apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Here's what I would do in that room:

- Get rid of the wallpaper and paint the walls.
- Get a throw blanket for the foot of the bed in a more vibrant color. Maybe a throw pillow too.
- The art over the bed is too similar in color to the bedspread. It makes it all look a bit monochromatic.

It's very tan and cream. I would pull in some more green accents (like your vase and buddah). Maybe a bit of green on the bed...accent pillows? an extra blanket across the foot of the bed? sheets? You could find some green artwork, or with green frames. Or curtains? Green lampshades? Your choices will be dictated by your budget, but maybe just shopping garage sales with an accent color in mind would be a good direction to go.

I personally do not like micro suede unless the kind that does not leave an impression every time you touch it or sit on it and should be used as upholstery not bedding material. Sorry but this spread looks cheap to me and dull.

I think a crisp white quilt or bed spread would look better. I think you need to add two more pillow, just two pillows look sad. Outfit two pillows with euro shams to match the coverlet. The bed needs more dressing. Maybe add a cushion with some color. There needs ti be color, pick a color and accent with a pillow and maybe a vase.

The print reminds me of motel art. You can go to thrift stores and fins something more interesting and paint the frame white.

Is that mirror facing the door? I think that is a Feng Shui no no.

I think there are two many books, take two stacks away and center one stack and put a nice bud vase for fresh flowers on there instead.

Summary-
Get rid of bed spread
Get a nice white coverlet, with matching euro shams
Add two more pillows
Add color- vase, cushion (throw pillow), change out the art.
Move mirror
Get rid of two stacks of books
Fresh flowers

You need COLOR: something other than beige/brown.

A couple of cheapie rugs from IKEA would go a long way. Also, a throw on the bed to break up the brown.

You need some colorful artwork on the cheap. Maybe a canvas or some embroidery hoops with some pop.

It also looks very bland personality wise. Maybe hang a favorite board game up - anything that gives it some character.

I second the movement to get rid of the matching wall art. Also, some art on the other walls would be great too. Pick a certain color or set of colors, go visit some garage sales and thrift shops and see what you can find!

I think painting the walls a more lively color would make a huge difference. I'd also add a few pillows with a fun color and/or pattern and maybe change out the light on the ceiling with pendant.

It's not that bad. I'd get the books out of there (they get dusty, and they're right by where people's heads would go) and if you can afford it, get a different spread or quilt. If you must keep the bedspread maybe layer a colorful blanket or pillows over it.

Is it possible to rearrange the furniture? I see why you put the console behind the bed but maybe moving everything else would be helpful. The windows are nice but the way you have it set up no one can enjoy the view.

Lovely space, I think it's just lacking a pop of color -- everything reads so very brown/drab.

Suggestions:

1) make the bed differently: fold the brown comforter down so that the color of the (hopefully not brown!) sheets is exposed at the top.

2) use your $50 to get a small cotton runner or long bathmat to put beside the bed, and a matching throw blanket for the end of the bed. Maybe sea green like the vase? Or even cream would work.

3) move the brown/cream artwork from its current wall to the opposite wall, which looks sadly bare and empty.

4) optional: replace the brown shams with proper and colorful pillowcases. no one wants to sleep on shams, do they?

I assume that you've tried other furniture arrangements too, yes? Looks like the bed is in an awkward spot blocking a closet door.

I hope you don't mind my gently making fun of all the brown. It's really nice stuff, can't wait to see what you do with it.

A plant in a ceramic planter (garage sale?) would go a long way in here. I just found a bunch of plants and pots over the weekend for way cheap.

I'd personally take the stuff off the stand under the mirror and put the plant there. The items on the stand right now kind of come off as clutter. OR maybe if you just move the wooden box under the statue somewhere else, it would help.

You could pick up a few of those $4 rugs at Target and stitch them together with a thick chunky yarn to make a runner near the bed.

Another idea is to get 2 new pillowcases from Target in an orange color. I think that would give you some warmth and also balance out the browns a lot.

Good luck! I tried to stay in the $50 budget...hopefully it works out for you!

To me this room appears tranquil and serene - a good place for a guest to relax and rest. I agree with MrsCatBird - add a few green accents.

I think the wallpaper with the wood trim are quite nice. I think the room has a sort of "antique chic" look going for it...like something out of an old English cottage or boarding house. (at least from what I can tell in the photos). I'd say play that up. You might be able to find an old patchwork quilt to put at the end of the bed, and maybe mix/match some old artwork on the walls (landscapes, portraits, still life). Oh, and lace curtains for the windows. I know it sounds like a lot, but you should be able to find a lot of this type of stuff at yard sales, thrift stores, etc.

Also, sometimes it's OK for a room to look a little bare for a while as you collect pieces that you really like. Sometimes if you try to "do" a room all at once it looks, well, "done" rather than crafted and unique.

Good luck!

I think the room looks nice as is. It has all the necessary elements.

I'm not a fan of the brown faux suede bed linen you have there. You could replace it with a brighter, more cheerful bedspread. If you don't want to do that, I'd at least get some colorful throw pillows for the bed.
I think either of these should add a pop of color to the room.

I'd go with some nice patterned bed linen in bright blue or bright green (since you have some green accessories in there already)

The bed placement looks really strange to me. I'd put the head of the bed against a wall if you can. It looks like you're using the desk as a headboard and you can sit on the other side of it? Interesting idea, but the room is too small so the bottom end of the bed is too close to the opposite wall.

I'd definitely swap out the linens - I thought it was a beige velour or something, but microsuede seems icky and uncomfortable. Especially with the matching beige art.

Instead of a desk, one idea might be to use an Ikea LACK floating shelt to hold an alarm clock, maybe a small flat-screen and a few other accessories. That's something we've done in our guest room, across from the bed.

Some kind of art, accent throw and a bright chair (even a chair by itself is handy to have for butting luggage on, etc.) would help to add some pop, but I really think the beige linens will continue to suck a lot of life out of the room.

I like the stacked books, by the way, if they're selected with guests' interests in mind. But I'm not so sure you really have room for them here. How about a spine-type bookshelf that would only take up a very small footprint?

Changing the bed will be the fastest way to make a big impact. A simple white bedspread and pillows plus a colorful throw blanket will liven things up nicely.

Switch out the art over the bed with something more colorful (either find another piece in your home to swap it for, or just get some canvas and stretcher bars, then paint the canvas in a color that complements the rest of the room--no earth tones!)

I'd also hang a trailing green plant for that corner. It'll add some life to the room but it won't be as expensive to maintain as fresh flowers.

I would remove all but one pile of the books, subtract one of the lamps, then put the Buddha head (is that what it is?) and vase next to the remaining lamp.

If you have money left over, sheer white or ivory shades for the windows would be an improvement over the venetians you have now.

Sad colours aside, that headboardish thing is throwing me off. It feels like it's pushing the bed forward and floating it randomly in the middle of the room. Then the side table seems to lose all context, since it actually appears to be quite a ways *behind* the bed.

I'd ditch that headboard and push the bed right up to the windows. Use some pretty curtains to help frame out the head of the bed. I have my bed up against some similar windows, and though it is asymmettrical - which gives some people hives - it's the best way I could work things out in my room (I also don't like having my bed in the corner - I like havig space on each side...):

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/xkwizzit/bedroom1.jpg

The room arragement feels a bit cramped. I wonder if an L-configuration of the room with the bed on the back wall and the desk on the right wall would work. (Hopefully it wouldn't block the closet door.

If you could do that then instead of having a narrow gangway to the desk you'll have a nice square walking space. Fill it with rug which may or may not pop.

: ) Love the little cute stool/bedside table. It's looking very zen.

This room needs some color, STAT!

Hit TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Marshall's and the like before committing yourself only to Target and Ikea. A new bedspread, pillows and bold piece of artwork.

Also, the desk looks like it has some cool lines, so why not rearrange so it's more on display?

If you can't paint the walls, paint the doors! It's all way too monochromatic so far. You can paint them a lovely matte black or deep green to play up the accessories and please, do something with that bedding and wall art!

I agree that the bed needs pillows. As a guest room you want it to look super-comfy.
Also i agree that its too much beige. you need a bold color.
Actually the first thing i noticed is that there are no draperies. If you're dead set on keeping the wallpaper, why not add a bold, rich set of drapes - in dark eggplant or another rich purple. You could probably find something in your budget at Target or Ikea even, and get some throw pillows for the bed, that have complementing purple/lavender colors.
Finally, on the desk, the "staging" with the 3 stacks of books is a bit dull. why not move the lamp back to the side table, under the mirror, and put the vase (or a larger, brighter vase?)and buddha on the desk there?

I agree with removing the wall paper and painting. Also, is it possible to move the head of the bed to the long window-less wall? The view looks pretty and it'd be nice to sit in bed and look out. That would also give some support behind the pillows. The desk could go.

Then add a bunch of bright pillows and you've got it.

I really hate that bedspread, sorry. If you must keep it, then I would tuck it in (hospital style) and use a box skirt or cover for the box spring. I think that will take it out of the "little brother's bedroom" stage it seems stuck in. Then add a few accent pillows for color.

I think it's interesting that AT people tend, when asked for a small blob of color, to recommend painting the walls, replacing the linens, and changing out all the furniture ;-)

How about a bright piece of cloth flung informally on the bed, a throw or shawl.

I agree about too many books, especially if the room is actually used by guests. A clock and a water glass and some clear space for glasses and watch are more functional.

And there you go, now you can turn your attention to world peace or health care.

Cheapest way to liven up a room: paint. If it were me, I'd go with a nice green with maybe a bright white trim. Probably wouldn't cost more than $50.

Also, I agree that changing up the bedding would be nice. Fold down the bedspread, add a throw, change the positions of the pillows, whatever. I would just do something with it because the bed is like a major focal point and looks a bit like a big brown blob right now.

For the quick and cheap fix, I'd get two more pillows and dress them in more vibrant shams; fold the bedspread down halfway to show the sheet underneath (to give the bed even more interest); cull down the books so there's space for your guests to set some of their things; get a nice, leafy plant for the desk; and have fresh flowers in a vase when the guests arrive. Then be on the lookout at thrift stores, etc, for a desk chair and other accessories. I'll bet you can find a decent chair for not too much cash.

I agree that it's really not bad--some of the comments are too harsh, I think--it just needs a little something (which you already know). For me the place to start is furiture placement--it does seem awkward and looks like it makes the room feel smaller. I'm not sure I understand the layout of the room, so maybe this doesn't make sense, but could the bed go against the wall in the corner with the windows, and have the desk against either the wall with the closet or along the wall to your left as you look in the door? The little table could be the nightstand. The mirror could go over the desk (especially good if the desk is across from a window so the mirror will reflect the outdoors), and help it function also as a vanity for guests.

I like all the elements you have in there fine, but I agree you need more on the bed--more color, more texture, maybe some pattern. I don't think you have to stick with just green--maybe add some bright or dark red in, too. Maybe add a colorful patterned sheet set (and two more pillows with coordinating pillowcases), and then layer on a colorful textured throw (maybe a chunky knit?), a quilt/coverlet, and/or maybe a textured pillow. Use the pillows and a window to serve as your "headboard" and make the space cozy. I agree you need another colorful something for the wall. Check out etsy, allposters.com, or similar sites for affordable, unique artwork that can make a big impact. Ikea has good frames for cheap. I like the idea of a colorful, textured runner rug and a plant, too. If you need to add a chair, consider getting a cheap antique/vintage one off craigslist (singleton/mismatched chairs are way cheap around here, like $10 or less sometimes?) and maybe painting it a bright pop of color to coordinate with the other color(s) you're pulling into the room.

Basically, I think you just need to make the room flow a bit better to be more comfortable, and to add a few things to make it more lively/interesting.

Flinging a shawl on the bed is not going to make the room look more finished. It'll just look like someone forgot their wrap.

I do agree that AT readers love to ignore restrictions when giving advice:

"I can't/won't paint the walls."

"First thing you should do is paint everything!"

Oh, I meant to say--Ikea really is a good source for all the bedding products I mentioned, and if you're just a little crafty you could also hit up thrift stores or garage sales for sweaters, wool suits, etc. that could be turned into quilts or pillows. I'm not sure everything I mentioned could stick within $50, but I think it could certainly be done for under $100, if you're diligent with craigslist/thrifting on top of getting some of your basics at Ikea.

window treatments.
rugs.

the furniture arrangement seems really odd to me, and potentially unsettling for somebody actually sleeping in the bed.

a couple of additional art pieces?
some living plants.

About all you can do with 50 dollars is buy some curtains, some pillows and maybe a rug. You can buy a white sheet or some other color to put under that duvet to break up all that beige....kinda like this
http://www.charlesprogers.com/dijon-linen-prima-cotton-bedding-ensembles-p-304.html?cPath=3_16

As for getting a chair look in resale shops or yard sales, you can get pretty lucky.

I really would reconsider furniture arrangement. I would totally move that bed against the wall where the art work is.Then move the art work to the opposite wall so you break up that color to the other side of the room. Move that desk up against the wall where you have that little table. Then use the little table as a night stand.

Good Luck. I see you don't have a lot of floor space to work with but where there's a will there's a way.

I would love to see 'after' pictures for all of these types of questions!

It's not that bad. But the pinkish brown bedspread, pillowcases and art are killing me. You need to add cool tones to balance the warm oak.

I'd get a new bedspread from Target. Maybe something like this grey comforter http://www.target.com/Thomas-OBrien-Pewter-Blossom-Comforters/dp/B001J5RA2Q?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&node=372864011&sessionID=190-1968250-9283830 It's on clearance for $35

Do you have any plain white sheets you can switch out? Pillowcases at least?

Bring in a pop of color with a throw blanket and a couple more pillows. I bet you can find some good colorful stuff in store right now — all the college stuff is on clearance.

Otherwise, I like the use of the back of the desk as a headboard and your little table statue. I don't like the books there though. Move them to another room, or put a couple shelves on the wall where the pink ship painting is now, and store them up there.

I'd put a cheapie alarm clock (≈$5) and a potted plant on the desk instead.

First off, that framed wallpaper treatment reads extremely bland and just doesn't do it, add in the browns beige and the room comes off as lifeless.

To counter that, I'd either rethink the wallpaper treatment (remove the trim if anything) and then add color, you can do what many have suggested, a colorful throw on the foot of the bed in a bright color, perhaps a couple of extra pillows with that same color but perhaps in a pattern to help bring the color up to the head of the bed and I'd rearrange the entire space, the head of your bed should be up against the wall so it becomes a focal point of the room if at all possible and place the desk against the wall, say in the corner where the windows are so it faces out and leave one stack of books, and one lamp so as to not have the lamps overwhelm the desk area.

I'd fine something inexpensive at say a thrift store for bedside tablels and they don't need to be large and put one lamp on one side and get something else for the other side, say an elbow wall lamp.

As it is, looking into the room with the bed as it is now gives the room a claustrophobic feel and just feels wrong.

I'd also add more colorful artwork that is NOT in more browns, now it can bits of brown, but it should not be the overriding color as it is now.

Good luck!

Here are my thoughts:
- Could the bed be reoriented in the room? Instead of being tucked in the corner, could it be centered along the wall where that large sailing style picture is currently?
- Do I see orange color in the hallway? Incorporate some orange into that room. You could buy thrift store sweaters and sew them into bolster pillow for instance to add color. You need color on that bed and you can get it with pillows, a folded coverlet, a throw and you can do it inexpensively by being creative with fabrics and sourcing.
- the bedspread is marginal both in its color and its fabric. Since you only have $50 to spend, I recommend using less of the bedspread by folding it down to show more of the sheets. You might be able to sew a colorful ribbon edge on the top sheet to add some additional color when the sheet is showing. Either swap out the shams or add additional pillows to diffuse the shams.
- Paint the mirror frame black and hang it horizontally above the bed.
- I like the books and the lamps. I love to read in bed and love having books in the bedroom so I like what you have started with. You could cover the books or some of the books in an orange paper to add color there.
- If you reoriented the bed in the room, then you really don't need anything else in there except maybe a chair. A wooden chair painted a third color e.g. Turquoise or Peacock Blue would be nice. You could 'tease the eye' by incorporating some blue in the bed pillows.
- If you can sew, I'd take out the white mini blinds and sew a lovely fabric roman shade on those windows. The fabric would warm the room up.
- Go out and buy one or two large canvases and paint them solid colors and hang them around the room to disguise that wall paper and those plastic vertical strips over the seams. You would only need a couple. Maybe one on the wall facing the door. Maybe one above the bed (in the event the mirror is too diminutive). it doesn't have to be a lot and it will improve the mood of the room while you save money to buy art work that is better.
Good luck.

Of course, remove the wallpaper (use a spray bottle of fabric softner) and paint the walls. The bed should be moved to the wall opposite the windows and a chair should sit under the window for great reading light. Paint out the trim (the wood is dating the room). The mirror should go over the side table, which should be positioned next to the bed. Is it possible to move the dresser to another room; it's a little big for this room.

All you need after that is a comforter (try Target; they have great designs on the cheap) and some window treatments. A cheap throw rug (someone mentioned Ikea; great idea) and a couple of lamps (also cheap from Ikea) and this room will look totally new!

i would turn the bed sideways and put the head in the windowless corner, then place the desk under the wall art. if there isn't room for that, maybe push the bed up against the windowed wall and put the desk at the foot--the chair can tuck in and leave more space to access the closet.
for a few pops of colour, just haunt the thrifts for a couple of bright pillowcases, a throw blanket for the foot of the bed...all the usual suspects mentioned above. try to find a nice colourful chair for your desk in keeping with your accent colour. you could display an arrangement of thrifted frames, filled with pressed leaves or flowers (to add some greenery on the cheap).
i also agree that it's perfectly fine if it takes a while for it to come together--usually the end result is more satisfying.

put art on the walls...go to goodwill or use what you already have. or buy cheap frames and frame maps or other colorful items you already have.
or, wall shelves with objects/books, just nothing too small.

some colorfull throw pillows and maybe a throw.

I think it's fine as it is, just a little blah.

Even if you're keeping the wall paper, painting out the wood trim would help freshen up the look. Just a gloss white on all that trim would unify the look of the walls and make the room seem more spacious. Right now the contrast between the wood strips and the wall paper divide the space and make it look even smaller than it is. With a small room you want the corners to disappear, not to accentuate them.

You could add color to the bedspread by sewing a wide panel of print fabric up the middle. Your wallpaper appears to be pale blue and white, so maybe go with a blue on white toile de jouy, edged with matching blue grosgrain, and then a parallel strip of grosgrain another few inches out to either side. Then make a couple of matching toile throw pillows.

Definitely move the mirror to somewhere other than opposite the door and the small table too. You're getting too much of a shotgun effect with that narrow passage leading straight to a focal point. Maybe put the small table right up next to the bed, to provide a night table for guests. Try hanging the mirror horizontally instead of vertically. It's a bit of an old-fashioned room, so go with it. If you can get two or three IKEA rag rugs and sew them together into a long runner next to the bed, that can add a pop of color and make the floor cozier at the same time.

The room looks narrow. At first, I thought the furniture was oddly arranged, too, but seeing how there isn't much space, I don't think it's too bad of a layout anymore.

I agree with getting green for accents, and plants would a great addition. Especially by those windows with all the light. I agree with getting a rug, and getting rid of that bed set. However, I think that bed sets are usually worth the splurge, so I would wait and save up for something that you will absolutely love and keep for years around. They often make the room.

Also, I would move that table under the mirror so that the mirror is centered over it. Maybe get some kind of viny plant so that its leaves can cascade over. The way it's set up now looks very awkward.

I'd remove the artwork on the wall, and get three smaller artwork from Ikea or Target and hang them so it looks like a vignette, or something a bit more interesting.

You could give this room pizzaz with practically no money!
1. Turn the bed so the head is under the art
2. Turn the desk so it's facing the window and you can look out when you work
3. Either replace the current pillow shams with or add two more white ones and to give a bit of contrast perhaps a couple of roll pillows, maybe in black to keep a simple colour scheme. If you have white sheets, you might also want to turn down the comforter to have a layer of white showing. Add a black throw on the bed and you have an inexpensive makeover.
Love the windows!

Reading comprehension... she's not going to paint, guys. And I like the wall paper. I think the print would be OK if it didn't match the bed spread.

I'd pick an accent color, either orange or green, maybe, and get some valance curtains for the windows in that color. Then get a new bed spread patterned in white and the accent color, with some bright throw pillows.

I like the ideas people have about rearrangement as better room flow is free.

Free changes:

1. I'd move the bed all the way to that window corner and consider rotating it 90 degrees.

2. I don't much care about feng shui, but I do think that it's creepy at night when you walk by a room and see yourself in the mirror, so I'd probably put it on a different wall, especially as I think the non window walls look much more bare and could be served by a few nice pictures.

3. Unless the desk is your work desk, all your guests are novelists who need the spot, has some real sentimental value or is structurally important to your house in that room I'd sell it. I can't really tell from the pictures, but the corners I can see aren't that cute looking. Selling it proably would double or triple your room budget, and free up room space.

4. I also think there is too much accent lamp in the room. Its the same lamp, twice and it's a little hotel-y to have two matching lamps on the headboard like that. I'd reduce down a lamp.

Things you can spend on:

1. If the closet door actually doesn't open (it looks sort of like it wouldn't) I'd go with a rocking or arm chair in that corner, and a cheap cheap tiny floor rug/runner from somplace- maybe in bright colors or stripes (match your nautical brown art), and put that cute table over between chair and bed. Get a runner either way.

2. I'd hang a plant above the window- a spider plant or string of pearls or something else that's long and dramatic. Put it in a nice planter with a bit of color (I think a light yellow might go with green and brown accents)

3. I agree with everyone- that bedspread is god-awful. I like the room overall-it's cheery, but microsuede like that looks really out of place- its too modern bachelor pad and your room feels sort of cozy 40s summer camp to me. Sell that to some college boy or bachelor and increase your room budget yet again! You can get a plain duvet at target or ikea- I'd agree with people who suggest a white or pale green.

4. Curtains are moderately cheap. Some curtains would spruce things up. You could even go for fabric by the yard and buy some hemming tape and make really simple fast curtains yourself if you need to be cheap about it. heck, just fold it over and tack it up with push pins and tie back with ribbons and you'd still be doing more in giving an accent to the room than the plain blinds do.

5. My cheap art prescription is to buy some frames at Ikea or target, and then stick photos and posters in. Alternatively go thrifting for frames and then do the AT thing and spray paint them all a uniform color. A favorite trick of mine is to wait till it's nearly 2010 (say november-december) and start cruising musuem gift shops, art stores and book stores and pick up a bunch of last year's calendars to frame. I think japanese woodblock prints or maybe some minimalist seascapes would really go with the room and there are some very nice quality calendars out there these days. I have a set of japanese woodblocks which are printed on some kind of soft high rag paper in frames and people always compliment me on them, as if they were real.

Sorry. That was really long. You have a nice room. Good luck.

Add GREEN (compliments the green outside the window)

and ORANGE (compliments the hall)

and WHITE (to brighten...turn back the duvet, more pillows)

and BLACK (a little bit, frames, etc)

Please post after photos!

I really like the wallpaper! Here's my take - the room needs some color, and the bed is the largest thing in the room and the most boring at this point. Replace the bedspread and pillow shams with:

Malou duvet cover & pillow shams (in green/bright green)
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20083589 ($24.99)

Andrup runner (has a little green and orange, but browns too to tie together)
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40151577
($29.99)

$5 over budget.

Agree on the blandness issue. Change the artwork, and
paint the trim, if you really want to keep the wallpaper. And put up some curtains with a color that talks to the trim & the artwork.

The furniture configuration bothers me too. Is the bed in that direction because it can't fit across the room? Because even if you had to squeeze around the bed to make it to the desk, the room would feel healthier if the desk was under the window against the wall. Right now it reads as an uncomfortable headboard, in an odd place.

And you could sit at the desk and look out the window, always a nice thing to do.

I think ohjodi's ideas are dead on. A little green, a couple pops of orange, white and a hit of black would be excellent. You can get a few mismatched thrift store frames and spray paint 'em black, add some photos (b&w or something to pick up on the green and orange.) I also agree with placing the desk under the window and rotating the bed so it's under the painting, and painting out the trim in white...you get to keep the wallpaper you like and the trim will fade into the background.
I think you're well on your way! I wish I could just get in that room for a day and go nuts! Have fun!

I would eliminate the desk (move to another room). Now you have more space to work with.

If the bed is still too large for the space, and you don't mind blocking the closet, turn the bed around so the headboard touches that wall (not in front of the window). That way, whoever is laying in the bed can look out the window while relaxing.

You can use fabric/a painting/etc. behind the bed as a makeshift headboard.

I would use your money to buy a duvet for the comforter, preferably in orange (maybe yellow) to compliment the earthy brown and green tones you have going on in there.

Find a cheap side table at a garage table in earthy colors to go beside the bed, or, stack the books up next to the bed so they reach bed level, and put the lamp on top of the books as a creative, makeshift side table (obvious downfall is the books will be harder to access, so use books that won't be read often. If necessary, pick up some cheapies from a thrift store....maybe old encyclopedias or journals?)

If you have money left over, purchase a cheap wooden shelf to hang along the wall where the art currently hangs. That is where you can put another lamp and books that will be read more often. Switch the current artwork to the opposite wall.

Throw pillows, a rug, and a plant. And lose that piece of art above the bed. It really isn't enhancing anything. Really.

I would do solid color throw pillows in a dark green or even black. Try for an inexpensive rug with some sage and earth tones to tie everything together. With that long, narrow space, a small runner might work best. You have lots of light with the windows; a medium-size plant should really help. If you have a Big Lots in your town, you can find cheap throw pillows and rugs there. On a $50 budget, I would even consider Walmart. Might find a plant at a garage sale.

It needs a TV.

1 x feature pillow in jade green. $10?
2 x cheap black frames of same size with some jade green print scrappbooking paper in them $20-$25?
1 x table runner in a similar green or a black with green print across the foot of the bed $15?
1 x set of white or black pillow cases.

Move the middle stack of books into another room or put on floor next to bed and centre the vase. Place the pillow and pillows with new pillow cases on the bed along with the table runner. Place the two frames on either side of the existing artwork and voila. :) It was almost there and with this idea or the help of some of the other wonderful ideas being thrown around you'll have no trouble finishing it. :)

for god's sake, do not get "an accent colour" because that's almost as dull as all brown. change the bedding, paint the trim white, toss the cheap blinds, put up some sheer white curtains (bedding and curtains are cheap at ikea) and voila! the bedside table is super cute but needs to be by the side of the bed. larger colourful artwork (again ikea or garage sales) and off you go. but no single "accent colour" - this ain't design u.

Shop thrift stores for more greens and possibly some soft yellows. You can find some fabulous things that you can either paint over or are already a soft green or yellow.

Yes, reorient the furniture in the room, it seems closed in and forced.

I saw this bolster pillow tut the other day and could see using an old garment one may have to a thrift store garment to add a pop of color which might work great on the bed:

http://theredchairblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/easy-diy-no-sew-pillow-tutorial.html

I find garments at Goodwill all the time for under $4.

If you can find the right price, look for some basic prestretched canvases at a craft store, paint them simply with one color and get some color on those walls. If want a bit more, I saw this the other day and can think of a million ways to make it quick, easy and more for my own decor needs when buying real art is out of the question:

http://september-acres.blogspot.com/2009/09/changes.html

The room is perfectly suitable. Spending $50 at Target or WalMart or Ikea is not going to really improve things but it will make you $50 poorer. Save your money and really tackle the room when you have a few hundred dollars set aside to make a difference. Take the time while you are saving to formulate a plan and look for the items that you really want to go on sale.

Keep in mind, $50 is really $45.75 before tax and isn't enough for a new duvet cover and sheets, even at lowest price point at Target.

Gah! Sorry I totally missed that last sentence. No painting. Then, I want to echo the polish chick. More texture and color, in general.

for $50?
Rotate the bed, get new bedding with some color, or even monochromatic but with some personality and window coverings.
It's not that bad but it all blends in too much.

Since it's sparklingly simple, serene, & restful, yours already seems a nearly ideal guestroom to me, so I have only a few cosmetic suggestions, all inexpensive. Items that my monitor shows as cool-toned and pinkish may not be that color. If so, please disregard the following suggestions, because they'd be wrong for your guestroom. If not, all cool-toned pinkish items, including the bedspread, pillow covers, & wall art, could be removed. Drab, pinkish beige could be eliminated, & replaced by sun-washed golden tones. Replacement items would repeat the other colors of your guestroom & its lovely views. Replacement wall art could be landscapes that include many established colors--crisp white, warm off-whites, cream, tan, greens, black, & others. Replacement wall art could be framed in golden wood, enhancing visual harmony by using an established material. Landscape art would unite the warm, peaceful style and the palette, both nature-inspired, of your guestroom. The new palette also would enlarge your guestroom visually by joining it to the great outdoors via its large windows. For pop, I agree with others that green is a great accent color for your guestroom, since greens also can be soothing. If it still lacked pop, golden yellow and/or bright sky blue could be added to the nature-inspired palette. The risk is that the guestroom might become restless, or seem unsophisticated, from the excess of bright accents. The more restrained palette option would better develop the finished, more polished look you want in your guestroom. A desk chair that is of golden wood, or black, or a combination of the two, would complement it well. Less is more--your guestroom already is amply furnished since guests will need empty space for their own possessions. Have lots of fun, & happy hunting, in the bit of shopping that remains!

I think you have a very good eye and have done a wonderful job with the room. It has a very Asian / Zen feeling to it. I love the wood framing and the unpainted walls, with those little dabs of white on them.

I'd look for something like a rag rug runner to add color and texture to the floor. That whole "runway" needs softening.

I'd make the bed so the white sheets and pillows show - this would break up all that brown and integrate it with the art that is over the bed, whose lines go well with the other lines in the room, especially the lamp shades.

On the long wall, I'd look for something with large Japanese characters - even headlines from newspapers, made into a collage might work, mount it either in a glassless frame or, if that costs too much, cover canvas stretcher strips with very inexpensive fabric and tack the "art" onto it - you can "frame" the edges with long cotton trim from a sewing store.

You also have eBay and, maybe, Overstock.com.

Rotate the bed 90 degrees and put it under windows. Move desk to sit against the wall the end of the bed was originally right against.

Paint the room a crisp white - it's way too small for wallpaper like that. Paint's cheaper than a new coverlet in this case.

Declutter the desk - leave only maybe five or six books.

Put one lamp on the nightstand (?) and one on the desk - use desk to hold the decorations you need to move off nightstand.

If you can afford it or have it around, a nice throw blanket across the end of the bed would go a long way - along with maybe just a few throw pillows on the bed.

Craigslist and ebay might be your friends on getting a new rug and maybe even gaining a chair for the desk since it can actually be used in my setup.

Hopefully you should stay in the $50 dollar budget - if it gets too close for comfort, put off a few things til the next month.

I suggest moving the bed under the window, and putting the desk at the foot of the bed. That way, you'll be able to roll the chair out of the way to access the closet when necessary.

Get a comfortable desk chair in cream or green, or a wooden one with a cushion cover.

I would also build on your green objects with a throw, extra pillow shams, art and a plant. A jade plant could add a dark green sculptural element.

Consider putting a stack of books on the lower shelf of the bedside table and moving the boxes onto the desk, possibly on either side of the remaining stack of books.

I like the suggestion of moving the current art into the wall between the closet and the door.

Look forward to seeing the "after" shots!

- Paint wood trim on the walls white.

- Add some white pillow cases (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60145873 - $4.99 for two)

- Add throw on the bed (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80141732 - $19.99)

- Get some white curtains - you can keep the blinds because thin curtains may not give you enough privacy by themselves (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30112001 - $9.99)

$35 plus whatever some white paint may cost.
Get a nice plant and put some colorful art on the walls, which doesn't have to be expensive.

Oh, and if you want to add some extra pillows to the bed: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80129179 ($.99 each)

I have this problem tho by spare room can only fit a single bed in it, they need wardrobes and its hard to work one into sutch a tight space.