Clara may be another year older, but she’s still far from her teenage years. That’s why it was fun to experience Courtney’s makeover of her 11-year-old niece Emily’s room through her eyes. After virtually crashing Courtney’s home last May, we knew there would be great design inspiration, and many readers have asked to see more tween rooms—so here you go.
Hi everyone! I hope all is well at the Petersik house. I want to share the room we transformed for my 11-year-old niece—she would be thrilled to have it featured. This project was the result of four intense months of work. We converted an old laundry room…
…into a little girl’s paradise. We patched holes, rewired lighting, installed ceiling speakers, reworked the ductwork, added FLOR tiles, and painted all the trim and walls.
Then we layered on playful details, such as:
…new lighting and thoughtfully chosen furnishings that balance function and style.
We added a brightly colored armoire—painted a bold magenta—to provide extra clothing storage while making a cheerful statement.
Overall, this was a true labor of love. She’s overjoyed with her new space, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Thanks so much! —Courtney
Thanks for sharing, Courtney! While I can’t truly relate to an 11-year-old girl, it’s easy to see why Emily adores her room. The design strikes a lovely balance between grown-up sophistication and playful youthfulness. Many of the choices—like painting the armoire a vivid magenta, introducing oversized artwork, and installing a sculptural chandelier—offer ideas that could inspire other tween bedrooms or even a bold master bedroom refresh.
Now for favorite parts: Sherry says she loves “everything in the second after picture,” while I’m especially taken with the aged geometric sculpture in the final photo. Whatever your favorite detail, this makeover shows how thoughtful updates and splashes of color can transform a small, overlooked space into a joyful, personalized retreat.