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How to Create A Calm Look for a Bedroom

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The day has finally arrived when I am ready to show you the bedroom reveal.  You know the one I started almost six months ago??  I must be a world class procrastinator!

I did a lot of work in this room but mostly I did a lot of thinking.  What are the right colors within my limitations?  How can I up-cycle the items I already have? But mostly I hung out with this little guy!

​And I had a lot of help from you, my readers to create a calm look for a bedroom using vintage, thrifted and Ikea items.

Dog on bed, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
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The Sleep/Rest Area

When I first introduced my plans for this room there was much discussion about the positioning of the bed.  I had it pushed up against the wall originally.  But after much talk with you my readers I changed my mind and moved it away from the wall and also turned it facing this way. 

I was worried that it would make the room look much smaller – if that is even possible.  But guess what?  It was not the case at all.  In fact moving the bed away from the wall has made the room look larger!  I have all of you to thank for that!

I also redid the bed skirt to go all around the mattress – not like I had in my original plans. 

Sleeping area of the bedroom, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
To give balance to the space I’ve placed a kitchen towel over the bed, similar to this.  I had bought this years ago never intending to use it in the kitchen but just liked the whole look of it.  It has been secured on a piece of wood and tied with twine. The cheapest art ever!!

And I have no headboard that you can see.  I think simple is the way to go here, besides those pillows add enough pattern.

towel hung up as art over the bed, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
Between the wall and the bed I placed the  bench I had made over months ago. It just goes to show that not everything has to serve its traditional purpose.  I didn’t have a table small enough to fit there so I used the bench. It is narrow enough to fit and also serve as a table to hold my books and lamp. 

Speaking of which, that lamp does not really go with the rest of the room but for now it fits well enough.  At least it looks great on top of Hamilton!!  I’ll be on the lookout for another one on my frequent garage sales. 

​The wall mounted shelf above was redone a few days ago, you can read all about the shimmer here. 

lamp on bench, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
On the other side of the bed, I’ve placed the chair that was made over two ways.  This one is good for throwing your clothes on when you are too lazy to hang them up.  Keeping it real folks! 

Under the chair I’ve placed a basket I found at a garage sale for $3!!  Stored are my medical things. Should I try to find another place for those?  They kind of ruin the look of the room.

And those curtains?  They were made from drop cloth!  The easiest pleated curtains  you will ever make. 

Chair beside bed with basket underneath, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com


​The Storage Area

And now to the other side of the room.  If you recall I had two slim black bookcases here. There was talk of painting them but I’ve since removed them and placed them in the living room, to be eventually upcycled. It makes a huge difference now that they are not here.

Before this makeover started I had the two MCM pieces in that corner.  They hold the printer so it only made sense to move the whole thing closer to the desk. 

In that corner I’ve placed the vintage white dresser.  You may recall that at one point I had thought of stenciling the dresser, but I quickly came to my senses and realized it would be too much for such a small room.  So instead I kept it simple and just added new glass knobs. 

​On the wall next to the window is a cubby holder which I found at a garage sale. 

Corner of bedroom with dresser and mirrors, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
Above the dresser are two mirrors, the larger of the two was an old plastic mirror which has been transformed.  The smaller was thrifted and painted to look shabby.  They look like they were always meant to be there. Here is one that I love

The corner also holds my stash of frames which will be used as needed.

 I have dreams of a gallery wall one day!
Dresser with mirrors and utility cart, with cubby unit on the wall, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com

​This concoction here is actually an ikea picture ledge on the bottom and on top a cubby which I found at a yard sale.  You can see what it looked like before here
Ikea picture ledge below a wall mounted storage caddy, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
It was dark brown and painted with an enamel paint that would not sand off.  So instead of beating myself over the head about it, I just used more enamel paint over it.  It took about four coats but I am happy with the fact that it finally covered the ugly!  And it looks great with the ikea picture ledge. 
Close up of wall mounted storage caddy, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com


​The Work Area

The mid century modern pieces hold my paperwork and printer. I moved them all the way to the left of the wall to have them closer to my desk which is on the adjacent wall. I was especially happy with how the makeover turned out. 

​Soft colors really do make the room look so much larger.  If you doubt me,  take a look at what they looked like before here.  A bit of blue color serves to punch up the place for a very neutral look.  Now about that lamp that stick out like a sore thumb, should it stay or should it go?

​The print is something I downloaded on the internet.  Sorry I can’t remember where that was. 

two Mid century modern pieces one stacked on top of the other for paperwork and to hold the printer, and a utility cart with craft supplies, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
And of course what kind of DIY blogger would I be if I didn’t show you my craft stash.  It’s all stored in an Ikea RASKOG utility cart.  I bet everyone has one of these, they are so practical and really hold a ton of stuff. 
The utility cart full of craft supplies, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com

​And finally we come to the workstation as I like to call it.  I didn’t do much here except tidy up all those papers that were stuck on the wall.   I did however paint the legs of the table white.  That helps to unify it with the rest of the room. 

And the chair is also a nice neutral grey.  In fact it was one of the first items I bought for this room.  And it along with the rug set the tone for the colors. 

Workstation with computer and chair, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
Yes, having organized post-its all in columns make a huge difference! I also like the look of this cork board.  Do you think it’s too busy?
Wall behind workstation with post its and charts, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
AntiqueFarmHouse

​The self on top has been reorganized and I’ve added two shoe boxes.  I painted them using milk paint and then just printed up some labels for them.  I used the same color paint but different decorative wax and that makes all the difference. 
Decoupaged shelf over desk with boxes and ice bucket full of paper, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com

A Calm and Relaxing Bedroom

Many of you had suggested that I separate the sleep/rest area from the work area.  And that is just what I did. Now everything has a designated place. 

You may also remember I had been thinking of adding copper as one of the colors.  Instead I replaced it with the slate blue.  The colors are all soft and relaxing which add to the calm feel of the room.  

Overview of the bedroom, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com

​And now since everything has its place I am much more inclined to wake up and make the bed right away before Tatou has a chance to jump on it. 

bed and resting area, How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
It really has become a stress-free area for relaxation. But also a pleasant area to get lots of work done, now that the printer is close by and all of my papers are in order.  Well for the most part anyway. And I’m much more focused now that all the mess is gone. 

I was able to combine Ikea items with vintage finds and hopefully create a look that is not only calm and relaxing but also works so that the furnishings are in harmony!  Did I achieve this?  You tell me!

Corner of bedroom, #bedroommakeover #upcycled #calmbedroom #workrestbalance #vintage #Ikea How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
I can honestly say that I am finally finished with this room and am enjoying it to the fullest. And I have you, my faithful readers, to thank for all of your great suggestions on how to create a calm look for the bedroom. 

Now I would like more suggestions on anything else that I can tweak aside from all the lamps that need changing out. 

You can see all the progress of the bedroom and the projects below. 

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How to create a calm bedroom using vintage, thrifted and Ikea items, #bedroommakeover #ikea #vintage #thrifted #upcycled #workstation #restworkbalance How to Create a Calm Look for a Bedroom www.theboondocksblog.com
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Lisa

Monday 29th of October 2018

Mary, sometimes a room just takes times. You've done a remarkable job pulling everything together. Is a room ever REALLY finished? LOL

Mary

Tuesday 30th of October 2018

Lisa it was a big job because I wanted everything to look like it belonged here and did not stick out like a sore thumb. I guess that is my style a mix of everything. And yes there is always more to be done. I've gotta hit the sales to see if I can find more lamps.

Marjan Hoebeke-Pfaff

Monday 29th of October 2018

What a lovely room. You've created a safe haven, calm and quiet, some kind of a retreat, very soothing.

Mary

Tuesday 30th of October 2018

Exactly Marjan. I feel so relaxed in here, and working is such a pleasure too!

Debrashoppeno5

Monday 29th of October 2018

The bedroom does look very soothing, and it looks like Tatou agrees with me. I like how you designated zones for relaxing and working. You have managed to organize the room and keep it stylish.

Mary

Tuesday 30th of October 2018

This has to be Tatou's favorite room. As soon as he wakes up he jumps right on the bed! I am really happy with it and I think I've finally found my style... soothing eclectic Haha!

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