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MY HOME REFRESH Series: Updating Our Guest Bedroom

This week, I’m launching a new series on the blog called MY HOME REFRESH. Come along this year as I tackle one space at a time, updating, organizing, and (of course) crafting and decorating, starting with today’s Guest Bedroom Refresh!

Budget-friendly decor and style tips to refresh any bedroom for a Pinterest-worthy look! Full source list is included.

 

~The following contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy. For the Full Source List, scroll to the bottom of this post. ~

The Story Behind MY HOME REFRESH

It’s been 10 years since hubby and I moved into our new-build bungalow. 

A decade! 

our home in 2015

We moved in with hardly a thing except what could fit into a teensy-tiny 1-bedroom apartment. We had NO appliances – yikes.

So, for the first few weeks, we had to purchase essentials like a stove, fridge, washer and dryer, and then slowly began to furnish our home over the next couple of years.

By the time I started this blog in 2015, we had already settled in so that decorating and making things cozy was uppermost on my mind. 

(See my FIRST Home Tour on the blog – excuse the low light and ‘yellow’ tinge to my pics 🙁 I was still very ‘green’ to the world of photography.)

Sometime last year, after my Craft Room Renovation was complete (in case you missed it, take the Facebook Live Tour here), I realized that the rest of the home was starting to look a little worn, outdated, and still worse, damaged by a couple of fur-babies who shall remain nameless 😉 

Cats :)

So after a decade in our home, I decided it was time to begin updating my space. Namely by selecting key areas to:

  • Declutter
  • Re-organize
  • DIY AND
  • Re-decorate 

But with a LOW BUDGET, my aim is to SIMPLY REFRESH OUR HOME to match our current needs and home style tastes.

…starting with the guest bedroom.

GUEST BEDROOM REFRESH

(See the Full Source List at the bottom of this post)

Our guest bedroom remained hardly changed since moving in 10 years ago. Seriously – all the furniture, bedding, and decor was virtually untouched since my first home tour on the blog.

This is what it looked like for nearly 10 years. Sweet – to be sure – but slightly outdated.

'Before' photo of guest bedroom.

So what spurred on my guest bedroom refresh?

Early this year, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Opposite Wall, a Canadian-based company that produces the most stunning and affordable modern art prints. 

This gave me the nudge I needed to finally work on updating our guest bedroom 🙂

My aim? To change – not transform – the bedroom by keeping things serene and cozy.

I decided to keep the same colour-palette of grey, white, and tan, while adding a few subtle hits of black for a little extra punch.

So with just a few swaps and additions, our guest bedroom got a subtle refresh that felt just a little more modern and up-to-date.

Here is what our guest bedroom looks like now.

Affordable guest bedroom decor and bedding updates. Includes full source list.

Fresh, affordable and modern decor and bedding updates in our guest bedroom.

The Breakdown:

New Artwork

These art prints are the piece de resistance of this space! In keeping with our home’s Scand-meets-farmhouse-with-a-pinch-of-mid-century-modern, these abstract and minimalist prints were exactly what this serene space needed.

Budget-friendly bedroom wall decor, accessories and bedding.

Affordable wall prints and bedroom decor ideas for your home.

Modern wall art for the home.

(For the full source list of all my art prints, frames and picture ledge, go to the bottom of this post).

New (& Old) Accessories & Bedding

I also focused on affordable side table accessories to finish off the bedroom. I did this by:

  • ‘Shopping’ my home
  • Shopping Amazon

What is new below?: The analog alarm clock and leather catch-all. The lamps, planter with faux succulents, and wire metal bird were all items I already owned.

Affordable bedroom accessories and modern updates.

Simple and budget options to update a bedroom.

Simple decor ideas for side tables and bedroom style.

Catch-all and easy decor updates for the bedroom.

Also new to the space were the pillows, duvet cover, and grey cotton bedspread – all affordable additions from Amazon and Home Sense. 

Pillows and textiles - easy bedroom updates.

Pillows and soft textiles for the bedroom.

Mudcloth throw blanket and other bedroom accessories. Easy updates for the home.

This beautiful mud cloth patterned throw blanket was another ‘shop my home’ addition. I just love the hit of black here.

Mudcloth print throw blanket and other bedroom refresh ideas.

What Else Did NOT Change?

These IKEA curtains feel classic and I still love this whimsical, botanical pattern on them.

IKEA curtains and other affordable bedroom decor ideas.

IKEA curtains.

What also remains unchanged is this 6-drawer IKEA Malm dresser. Accessories, too!

IKEA dresser and other affordable bedroom options.

Simple bedroom decor ideas for the budget-conscious.

BEFORE & AFTER

So after two solid weekends of DIYing our wall decor and swapping out a few key bedding pieces and accessories, I managed to update our space while still keeping the same serene colour palette.

With just a few updates and swaps, our guest bedroom got a subtle face-lift that gave it a fresher, more modern feel.  

How to update a bedroom with simple, affordable decor, wall art and textiles.

KEEPING YOUR BEDROOM REFRESH AFFORDABLE

Here are my best tips for keeping your bedroom refresh affordable and attainable:

Tip #1:  Keep Your Bedroom Furniture

None of our furniture changed – not a jot! You can refresh a space and give it new life without spending a dime on furniture.

All pieces were originally from IKEA, including the bed, the side tables, and the chest of drawers.

If you are really desperate for a change, consider painting the furniture for a fresh, new look.

Tip #2:  Purchase a Duvet Cover

You don’t need to change out all your sheets and bedding. Just adding a duvet cover will create a whole new look.

My little secret in this bedroom? I kept the comforter and simply purchased a new duvet cover 🙂 

Use a duvet cover to change the look of your bedding.

Tip #3: Layers

Affordable guest bedroom decor and bedding updates. Includes full source list.

Create a feeling of coziness using layers. 

Pillows, coverlets, and lightweight bedspreads offer much when trying to create a new look for your bedroom. 

Not to mention, it elevates the feeling of serenity in this space.

Tip #4: Decor & Wall Art

Wall art and decor ideas to update a bedroom.

This is where you can have fun and add personality without spending much. 

As I’ve mentioned, some of this bedroom decor came from ‘shopping’ my own home. I have collected a lot of nick-nacks over the years, so I simply brought in items from other parts of my home and then added a few new pieces. 

Of course, I also changed out my wall art completely and I LOVE how it turned out!

You can see how I created TWO DESIGNS for this same wallspace on my YouTube channel by clicking on the link below

But you don’t have to buy new! 

You can also find amazing thrifted pieces in any thrift store or charity shop to refresh a space! I have thrifted decor pieces peppered all throughout my home and love just how much personality this adds to my space.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope you enjoyed taking a tour of the ‘Before’ and ‘After’ of my Guest Bedroom Refresh. 

Stay tuned for more from the MY HOME REFRESH Series this year 🙂

 

 

 


SHOP THIS POST

*In cases where items are no longer available, I’ve listed similar products below.

FURNITURE

BEDDING & PILLOWS

OTHER TEXTILES

PRINTS & FRAMES:

PICTURE LEDGE:

ACCESSORIES

Side Table Decor:

Dresser Decor:


 

If you enjoyed this post, check out these other simple, affordable decor ideas:

Throw pillows and blankets are a simple, affordable way to add instant appeal to any space. Don't underestimate the power of these 'twin towers' in home decor to take a drab room and make it look stunning in an instant. Get your inspiration (along with a key formula in design) in this decorating series via aprettyfix.com.

In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to create two mini gallery walls in a bedroom. Perfect for beginners. Lots of tips and includes a video tutorial! #sponsored #myoppositewall #oppositewall #online #modernprints #minimal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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