As I put together my spring bucket list, the item I was MOST excited about was my bedroom update. Honestly I haven’t ever really had a “styled” bedroom as an adult and I spend minimal time in bedrooms. It’s honestly always been more of a functional space vs a relaxation space. Thus, absolutely no intentional thought or energy had been put into my new Chicago bedroom. It was so utterly, utterly sad and soulless. The final result is very different than I anticipated but I like so much better! I based it on things I love and functionality. In this case, functionality is okay to be at the forefront.
To begin with, I had to think about how much I was really willing to put into a bedroom update. I decided on the criteria that I had to use half of what I already owned and I needed to be really, really intentional about what I bought. I like the creativity of what those sorts of constraints bring out. However, I did end up going a little over. Oy. However, I am very, very confident that most of them items I can use throughout the house as I mix things up.
Vintage Items
I had two vintage items I wanted to use in the room. First, the vintage mirror that I got at an estate sale and I hadn’t been able to find the right place for in the house. Second, I bought a vintage Italian marble that has the most incredible patina and veining. I found it a few months ago and didn’t know HOW I was going to use it, but I knew it was one of those unique pieces that I would find the perfect home for.
Biggest Impact Items
Rug
The first thing I knew I wanted to do was have a rug. The carpet in my house is very low-quality, commercial-style that could not be more barf-inspired if it tried. It feels gross and is kind of a weird contrast with the very gray bedroom paint. I have a queen bed and ordered an 8×10 to go under it.
While I wish I could have sourced a vintage or true high-quality rug, but I don’t have that money to invest in one. I got this rug and I love it! I was surprised because the texture is slightly strange (not bad) but it’s like a screen PRINT onto a rug. Really hard to describe but it’s a great rug.
Lighting
There’s no overhead lighting in the bedrooms. This drives me insane. Because I wanted to make this a nice reading space I knew I had to add lighting somehow. I found corded sconces (I was going to try to puck-trick but alas that did not work in this space.) and hung them with a nail and a 3M hook to stabilize it. Additionally hanging the mirror reflected more light as well as the gallery wall of frames that ever-so-slightly reflect the incoming light.
Bedding
I went around and around on the bedding situation. It feels like such a rip-off but cheap bedding material is the absolute worst feeling. I wanted to just re-order what I had in my Wichita apartment but dog hair managed to weave itself into the fabric and drove me INSANE. Previously I ordered a duvet from Urban Outfitters when I first moved and I hated it. I went with a duvet from the Magnolia line from Target and was really surprised when I loved it! It’s not too heavy for spring and summer which was something I had in mind as well! (My sheets are these that I’ve repurchased multiple times!)
The pillows are my standard back-sleeping pillows but then I got these sage European pillows from Target (Target really came through on the bedding front) as well. I just used existing pillows for the rest of the bed.
I am really thrilled with the final result! The unsung hero of this whole thing is command hooks that helped me avoid a million nail holes. Oh and the beautiful trick of hanging curtains in a way that makes your room look so much bigger. My bedroom is now one of my favorite spaces in the house!
Bedroom Resource List
You can also view a video I did of the room reveal!
Karly
Your bedroom turned out great! I love that you mixed new and existing pieces – to me, that’s how you really make rooms feel home-y and lived-in. I think your sconces are my favorite new addition!
Karly
https://www.whatkarlysaid.com