How do I give my bedroom a lift?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We have a pine bedroom suite purchased in the early 90s and I’m wanting to do something with the bedroom to give it a lift as currently it looks a little daggy. I’m open to all suggestions but don’t want to go to a lot of expense. Initial thoughts are that we would keep the bed but am wondering if we should paint the bedsides and dresser and change knobs. Have also thought of removing the mirror from the dresser and having it cut into an oval/round shape and possibly then a brass frame so it could hang above the dresser. New brass lamps perhaps? Walls are a light grey and carpet is grey and It is quite a large room. Window trims and doors are white. Appreciate thoughts you may have.

Featured Answer

Austere Hamlet

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Depends on how handy you are and want to be. It's a pine bed setting so it's no shame to paint it. Which for pine furniture is often the best thing to do to update it. You don't need to remove the lacquer, merely rough it up with sandpaper to get the paint to take.

I took a limed oak veneered 1950's dresser, painted it postbox red than painted gold lotus leaves and flowers over the top. The result? My own chinoiserie dresser. A red version of this....

The dresser was a straight box shape with deep drawers and large aged brass handles. You cannot tell it isn't a period chinoiserie piece now. But it was horribly ugly when I bought it. I realise that painting botanicals on furniture requires a bit of artistic flair but you can get a similar look just by painting furniture any one of the standard chinoiserie background colours. Typically....

- Red

- Black

- Lime green

- Bright yellow

Then changing the handles to something a little more generically Asian in appearance. An aged metal handle is best.

What really dates your furniture isn't it's style, but that oak stained colour and the button handles. A solid colour and a change of handles either to a simple metal one or a crystal handle can have these sets looking amazing. This chest of drawers is the same style as yours and pine too. They've just painted it and stuck some very nice handles on it.

If I were you the first thing I would do is paint all your furniture in a nice matte acrylic (please no chalk paint, it's gimmicky and always looks like a botched DIY job). Plain matte acrylic with 2 coats looks smart and can be dressed up or down. Then replace all the handles. it will smarten up the room very affordably for $50 worth of handles and about $10 worth of paint. My large chest of drawers was painted with 3 coats with a $5 sample pot only. A 1ltr of paint would do all your pieces for about $13.

GIven your carpet colour I would probably go a very nice charcoal or even a deep moss colour on the furniture. You will then need to find a patterned quilt cover set to go with it, (dusty pinks, bronze, yellows) will go well, a textured throw on the end of the bed and some nice drapes.

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Comments (23)

oklouise
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
it would be much cheaper to buy a new mirror than attempt to have the original mirror cut down and reframed but the cheapest option for a new look bedroom could be a shabby chic paint finish on all the furniture, new knobs, lamps, bed linens and curtains
Heather Donald
6 years ago
The power of chalk or mineral paint. It’s great fun to use.
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Kate
6 years ago
Sell furniture and buy a new second hand one in your preferred style. Could cut off the finials. Chalk paint it all if u are up for some sanding first.
C P
6 years ago
Cut off finials, paint bed and dresser and ditch besides for something on legs.
kiwimills
6 years ago
I had the same lamps. Replaced lampshades with round black ones from Bunnings ($20...rip off) but wow, look so much better!!
bigreader
6 years ago
You could keep the furniture but finish it in a darker stain. Then update linen, lamps, accessories and add a rug.

Or replace the bed head with a fabric one keeping the other pieces and update accessories.
differentways
6 years ago
What a wonderful bed is it made of Oregon I would paint it as suggested by others have you tried selling old furniture lately you basically have to give it away. spend your money on new bedding and a couple of floor reading lamps, I've just bought a couple from Bunnings around $40 ea they come in Black and white with a touch of timber
PRO
Aus Joinery Kitchens Pty Ltd
6 years ago
Put some legs on the bedsides,curved legs. Paint everything in a dark colour (not black) change handles, change lamps and try something with a more substantial base. Spindly thin lamps don't go with your furniture. Ceiling to floor curtains. Get rid of the mirror on the dresser. Have a full length mirror in the corner. Get a rug and end of bed storage ottoman. Get rid of the doilies and use a mirrored tray instead. Have a throw for the end of the bed. Get rid of the small accent pillow as it looks lost. Update the clock and radio on the bedsides maybe have an all in one.
Anne Monsour
6 years ago
I suggest leave your furniture as is and buy a new quilt cover set that you love , match the blinds and lamp shades , and change the knobs on your drawers .
Anne Monsour
6 years ago
More , but choose to your own taste as this is just one quilt . Some artwork that tones in would be nice .
JE C
6 years ago
I agree to keeping the furniture, will look fine with updated bedcovering and lamps.
decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
https://www.houzz.ie/discussions/344957/ghost-coating

I would try this technique on the bed, sell the dresser and bedside chests, and buy something more interesting second hand to replace them. Remember, bedsides need to reach mattress top in height. Chunky tables need chunky lamps while skinny, leggy tables need skinny lamps.
njmomma
6 years ago
Not a Pro.

Honestly, I would not paint any of the furniture or change out the mirror, but I would change out the end tables. Maybe to glass end tables, with some great looking lamps. Art, new comforter and drapes.

Some Inspiration:

Aimee Glass Side Table · More Info

Safavieh Linus Brass Column Table Lamps, 28.5" High, Set of 2 · More Info

Oxford Pinch Pleat Comforter Set, Down Alternative Fill, White, King · More Info

Yosemite Display Of Grace With Multi Finish FCS11399-1 · More Info
julie herbert
6 years ago
You know you could not change anything and go with the most romantic bedding you can find, lush fabrics to suit the style of furniture you have, or you could streamline it as others have suggested, it’s a matter of taste but who doesn’t love a bit of a romantic look, add some gorgeous bedside lamps and it just may surprise you how beautiful it will look.
JE C
6 years ago
Petbrisbane, what decorating style do you like?
kazzh
6 years ago
One thing to keep in mind, if you would like to achieve a more lux looking room, whatever you decide about your furniture, your bedding will need to be one or maybe 2 sizes bigger than the bed size. ie double bed - buy queen or king in your bedding. will drape further over the bed .
njmomma
6 years ago
@petbrisbane

Are any of these ideas working for you?
Sue Gelade
6 years ago
When in doubt, Matt Black is my go to furniture ’colour’ - you can put anything with it and on it.
pascoeyvonne
6 years ago
If you don't wish to spend much money, purchase new bed linen in fashionable colours, new lamp shades and a wall print. This would make a big difference to the appearance of the room. Then if you wish to paint the walls, choose a colour to match or blend in with the bed cover.
User
6 years ago
If these pics are of your preferred style, the look could be cost effectively achieved with a furniture paint job (and maybe removing the finials), a new wall colour that gives a little more contrast, new linen in a bigger size, adding a rug, and maybe even widening and softening the look of the windows. Extending soft window coverings across the entire wall, ceiling to floor would also look great, if the budget permits.

All the best with your project. I need to tackle our drab master bedroom soon too. I’d love it if you’d be happy to share the end result of your makeover. Most Houzzers love a good before and after. :-)
petbrisbane
Original Author
6 years ago
Many thanks for all your comments and suggestions. You have given me much to ponder. We will be relocating in under 12 months so will go with minimum changes. Will change cupboard hardware and get new lamps. New bed linen was always on the cards and have purchased a larger doona. Going to go with a white cover - presently have two occasional chairs being re-upholstered so will accessorise based on colour there. Revamping artwork also. Thanks again. Will post a photo once finished but could be a couple of weeks 😊
Kirsty Brown
6 years ago
With grey and white to go with, you're right on trend (well, in NZ anyway). Keep those colours. With the furniture, cut the newell posts off the bed and square up the headboard and baseboard (or get rid of the baseboard altogether if you can. I did my headboard with a piece of MDF and covered it with a sheet. I'd do the same with the dresser - cut the newell posts off. Those things really date the furniture. Paint all the furniture either gloss white or black and change the handles to silver or brushed chrome. Just make sure that some where else in the room is the same silver/ brushed chrome. Maybe a photo frame of a couple of lamps? I think white.High gloss. Black or grey plain (no pattern) drapes as close as you can get to the wall colour. That way they disappear and don't become a feature (unless you got for very expensive and make them a show piece). I'd put the drapes behind some shimmer voile sheers that drape across the floor a little. Now you only have to choose accents and you'll have a different look any time. Pinks, blues, purples -whatever takes your fancy. Don't forget to add in a few different textures to soften things up a bit, ad see if you can pick up a 2nd hand cheap chandelier.I think I spent about $300 total from a nasty blue flocked wallpaper and apricot curtains, and a couple of other bits and pieces. Would love to see the finished product!!