This DIY Space-Saving Redo Turned a Blah Bedroom into a Cozy Retreat

Megan Baker DetloffDirector of Home Projects
Megan Baker DetloffDirector of Home Projects
I cover home upgrades, DIY projects, hacks, how-tos, and plants. I’ve written about home decor and renovations for more than a decade since earning my degree in Magazine Journalism from Northwestern University. Before AT, I was an editor at HGTV Magazine and This Old House Magazine.
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Sometimes bedrooms get the short stick when it comes to style, since a lot of time, energy, and funds are devoted to more public spaces in your home, like living rooms and kitchens. But your bedroom is a personal space, and should ultimately make you feel comfortable and (most importantly) relaxed.

The “before” DIYer Kate Chipinski was dealing with in her home wasn’t really reflective of her style, and wasn’t particularly relaxing, either. “It was a dated green room that needed sprucing up,” Kate says.

A Small Space with Bold Accents

The pale green walls and clunky ceiling fan were past their prime, and Kate wanted to update her small space with bold accents that helped modernize it.

A fresh paint job did wonders. White helps brighten the room and take advantage of ample natural light, while a black accent wall creates a focal point against which the bed — with a new DIY wood headboard — rests.

Sleek Details and Space-Saving Solutions Upgraded the Room

Wall-mount sconces on either side of the bed are another smart space-saving solution — and with a black cord against the black wall, you’d have to look hard to see that these are plug-in and not hardwired.

Kate also hung flowy white curtains above the corner windows; high-mounted curtain rods make the ceiling look higher. A new, sleeker ceiling fan helps with the airy effect, too.

Simple Changes Went a Long Way

Kate also installed floating nightstands that she also made herself. Their built-in drawer helps hold essentials, while the wall-mount style keeps the room’s limited floor space clear.

Kate finished up with a black-and-cream patterned rug as well as linens in a neutral gray and cream palette. Now, the once blah room has a cozy and welcoming vibe — and it’s much more a reflection of Kate’s style. “It feels like home,” she says. “I like the simple impacts that go a long way.”