Beach-Themed Triple Bunk Bed Makeover for Teens

After we completed a boho cottage shared bedroom makeover for two of the five sisters who live down the street, the other three sisters asked for a room refresh of their own. It felt only fair to even the score, so we set out to give their shared bedroom a full makeover that would feel calm, bright, and practical for three growing girls.

The biggest challenge was finding a layout that balanced sleeping space, storage, and three distinct zones while keeping the look cohesive. The girls agreed on a single color: light blue. From there, a cottage-meets-camp, subtly beachy scheme became the guiding concept.

The girls’ top priority was a room that felt serene yet cheerful. With that in mind we landed on a cottage beach theme with a cozy camp-out vibe—playful but not overly themed, and easy to grow with through the teenage years.

Before

Here’s how the bedroom looked before: a cramped triple bunk that left little breathing room.

Multipurpose Furniture Layout

Storage and clearly defined zones were the two biggest needs in this shared room. To maximize utility we chose furniture that could serve more than one purpose. The dressers we selected convert into desks or vanities by using a drop-down panel in the top drawer—so they remain useful for clothes storage but easily transform into work or makeup stations as the girls’ needs change.

Scalloped chairs were chosen because they work well as desk or vanity seating and also make a great spot to curl up under the loft for reading or hanging out. The flexibility of these pieces lets the room shift with the girls day to day.

Before

Beach-Themed Wallpaper and Paint

All three girls loved light blue, so we painted the ceiling, trim, and doors in a soft Carolina Sky blue from the Romabio collection. The shade reads a little differently throughout the day—blue, green, or soft gray depending on light—so it keeps the room feeling fresh and inviting.

We paired the painted elements with a removable peel-and-stick striped wallpaper in a classic vertical pattern. The stripes elongate the walls and, combined with the painted ceiling, make the room feel taller and more expansive. Because the wallpaper is removable, the look can be updated easily in the future without major work.

Romabio’s mineral-based paints are zero-VOC and non-toxic, which makes them an especially good option for kids’ rooms.

Before

Storage

Burl Wood IKEA Hack Dresser

To give the room warmth and more storage, we built a larger dresser solution by applying burl-style contact paper to a simple chest and adding brass-and-glass knobs. The result looks custom and provides a lot more drawer space than the previous setup.

The new dresser is substantially larger than what they had before, and the faux-burl finish ties in with the room’s vintage-coastal aesthetic.

Before

Rattan Bookshelf

Because the sisters are avid readers, we built a reading nook underneath a loft and added a rattan bookshelf to bring in texture and coastal warmth. The scalloped chairs are comfortable for lounging and supportive enough for desk or vanity use. The scallop detail subtly echoes seashell shapes, reinforcing the beachy theme without being literal.

Command Center Zone

We used the back of a bookshelf as a command center so the three girls can keep schedules, reminders, and artwork in one place. A chalkboard calendar, magnetic boards, and cork tiles let them personalize and organize their week without taking up additional wall space.

Coastal Wall Decor and Camp Art

For a teen and pre-teen room, art should feel lively and personal. We curated a gallery of coastal paintings, vintage-style pennants, and small decorative objects to create an authentic, collected-over-time look. Texture and variation in scale were important so the wall felt intentional rather than themed for kids.

Before

Coastal Paintings

A key piece that inspired the room was a coastal print featuring soft, vintage colors. We framed it in gold because the girls loved a little shine. Alongside that we hung a playful surf-and-woodie painting in a mismatched frame so the collection feels like a small, curated assortment of favorites rather than a matchy set.

Vintage Pennant Camp Art

To add playful text and shape contrast, we included a couple of vintage-style pennants—one with an encouraging message and another that brings a pop of cheerful yellow. They introduce movement and nostalgia without feeling twee.

Decorative Wall Objects

Small details like a vintage ribbon, a ukulele mounted on the wall, and other tactile pieces make the gallery feel layered and lived-in. The ukulele is functional, too—the girls can take it down and play if they want.

Coastal-Style Mirror

To blend a boho touch with the coastal theme, we added an arched rattan mirror. Placing a table lamp opposite a window helps bounce light around the room, brightening the space and making it feel larger. A small green tabletop frame adds a personal spot for a photo or print.

Decorative Accents and Accessories

The sisters love music, so a vintage-style Bluetooth speaker with radio functionality was added for easy listening. A diffuser provides a gentle night light and lets the room smell fresh; a calming essential oil blend helps create a relaxing atmosphere for bedtime. Considering sound and scent along with sight adds to the overall comfort of the space.

Organization

In addition to the command center, we added desktop organizers and concrete bookends that double as storage slots for notebooks and pens. Round acrylic organizers keep smaller school or art supplies and makeup tidy inside the dresser desks so the surfaces stay clutter-free.

Triple Bunk Beds

The old triple bunk had cramped sleeping spaces, so we reconfigured the layout by pairing a double-over-twin bunk and a bunk loft side-by-side. This arrangement gives each bed more headroom and a more comfortable feel. Metal frames in white were chosen to keep the space feeling airy; one frame required a quick touch-up spray when the original finish was out of stock.

Bedding

To make daily bed-making quick and simple, we used zip-up bedding sets that work like sleeping bags—easy to pull up and zip closed. The girls loved this convenience, and the soft minky interior makes the beds feel cozy. We layered patterned shams and throw quilts for a lively mix of floral, geometric, and block-printed textures.

Rug

A scalloped jute rug brings a coastal texture underfoot and mirrors the scallop detail in the chairs. The natural fiber adds warmth and grounds the room’s palette without overwhelming the other elements.

Window Shades

Cordless pull-down bamboo shades were chosen for their clean look and light-filtering quality. They add warmth and texture while providing privacy and a moderate level of light control—enough for daytime naps and morning brightness without heavy curtains.

Before

Lighting

Fandelier

Because the top bunks are close to the ceiling, we avoided traditional blade fans. Instead we installed a caged ceiling fan with a rattan-like shade that moves air effectively and keeps the look coastal. The fan includes a remote for dimming and color-change functions, which helps set different moods throughout the day.

Wall Lamps

Nightstands are difficult to use with bunk beds, so we added wall-mounted plug-in lamps with pull cords beside each bunk. Each girl can control her own light from her bed without disturbing the others.

Table Lamps

Table lamps on the dresser provide ambient light and create a cozy reading glow. A small reading lamp with built-in USB ports on the rattan bookshelf gives extra task lighting and convenient device charging for the girls.

There are many small details that bring this room together. Below is a concise list of the main sources and materials used for the makeover, for easy reference.

Room Sources

• Paint for ceiling, trim, and doors – Romabio Carolina Sky Low Lustre
• Striped wallpaper (peel-and-stick)
• Rattan-style caged ceiling fan
• Double bunk bed
• Bunk loft bed
• Scalloped jute rug
• Scalloped chairs
• Dresser desks (convertible to desks/vanities)
• Rattan bookshelf
• Zip-up bedding sets for quick bed-making
• Patterned quilt shams and pillowcases
• Gel sleeping pillows
• Rattan wall lamps
• DIY burl wood dresser (IKEA hack)
• Table lamps and task lamps
• Reading nook lamp with USB ports
• Rattan arched mirror
• Bluetooth speaker / radio
• Diffuser and essential oil blend
• Concrete and terrazzo bookends
• Round acrylic desk organizers
• Vintage-style pennants and coastal prints
• Ukulele and stand
• Wicker wastebasket

One last look at the final bedroom: the combination of painted ceilings, vertical stripes, natural textures, and curated art created a relaxed, grown-up yet youthful space that the girls can enjoy now and grow into over the coming years.

I say this often, but this makeover exceeded my expectations. The room’s campy, cottage, and coastal elements come together in a way that feels both nostalgic and modern. It makes me want to be twelve again—or maybe it’s an excuse to decorate a beach house someday.

If you’re decorating for kids or teens, focus on flexible furniture, layered textures, and a few curated, meaningful pieces. The result is a room that’s functional, beautiful, and built to last through changing tastes.

More Teen and Kid Bedroom Ideas

• Modern cottage shared teen girl bedroom
• Cottagecore-style toddler girl room
• Boho girl bedroom refresh
• Playroom makeover
• Rec room / teen hangout makeover
• Creative bunk bed ideas for small rooms
• Vintage wallpaper favorites for teen bedrooms and kids’ playrooms