How to Make My Room Less Childish (Without Redoing It)

6 min read · RoomMaxx

Here's how to make my room less childish without starting over: find the five or six things that make it look young (usually themed bedding, painted kids' furniture, taped posters, toys on display and bright mixed colors), then cover, update, retire or shrink each one. You keep your furniture and most of your stuff. You just change what's on show and how it's presented.

Can't tell which parts of your room still look like you were eight? RoomMaxx scores a photo for tidy, light and vibe with a short verdict, then gives you one small fix aimed at the lowest. Scan my room

Spot the childish parts

Most rooms don't look childish because of one big thing. It's a pile-up of small signals. Walk through this list and tick what applies to you.

The childish room checklist:

• Bedding with characters, cartoons or kid-style prints
• Furniture painted in bright or pastel "kids' room" colors
• Wall decals, name letters or growth charts
• Toys, plushies or figures lined up on shelves
• Posters taped or tacked straight to the wall
• Rainbow of bright colors with no theme
• Glow-in-the-dark stars or a kids' ceiling light
• Old trophies, certificates and school crafts everywhere

Each tick is one fix. You don't need to do them all at once.

Why it's hard to see in your own room

You've lived with these things so long they're invisible. Your eyes skip the decal above the door because it's been there since you were six.

This is where RoomMaxx helps. It looks at your room with fresh eyes: snap a photo, get a Room Score out of 100 split into tidy, light and vibe, and one small daily fix aimed at your lowest score. Rescan as you work through the list and watch the number move. Scan my room

Cover or swap themed bedding

The bed is the biggest surface in the room, so themed bedding is the loudest childish signal you have.

No-buy fixes

• Flip the duvet. Many covers have a plainer back.
• Cover it. Lay a solid blanket, quilt or even a large flat sheet over the top, tucked neatly.
• Fold the comforter at the foot of the bed with only a plain sheet on top.
• Borrow a spare solid duvet cover from somewhere else in the house (ask first).

Cheap swaps

• Solid-color pillowcases (the fastest visible change).
• A textured throw in one color across the foot of the bed.
• If you're buying one thing, get a plain duvet cover in white, grey, navy or sage.

Update furniture cheaply

That pink dresser or race-car bed doesn't have to go. Here are cheap ways to update furniture, from easiest to hardest.

Paint tips if you get the go-ahead: sand lightly, use a primer, and choose one calm color like white, navy, sage or black. Paint in a well-ventilated space and get an adult to help.

Bed frame tips: a themed headboard can be hidden by pillows stacked against it or a blanket draped over it.

Retire the old decor

Now for the stuff you just don't need on display anymore.

1. Wall decals and name letters: peel slowly with a hairdryer on low to soften the adhesive.
2. Glow stars: gently pry off, then wipe residue.
3. Toys and figures: box up most of them.
4. Taped posters: take them down, keep your two favorites and frame them.
5. Kids' lamp: swap the shade or the whole lamp for something plain with a warm bulb.

Try the "would I buy this today?" test for each item. If not, it's a candidate to retire.

Keep the sentimental stuff, smaller

Making your room less childish doesn't mean throwing away your childhood. It means changing the scale.

• One memory shelf. Pick your three favorite childhood items and give them one shelf.
• A memory box. Everything else goes in a nice box under the bed or in the closet.
• Frame it. A childhood drawing in a simple frame looks like art, not a leftover.
• Photograph it. Take pictures of old crafts and trophies, then keep only the best originals.
• Rotate. Swap which sentimental items are out every few months.

This keeps your room feeling like you, just an older you.

Before and after checklist

Use this list to track your change from kid room to teen room. Do one or two a day.

Day 1: Make the bed with plain bedding or a cover-up blanket. Day 2: Clear one shelf, keeping three to five items. Day 3: Take down decals, stickers and taped posters. Day 4: Switch off the ceiling light at night and use a lamp. Day 5: Swap knobs or cover one piece of furniture. Day 6: Set up your memory shelf and box. Day 7: Frame two favorite prints or photos.

Take a before photo on day one so you can compare.

Room ideas for teen boys and teen girls

• Room ideas for teen boys: navy, grey and olive bedding, a clear desk, framed band or sports prints, a desk lamp, cable clips.
• Room ideas for teen girls: cream, sage or blush bedding, fairy lights or a warm lamp, a tray for jewelry and makeup, a framed photo wall.
• Cozy room ideas for teen girls (or anyone): a chunky throw, two warm light sources and one big plant.

Want to take it further? Our guide on how to make your room look more mature covers the next step up. If you're a parent planning with a younger teen, see our room makeover for a 13 year old girl. And for a fun style that isn't babyish, try whimsical room ideas that still look grown up.

Watch your room go from kid to teen, starting now

Scan your room today for your first Room Score out of 100, split into tidy, light and vibe. Each day you'll get one small fix aimed at your lowest score, and most use things you already own. Rescan as you work through your checklist to see your score history climb, keep a streak and share the before-and-after card.

Scan my room

FAQ

How do I make my room look less childish without buying anything?

Flip or cover themed bedding, remove decals and taped posters, box up toys and clear shelves down to a few items. Switch to lamp light at night. These free fixes change the look a lot.

How do I turn a kids room into a teen room on a budget?

Keep the furniture and change what's on it: plain bedding or pillowcases, new knobs, framed prints instead of posters and a calmer color palette. Tackle one item a day so it stays affordable.

What are good room ideas for teens that won't look babyish?

Pick a palette of two or three calm colors, use warm lamps, frame art, and display a small number of meaningful items. Aesthetics like minimalist, cottagecore or old money all work for teens.

Should I throw away my childhood stuff?

No. Keep your favorites on one memory shelf and store the rest in a box. A few framed childhood drawings can even become part of your new look.

How do I update a painted kids' dresser?

Swap the knobs first, since that's cheap and quick. If you still want a change, peel-and-stick paper on the drawers or repainting in one calm color, with permission and adult help, will make it look new.