If I had a dollar for every room makeover we’ve done, I’d have about eleven dollars — which is my awkward way of saying: THE MASTER BEDROOM IS FINISHED!
You probably knew that from my last post, but it still feels good to officially announce it. I’m celebrating with a private Justin Timberlake dance over here.
This was our master bedroom exactly one year ago — a plain, uninspired white box that needed personality.
It needed an oomph factor — the kind of update that brings a blank room to life. We love taking plain spaces and giving them personality, and this room was no exception.
Now it looks like this.
The final result is a bit more modern than I first imagined, but it’s a cozy retreat where Robert and I can unwind — at least until Olivia decides to launch herself onto us at 5 a.m., as she often does.
We reused a lot of furnishings we already owned. The most-asked-about item is our ceiling fan. Unfortunately it was discontinued shortly after we bought it at Lowe’s, but there are lots of interesting ceiling fan styles out there if you’re looking for inspiration.
We kept the huge bed we bought at Ashley Furniture when we first moved in, but I painted the upholstery gray as a quick, affordable refresh. Six months later and the fabric is still holding up great.
Those quirky nightstands came from Nadeau. It was hard finding pieces that fit our tall bed and the narrow wall space, but once we found these, they helped set the tone for the rest of the room.
My favorite feature is the sliding barn doors. They solved a daily traffic jam between our bathroom and shower door and freed up space in the closet — a practical win.
It took some trial and error, but the distressed finish on these doors came out exactly as I hoped. That textured wall brought the whole space to life.
For bedding and towels I stick to whites — they bleach well and always feel fresh. The white linens also balance the darker furniture and keep the room feeling light.
I paired the bedding with simple linen and cotton pillows so they don’t compete with the rug’s pattern.
I know faux taxidermy divides people — every time I share a photo, someone comments that our deer head is “ugly.” But I love it because it reminds me of Robert and my honeymoon in Asheville, North Carolina. We stayed at a hotel with a modern glam hunting-lodge vibe and antler chandeliers in our suite. That aesthetic stuck with me, so “Pat the Deer” earned a spot on our wall.
Moral of the story: decorate with what you love. It’s your home — you don’t need to please everyone.
To give the windows presence and make them appear larger, we used three simple techniques: DIY Craftsman-style trim, woven shades, and long white curtains — a combo I always recommend.
The DIY planked board and batten accent wall is still one of my proudest finishes — it adds architecture and character in a big way.
Opposite the bed, the wall developed into a simple vignette over time. I rescued a dresser from Craigslist when we first moved in; new hardware and styling made a big difference.
A mirror and a pair of topiaries helped round out that side of the room.
For paint, we chose Benjamin Moore Moonshine in a matte finish because it’s a soft, neutral light gray that works well in almost any room.
This room was unusual for us in terms of time and cost. Typically we makeover rooms quickly, but since items were added gradually over the year, the project stretched out. Still, the outcome was worth the patience.
Now for the budget breakdown and sources.
Sources: (Some affiliate links were used for convenience.)
- Wall paint (Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Glidden matte paint) – $60
- DIY planked board and batten wall – $106
- Planked wall paint (Sherwin Williams Alabaster in Glidden semi-gloss paint) – $30
- DIY window trim – $70
- Curtains – $50
- Driftwood Roman shades – $83
- Nightstands (similar style) – $400
- DIY distressed hollow core doors – $108.52
- Two sliding barn door hardware kits – $399.98
- Lamps – $69.98
- Faux stag head – $56 (on sale)
- Blue medallion rug – $306.48
- Window mirror – $135.99
- Topiaries (similar) – $19.98
- Galvanized olive buckets – $39.98
- Artificial grass planter (similar) – $19.99
- Artificial sage plants – $11.98
- Linen duvet set – $89.99
- Stripe lumbar pillow – $19.99
- Linen ruffle pillows – $59.97
- Gray throw blanket – $29.99
- Dresser knobs and pulls – $57.19
TOTAL: $2,225.01
I didn’t include furniture we already owned when we first moved in, since I couldn’t remember those original costs. If I missed anything, tell me and I’ll update the list.
Seeing the final total surprised me — over $2,000! That’s uncommon for us, but it makes sense when purchases are spread across a year; small trips to Ikea and HomeGoods add up faster than you realize.
If you missed any of the project updates, here’s a summary of the progress and projects that led to this reveal:
- Modern Rustic Master Bedroom Design Plan
- Finding the Perfect Nightstands
- The Trick to Get Designer Paint Colors on the Cheap
- DIY Planked Board and Batten Focal Wall Installation
- DIY Planked Board and Batten Focal Wall Reveal
- 3 Must-Do Tricks to Upgrade Plain Windows
- New Rug in the Master Bedroom
- How to Distress Hollow Core Doors
- Beginner’s Guide to Painting Upholstery
- How to Install Sliding Barn Doors
- Adding Pulls to the Barn Doors
Next up: the playroom makeover, which will be a big, exciting project. I’m adapting a previous playroom plan and making a few updates — I can’t wait to share the process.
Do you have a major room makeover planned? Or have you completed a room you’re proud of? I’d love to hear about it.
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