Either material can be made to look and feel beautiful, but the photos show the worst of both. I love baltic birch plywood with exposed edges, but it must be sanded smooth and clear-coated with a satin finish lacquer or urethane. Concrete (my passion and my business) can be tinted to give it a warmer shade, and either cast against a super-smooth surface or polished to make it smooth. Bedroom walls need to look and be touchable. The ones in the photos give me the shivers.

Hi cindypaynter, If you would like to use more colour and introduce brightness into your bedroom below are some examples for you. Each one varies with the amount of bright colour in the space. You definitely should change the bed linen. That will have a major impact on the space. I'd would highly recommend to change the light fitting and possibly look at using wallpaper or simply paint the wall behind the bed, or introduce some artwork like the pictures below. Try to think more about the look and style that you want to achieve, and source things that will work with your overall idea. Also, a quick tip - don't forget about texture, especially in the bedroom! Best of luck for you project. If you can, show us your transformed bedroom when you're done :)

I love your art too! It is stunning, I completely understand you desire to retain it. What would I do? Very simple- I'd put the art on the opposite wall you are trying to fill and leave the wall above the bed blank (it already has a 'feature' colour on it?). I'd put an organza sheer on the bay window, I can't quite make out your colours, perhaps an organza with a slight shimmer to blend with the existing wall colour (not the feature colour though)

My daughter ran her business from her bedroom until they could afford a 3 bedroom house, their 2 bedder with two boys and no where else to fit an office was a very difficult time which thankfully they all survived. Having your office in your bedroom should be avoided at all cost, as you never leave the office behind as my daughter found out. Your bedroom is where you go to relax , I certainly wouldn't give up my sanctuary for anyone, even my kids. You are there full time so it makes sense. Your house already has enough rooms, except for making a small change to allow for another bedroom albeit small next to the bathroom as per my suggestion, Both of these rooms have space for the boys to have a desk (they don't need a lot of storage being part time) The desk in the living area can be built in to hide an office. This is a low cost solution and won't damage resale value. If down the track you can afford the new deck, try to work out to fit a room underneath as a hang out (media) area for the boys. not sure about WA but rooms like these in some states can have ceiling height at 2100, depends on what name!! you give them. My son is in a similar situation to you, except he now lives in a Studio Apartment in Sydney, so when he has his two kids 50 50 they make do in that space and seem to manage very well.