apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I was going to say the same thing as sarahc! Paint it white and change out the handles.

You might do a fun contrast with the inset trim on the drawers, and carry that color into a lamp.

You could also try a mixing in some silver just tape off sections and use some chrome spray paint maybe even stencil some on make it look like an interesting metal applique

A very dark, almost black stain or white paint would be a great option. Definitely change the handles with maybe a brushed nickle or white, depending. Bedding with a modern print but simple print or design would help bring it together as well.

out a bit on a limb here... but if you don't plan to paint the walls, I think a subdued turquoise may look great with the light yellow

but any way you go on color, you've got a great blank canvas to work from...

What about padding the headboard and footboard? You could cut a piece of ply to inset the edge and cover it with a piece of fabric. A matching piece of fabric to the paint color or some wonderful modern print to accent the room if the furniture is white.

A similar technique could be used on the drawers also. Have mirror cut to inset into the drawer fronts would be great for brightening up the room.

That Mexican Pine furniture that was so popular in the late-80's/early-90's hasn't aged well, has it?

I'd sand it down and give it a couple coats of black - and of course change out the hardware to silver-toned pieces.

As for the mirror, I'd remove it from the dresser and cut off the extending decorative tips so that it's a simple rectangle, borrow a router to cut a decorative moulding into the edge, then paint it red - and silverleaf over the red - then hang it on the wall.

BTW - Are you going to do something about the paneling and curtains too?

I hope this isn't taken as unkind, but I would get rid of it. If you like sleek and modern go for it. I know many people put most of their resources into display rooms, i.e. living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, etc, leaving bedrooms for "someday." However, this bedroom is just sad. The furniture is heavy and dull. It looks low-end and I don't think paint will help it as the furniture has no character or charm. Get rid of that paneling: it's horrible. Ditch the lace swags: too Aunt Beryl. And lose the furniture: paint won't help it.

A lot of people will say to paint it white... but the furniture is so bulky I think that would make it look way too "country". I'd go for a dark brown/black stain or paint and definitely change the hardware.

If you're at all able to I would paint the walls. It would make such a big difference. A few well placed lamps instead of overhead lighting would make the room feel nice and cozy too.

I'm with ebrown. The amount of work it would take to paint each and every piece--and do a decent job--wouldn't be worth the effort, in my opinion.

List it on Craigslist and you'll have it sold in no time. And in the meantime, really nail down the kind of look you want and start searching for pieces that fit your new style. Good luck!

I don't know how modern this piece will ever actually look but I have a few suggestions.

1. Paint - the most simple and inexpensive approach. You could go with either black, white, or a bright bold color (like turquois, yellow, or red). I think the bold color would give it the most "modern" feel, as white could still look country depending on what it is coupled with in the room.

2. Frnd4vr's idea about applying fabric could also look nice.

3. Another option is adding some wallpaper in the same manner- just on drawer fronts or trim or whatever works. Something modern/interesting, like from ferm-living.com might look interesting.

I dont think the bed set is horrible, it just matches the paneling. Try painting the walls a deep, almost brick red and you should see that it does wonders for the room.

If you really love "sleek and modern" I would either sell the whole set on craigslist or repurpose it to a guest room. I don't think paint will accomplish your goal.

I would also think about either painting or wallpapering the walls. It is a hard to go modern with paneling (I had it in my house). Grasscloth covers paneling well.

I agree with losing the frilly curtains as well. Once you paint, I would maybe put up some panels or shades.

Could it be that, if she's asking for how to "fix" her furniture, she can't afford to buy something new?

I would do paint, not stain, with a satin finish. Maybe wood or ceramic handles - modern silver will look out of place with the lines of the furniture. You're never going to get this furniture to look "modern" - the best you'll be able to do is to "modernize" it somewhat, so pick things along that path or you'll have a mis-match.

The color you pick depends upon what you can - or plan - to do with the walls. If they, and the floor, will remain "as is" go darker or bright, but not so dark that you've got these huge blobs. I could see primary colors: bright red, blue, green. Then you could use pops of color - throw pillows, a small rug next to the bed - to carry a bright colored theme around the room.

I would definitely get new curtains and either find someone to saw off those posts at the top of the mirror and then sand them smooth or buy a new one.

Paint the bed black, the dresser red, and the mirror gold or silver.

Lose the lace valances and put some art on the walls.

I like Ironsides's advice.

Pfffft-You can responsibly reuse this frame as the base for an upholstered set that would last you a long while. I actually shop the thrift stores looking for sets like this to upholster. If you want to find out step by step how you can do this, email me at flipt@att.net. I'll walk you through it with EZ instructions. You have to promise to post an AFTER picture on AT.

The walls are screaming SO much louder than the furniture. You can successfully fill those lines with joint compound (or not), but paint them first!

I'm with get-rid-of-it crowd, and I don't think we're being insensitive to a budget. The rounded top and heavy corners will not say modern no matter how sleek your black, white, red, silver, or whatever other color paint people have suggested on here. Paint doesn't make the style; the shape does. Not to mention, the amount of paint it will take to do all of that furniture (well) won't be cheap. Put the set on craigslist for a week and I bet you'll have plenty of takers, then if you're really on a budget, look at the malm line from ikea (you may even make some money), or for a bit more, check out the tatami bamboo bed from cb2.
I will disagree with the panel nay-sayers and say that I think you can make them work for you -- just stain them darker or paint them white.

Burn it.

I think the furniture looks fine. Not so much you can do to modernize the pieces other than freshen them with paint. I think a bigger impact would be to sand and paint the walls and trim beige. Remove the window valences. Get a new modern comforter with four new pillows (something you will enjoy more anyway). Remove the dresser mirror and hang a large framed mirror. Maybe resetting the stage will help by moving the pieces in new locations. I know that always helps me refine a room.

While I stand by my "sell it on Craigslist" recommendation (and I suggest this because I am sensitive to Jocelyn's potential budget issues), another option would be to just get rid of the bed and then try some of the suggestions above for the dressers, walls and paneling. As much as anything, it's the matchy quality of the whole set that is making it read "80s suburban starter apartment."

gah!! Some mean sounding people on here! i know what's it's like to be broke.... so here's my advice: if you can't sell it, definitely paint it. I liked the idea someone said above about cutting off the finials on the bed and the top of the mirror. That will definitely help. Put metal bar knobs on the dresser and voila! updated!

Paint it with high gloss black exterior grade enamel. Gorgeous.

While you're at it, paint the walls high gloss white.

On the walls and floor - we don't live there anymore. That was a rented house and I hated the decor too! We now live in a white walled rented apartment, one of those where you can't paint. Those old pictures were the best shots, sorry! :)

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Those walls are so distracting it should have been mentioned in the intro that they are no longer relevant. Also since a lot of the advice hinges on what you can afford to do, let us know if selling/replacing the pieces is an option.
More information=better advice

Find another bed you like at an affordable price (IKEA, CB2 or something). Note the price. Try selling this bed on Craigslist for a price that, coupled with your budget, would allow you to buy the new bed you like.

If you can't get it to sell for that price on Craigslist, then I'd consider painting it or otherwise reworking it.

I agree with sunspot - you may even be able to find something more modern you like on Craigslist, which means you could essentially make an "even trade."

I just don't think what you've got can ever be made to look sleek and modern, though I bet somebody else will love it and you should sell it to them :-)

Wow, I know I can bring the snark sometimes here, but prettybirdblog takes the cake. Burn it?! Please. Critical is acceptable as long as it is constructive.

Anyways, I'm surprised that no one mantioned breaking up the set, rather than DIY refinishing. What makes this look dated and suburban to me is that all the pieces match. I would try not using more than once of these pieces per room. Contrast with other furniture and maybe add some edgy decorations, if you are into that sort of thing. Definitely something metal. To me, the dressers look neutral enough that they might be able to fit into a number of spaces, though the bed will be a bit harder, due to the more traditional architectural detailing.

invest in hardwood floors and stain the furniture ebony. that would be a lot of work though...

Go the AT post from LA yesterday on white paint, choose one then start painting everything including those window frames, maybe going up or down the chip card a shade or two. You can't get a modern vibe out of this furniture but you could get a contemporary country look. Possibly add some color in a rug and/or duvet cover and a plant. A mosquito net from Ikea would be a fun and frivolous addition. Shutters would add to the clean country vibe but Roman blinds would be cheaper. If you can't replace the floor it is possible to cover some or all of it with Flor tiles which you can take with you when you move. This will help you bide your time until you find something you love that is on sale. Few of us have the luxury of starting out with furniture we love but aquire it along the way. (Frankly I would spend any money on a wonderful vacation before children, unemployment or arthritis set in. )

I think a lot of people who responded to this question don't understand what it's like to work with a very limited budget.

Here's the thing...the basic shape and construction of these pieces means it will never look 100% sleek and modern; however, painting them a glossy white will be a great first step. I would saw off the square knobs on the corners of the bed, if possible, as that will help. Simple chrome or black drawer pulls will help a lot, too. You could also remove the mirror from the dresser, paint it a different color (maybe a dark grey, black, cobalt blue, etc.) and hang it on the wall above the dresser or above the bed.

Secondly, if you can, you must paint the wood paneling or remove it entirely. I think it's the wood on wood on wood that's making it look so dated. Paint the wood a light grey-blue or other neutral color. Update the curtain (very cheap fix) and you'll have a great bedroom set.

Painting furniture well definitely takes time, but it does not take a lot of money. A simple glossy white or off-white will cost you next to nothing.

Look at the bedrooms on Ikea's website for inspiration for colors and styles: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/bedroom

And have fun with it! If you didn't spend much on this set, there's less worry about making a mistake.

paint it white... i see the potential