5 Tips to remodel your bedroom on a budget
This article is a guest post from Micah Alora.
When planning to remodel your home, The Budget Decorator says that your bedroom should be the first on your list as it’s the area you’re likely to spend the most time in. Renovations can be costly, but you don't have to break the bank to craft a new, relaxing look for your sleep space. Here are a few tips on how to change up your style and stay in budget.
Creating Your Budget
Unexpected costs will definitely come up, so try to take all factors into consideration when crafting your budget. First, decide how much you want to change. Adding a few accents is different from getting all-new furniture. Do some comparison shopping to get a price range on the things you like. Add in costs for any paint, hardware, or other tools you'll need to do the work (or to pay workers). If that comes out to be too much, then figure out where you can cut, compromise, or go cheap. For example, start shopping the thrift stores to find that perfect piece of furniture instead of buying new. Marcus’s guide to monthly budgets emphasizes that you shouldn't be afraid to make the necessary changes if your budget isn’t working, so consider tweaking or revising it. Remember, this is just a guide, and it shouldn't stop you from having fun!
Choose a Color Theme
Changing the color of your room is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to redecorate. Just a coat of paint can make a big difference. It's important to choose the right color scheme to facilitate the atmosphere you want in your bedroom. Since colors influence mood, your bedroom’s colors should make you feel positive from the moment you wake up, but also relaxed before bed. There are some suggested colors, but everyone reacts to colors differently. Take time to lay out a selection you like and see which ones make you feel the way you want to feel.
To reduce costs, consider a color that goes with what you already have. Complementary colors or different hues of a shade you already use can allow you to keep your bedding and furniture without clashing.
Also, try a few small accents that add more of the color you want rather than a large overhaul. A couple of throw pillows, a blanket, a few hanging pictures and knickknacks can add enough of a new color to your space to make a difference.
Be Creative with Your Lighting
Take a look at lighting as a way to create a new look without changing much of anything else. The Spruce advises softer bulbs for these spaces as they emit warmer undertones and create pockets of glow around your bedroom. If you are tired of harsh overhead lighting, try making a switch to ambient floor lighting instead. New lamps - or even just a new lamp shade! - add personality and different color options at a low cost.
Put in a Statement Piece
Sometimes it just takes one new thing to change the whole design of a room. Find a wall hanging, unique chair, or other piece of art that fits your style and adds a new feel to your bedroom. If that still sounds expensive, designer and creative consultant Matilda Goad frequents flea markets for inspiration and renovation. The flea market might have a lot of junk, but if you have the patience, you might be able to find something for the price of next-to-nothing. Your statement piece will make more of a statement if it’s a one-of-a-kind treasure of sentimental value with a story to tell.
Update Your Bed
Your bed is the whole reason you have a bedroom, and it's usually the first thing your eyes are drawn to in that space. To save money, you don't have to replace the whole thing. Get just a headboard to create the look you want, because just the headboard is less expensive than the full bed. Make sure you also have a sturdy bed frame for support, and a comfortable mattress. Since you spend about 33% of your life on your bed, it’s worth it to get it right. Investing in a good frame also means extending the life of your mattress, so that will save you some money down the road.
Remodeling your bedroom doesn’t have to hurt your wallet. With the right eye for design and a little bit of patience, you can definitely have the room of your dreams even with a budget.