The Ultimate Boys' Bedroom

A little imagination goes a long way in a shared bedroom for two young boys.

What do most little boys dream about? Some might say cowboys, video games or Star Wars, but most of them will likely say sports. But how do you design a sports-inspired-but-stylish room for two young, active boys?

This was the challenge presented to New York-based interior designer Hilary Unger. Through her companies, Perianth and Buy My Eye, Hilary transformed a boys' bedroom in an East Side townhouse into a no-holds-barred dream space. She said goodbye to the race car beds that once filled the room, and she said hello to a rock-climbing wall, boxing/punching bag, mini basketball court and more.

Take a peek inside this fun and functional children's room below.

Before the re-do, the room was cluttered, ill-planned and not much fun for the boys (above). Unger's goal was to make the bedroom "the room" to hang out in for the boys and their friends. When, she explained her plan to the to include a climbing wall and punching bag among other fun sport-related activities, the boys' parents excitedly said, "If you can dream it up, we can build it!" Active in the design process, the parents were the ones to suggest creating loft spaces around the beds.

Unger's design is filled with youthful details include rope netting surrounding one of the lofts, a bright orange chalkboard closet door, a sliding library ladder and awning-shaped window valences.

The room is also designed to contain clutter: Unger created the loft spaces to include lots of storage for books, trophies and, of course, action figures. There is even built-in storage below the windows and beneath the beds.

The surrounds for the lofts, the bed frames and nightstands are oak, painted an inky blue. Packing even more play into the space, Unger included circular cutouts that are backed in Velcro and filled with removable ping-pong balls as part of the loft frames.

While one loft space is larger than the other, the boys didn't fight over it at all -- they're so happy to have such a great space to play in that they don't complain. Meanwhile, the parents are thrilled that on rainy days, their sons now have multiple activities to keep them occupied!

For more pint-sized design, check out these posts:
- Jonathan Adler launches a children's line of furnishings and room decor.
- The ultimate backyard playhouse.