Before and After: $500 Turned This Bland Bedroom into a Creative Craft Space

Making space for an organized craft room can feel like an unobtainable luxury when there are so many other needs for a family’s home to accommodate. As an avid sewer, Barbara Matson had always wanted a dedicated space to create—but there wasn’t room in her family’s home. Finally, when the last kid moved out, she knew the room he left behind was a perfect fit for the transformation. It started out a bland: The walls were a dingy green-gray, and the furniture left behind felt like a jumble. So, as part of the One Room Challenge, Barbara gave herself six weeks and about $500 for the redo.

She knew the wall paint color would need an update, and the furniture would, too, to make it look like less of a left-behind bedroom and more like a dedicated maker studio (without losing any of its practicality).

New greige paint on the walls had an instant brightening effect. Barbara also removed the bulky mounted shelf, filled the holes, and decorated the corner of the room with oversized black-and-white floral decals from Urban Walls.

Barbara scored the solid pine cabinet for just $100 from Facebook Marketplace. She used black chalk paint to give the exterior a satiny black finish; leaving the inside untouched put the natural wood on display. The hardware was originally black, but Barbara used gold Rub ‘n Buff to give it a gilded look.

Barbara kept the bed in place, but wanted to give it a more upscale daybed look. Lining the wall side with throw pillows give the same feel as adding a day bed for a lot less money. The art is from Etsy. Over the window, Barbara replaced the standard blinds and sewed—of course!—a relaxed, oatmeal-hued Roman shade.

“I love how the room looks custom and has personality,” Barbara says. And best part? It’s now a creative retreat for her, but can still serve as a crash pad for visitors.

Inspired? Submit your own project here.