall pictures a little closer together. Make sure you get him a comfy desk chair. Add splashes of orange, maybe a sport bench under his window. A pin board. A cool locker cabinet in the corner where he can store all his stuff. And, of course, a hoop:

You can add a nice plaid wall to anchor your dresser and give more color & interest:

Stack some books on his dresser with plants. Picture frame displayed on wall next to it:

What about looking for some removable wall decals to liven things up on the area around his desk and the wall by the dresser? these are just examples, not knowing what his other interests are besides art and basketball. These are all removable - there are a gazillion sites and choices...might be fun to let him shop and help install something:

I also might move the N to over the desk; it would personalize the desk area and wouldn't look so much as if it's just floating there.

I actually really like what you have so far. I think the orange chair is a cool idea. My 11 year old still likes LEGO quite a bit so has his favourites displayed on a shelf. That adds colour. We also have some pictures of him with friends in the space and when he was younger. You could do a cork board somewhere so he can put his drawings up. We also have a globe which is a 3D puzzle but now that it’s finished adds beautiful colour.

The desk is not useless but can be put to good use. I've been an accomplished artist for most of my life. I used to do art on any surface I could find, even orange crates. One of the best ways to assist a person is to only answer the question at hand. Anything beyond that is negative. A ten-year-old boy can figure out his own way.

Act one and olychick - these are great !!! Thank you !! I’ve gotten myself stuck and this helps me add some fun colors !!

@aS - yes , he still loves legos too! Should I display them on the dresser ? Or get a shelf ? I just don’t want to add anymore black. Any suggestions on display shelves ? Thank you for these suggestions !

Previously we had a display stand that went on the dresser. So it was a first, second, third type thing. He actually made it with his dad so super cute. Now it’s all just on his storage thing. I called it a shelf but that’s a bit wrong. It’s just sitting on top of the piece of furniture. So you could put a few things on his dresser. It can get cluttered fast though! See below for real life photo 🤣

This is his dresser. Kind of chaos but very him.

I love the murals for color and another thought came to mind...if the door to his room is not too obviously in view how about a blackboard on the outside of his door? ..you can leave messages for him and he for “whoever”....if outside doesnt work and the door is paintable it could be painted with black board paint...if it comes in a green color black board paint....even better!

yes, play things on top, ready to go.... I think the dino could be at home by the mirror - he needs his space. ;)

My relative has a small drawer full of medals... I had thought of hanging some, not on nails, but in some easy-to-do way....

3 items on wall in a row - and connect the N and mirror - how about a board to tack/hang medal?

[You asked about desk - if chair is colorful, and lamp goes there, I'd leave it at that.]

Maybe you could move the small nightstand to other side if bed and place desk/chair there instead and the large basketball print would work well.

Where desk was located, he may like a bookcase for organizing his trophies, class photos, books, etc

Can hang metals or his caps on an over the door hook system

@maureen! I love the idea of moving the desk. The shelves are beautiful too! Would you suggest bringing in a second color wood ? Or sticking with the black and dark brown?

I’d bring in a style like in the picture so not all matching; a more interesting look. The open sides are also more modern and youthful.

I definitely like the openness. I was wondering if a metal : industrial /locker room look might help break up the room? Or would it be too mismatched ? I could get an industrial metal chair to bring in metal ? Or stick with orange chair ?

My grandson is also 10. He has definitely moved beyond the “toy” stage, other than Legos, into the sports-obsessed and video game stage (tho his parents are smart, no screens allowed in his room). In fact, I don’t call him a child anymore. He’s definitely a “tween”, although only in 4th grade. He would be totally on board with this room, except would want shelves to display his Legos (which can never be dismantled) and his medals, trophies, pinewood derby cars, and perhaps most importantly, to store his dozens and dozens of books, as he is a big reader. A good desk chair grows in importance. IKEA has some that would work well. If you can do it, a bigger desk might be more useful, maybe with some storage above it. Good job!

Not sure if I would use an orange chair as there is nothing else that it relates to. Maybe use rust instead to compliment the basketball print above desk. Something comfortable and on wheels may be a good choice and black legs will tie into the bookcase. Look for a black lamp as well. These are things that will suit for years, as usually by 12 they want an older looking teen room

If you move his desk under the basketball pic, then I think your idea of a locker room look could be great if you bought some locker storage pieces and put them where the desk is now. Most kids would think that was fun, I think.

where do we like the desk better ? next to the bed? Or against its own wall?

I think the suggestion was to try the desk under the basketball art, to provide better balance. Would that work? I think judging the best placement will depend on what you do in the space where the desk was.

@Olychick- I tried it over there but bc the desk is higher than the other nightstand , it looked weird to have the higher piece closer to the door Where you walk in and the lower piece farther away...so I switched it . Its a small room so I feel like the desk should go back to its original position. High Shelves in place of the desk will put way too much furniture in a small room . But honestly - design isnt my thing

Well, I agree that original placement is probably best then. And he can see out the window if he chooses. I'd still try the N above the desk, or maybe a bulletin board where he can pin things that interest him.

I'd leave the end table on the side under the basketball art (left of headboard) but pull it away from the bed a bit, so it's more under the art. He'll still be able to reach it.

Desk next to window seems fine. Does it seem tight with dresser? I'd like to see how it looks next to the dresser, under N?

Should I say that a floor lamp could add corner light... where desk it now??

If the desk feels too awkward with nightstand, an even higher piece could work. Both sides of bed don’t have to line up - see below and could use the bookcase on far wall with nightstand on other side and desk back to original wall. Thinking outside the box so he can get a bookstand which I think is a useful addition