True story: In fifth grade I made my first room design board. I sketched my bedroom layout in a little notebook, planned where every piece of furniture would go, and designed the whole room around one thing—butterflies.

I have no idea why I suddenly developed a butterfly obsession at age ten, but my mom was fully on board. She helped pick out everything down to the butterfly-printed inflatable chair and beaded butterfly curtains. Groovy 90s style. Looking back, it makes perfect sense that I fell in love with decorating so young.

A few weeks ago I asked my daughter Olivia how she wanted her new bedroom to look. When she said, “Can I have butterflies, Mommy?” my heart melted.

I immediately imagined a sweet, child-friendly version of a Victorian butterfly study shadow box for her wall—only without the Victorian habit of mounting real dead specimens. I chose to create a bright, modern version using watercolor butterfly prints on card stock.

DIY Butterfly Study Shadow Box

Supplies used:

Watercolor butterfly graphics printed on white cardstock
Large shadow box (about 24″ x 30″)
White chalk paint and a paintbrush (optional — used if your shadow box isn’t white)
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Step 1: I painted the dark brown shadow box frame with white chalk paint because I couldn’t find a white frame large enough. Painting a darker frame white is an easy way to get a lighter, cleaner look that complements soft kid-friendly decor.

Step 2: For the butterflies, print watercolor butterfly graphics on sturdy white cardstock. You can use free printable sets from a printable library or create your own designs. If the printables are behind a subscriber area, check your subscriber emails for access instructions and the password.

Step 3: Cut out each butterfly carefully with scissors and fold each one gently down the center. The fold gives the wings dimension so the butterflies look three-dimensional when mounted.

Step 4: Lay out the butterflies on the shadow box backer board first. Arrange them so colors and sizes are balanced and not clustered in one spot. This planning step helps ensure a visually pleasing grid or pattern.

Step 5: Attach the butterflies one at a time with a hot glue gun, pressing each folded center onto the backer board so the wings sit lifted from the surface. Work row by row for neat alignment.

Once the board was reinserted into the shadow box, the piece had the look of an heirloom butterfly study but with a playful, modern twist—and at a tiny fraction of the cost. The depth from the folded wings adds texture and casts soft shadows that change throughout the day.

Now that the shadow box hangs in Olivia’s room, that corner feels complete. The handmade piece brings warmth and a curated look similar to pieces you might see in higher-end kids’ decor catalogs—without the high price tag.

I added a few personal touches on the dresser, like a small wooden sign that reads “I love you a bushel and a peck,” a family heirloom rattle hand-carved by Olivia’s grandpa, and a favorite childhood teddy bear. These meaningful accents help the space feel cozy and personal.

Storytime happens nightly with a stack of cherished books, and Olivia especially loves the playful poems that make us laugh. The room is becoming a small, joyful world that reflects things she loves—most importantly, butterflies.

I’ll share the full room reveal soon after a few final touches, but this DIY butterfly study shadow box is already a favorite. If you’re planning a girl’s bedroom, nursery, or kids’ room makeover, this project is an affordable, high-impact way to add color, texture, and a touch of vintage-inspired charm.

Did you have a themed bedroom as a kid? Or discover what you loved decorating at an early age? I’m always amazed how early some passions reveal themselves.