How To Redecorate A Bedroom Without Replacing The Furniture

I’m excited to share my expertise on how to give your space a fresh, new look without breaking the bank! One of the most common requests I receive is to redesign a room, such as a bedroom, without replacing any furniture. It’s completely achievable, and I’ll be sharing my top 10 tips to help you achieve this. The best part is that even just a few of these updates can make a big impact on your space.

Before we dive into the tips, let me show you an example of how it’s possible to transform a room with minimal changes. I recently redecorated a master bedroom for a friend, and as you’ll see in the before-and-after photos, we didn’t replace any furniture or rearrange the layout. The key was making minor, inexpensive changes that still made a big difference.

Now that you’ve seen what’s possible with these simple changes, I’d like to walk you through the process step by step using another recent client project as an example. We’ll start with the before photos and work our way through the design process.

CONSIDER THE SPACE PLAN

Before embarking on the design process, I first assessed the existing layout of the homeowners’ furniture, considering how it could be rearranged to create a more harmonious flow in the room. The original configuration featured an empty wall that seemed like an ideal opportunity to reposition the bed and draw attention to the vaulted ceiling. Additionally, I aimed to provide a cozy seating area, although the space constraints meant a traditional chair wasn’t feasible.

Instead, I opted for a bench at the foot of the bed, which proved to be a thoughtful compromise. The new layout successfully transformed the room’s focal point, drawing attention to the bed and its surrounding wall, while also showcasing the ceiling. In many bedrooms, furniture may only accommodate one specific configuration.

However, in my own master bedroom and another prior client’s space, I was able to achieve a completely fresh look without replacing or rearranging the existing pieces of furniture.

THINK ABOUT THE STYLE YOU WANT

To revamp your bedroom’s aesthetic, start by gathering inspiration from various sources like fashion magazines, home decor catalogs, Pinterest, or Houzz. Having an idea of the style you desire will help guide your shopping decisions. If a color palette isn’t yet defined, don’t worry – it can evolve as you work through the process.

For instance, homeowners who appreciate nature and modern decor might find inspiration in the great outdoors to create a cozy and sophisticated space that blends elements from both worlds.

When faced with an element that cannot be altered, such as wood trim or flooring, it’s more effective to work with it rather than against it. Consider consulting previous posts for guidance on tackling similar challenges and explore how those designs ultimately turned out.

START WITH A NEW RUG

When selecting a rug for your bedroom, it’s often helpful to start with the floor covering and then build upon it. This initial choice can serve as a foundation for defining the overall aesthetic and color palette of the space. If you have a specific color scheme in mind, utilize online search filters to narrow down your options by hue.

Alternatively, filter by style if you’re still undecided on colors, allowing you to discover rugs that catch your eye and then develop the room’s color scheme around them. For this bedroom, I aimed for a blue-centric palette, seeking a rug that would add visual interest while predominantly sticking to monochromatic tones.

The Oriental Navy Distressed Rug caught my attention due to its rich over-dyed colors and traditional design, which would provide a striking contrast to the room’s other modern and nature-inspired elements. I was thrilled to find this rug at an incredible sale price in a 9×12 size, large enough to accommodate the entire bed.

If your desired rug isn’t available in this size or exceeds your budget, consider placing a smaller 5×8 rug one-third of the way under the bed’s foot, allowing the remaining rug to serve as a focal point at the room’s end.

PAINT THE WALLS

When it comes to giving a space a new look, painting the walls can be a cost-effective and impactful solution. With the freedom to choose your own colors, you have the power to transform a room into a bright and airy oasis, a vibrant and lively space, or a cozy and intimate retreat. In one of my client’s bedrooms, I achieved a harmonious balance by selecting a light gray tone for most of the walls, while reserving a rich navy blue shade for the vaulted bed wall.

This bold accent created a striking focal point that added depth to the room. The homeowners chose Sherwin Williams’ Anchors Aweigh (SW 9179) for this statement wall. Interestingly, by selecting the rug first, we were able to compare paint samples against it and make an informed decision about which color would complement it best. This approach is often more effective than choosing a paint color first and then trying to find a rug that matches.

ADD OR UPDATE ART TO DEFINE THE STYLE

When it comes to selecting art and linens for your room, you’re really bringing the space to life. I recommend starting with something you love and then building upon it. One of my go-to sources for affordable art is Minted, which offers a vast collection that can be filtered by color or style. You can even order pieces in various sizes and framing options to ensure they fit perfectly in your space.

For my client’s bedroom, I fell in love with ‘Aspens at Altitude’ – a beautiful photo that evokes the feeling of lying in bed and gazing up at a forest of trees. The white image provides stunning contrast against the dark navy wall. Instead of recommending one large print above the bed, I suggested hanging five identical photos across the wall to create an immersive experience.

To make it more budget-friendly, we ordered the prints unframed and then picked up nice white frames during Aaron Brothers’ semi-annual ‘buy a frame, get one for a penny’ sale. To add some depth and dimension to the room, I also wanted to incorporate art that would bring in more shades of deep, rich blues. I was on the hunt for a modern representation of nature that would balance out the photography, and Minted delivered with their ombre art prints featuring mountains and trees.

I recommended one for the bedroom and another for the bathroom, which helped tie these two spaces together seamlessly.

CHOOSE SIMPLE LINENS

When selecting bedding, simplicity often reigns supreme. Opt for a straightforward duvet cover or bedspread that doesn’t overwhelm. If you do choose to incorporate a pattern, keep it understated so as not to tire of it prematurely. To mix things up, throw pillows provide an easy update option. In one client’s master bedroom, I sought to counterbalance the dominant navy wall behind the bed with a light-colored duvet.

The Belgian Flax Linen Ikat Stripe bedding proved an excellent choice due to its subtle pattern and harmonious blend of modern and traditional elements.

REPLACE DRAWER KNOBS

Transforming your existing furniture with new knobs and pulls is an effortless way to breathe new life into your space without breaking the bank. Think of decorative hardware as the finishing touches that elevate your furniture’s overall aesthetic, much like accessories can make or break an outfit. By swapping out the old for the new, you can seamlessly integrate your pieces with a fresh style. I’ve curated a list of my go-to sources for budget-friendly decorative knobs and pulls.

For one of my client projects, we opted for these Twig brushed brass knobs to give their bedroom furniture a sleek makeover. The warm tone of the brass will beautifully contrast against the wood grain, while the twig-inspired design adds a modern touch to the room’s outdoorsy theme.

LAYER IN ACCESSORIES

While accessories can elevate a room from nice to decorated, it’s crucial to strike the right balance to achieve that layered look. Many people make the mistake of over-accessorizing with numerous small items, resulting in a cluttered appearance. Instead, focus on selecting a few larger pieces and grouping them together to create a statement. This approach allows for visual interest without overwhelming the space.

In the design plans below, you’ll see how I applied this principle by recommending strategic groupings of vases in my client’s bedroom.

UPDATE THE LIGHTING

When upgrading the bedroom’s illumination, prioritize the task lighting. Select nightstand lamps that offer sufficient brightness to facilitate reading in bed while maintaining a soothing ambiance ideal for unwinding. If your bedroom already boasts satisfactory ceiling lighting, it may not be necessary to invest in an overhead update. However, if budget permits, consider replacing a standard ceiling fixture with a show-stopping chandelier for a touch of drama.

My clients sought to revamp both their task and overhead lighting, prompting me to suggest these etched table lamps and sputnik-style chandeliers for a dash of glamour.

CONSIDER REPLACING THE HEADBOARD

In recent years, matching bedroom sets have lost their appeal as a symbol of adulthood. Instead, updating just the headboard can instantly give your bedroom set a modern twist without breaking the bank. Affordable options abound for every style, often priced under $250. For instance, I worked with clients who wanted to incorporate the look of reclaimed wood into their space. Swapping out the headboard was the perfect solution.

We were on the lookout for pieces that featured a mix of dark and light woods – the dark to tie in with existing furniture, and the light to create contrast against the navy wall behind the bed. Options 1, 2, and 4 were initially considered but ultimately deemed too expensive. However, options 3 and 5 hit the sweet spot, providing the desired style without exceeding our budget.

HOW THE PLANS CAME TOGETHER

As we bring the master bedroom design to life, let me guide you through the harmonious blend of modern sophistication and cozy charm that I achieved for my client. You may recall that our goal was to thoughtfully integrate their love of nature into a room that exudes serenity and refinement. To accomplish this, I relocated the bed to the angled wall, which now boasts a rich navy blue hue.

New lamps will illuminate the existing nightstands, while the bed itself receives a reclaimed wood headboard and understated gray and white bedding. Above the bed, five identical aspen photos will create a visually appealing row, complemented by the addition of a stunning chandelier that injects a touch of glamour. Due to space constraints, we substituted a traditional chair with an upholstered bench at the foot of the bed, providing a welcoming nook for relaxation.

To give the bedroom furniture a fresh facelift, I replaced the drawer knobs with elegant brass hardware inspired by twigs. In place of a conventional full-length mirror above the dresser, we opted for a circular mirror offset to one side, introducing an updated aesthetic. The space will also benefit from a thoughtful mix of navy and white art, textural vases in these same hues, which will add depth and visual interest.

SOURCE LIST FOR DESIGN PLANS

For the ultimate coastal retreat, consider incorporating Sherwin Williams Anchors Aweigh (SW 9179) into your design. This soothing shade can be paired with natural elements like a Reclaimed Wood Headboard to create a sense of warmth and coziness. Complete the look with crisp bedding featuring a Duvet Cover and Shams, as well as some beautiful Aspen Photos to add a touch of elegance.

For flooring, choose a Rug that complements the calming tone, while a Bench and Lamps in a similar hue can provide additional seating and lighting options. Hang Navy Blue Drapes to block out any harsh light and create a sense of serenity. To add some subtle glamour, incorporate Brass Twig Knobs on cabinets or drawers, as well as Large and Smaller Navy Vases scattered throughout the room.

For added visual interest, consider hanging Framed Sunburst Art above a bed or sofa, and place a Round Metal Mirror nearby to reflect any natural light. For a pop of color, introduce some Blue Mountain Art, either in the form of prints or original pieces. To tie everything together, use coordinating tree art in a bathroom design, and add some finishing touches with a Blue Vase featuring White Texture on a dresser.

Finally, bring it all together with Tall Navy Vases and White Vases placed strategically throughout the space.