Mixing Modern Comfort with Vintage Style in Boys’ Bedrooms

Easily makeover a boys bedroom with cozy vintage vibes while keeping modern elements

We have finally completed Eli’s vintage boys room makeover and I am so excited to share it with you!

The goal for his new bedroom was to feel like a cozy space he could feel completely comfortable in.

While a vintage feel is the goal for this space, we also mixed in some modern elements that make it extra fun!

Elements of Vintage Style for Boys’ Bedrooms

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Classic Color Palette

Vintage style often features muted, timeless colors paired with pops of vibrant hues for extra character and charm. This combination creates a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that feels cozy and inviting.

For Eli’s room, I combined a muted orange check wallpaper with Kittery Point Green paint. The result feels like stepping into a warm hug.

Want more inspiration? Check out these vintage kids’ room wallpaper and paint color combos!

Retro Furniture

Think wooden beds, metal frames, or mid-century modern pieces. Furniture with a slightly worn or distressed finish adds authenticity and character to the vintage look.

We repurposed this wooden bunk bed from our playroom makeover a few years ago. Since the playroom is becoming a nursery, it was perfect for Eli’s new room. I adore the turned wood details and rich stain on this bunk bed.

Patterned Textiles

Classic patterns like stripes, plaids, or checks in bedding, curtains, and rugs evoke tradition and charm—perfect for a vintage-inspired boys’ bedroom.

Wallpaper is an easy way to add pattern. Plus, peel-and-stick options make it a simple DIY project!

I installed this peel and stick checkered wallpaper to make this space extra cozy and warm.

Decorative Accessories

This is where thrift store finds really shine! Vintage alarm clocks, classic posters (think cars, airplanes, fishing, or sports themes), and antique toys or model kits add tons of personality.

These unique pieces bring character and charm to the space.

Lighting

Warm-toned lighting with retro-style fixtures—like industrial lamps, metal pendant lights, or classic desk lamps—enhances the nostalgic vibe. This is one of the few times I use warm light bulbs to cozy up a room.

Even the ceiling fan in Eli’s room has retro vibes and comes in multiple colors!

Storage Solutions

Wooden trunks, metal lockers, or vintage suitcases serve as both storage and decor. They keep things organized while adding character.

I found a large trunk on Facebook Marketplace that doubles as storage and a nightstand—talk about practical vintage style!

Wall Treatments

Painted wood paneling adds texture and depth to walls, reinforcing the vintage aesthetic.

In Eli’s room, we painted beadboard in a nostalgic green. Pairing wallpaper with beadboard keeps patterns from feeling overwhelming.

Personal Touches

Incorporate items that reflect your child’s interests with a vintage twist—framed black-and-white photos, old maps, or retro sports memorabilia work great.

For Eli’s room, I chose vintage fishing prints from Amazon and used thrifted vintage wallpaper as a fun backing for them.

Furniture Ideas That Blend Old and New Perfectly

Kids room storage solutions vintage style

When I think cozy vintage spaces, wood, metal, and leather come to mind. Dark wood elements like Eli’s bunk beds look vintage but are actually brand new!

The rocking chair originally belonged to Eli’s nursery. It was in great shape but got a fresh coat of paint to mimic leather—it fits perfectly now.

You can find my faux leather paint technique here!

The bean bag chairs in the reading corner have a faux leather look too—and they even vibrate! Super cozy and fun.

Incorporating Modern Lighting Seamlessly

There is nothing wrong with adding modern features alongside the vintage design.

I wanted to do something fun in Eli’s reading nook so I installed these Govee light strips that change color and really light up the nook.

There are all kinds of light feature options and the install was super simple.

I also updated the light fixture in his closet. The globe is fluted glass and lends to a more modern look.

Practical Storage Solutions with a Vintage Twist

I am convinced the most important aspect of a kids bedroom is the storage options.

For this space I used a vintage trunk to double as seasonal bedding storage and also as a nightstand.

The cube storage unit in this space holds his toys and games. The dark brown stain color pairs well with his bunkbed and I used different types of baskets and bins that have a vintage type feel.

Another thing Eli’s room has is a lot of books! So building some book shelves was a must.

I made these simple DIY bookshelves out of pine boards and a fancy front trim piece.

The bookshelves are painted in my favorite vintage looking blue paint color (you might recognize it from the playroom). It’s called Skipping Stones by Dunn-Edwards Dura.

Boys Room Closet Makeover

The final thing we tackled in this room makeover was the closet. It had been used as a catch all since we moved in and it was time to make it functional!

I built these closet built-ins using the same method I have used for every closet project. It really is simple to create a custom looking closet without the custom closet price with this method!

The only part of this closet makeover I did cheat a little bit on was using this pre-made dresser drawer kit instead of building the drawers from scratch.

Now this closet is ready to grow with him and all his big boy clothes!

Vintage Style Boys Bedroom Reveal

I’m thrilled with how this vintage-style boys’ bedroom makeover turned out. The small details really make it special.

Eli absolutely loves his new room—especially the bunk beds and reading nook. I’m so glad we could give him a proper big brother room before our new baby arrives!

What do you think? What’s your favorite part of the space? Let me know in the comments!

If you want more tips on creating cozy vintage boys’ bedrooms or mixing modern elements into classic designs, be sure to follow along!