Colorful Toddler Boy Bedroom Design | Mid-Century Inspired Kids Room
If my son had it his way, this room would have been red.
My second-born’s favorite color has always been red. When he was finally ready to stop sharing a bedroom with his sister and claim a space of his own, I brought him in and showed him the room that would soon be his, and pulled out a paint deck. I gently guided him toward calming, muted greens—but he knew exactly what he wanted. Red. And dinosaurs.
As much as I love honoring my kids’ personalities in our home, I also knew a bright red bedroom wasn’t going to support restful sleep. From a color psychology standpoint, red is known to increase heart rate, intensify emotions, and encourage reactive behavior—none of which are ideal for a toddler’s bedroom.
So we kept flipping through the paint deck until we landed on a compromise: orange.
Choosing the Right Color for a Toddler’s Bedroom
Orange is an energizing color, often associated with creativity, enthusiasm, and warmth. While it isn’t traditionally recommended for bedrooms, I felt that—with the right shade—it could feel grounding rather than overstimulating. This room was meant for an adventurous little boy, after all.
The key was finding an orange that felt muted but not muddy, warm without being overwhelming.
I tested several options, paying close attention to:
How the color shifted throughout the day
How it interacted with the natural light
How it worked alongside the home’s original materials
This room has orange-toned parquet floors, birch trim, wood doors, and a bright yellow laminate desktop, so the paint needed to complement—not compete.
The winner: “Adventure Orange” by Sherwin-Williams.
Balancing Bold Color With Natural Materials
Before choosing paint, I already knew which furniture would anchor the space. I had been using a dark green channel-tufted bed and a carved wood nightstand in our downstairs guest room, and they fit perfectly with the tropical dinosaur vibe I was envisioning.
That dark green upholstery, paired with warm wood tones, brought in the earth elements needed to balance the fiery energy of the orange walls. The combination helped ground the space and made the color feel intentional rather than chaotic.
When Color Drenching Feels… Terrifying
This room was completed around 2020—before color drenching became a mainstream design trend. As I painted, I started second-guessing myself.
It was so orange.
Between the freshly painted walls, the warm wood accordion closet doors, and those very orange parquet floors, the space felt intense. I reminded myself that paint is just paint—and if I hated it once everything was styled, I could always repaint.
Spoiler: I didn’t.
Adding Contrast With Dark Accents
Once the walls and ceiling were finished, the white closet interior and built-in drawers felt stark and unfinished. To tie in the other black accents throughout the room, I painted the closet “Urbane Bronze” by Sherwin-Williams—a color I would later use on the exterior of our home.
This deep, moody contrast gave the room a sense of permanence and sophistication, even while remaining playful.
Softening the Space With Textiles & Light
To balance the bold walls, I layered in lighter elements:
A white shag rug to soften the floor (not photographed)
White bedding to calm the palette
A mix of textures rather than more color
I’ve never been one to use blackout curtains—I love waking up with the sun—so when I found sheer orange tropical vibe curtains at Target, there was no hesitation. They filtered light beautifully and leaned into the playful, dinosaur-inspired theme without feeling juvenile.
Kid-Friendly Art Without the Scary Stuff
Finding dinosaur art turned out to be harder than expected. So many options leaned aggressive or overly cartoonish, which wasn’t the vibe I wanted.
We eventually found digital download dinosaur prints on Etsy with muted colors and gentle illustrations—no sharp teeth, no chaos. Framed simply, they added personality without overwhelming the walls.
To finish the space, we added a dinosaur-shaped coat rack from Target—functional, whimsical, and age-appropriate.
Updating the Lighting for a Mid-Century Home
The final detail was lighting. I had already updated the downstairs desk lighting with George Kovacs wall sconces, and I loved how they blended modern lines with mid-century sensibility.
Adding the same sconce above the desk in this room created continuity throughout the house and elevated the space from “kids’ room” to something more timeless.
A Room That Grew With Our Family
This bedroom was a joyful blend of bold mid-century color and childhood imagination. While it no longer exists in its original form—my younger boys eventually switched rooms again—it served its purpose beautifully.
Today, this space has been transformed into my home office and is slowly becoming a feminine sanctuary. But the heart of this room—and the lessons it taught me about color, balance, and trusting your instincts—will always remain.
Product Links & Similar Finds
Affiliate Links Below
Many of the original items were purchased over five years ago and are no longer available. If I were designing this room again today with a similar budget, here’s what I’d use:
Bed
Actual Bed:
https://amzn.to/3M5mi4A
Alternatives:
https://amzn.to/45OCHB7
https://amzn.to/4kjCMTt
Nightstands
Actual:
Target | Tachuri Geometric Front Nightstand – Opalhouse™
Alternatives:
https://amzn.to/4r10Lcz
https://amzn.to/4abWwDw
Table Lamp
Wall Sconce
Curtains
Actual:
Sheer Ophelia Printed Burnout Window Curtain Panel – Opalhouse™ x Jungalow™
Alternative:
https://amzn.to/4qXgitR