Are you tired of coming home and finding yourself in an anonymous bedroom? Has your room been decorated in the same style for years and you want to renovate it? In this article you will find some very useful methods to bring a breath of fresh air without spending too much. There are also tips on how to use what you already have.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Getting started
Step 1. Decide how much time and money you want to spend on the project
If you have a good budget, then you can decorate the room as you like. However, in most cases, an interior designer has to stick to a budget. If it is restricted, it may be necessary to go to savings. Here are some examples:
- Instead of buying new furniture, you could repaint or restore what you already have.
- Instead of repainting the walls, you could apply decals. They are particularly recommended for younger people, for those who can't paint and for those who don't have much time.
- Try decorating the room a little at a time. Maybe right now you don't have 500 euros to spend on redecorating it. However, the first month you can spend 50 on buying the paint, the next month you can spend 50 on new curtains and so on. This way it will be more convenient.
Step 2. Establish a theme
It is not absolutely necessary, but it will help you decide which furniture to buy, what kind of colors and patterns to use for walls, bedding, rugs and pillows. Get inspired by something you like, like an animal, hobby or color of your choice. Here are some ideas for inspiration and ideas:
- Browse websites that allow you to save photos to message boards, such as Pinterest.
- Browse furniture catalogs.
- Visit some furniture stores and take note of the compositions you like best.
Step 3. Consider if you will still like the theme in a few years
If you plan to stay in this house for some time and don't want to renovate it often, you need to be sure that the theme you choose now will appeal to you in the future as well. If you change your interest often, choose a general one (such as colors and patterns to your liking) for the walls, carpets and furniture. Express your current passions with smaller, easy-to-change items such as lampshades, bed sheets or knick-knacks.
- If you are a teenager, you will probably change your interests pretty quickly. The passions you have at 13 may differ from those you have at 17.
- Try not to overdo the chosen theme. It is one thing to have a horse bedding set. However, if the equine theme also extends to the bed, lamps, curtains, paintings, cushions, rugs and so on, it could be too much.
Step 4. Make sure your room is clean
If it's cluttered or full of junk, you should clean it up before you start. This way you will start from scratch. It will be easier to move things around and try out various compositions.
Step 5. Get rid of the junk
Review the current furniture. Does your bedroom already have a theme or is it a jumble of styles? Get rid of items that you no longer use, or that no longer fit your taste or style. You can sell them online or give them to charity.
If you have items that you still like, but that no longer fit your room, see if you can give them another function, repaint or renovate them
Step 6. Try working with what you already have
If you have to stick to a tight budget, take a look at the current furniture and see if it is possible to arrange it according to the chosen style. A simple wooden bed can easily be transformed to suit different styles - just a coat of paint or different linens. Here are some examples:
- Dye the bed in a single color to have a homogeneous and modern result.
- Choose a colorful quilt and lots of different print pillows for a boho effect.
- For a vintage and country-chic style, you could dye the bed with a base color, then do a second coat with a crackle paint, which gives the cracked effect, for a scruffy but refined result.
Part 2 of 4: Decorating the Walls and Windows
Step 1. Refresh the walls with a coat of paint or wallpaper
You can also dye them one color, then glue a thin strip of wallpaper around the room. You can place it in the center of the wall or upwards.
- If you can't paint or change the wallpaper, you can attach some fabric to the wall instead. Try to get as smooth a result as possible.
- If your room is small, you could paint the walls one color and leave the ceiling white. It will look so bigger.
Step 2. Try painting a wall a different color
Instead of choosing the same color for the entire room, paint three walls white or off-white, while the fourth a darker contrasting color. Put all the highlights in front of this wall.
Step 3. Add designs with wall stencils
Choose a base color for the background and a contrasting color for the designs. First paint the base, let it dry, and create the designs using more paint and stencils.
If you rent the house you live in, use wall decals instead. They are vinyl stickers that will peel off easily when it comes time to move
Step 4. Hang posters, photos or paintings:
it is an ideal method for those on a limited budget and cannot repaint the room. If you live in a rented house, use double-sided tape, adhesive hooks, or adhesive pads.
If you are going to hang pictures on the bed, try matching them with the bedding. For example, if they have a white background with blue flowers, you could buy white sheets with blue flowers
Step 5. Save space by buying furniture and decor items that can be fixed to the wall
Adjustable bedside tables and lamps can be hung on the wall and are great for saving space. You can also fix shelves on the bed to place some of the items you use most.
Step 6. Hang rows of fairy lights on the walls
You can use classic Christmas lights or decorative lights. The latter have different shapes and sizes, such as flowers and butterflies. They can be found in stores that sell lamps and furniture items. They exist in various types of colors.
If your bedroom has white or light colored walls, choose lights with a white or clear cord. If the walls are dark, choose lights with a transparent cord
Part 3 of 4: Pillows, Sheets, Curtains and Rugs
Step 1. Decorate the bed with pillows
For a luxurious and hotel-like effect, place two to six pillows on the bed. Arrange the larger ones towards the back and the smaller ones in front. You can mix and match different colors and patterns. Here are other ideas to get you started:
- Mix big, bold prints with smaller, intricate ones.
- Combine natural prints with geometric ones.
- Use contrasting colors. For example, you could choose a pillow with a bright green pattern and a plain white pillow.
- To give a touch of originality to the composition, choose cushions with a textured fabric or an irregular shape. For example, you could buy a round velvet cushion or a brocade tube cushion.
Step 2. Choose comfy, pleasant and refined bedspreads
Choose soft styles that make you want to curl up.
For an added touch of sophistication, you could use a comforter lined with the duvet cover instead of the usual sheets
Step 3. Use curtains to add a pop of color to windows and walls
Try to combine them with other elements in the room, such as the carpet, pillows or bedding. You don't have to buy them: sarongs and shawls can be recycled and transformed into beautiful and elegant curtains.
- If you rent the place where you live, maybe you already have Venetian blinds. See if you can place a rod to hang the curtains on top.
- You could put a flower garland or string of lights on the curtains for an extra touch.
Step 4. Add a touch of softness and warmth with a cozy rug
Try to buy one that matches something in your room, such as bedding, curtains, or the color of the walls. If the headboard is leaning against a wall, get a rug that extends 45 to 60 centimeters around the three sides of the bed. Usually the carpets are placed in front of the bedside tables and have an extension that exceeds the foot of the bed. If you have a longer one, you could tuck it under the nightstand - this will help make it more stable. Here are some common sizes of rugs and beds.
- If you have a full size bed or a full size bed, get a 1.5-2.5 meter or 2.5-3 meter rug.
- If you have a double, queen or king size bed, choose a carpet of 2.5-3 meters or 3-4 meters.
- If your room has carpet, you might want to put a small rug next to the bed. The sheepskin ones are ideal for this purpose.
Part 4 of 4: Adding Color Contrasts and Accessories
Step 1. Create warmth with lighting
Headlights that emit soft light or ceiling lamps are ideal for this purpose. You can also put tall floor lamps in corners or place desk lamps on dressers. The rows of fairy lights allow you to create patterns and movements on the walls, emitting a soft light.
Step 2. Use candles to create a soft, warm glow in your bedroom
You can choose the scented or classic ones. If you have pets or are worried about starting a fire, opt for battery operated candles. Some are scented and even have a moving flame, just like real ones.
Try changing the candles as the seasons pass. It uses fresh, floral and fruity aromas in spring and summer, while spicy and woody fragrances are reserved for autumn and winter
Step 3. Use the mirrors to make the room appear larger
You can hang a small one on the dresser or a long one on the back of the door. Instead of buying a plain mirror, you might want to get one with a sophisticated, unusual or carved frame.
Step 4. Use colors and prints
Bedding, pillows, rugs and curtains don't have to be the only source of color and pattern in your room. A lamp with a colored lampshade can immediately make a white and boring wall more interesting.
Step 5. Try the monochrome effect
If you want to have a nice clean room, but don't want it to be white, bland and bleak, you can try mixing and matching different tones of the same color. For example, bedding, pillows, rugs, curtains and furniture can be of various shades of green, such as light, medium and dark.
Step 6. Choose an element that can represent the focal point of the room
It can be something simple, like a contrasting color wall or bed, but also more intricate, like a sophisticated headboard or lamp. If you decide that the bed will stand out, place it in the center of a wall, then decorate it with pillows and a bedspread.
A shelf on which you have arranged items you collect can be a great focal point. But try not to clog it and try to stratify the elements by putting the smaller ones in front and the larger ones behind
Step 7. Choose a bedside table to place everything you need on it
The bed area will thus seem more pleasant and comfortable. Put a lamp, an alarm clock and a bouquet of flowers in a flower holder or vase. If you enjoy reading, keep a stack of books. If you often feel thirsty at night, keep a glass and a jug full of water. This will save you several trips to the kitchen.
- If you have a large bed in the center of the wall, you could place a nightstand on each side to create symmetry and balance.
- Keep the proportions in mind. The larger the bed, the larger the bedside tables and lamp need to be.
Step 8. You could buy an armchair, loveseat, or comfortable chair
If you like to spend a lot of time in your room, it might be a good investment, so the bed will only be used for sleeping. To make this space particularly welcoming, create it in a corner of the room.
You can use an armchair, a loveseat or a bean bag
Advice
- Try to work on one part of the room at a time. Start with the walls, then move on to the floor, bedding, and curtains. Complete with contrasting items and accessories.
- Decorative boxes can allow you to store what you want. Place them on the shelves to add a pop of color to the room.
- Try to optimize the space as much as possible. If the room is small, move the larger furniture closer to the wall to make it appear larger.
- A nice wardrobe can have a decorative function, as well as allow you to store clothes. A coat rack can instead be slipped into a corner and is very practical for hanging coats.
- If you can't afford the whole project right now, go step by step. Buy bedspreads and accessories little by little according to your financial availability.
- Be consistent. Maybe you like different themes and styles, but not all of them will look good together.
- Second hand shops are great for buying original decorations, accessories and items.
- Going to thrift stores is useful because you can find many interesting pieces for a very low price. If you want to buy furniture, make sure it's not infested with pests and clean it to make sure it doesn't look used.
- If you live with your parents, remember to ask them for permission, as they may not want to change your bedroom right now.
- Try removing electronic devices, including televisions and computers, from the bedroom and move them to another room. Your mind will learn to associate it with rest and this will help you sleep better at night.
Warnings
- Don't fill the room to the point where you have no more room to walk.
- Don't hang so many pictures that you can't see the walls. The chamber will seem too loaded.
- Sometimes it happens that after such a project you miss the old room. You could leave at least one item in the same place it was going to retain some sense of familiarity.
- The bedroom should express your style, but if you live with your parents, the last word is probably up to them. Offer them a plan, including a budget, an estimate of how much you will pay and what their financial contribution should be. You should be ready to negotiate.
