The first step of your makeover is the edit. Consider your bedroom with a critical and objective eye. What do you love? What is worth keeping, and what is better off donated or sold? What belongs in another area of your house? As Lindsay puts it, “The bedroom should be a soothing retreat that both relaxes and recharges you at the end of the day. Start the makeover process by eliminating anything that you don’t need and love. And the best part of editing? It’s free!” Once you are clear on the basics, take another look around your room. Now’s the time to get more detailed; ask yourself if the furniture is appropriately positioned and accessories are shown to their best advantage. According to Lindsay, it all starts with your bed: a simple rule of thumb is to place your bed on the longest wall in the room, and then place your remaining pieces of furniture in the most complementary position around it. When it comes to choosing the paint color, Lindsay likes to consider your personality and lifestyle: “For example, if you love to garden, you may want to select a soft green or yellow paint to recreate the feel of the outdoors.” Think about your style, as well. “To create a more glamorous and modern feeling, pick a darker bedroom wall color, such as a deep grey, dark blue, or even black (it works!).” Always keep in mind, however, that your bedroom’s ultimate purpose is to provide a relaxing retreat for sleep. Lindsay cautions, “While there is no right or wrong choice, try to avoid very bright and energizing colors—such as bold reds, yellows, and oranges—on the bedroom walls because these colors tend to excite rather than relax.” If you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease, you can paint the room yourself in one weekend, and spend as low as $20 per gallon of paint (according to Lindsay, the average size bedroom needs two gallons for adequate coverage.) Lindsay is especially enthusiastic about the Ralph Lauren Home paint selection carried at Home Depot. For the best results, however, don’t skimp on your paintbrushes or rollers—good quality brushes provide smooth, full coverage without streaks or shed bristles. But don’t stop at the walls—there are many other ways to liven up your bedroom with paint. Lindsay often paints ceilings, trim, beat-up furniture, and even floors. While it does take a little more time and patience to wield a paintbrush on surfaces other than walls, the payoff comes at the end, when you have an entirely custom-colored bedroom. Lindsay adds, “If you’re a renter, you can still color your walls.” Look for removable wallpaper that can be painted your favorite color, and then easily stripped without damage to the underlying wall once it’s time to move. When it comes to choosing your bedding, Lindsay likes to keep it simple: “New white bedding instantly makes a room feel updated, clean, and elegant.” She then layers accent pillows and shams, along with an extra blanket or quilt, on top of the white bedding to give a sense of coziness to the space, and add a touch of pattern and color. She also cautions, “Make sure you have enough bedside lighting for reading, and if you don’t, purchase a new lamp or repurpose a lamp from elsewhere in the house. Give it a new shade to coordinate with your new bedroom design.” Even a small bedroom has a spot for a comfy chair—if you don’t already have one, check out thrift stores for good deals—for reading or pulling on shoes in the morning. Even if the chair needs new upholstery, you won’t need much fabric and can often transform an old, ugly chair into a showstopper for less than $200. Finally, consider adding in a few beautiful objects that have meaning and purpose. Some of Lindsay’s recommendations include, “Pick up a small dish for corralling jewelry, a new vase for showcasing flowers, and one or two mementos of your travels or interests. Accessories do not have to cost a fortune to be pretty and elegant. These last touches will elevate your room’s design and remind you at the end of the day of things and people you love.”
