Tween Dreams
A bedroom makeover for my girl. Her only request? Sage green. Here’s how I made it work.
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Bed | Nightstand | Lamp | Duvet + Shams | Curtains | Quilt | Sheets | Duvet Insert
Sage green isn’t the most obvious color for a tween girl bedroom, but I was up for the challenge- and I’m so happy with how it turned out. If you’re looking to create a space that feels calm, cozy, and still has a girly vibe, read on. I’m breaking down how I pulled this room together- from bedding to layout to the final paint treatment.
Start with the Bedding (Always)
Duvet + Shams | Quilt | Sheets | Duvet Insert
I always begin a room refresh with one key piece: the bedding. Specifically, the duvet. It sets the tone for the whole space and gives me something to build the rest of the room around. I follow a go-to high/low strategy- invest a little more in the duvet cover, then pair it with budget-friendly basics. It’s all about balance!
These sheets were recommended by a designer I follow (yes, I was influenced!), and now I have them on every bed in my home. They’re 100% cotton- soft, breathable and cool- just how I like my sheets. And the best part? They’re super affordable.
Let’s talk about the duvet insert. I ordered one off Amazon that totally exceeded my expectations- it’s cozy, has the perfect amount of loft to give the bed that full plush look, and it’s machine washable (a must). It’s honestly the best affordable insert I’ve found and the kind of Amazon find that makes you feel like a genius.
To add dimension (and warmth), I layered an affordable solid quilt under the duvet. Layering gives the bed a more substantial, designer feel without blowing the budget. It also adds a cozy weight to the bed, which my daughter loves. This quilt delivers that luxe look without the high price tag, and it’s become one of my favorite styling tricks.
High/Low Furniture Mix
Desk + Shelves | Desk Chair | Bed | Curtains | Duvet
We needed a bigger bed, and I wanted furniture that would grow with her. Once again, I turned to Pottery Barn Teen- this time for a few key pieces like the bed frame, nightstand and desk. They’re timeless, sturdy, and not overly themed. To balance the budget, we kept her existing IKEA dresser, which still works perfectly. That high/low strategy I use for bedding? I use it for furniture as well- it's what gives a room personality and keeps costs under control.
We chose the Costa Classic Bed in Weathered White- a timeless, sturdy frame that’s stylish now and still age-appropriate as she gets older. The soft finish feels calm and classic, and it works beautifully with the sage and blush palette.
We completely changed the room layout to fit the Highland Wall Desk & Narrow Bookshelf with Drawers Set (68") in Weathered White/Simply White. It’s the perfect mix of storage and workspace, with drawers for supplies and open shelves to display her books and art. Plus, having a designated display area helps keep the rest of the room feeling clean and calm.
To go with the bed, we added the matching Costa Nightstand (21") in Weathered White. It has just enough storage with one drawer and an open shelf (perfect for books, a basket, or a little decor), and the smaller size works great in tighter spaces.
Finishing Touches
These small pieces were the final layer that brought everything together. Functional, stylish, and full of personality, they make the space feel complete and uniquely hers.
Creative Paint for a Custom Look
Instead of painting the whole room sage green, we created a faux wainscoting effect for a more custom look. We used Acacia Haze by Sherwin-Williams for the bottom two-thirds of the wall and Alabaster (also Sherwin-Williams) for the top.
We painted the upper portion of the wall in Alabaster first. Don’t worry about a perfectly clean line at this stage- Acacia Haze will define it later. Once the white paint was dry, we measured about 64" up from the floor and used painter’s tape to mark the dividing line. Pro tip: place the tape just above where you want the green paint to stop, since you’ll be painting everything below the tape in Acacia Haze.
After the green paint dried, we peeled back the tape to reveal our faux wainscoting. Is the line perfectly crisp? Absolutely not. But it still gives the room dimension and makes the ceiling feel higher- and we love how it turned out.
Mood Boarding in Canva
Before committing to any purchases, I always create a mood board. Canva is my favorite tool for this. I pulled in photos of the bedding, furniture, paint swatches, and accessories to see how it would all work together. It’s such a helpful step- it lets me play with ideas without spending a dime (or lifting a paintbrush). Plus, it helps prevent returns and decision regret.
Tween Dreams Canva Mood Board
A Room We Both Love
This sage green tween bedroom turned out better than I imagined- peaceful, pretty, and perfectly suited to my daughter’s personality. And the best part? She absolutely loves it. Whether you’re planning a full redo or just looking for inspiration, I hope this breakdown gives you a few ideas to try. High/low strategies, intentional layouts, and a little creative paint can really transform a space- especially when you start with what your kid loves most.