Have you ever decorated a room and thought you would love it? And then didn’t.
That’s what happened to me with my bedroom.
The décor was definitely eclectic and dramatic (which is usually my style).
And it was fun to look at.
However, it was not cozy and inviting like I think a bedroom should be.
So I decided I needed to change it into something more calm and serene.
But it hadn’t been very long since the last time I decorated this room.
So I didn’t want to spend a lot of money.
Which meant changing out some of the less expensive details while keeping as many of the original furnishings as possible.
I ended up only replacing 5 things in the room.
And it’s amazing what a big difference a few small changes can make!
Here’s how I did my bedroom makeover on a budget.
1 | Get inspiration from the bedding
Here’s the eclectic bedroom I started with.
To make sure that my new updates would go with everything that I wasn’t changing, I decided to use the duvet (which I still loved and wanted to keep) as the inspiration for my color scheme.
Instead of picking the bold burgundy as the main room color (like I did the first time around), I decided to go with the softer mauve.
And use the burgundy as the accent color.
It sounds like kind of an odd combination, but since it looks so good on the bedding, I knew it would work in the room.
2 | Update (or create) an accent wall
The first thing to change was the wallpaper accent wall behind the bed.
The original pattern and color was too bold.
Replacing it with a more muted pattern in mauve and silver colors had an immediate positive impact.
And since it was only one wall, it wasn’t an expensive change.
If you don’t want to use wallpaper, you could also paint an accent wall in a color (or colors) that goes with your decor.
3 | Change out the artwork
The original paintings above the bed were a great reminder of a Hawaiian vacation, but a little too loud for the bedroom.
I swapped them out for one large quieter print that had the right colors.
And I already owned it, so it didn’t cost me any money.
Moving things around in your house is a great way to make a room look and feel different without having to spend any money. Having a whole house color scheme really helps with this since you know the colors will go.
Related: How to create a whole house color scheme
4 | Replace the Area Rug
I also replaced the monochromatic burgundy rug with a gray floral that has complimenting hues, and that I like much better.
It used to be in my den. (Shopping my house certainly helped to keep the costs down on this project!)
If you need to buy a rug without spending a lot of money, try purchasing an indoor outdoor one. Their quality and selection has improved dramatically in the last few years, so they are a great budget-friendly option.
5 | Update the lamp shade
The boa-covered lamp shade felt a little too over-the-top for my new aesthetic. So I replaced it with a more elegant silk one.
The streamlined shape makes it look a lot taller.
Since I didn’t have to buy a new lamp, I splurged a bit and had it custom-made to go with my room.
But you can buy off-the-shelf lamp shades that will accomplish the same goal.
Or dress up the shade you already have by gluing some trim to the bottom of it (like Wanda did in her guest room).
6 | Replace the Pillows
Although I love toile, I found the pillows combined with the headboard (and the curtains) to be a bit too busy.
So I replaced with solid color throw pillows that complimented the duvet stripes and the lamp shade. (Another shop-my-house freebie!)
The plain colors also allow the pretty floral pattern on the duvet shams to stand out more.
The finished room
After making those few simple changes, the look and feel of the room is completely different.
I love how serene and relaxing it is.
And best of all, my only expenses were the wallpaper, and a lamp shade.
Truly a budget bedroom makeover!
Have comments or questions about how to makeover a bedroom on a budget? Tell us in the section below.
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