My Crazy Life: 2026

So. before we get into the "afters", here's a bit of the "befores". I didn't get a complete picture of her room before we started tearing it apart, but this was it, in sections anyway. Not pictured is the toy box, toy storage, and cubby storage we were using in there when we switched it up.

Issues/problems/things we're working with & trying to solve in this space...1. her room is small, she loves to play & needs to maximize floor space 2. No closet - yes the room has a closet, though it's not large... It's full of extra dishes/China, linens, decor items & (my) crafting supplies (with only a small space for a few hanging/fancy dresses of hers). We have a small house (2000sq ft) for 6 people with limited storage space, so this is what it is. 3. We don't have toys anywhere else in the house, same goes for school items and supplies - they all need to fit in this space. 4. Cat litter box needs to be in here 🥴... We have 1 box in the laundry room, but need one on "this side" of the house, in case that door is closed (frequently is) and the cats are on this side of that door... We don't have space in either bathroom, the boys room is where we keep the dog contained when needed (door closed), not really enough space in my room (and Brian barely tolerates their existence, so I can't push it by trying to also add a litter box😆)... So this leaves us Vale's room. 5. An extra bed for a guest, and a place for young kids to hang/watch a show.

She had it in her mind that she wanted a bunk bed back in the spring. I convinced her that loft beds were cooler, and we went from there. Instead of just paint, I wanted some fun color on the walls - so wallpaper! She told me what she wanted in general, and I picked 4/5 designs online I thought would work. This was her #1 choice/favourite... Though it wasn't the one I would have picked - I am glad we did! Everything came together SO perfectly!!

Everything I bought was from Amazon, Walmart, Target & Ikea, with honorable mention to the Dollar Tree for having the perfect sized totes for her dresser/closet at only 1.25ea (because we needed 18 of them!).

After picking out wallpaper (Amazon), and a paint color (Sherwin Williams, thanks to all your help, friends on Instagram stories!), I ordered the bed I chose - it's for sale in multiple places online, but ultimately found it $150ish cheaper on Walmart.com. I repainted the trim in the room, but did not repaint the doors (so all stickers previously applied to said doors are still present). She has strict instructions to keep all stickers off her new bed and walls 🤞🏽
We kept - her open bin toy storage & toy box. The bin storage isn't the most attractive per se, but it is the most effective way to use (and put back) toys, so it's staying. The toy box my dad made for me when I was a baby - it's doubling as a little end table right now, but holds all her larger vehicles and houses etc. It was painted green to match her previous room decor, and it doesn't clash with the current decor, so I left it as is. I may put it up on blocks to raise it's height? I'm still deciding about that, but it works well for what we need. We also kept the coat hangers behind her door. We got rid of everything else in the room, except the curtain rods, and 1 green cube storage bin (contains all her shoes) - again, it matched her previous decor, but was still in great shape, and doesn't clash with current so I kept it. Oh, and her laundry hamper - we already owned that too, and it did clash with her old decor (green, navy & white), but goes perfectly with the new!

The loveseat/futon was Amazon, we needed a very specific size - and it pulls out halfway (for lounging/tv) or all the way for sleeping. The dresser/closet storage solution is from Ikea. It's a narrow area, so its only 10" deep, but very tall. The doors are glass and can be see-thru, or white or black (with the insert they provided). I covered over the black side of the insert with extra wallpaper. And I really love that extra detail. It was not the cabinet I originally wanted, but my local Ikea didn't have what I wanted and I hate paying for shipping 😜 so I pivoted and found this one instead, and it's perfection!!
All the little details came together SO well! The curtain decision was a toughie - but I am glad I landed on the green/teal over the pink (Walmart). This room has such peaceful vibes to it, while also being very "Vale" (and I don't think anyone would describe her as peaceful😂). Her new bedding - Walmart, throw pillows on couch, Target, couch cover (to protect it and keep it clean), Amazon. New mattress, Amazon (with plastic covers etc, walmart). That adorably pretty fandelier is Amazon, and wow is it ever good! The wind output is 🙌🏽. The little sconces, lamp and picture frames are all Walmart - the art was created by chatgpt and my prompts - I couldn't be happier with it 🤩. The under loft lighting is technically under cabinet lighting. Motion activated, and exactly perfect for that space! They recharge and magnet on/off so they are easy to swap when needed. It comes in a 6 pack, so 3 are always on the charger (in the charging station I created on the lowest shelf of the Ikea cabinet) ready to go!

So - the TV... My bigs are giving me all kinds of grief about how spoiled she is 🥴. It's not just for viewing any ol time, and has only been used a few times - but!! With our family dynamics, this scenario happens OFTEN - adults are talking in living room, my bigs (& friends) are talking, playing a game, or watching something in the new room... And she's displaced to no where 😬 Whether just her, or with also younger kids, they have no where to go but her room, and when it gets late for littles (8pm) and adults are still going strong until midnight, we usually put on a show and let them veg out/fall asleep etc. It's just a practical entertaining strategy, really. And it worked out exactly as I envisioned on Friendsgiving with all ages doing all the things (games, football etc) and having that extra thing for the young ones was super helpful.
What are some other details? The hanging stuffed animal storage (Amazon) is life giving😂 she has so many stuffed animals and adores them! The mirror was Walmart.com, and super ugly in colour (was supposed to be gold). Rub n buff saved the day! Little shelves here and there was a multi pack from Amazon. The desk chair was walmart.com, the rug was Walmart
The fancy hidden litter box was Amazon, and it's so great! When she has people over playing, we turn the opening to the wall and no one would even know what's in there! It just looks like a planter with a fake plant in it 🤗
I've never actually in my life done such a thorough remodel all at once/in such a short span of time (about a month) 😄. It was really fun!! The end result is a space that fits what it needs to, and is still pretty. We have maximized every square inch! She happily does her school in there, all kinds of set ups with her toys and dolls, and thinks her new bed is super comfy. I don't think I could have come up with anything else more perfect that this for our girl ❤️
The Christmas tree was already hers from last year, but it fits right in!!

I prompted ChatGPT to make me art by uploading a picture of the wallpaper. I wanted the colours and design to "go with", but specifically wanted a valley with a stream going through it, and couldn't find anything similar online/on etsy to purchase. I LOVE THIS ALL!

Giving that under cabinet lighting time to shine

Pulling out the bed halfway for watching a show

Hanging stuftie storage is a NEED around here

Her "dresser"/closet for all her clothes and bed linens. The bins are from Dollar Tree.

Ikea cabinet which is very narrow, the doors can be see-thru, or have an insert, with a white side and a black side. I covered the black side with extra wall paper. I love how this turned out so much!

The fandelier she picked out (of the options I gave her). She told everyone for weeks about this fandelier, asking everyone if they have ever heard of a fandelier (everyone had not). She was quite pleased to explain the details of a chandelier + fan.

The mirror was the right size, style and price, but unfortunately a ugly yellow (not the advertised gold). Rub n buff to the rescue!

I looked for similar in better colours/pastels...anything other than primary or what I already had (all black). Nothing was available, so I used left over wall paper and rub n buff to beautify what we already had. A small detail, but a good one.

Kitty litter! we keep the entrance mostly turned to the wall, and nones the wiser! I love this hidden functional thing so much.

Anyone need a backpack. She won't be parted with any of them. They each serve a specific purpose:-) And her American flag, just because. This room is very "her" in every way.

Coat and sweater rack, and school stuff, and a little shelf (which was there before in a slightly different spot, we just re-hung it)

All her shoes and boots are in this tote. We had it from her old room, and it doesn't clash with the new decor, so I kept it.

Toy bin, this was part of the old room set up

Toy box my Dad made for me when I was about 3 or so. It was painted to match the green/navy/grey of her former decor scheme, but doesn't clash with new, so I have not repainted it. I might do so later, as it's a bit beat up:-/ Doubles as storage for the larger toys and vehicles, and an end table.

So then, after Christmas we needed a little more "updating". She already has, and then added more Lego to her collection over the holiday - sets that are meant to "stay set up"...which means we need more places to put it. So I ordered more shelving!