Before-and-After Bedroom Makeover

February 19, 2016
This bedroom was a real snoozer -- bland, charmless, and dated. But a budget-smart decorating makeover with paint, fabric, and easy-decorating tricks transforms it into a stylish retreat.
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BEFORE: Bland Bedroom

Lacking personality and style, this bedroom was also uninviting and cold. But a budget-friendly makeover provided a fresh outlook.

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After: Bright and Cozy

A palette of cheery yellow, soothing slate blue, and creamy white takes the

mood from dreary to dreamy and makes this small bedroom feel light, bright, fresh, and modern.

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Customize for Less

Stock kitchen cabinets from IKEA work great as bookshelves and create the look of a built-in for less. Leave off the backs so wall paint shows through -- it makes a small room feel bigger. Score a little extra storage: Use closed kitchen cabinets as nightstands. On the bed, one body pillow packs the same impact as throngs of throw pillows, and wall-mount swing arm lamps turn on function without taking up space.

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Pleasant Surprise

Line drawers with scrapbook paper for a sunny surprise every time you reach in.

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Store in Style

A vintage cabinet goes glam when old glass panels are replaced with mirrors. The cabinet stashes extra linens and provides plenty of display space for decorative extras.

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Sunny and Stylish

A fresh carpet pattern echoes the vintage window muntins. Mirrors and brass add glimmer to a room that gets little natural light. Creamy white paint on doors and moldings also keeps things bright. Layering curtains over shades gives a luxe look. (We turned the fabric 90 degrees to get a room-stretching horizontal stripe.)

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Crowning Glory

Curtain rods and rings make a modern connection to hand-forged iron hardware on doors throughout the 1930s home. Curtains are hung right under the crown molding to stretch the

room vertically.

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Vanity Flair

The sleek but hardworking desk stows home office supplies in one drawer and makeup and jewelry in another. Pullout benches for the dressing table are better than a single chair -- each works as a seat or a table. An eclectic gallery of art arranged around the mirror furthers the vanity area's own unique style blend.

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Watch and Learn

Learn how East Coast Editor and this bedroom's designer, Eddie Ross, created the personalized art gallery.

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