This weekend we finally took the first steps toward creating a proper big girl room and a fresh nursery. It feels good to move from planning to action—simple changes are already making the space feel more intentional.
On Friday we placed an order for all-new big-girl furniture from Pottery Barn Kids. After debating several bed styles, I chose a daybed with a trundle. I grew up sleeping on a daybed and always loved its versatility. The trundle will be perfect for sleepovers or if the girls ever share a room, and I’m also considering having Miss A start out on the low trundle so she can climb in and out easily. Practical, cozy, and space-saving—exactly what we needed for this room.
Madeline Daybed & Trundle from Pottery Barn Kids
One of the main reasons I picked a daybed is that it preserves floor space. Her bedroom is the largest of our kid/guest rooms and doubles as our informal play area since we don’t have a dedicated playroom. Leaving the floor open for toys and play is a priority, so the daybed felt like a natural fit.
I haven’t finalized bedding yet, and I’m open to suggestions. I’m leaning toward soft, feminine patterns—think florals, subtle ruffles, or delicate stripes in blush and turquoise tones—but I’d love recommendations for sweet, age-appropriate bedding that will grow with her for a few years.
Below is the inspiration board I put together for Miss A’s nursery in this house. It pulls together the color palette and motifs I’m considering as we transition the space.
Turquoise and Pink Girl’s Room Inspiration Board
You can see a full tour of the pink-and-turquoise nursery that inspired this palette. The combination feels cheerful and timeless for a little girl’s room while still offering flexibility as she grows.
Pink & Turquoise Nursery
I’m debating whether to keep the existing art, paper pom-poms, and most of the current decorations in place, or to completely refresh the room’s decor. Both options have pros and cons: keeping the current elements means less work and a cohesive look; starting fresh would let me tailor the room precisely for the new furniture and updated color scheme. I’m also considering whether pieces that don’t stay in Miss A’s room could be repurposed in the baby’s nursery.
We’re planning to remove the darker wood crib and dresser currently in Miss A’s room. I’m toying with the idea of giving the crib a fresh finish using a natural, chalky paint—something soft and muted that fits the nursery’s palette. Chalk-style paint would offer a matte, vintage feel without a heavy makeover.
Girl Bedroom Inspiration
I’ve been collecting inspiration photos for the new nursery and right now I’m leaning toward painting the walls a pale robin’s egg blue. If that sounds familiar, it’s because I tend to return to soft blue-greens for nurseries and bedrooms—they feel calming and fresh. My partner jokes that he’s going to “pull his hair out” if I paint another room in that family of colors, but it’s such a soothing backdrop, I think it will win out.
I’ve also curated a board of kids’ room ideas on Pinterest to help visualize layouts, colors, and room flow. The board is a helpful place to track styles I like and to refine the overall direction for both the big girl room and the new nursery.
This past weekend we also donated our old queen mattress and box springs. That mattress was serving as a guest bed, but since we plan to place the baby in the middle extra bedroom, we needed to free up the space. We still have a double mattress in our other guest bedroom/office, so we can welcome visitors without crowding the nursery.
Now that the queen mattress is gone, I have a clear space to move the crib and dresser when the big-girl furniture arrives. Next up is a thorough clean-out: I need to sort the decor and storage boxes I’ve stashed in that room for the last two years, decide what to keep, what to donate, and what will be moved into the nursery.
After more than two years of waiting, I’m thrilled to finally give that middle bedroom a defined purpose. The project is moving forward: furniture ordered, inspiration gathered, and plans underway for painting, bedding, and layout. For now, it’s time to clean, organize, and prepare the space so we’re ready when the delivery arrives.
Off I go to declutter and organize—there’s lots to do, but I’m excited for the transformation.